Let's see your Gretsch kits (saved the best for last!)

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Sweet






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Gretsch Orphan Cadillac Green Shellpack

THE DRUMS:
All 3ply 50's shells

9x13 original (54-58?) Cadillac Green
Bass Drum 22" 1951 (stamped in shell)
Floor Tom 16" 1953 (stamped)
Snare 6.5x14 1951 (stamped

THE PAINT:
The rack tom is original - I took it into a local paint suppier and he matched a paint as close as possible. It was difficult (his words) but I think he did a fine job.
A local automotive painter painted the shells and bd hoops. I did not want the original drum painted of course. It was very difficult to match the original drum because Gretsch painted over a clear Nitron plastic and the drum reflects the light accordingly.

The rack tom has all 24K gold hardware and I was going to plate all the other drums but decided not to sell the house and do that haha. I have all the era correct hardware - most original and some era correct. I chose to use the new Brooklyn Series 302 StickChopper hoops for the toms and low profile die-cast stickchopper hoops on the snare drum.

I have a Jimmy Pratt mute, a diamond cymbal mount and a rail tom mount but I can not bring myself to drill holes in this beautiful virgin bass drum. Yes - there were not mount or mute holes drilled on this 1950 Gretsch 3ply drum. I don't think there are many of these out there so it is staying like this ....for now.

It is a ton of fun to play. I will be tucking calfhide heads on the kit at some point but for now the bd has an EMAD, the snare has Gretsch Permatone, the Rack G2/G1 and Remo on the Floor.........it's just what I had in my stash....all except the EMAD - I bought that last week - I love the feel of them so I stuck with what works for me.
 

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Kona, I must say those are terribly desired drums. You hit the jack with that Birdland type reproduction (despite the chrome hardware). Now they are orphan drums no more. I see you stripped out the cocktail drum you bought some months ago. I hope you still got those 50's gold sparkle bass drum and floor tom. Great Gretsch parafernalia. Congratulations.
 
Gretsch Renown Purewood Hickory.
Was doing a bit of recording using 2 x CAD M179 condenser mike's. Alesis iodock, iPad 3 and Auria(iPad DAW).


Pictures don't do that kit justice. I've seen one in person and they're gorgeous.

They look good in the pic too, BTW.
 
Thanks

Yes I still have the late 50's Gold Sparkle Gretsch kit.
I actually did not strip the cocktail drum - I only took the badly unsalvagable WMP wrap off it and to do that I had to remove the center band which was rusted (the tacks) - pretty well welded - to the drum. I only managed to save 5 tacks intact haha. The center band is badly wrinkled as well. The drum is a beauty though - dispite some warts. I use it as a slim bass (14x24) / tom. I had legs and plates and even a plate next to the batter (which was missing). I mount a cowbell or two and even the Gretsch Mighty Mini snare works well there. It's a fun drum.

I did finally land another cocktail drum - picked it up Friday in Blaine Wa - it IS a three ply and it has lower end damage so I may make my Holy Grail floor tom.....= 1950's Gretsch 14" 3ply floor tom. They are scarce as hen's teeth and when you do see one come up on eBay you're looking at more than $1000 - closer to $2K. So this is my next best option.



Kona, I must say those are terribly desired drums. You hit the jack with that Birdland type reproduction (despite the chrome hardware). Now they are orphan drums no more. I see you stripped out the cocktail drum you bought some months ago. I hope you still got those 50's gold sparkle bass drum and floor tom. Great Gretsch parafernalia. Congratulations.
 

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Remember, just because I have all of this does NOT mean I know how to play it all ;).

The kit is a Catalina Maple - 7 piece. I hit the jackpot by getting this beast for $750 Labor Day Weekend - JUST the drums.

Toms are 7x8, 8x10, 9x12, 14x14 FT, 16x16 FT, 18x22 kick, 5.5x14 snare

Every cymbal is Zildjian:
Acustom: 14 Hats, 16 Crash, 18 Crash, 18 Projection Crash, 20 Ride, 10 Splash
Avedis: 8 Splash, 18 China High
Sound Effects: 18 China Trash
All cymbal stands are Sound Percussion booms. Hihat stand is Tama 2 legged IC, Kick pedal is Tama Powerglide IC 2x kick.
Throne is PDP (2001)
Sticks are Steve Gadd - Vic Firths I believe, on the FT are Promark Lightning Rods

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Amazing deal for all those beautiful drums! Nice setup too.....ya I can relate to your opening statement haha. It's tons of fun sitting behind a kit like yours - enjoy!
 
even after buying the second 10 tom for my set I have decided to go small, so I am now at 1 up and 2 down. Gretsch Brooklyn snare, 12 inch, 14 and 16. tired of trying to do too much and will work on simpler things.
 

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even after buying the second 10 tom for my set I have decided to go small, so I am now at 1 up and 2 down. Gretsch Brooklyn snare, 12 inch, 14 and 16. tired of trying to do too much and will work on simpler things.

kit looks tight GD

my favorite configuration

Gretsch or nothing !!!!

