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

[GRUNTERSDAD]

OK fellow Gretsch owners, you've seen the rest now its time to show the best. Post your Gretsch kits here, and show them what makes that Great Gretsch Sound.

My Gretsch Renown Maple in Cherry Burst
22 x 18
8 x 7 rack
10 x 8 rack
12 x 10 rack
14 x 14 floor
14 x 7 Vaughcraft Steambent Snare
22 inch Masterwork Jazz series Ride
16, 17 Masterwork Jazz Series Crash
Pearl Icon 501 Rack
18 inch Sabian HHX Evolution Crash
14 inch Masterwork Jazz Series Hats
8, 10, 12 Wuhan Splashes
Pearl Icon 501 Rack

Even though I won't be in this club anymore soon I'll post anyway.

Gretsch New Classic in Ivory Marine Pearl
14x18
8x12
14x14
6.5x14 Hammered Black Chrome Steel Snare
6x14 McKenzie Steambent Myrtle Snare (not shown..older pic)

15" Bosphorus Masters Hi-hat
19" Bosphorus Antique Thin Ride
21" Bosphorus Turk Med-Thin Ride (actually for sale, no longer using)
20" Bosphorus New Orleans Ride

[rritter]

My 6 piece Catalina Birch with maple snare at a recent job. I currently own 3 kits. A Slingerland 7 piece from 1981, the Cats from 2004, and a new Sonor Force 3007 kit configured the same as the Cats. The Catalina kit will be a tough act to follow with the new Sonors. Gretsch makes a great product and they build in that “Great Gretsch Sound” even in their Asian made kits. 100% satisfied with My Gretsch.

[max77]

My new Gretsch Catalina Jazz in Marine White Pearl :

18X14
12X8
14X14
14X5

All originals heads who cames with the kit , I tuned it and the kit sounds amazing compared to my sonor force 1005. The bass drums is punchy but with enough presence , the toms sing with the low of mahogany (Oh my god i'm in love) and the snare is sensitive and have a nice crack to it. When I'll have some more money I'll buy some Ambassadors for all the toms and the snare.

My cymbals are :

Dreams Bliss III series :

18" Crash/Ride 1415 g
20" Crash/ride 1875 g

Masterwork Jazz series :

13" Hi-hat 860 g / 654 g

And a nice Istanbul Mehmet 15" thin crash

[Drummer Karl]

Originally Posted by max77

All originals heads who cames with the kit , I tuned it and the kit sounds amazing compared to my sonor force 1005. The bass drums is punchy but with enough presence , the toms sing with the low of mahogany (Oh my god i'm in love) and the snare is sensitive and have a nice crack to it. When I'll have some more money I'll buy some Ambassadors for all the toms and the snare.

Very nice kit!!
And you wouldn`t really need new heads because those original heads which came with the kit are original Evans G1, the Evans equivalent to Remo`s Ambassadors.

Or do you wanna change them because of the sound differences between G1 and Ambassador?

Again, nice kit you got there...like all the other Gretsch sets, beautiful!

Karl

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Very nice Max. Classic white finish is beautiful.

[zambizzi]

Originally Posted by fourstringdrums

Even though I won't be in this club anymore soon I'll post anyway.

Gretsch New Classic in Ivory Marine Pearl
14x18
8x12
14x14
6.5x14 Hammered Black Chrome Steel Snare
6x14 McKenzie Steambent Myrtle Snare (not shown..older pic)

15" Bosphorus Masters Hi-hat
19" Bosphorus Antique Thin Ride
21" Bosphorus Turk Med-Thin Ride (actually for sale, no longer using)
20" Bosphorus New Orleans Ride

I really like that kit. I mean, I really, really LIKE that kit! ;)

Originally Posted by zambizzi

I really like that kit. I mean, I really, really LIKE that kit! ;)

Thanks. Maybe you'll have one of your own some day.

[tizzdizz]

Here's mine. Same shell kit as Gruntersdad, different snare and cymbals though. Do you love yours as much as I love mine??

Snare is a 14x7 Yamaha Brass Nouveau. Amazing sound.

Cymbals have changed as well:
14" Tosco Light Hats
17" K Custom Hybrid Crash
16" AAX studio Crash
14" Paiste Prototype China
12" China Star Splash
10" Avedis splash
10" B8PRO China Splash
20" XS Medium Ride

[stasz]

Well mine doesn't count yet, but...

Gretsch USA custom in green wrap, around 80s or 90s but not sure

5x14 9x12 10x13 16x16 16x22

Right now, just shells with holes. I have tension rods, screws, hoops, and heads, but I need to buy some Gretsch lugs from a shop in Chicago.

[SergeKIEFFER]

Dear all,

Finally the GRETSCH thread
This is mine - great sounding kit!

