Gretsch Catalina Club Rock

[gretschdrummeradam]

Hey everyone,
So I was thinking of getting a new drum kit. I liked the look and sound of the Gretch Catalina Club rock. I was thinking of either getting this one:



or this one



I know they're both the same just different colors. Not sure which color to get.
Any opinions, pros, cons about these kits? And also, which color would you chose?

Thanks,
Adam

[audiotech]

If my choice was purely aesthetic, I would have to pick the red kit.

Dennis

[Toolate]

I have a set of newer catalinas and the same kit you are after in silver sparkle and no complaints about either. They just sit in my basement but I play them an hour or so a day-

The best deal going on a big kick in my opinion- the sparkle is so bright I would have to go with it.

How much is that kit going to cost you and what are the sizes exactly?

[gretschdrummeradam]

Originally Posted by Toolate

I have a set of newer catalinas and the same kit you are after in silver sparkle and no complaints about either. They just sit in my basement but I play them an hour or so a day-

The best deal going on a big kick in my opinion- the sparkle is so bright I would have to go with it.

How much is that kit going to cost you and what are the sizes exactly?

The sizes are:
18x24" kick
6.5x14" snare
9x13" rack tom
16x16" floor tom
16x18" floor tom

The red kit costs around £649 in the UK and the satin natural kit costs around £559.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Since they are big drums, to me the red looks bigger

Is the red a wrap, or a lacquer? If it is a lacquer I say red. If it is a wrap, I say natural.

[Pocket-full-of-gold]

Originally Posted by Balto

Is the red a wrap, or a lacquer? If it is a lacquer I say red. If it is a wrap, I say natural.

I'd suggest lacquer. Only because I have the same finish on my Cat maples and it's lacquered. Gretsch Asia do an awesome job on the finish too. It's flawless on mine.

As much as I love me a blonde, I'd roll with the red sparkle too....given I've already got it and think it looks excellent.

[evolving_machine]

I have the natural finish on my jazz club. The rubber in the tom mount bangs against the tom. I did not notice this until I took it apart after the third or forth head change and then I found that the tom mount, dents the tom.

I assume this will happen to yours as well, so I recommend the darker color to cover up dents that will happen in the tom.

[Pocket-full-of-gold]

Originally Posted by evolving_machine

I have the natural finish on my jazz club. The rubber in the tom mount bangs against the tom. I did not notice this until I took it apart after the third or forth head change and then I found that the tom mount, dents the tom.

I assume this will happen to yours as well, so I recommend the darker color to cover up dents that will happen in the tom.

FYI, I've read a bit about this on the forums. Apparently Gretsch changed from the older GTS mounts that covered four lugs to newer ones that only cover two lugs and have the rubber stopper that rests against the shell for support. There's been a few guys who have switched back to the older style (4 lug GTS mounts) and have had improved results in both shell resonance and of course, it eliminates any nasty marks on the shell. Worth investigating.

[evolving_machine]

Originally Posted by Pocket-full-of-gold

Apparently Gretsch changed from the older GTS mounts that covered four lugs to newer ones that only cover two lugs and have the rubber stopper that rests against the shell for support. There's been a few guys who have switched back to the older style (4 lug GTS mounts) and have had improved results in both shell resonance and of course, it eliminates any nasty marks on the shell.

Thanks Pocket, I will investigate that.

[jackie k]

That gretsch kit is a great kit. Why ? Well its beautiful. It has all the rock size drums.
It is the best price than any other kit out their. What I mean is to get a 26 " bass drum, and all the other big size toms and hopefully the snare is a 14"x7", a one up two down setup will cost you at least $1000 or more, where gretsch is less than $1000. I believe it is made out of mahogney wood. Many drummers would want birch or maple. I think mahogney is just fine, especially when you mic the kit. I think this kit would give the higher end kits a run for its money. I personally would play a 4 piece, 26"bass drum, 9x13" rack tom, 16x16 floor tom and a 14x7 snare for playing hard rock. I wouldnt use this setup for jazz or classic rock, of course you could do anything you want but for me it would be too much drum for certain music. I play yamaha and I like the way they sound.

[drumdevil9]

Love the red sparkle. Is that available in the UK only?

I did switch the mount on my club jazz. I recommend it. For some reason, they put a pointed rubber foot on the lacquer/satin kits. Really dumb.

[harryconway]

I vote natural .... I just love that finish.

[BabyBob]

I'd vote for natural...looks more pretty. I've a feeling the red will be too bright under lights...

[gretschdrummeradam]

Originally Posted by drumdevil9

Love the red sparkle. Is that available in the UK only?

I did switch the mount on my club jazz. I recommend it. For some reason, they put a pointed rubber foot on the lacquer/satin kits. Really dumb.

I'm not sure if it is avalible in the US as well.

[TTNW]

That's a great kit for the money. Both finishes are nice.

For about the same money, you could also get the Ludwig Epic Pro Beat $936 USD at Musician's Friend or Cascio. I know you're in the UK but I was just putting out there for comparison. The kick on the Ludwig is 24x16, otherwise the sizes are the same.

[larryz]

Solid kit, good price. I love redheads, but blondes whn it comes to drums.

[hampis]

I have excactly the same kit in white pearl
Nice kit, the 18'' floor tom is a pain in the ass to tune though.I have now added a 10'' tom from the catalina club line and i am converting the floor tom to a bass drum.
The 24 x 18' bass drum is a kliller !

[Juniper]

Originally Posted by gretschdrummeradam

Hey everyone,
So I was thinking of getting a new drum kit. I liked the look and sound of the Gretch Catalina Club rock. I was thinking of either getting this one:



or this one



I know they're both the same just different colors. Not sure which color to get.
Any opinions, pros, cons about these kits? And also, which color would you chose?

Thanks,
Adam

I have the red one in exact same sizes, bought it a couple years ago to use solely as a Live Kit to leave in storage up in Manchester for one of my bands. As the band soon after took a break it's stayed at my house and I actually recorded with it a couple weeks ago with my other band for the first time. As it's been kicking around my house since November '10 I was a little unsure about what to expect.

It sounds brilliant, especially the 24kick and 16 floor tom. The 13' Tom is a little flat but works well after some fine tuning. The snare also is a fine sounding drum. I use it with my Folk-Blues band and with some low tunning with the snares also set loose it also sounds great.

A fantastic kit for the price. You'll do nowt wrong purchasing one of these.

[Drumolator]

Originally Posted by evolving_machine

I have the natural finish on my jazz club. The rubber in the tom mount bangs against the tom. I did not notice this until I took it apart after the third or forth head change and then I found that the tom mount, dents the tom.

I assume this will happen to yours as well, so I recommend the darker color to cover up dents that will happen in the tom.

I have a Club Jazz kit, and I removed the tom mount from that thing with the rubber stopper and attached it directly to the drum. It now sounds better than ever. I really like the Catalina line of Gretsch drums, but that tom mounts sucks. Peace, goodwill, and blues.