:)
 
Gretsch Orphan Cadillac Green Shellpack

THE DRUMS:
All 3ply 50's shells

9x13 original (54-58?) Cadillac Green
Bass Drum 22" 1951 (stamped in shell)
Floor Tom 16" 1953 (stamped)
Snare 6.5x14 1951 (stamped

THE PAINT:
The rack tom is original - I took it into a local paint suppier and he matched a paint as close as possible. It was difficult (his words) but I think he did a fine job.
A local automotive painter painted the shells and bd hoops. I did not want the original drum painted of course. It was very difficult to match the original drum because Gretsch painted over a clear Nitron plastic and the drum reflects the light accordingly.

The rack tom has all 24K gold hardware and I was going to plate all the other drums but decided not to sell the house and do that haha. I have all the era correct hardware - most original and some era correct. I chose to use the new Brooklyn Series 302 StickChopper hoops for the toms and low profile die-cast stickchopper hoops on the snare drum.

I have a Jimmy Pratt mute, a diamond cymbal mount and a rail tom mount but I can not bring myself to drill holes in this beautiful virgin bass drum. Yes - there were not mount or mute holes drilled on this 1950 Gretsch 3ply drum. I don't think there are many of these out there so it is staying like this ....for now.

It is a ton of fun to play. I will be tucking calfhide heads on the kit at some point but for now the bd has an EMAD, the snare has Gretsch Permatone, the Rack G2/G1 and Remo on the Floor.........it's just what I had in my stash....all except the EMAD - I bought that last week - I love the feel of them so I stuck with what works for me.

Holy cow. Just saw this. Nicely done.
 
Christmas came early for me when I found a bargain on eBay for this used but limited edition Gretsch Catalina Club shell kit that was only sold in certain retailers in 2010. Installed new Remo heads on the toms and put the kit together with the snare, cymbals and hardware I already owned and voila! Can't wait to take these babies out for a spin. Very happy to have joined the Gretsch family!

GRETSCH CATALINA CLUB (100% 6-ply mahogany in Emerald Green finish)
  • 18"x14" bass drum (Remo Fiberskyn Ambassador batter)
  • 12"x 8" rack tom (Remo Fiberskyn Ambassador batter/Clear Ambassador reso)
  • 14"x14" floor tom (Remo Fiberskyn Ambassador batter/Clear Ambassador reso)

LUDWIG SUPRAPHONIC CHROME 400 SNARE (late 70s Blue Olive Badge)
  • 14"x5.5" (Remo Vintage Ambassador batter/Hazy Ambassador reso)
  • Puresound Blaster snare wires

SABIAN CYMBALS
  • 14" HHX Groove Hats
  • 20" HH Medium Ride (w/ light sizzle chain)
  • 16" AA Medium Crash
  • 8" AAX Splash
  • 21" HHX Legacy Ride
  • 20" HHX Chinese (w/ heavy sizzle chain)
  • 8" bell splash (stacked on Chinese)

TAMA HARDWARE
  • Iron Cobra Powerglide Pedal
  • Roadpro stands & clamps

VIC FIRTH
  • 5A & 8D American Hickory sticks
  • Steve Gadd & Live Wire brushes
  • T1 & Staccato Timpani mallets
  • Rutes
 

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Very nice looking finish, but your shells look out of round. ;)

Dennis
 
Have been extending my original USA custom 12,13,16 & 22 kit, with 18" floor shell, rebuilt, and 14" rack.
The 14 was a concert Tom, and I bought the rims device, but struggled to find some one to do the bearing edge on the concert side and drill.

Luckily, I found someone had thought the same with a 14 rack, and was selling on eBay for cheap, so..... After my preamble, new Tom on its own, then in the tiny set up for backing a local singer-songwriter...


My latest set-up;
22 inch bass,
12x8 rack
New 14x10 rack Tom with rims mount for floor Tom fun.
Renown Birdseye 14 x 5 snare
Converted 13inch rack Tom to snare at side

Sabian omni 22
Instanbul hats
Sabian HHX EVOLUTION 18 inch (keyholes, but still lovely)

Ps, does anyone want a 14 concert Tom, wrapped in black nitron? Or does anyone feel Taylor's influence will ignite the concert market???
 

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Gretsch Catalina Maple in Warehouse Rehearsal/recording space!
 

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My Gretsch Cat rock with some added toms.
10", 12", 13" hanging and 16" + 18" floor toms. 24" bass. 14" x 6.5 snare.
 

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catalina club mod. would love to upgrade to a new gretsch kit, but these have served me well over the years.
 

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Here's my Renown set up as a 5-piece. I rarely set up this way but I thought I'd do it to take some pictures and see how it looks. I have since gotten the matching snare. This snare is a Pearl maple piccolo.



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