Best rgds
Serge

[aydee]

Originally Posted by SergeKIEFFER

This is mine - great sounding kit!
Best rgds
Serge

aaah, the Vinnie kit! Beautiful. Are the drums in Vinnie's sizes too?

[SergeKIEFFER]

Hi Aydee
Yes they are 22,10,12,14,16
and Vinnie even signed the 16 floor tom
an excellent sounding kit
love it
Serge

[ihitdrumz]

Originally Posted by fourstringdrums

Even though I won't be in this club anymore soon I'll post anyway.

Gretsch New Classic in Ivory Marine Pearl
14x18
8x12
14x14
6.5x14 Hammered Black Chrome Steel Snare
6x14 McKenzie Steambent Myrtle Snare (not shown..older pic)

15" Bosphorus Masters Hi-hat
19" Bosphorus Antique Thin Ride
21" Bosphorus Turk Med-Thin Ride (actually for sale, no longer using)
20" Bosphorus New Orleans Ride

Those drums are awesome, not to mention the beautiful cymbals.
kudos

[rmandelbaum]

I saw those shells on ebay. that will be a great kit when you get it done.

I don't have a Gretsch kit but I have a couple of vintage Gretsch snares

they are on the bottom left. The white marine pearl one used to belong to my wife's grand father.
The other one is COB, weighs a ton and sounds great!

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Originally Posted by rmandelbaum

I saw those shells on ebay. that will be a great kit when you get it done.

I don't have a Gretsch kit but I have a couple of vintage Gretsch snares

they are on the bottom left. The white marine pearl one used to belong to my wife's grand father.
The other one is COB, weighs a ton and sounds great!

Had that same snare as the wifes Grand Dad back in1963. Sold it when I got out of the Army. OUCH.

[petetheweed]

I am new to this forum!

Here is my Gretsch New Classic:









With my Pearl Firecracker:



It came with those Evans heads but I have since put a Remo Powerstroke 3 on the bass drum, a set of smooth Emporers on the toms (Evans G1 underneath) and a Coated Emporer on the snare. Sounds so good!

The cymbals are:

16" A Custom projection
15" A Custom
10" A Custom splash
13" A Mastersound hihats
20" K Heavy ride

The hardware is all DW 9000 apart from the pedals which are 5000s.

I currently have my eyes on a 13x7 New Classic snare in Nitron Glass to match the kit but I'm not sure I can afford more drum stuff.

[stasz]

Those new classics are beautiful drums. Really nice drums and setup! The firecracker matches pretty closely, too.

[petetheweed]

Thanks. The set-up has been refined a bit since then. It looks more like this now:

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Love the New Classics man. That sparkle is to die for. Great find.
That photo with the vintage piano and wooden music stand is also classic.
I would have to re-shoot that photo and put it on the wall. Very cool.

[Class A Drummer]

Originally Posted by GRUNTERSDAD

OK fellow Gretsch owners, you've seen the rest now its time to show the best. Post your Gretsch kits here, and show them what makes that Great Gretsch Sound.

My Gretsch Renown Maple in Cherry Burst
22 x 18
8 x 7 rack
10 x 8 rack
12 x 10 rack
14 x 14 floor
14 x 7 Vaughcraft Steambent Snare
22 inch Masterwork Jazz series Ride
16, 17 Masterwork Jazz Series Crash
18 inch Sabian HHX Evolution Crash
14 inch Masterwork Jass Series Hats
8, 10, 12 Wuhan Splashes

hey, just wondering, how much was your set? Ive been thinking about possibly selling my Pearl Session and possibly getting a Renown. I know i prefer the Renown to the Session (not saying i dont love my drums) but i dont know if i can afford one.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Class A buddy, I found mine on Craigslist for 700.00 but was able to get them for 650.00. Total thievery I know. They sell for 1499.00 most places. I got four toms and bass, no snare, no hardware.

[volvoguy]

Originally Posted by tizzdizz

Here's mine. Same shell kit as Gruntersdad, different snare and cymbals though. Do you love yours as much as I love mine??

Snare is a 14x7 Yamaha Brass Nouveau. Amazing sound.

Cymbals have changed as well:
14" Tosco Light Hats
17" K Custom Hybrid Crash
16" AAX studio Crash
14" Paiste Prototype China
12" China Star Splash
10" Avedis splash
10" B8PRO China Splash
20" XS Medium Ride

What are those Tosco hats like? A friend has a pair of the Italian made ones from waaaay back. They're really nice. I've wondered what the Sabian "Tosco's" sound like.

Cheers,
-Ryan

[Drumsword]

Here are mine:

Gretsch catalina maple in the cherry finish with a pearl 4X14 copper snare drum.
22X18 bass
8X10, 8X12 toms
14X14 and 16X16 floor toms
6.5X14 snare drum

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Very nice addition to the Gretsch thread. Very nice indeed.

[Drumsword]

Thanks man....best sounding drums I've ever owned................Aaaaaaand, I have a 5.5X14 Brady snare drum being shipped to my humble state to be added to my collection soon.

[Cymbalrider]

Outdated pics now, as I've got new heads on both kits (only the one up front is the Gretsch though) and figured out a better cymbal set-up. Anyway, here it is:
Gretsch Catalina Rock
26x16, 13x9, 16x16, 18x16 the snare is a 70s Ludwig Acrolite

[Kennyg]

Here's my Gretsch Renown in Ebony Gloss. Standard set- 12x 8 , 13x10 mounted toms and 16x16 floor tom. 22x18 bass, 14" maple snare and 13" PDP steel piccolo snare. My cymbals are Mehmet Traditional 20" ride, 14" regular HH, 18" dark crash, 17" thin crash, 16" paper thin crash, and 12" splash. Agop 20" Traditional sizzle ride and 18" Wuhan china. (Just put new Aquarian Response 2 coated heads on the toms and Texture coated on the snares)

[Darmikalus]

my 80's stop sign badge kit!





12" 14" 16" 22"


evans g2 clear on top, remo ambassadors on bottom


god these drums feel so good to play!

[tizzdizz]

Originally Posted by volvoguy

What are those Tosco hats like? A friend has a pair of the Italian made ones from waaaay back. They're really nice. I've wondered what the Sabian "Tosco's" sound like.

Cheers,
-Ryan

well, in a word, awesome. They're light, groovy, and have a great wash to them when open, and a nice chick when closed. Great for jazz, probably not best for hard-hitters. I don't play jazz, but I'm a soft player and I like good response at low volumes, so these work great for me. I don't know how easy they are to find anymore though, I hear they've gone out of production again.

[tizzdizz]

Originally Posted by Class A Drummer

hey, just wondering, how much was your set? Ive been thinking about possibly selling my Pearl Session and possibly getting a Renown. I know i prefer the Renown to the Session (not saying i dont love my drums) but i dont know if i can afford one.

Mine was about double that, but that's because it was new. (I still can't figure out how gruntersdad got that steal of a deal!) I don't regret it at all, as this is a great deal for top quality professional drums. Make sure you get the tom arms and clamps that are supposed to come with the kit. They didn't have a set of matching tom arms, so I have 3 different brands. Great stock heads, amazing finish that is a subtle burst, and great quality hardware.

My old export 16"x16" floor tom weighed much much less than my new Renown 14x14 floor tom, just to give you an idea.

[baz]

Originally Posted by Darmikalus

my 80's stop sign badge kit!





12" 14" 16" 22"


evans g2 clear on top, remo ambassadors on bottom


god these drums feel so good to play!

...I recognize Ed Belfour, and Johnny Bauer. Is that other picture Frank Mahovolich ?

I was going to make a joke about having your drums so close to that much leaf-ro-bilia might cause them to choke, but I am an Oiler fan, and have no reason to gloat.

Nice drums by the way.

barry

[slingerland755]

Originally Posted by GRUNTERSDAD

Love the New Classics man. That sparkle is to die for. Great find.
That photo with the vintage piano and wooden music stand is also classic.
I would have to re-shoot that photo and put it on the wall. Very cool.

I was thinking the same thing.

By the way, y'all are in a cool club.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Originally Posted by tizzdizz

Mine was about double that, but that's because it was new. (I still can't figure out how gruntersdad got that steal of a deal!) I don't regret it at all, as this is a great deal for top quality professional drums. Make sure you get the tom arms and clamps that are supposed to come with the kit. They didn't have a set of matching tom arms, so I have 3 different brands. Great stock heads, amazing finish that is a subtle burst, and great quality hardware.

My old export 16"x16" floor tom weighed much much less than my new Renown 14x14 floor tom, just to give you an idea.

I got lucky. The guy wanted 900.00. I was patient, waited 2 weeks, he went down to 700.00. When I went to meet him he was an hour late, so he took another 50.00 off. The drums went new from Guitar Center to his house, sat on the floor, never played, to my car. So in essence I got them new at a steal.

[05Ric]

Mine is a 70's stop sign kit

With a

14x18 Bass Drum
6x10 Tom
11x14 Floor Tom (not pictured as I don't use it)
9x13 Snare (Converted tom with Yamaha Akira Jimbo Parts)
14 " Roto-Tom
I also have another 9x13 tom which I will keep as a second for another snare

You can hear/see it here...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=kFYtfkdL0AY









I am an absolute Gretsch Nut!!!!

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Interesting set up. Why the rototom and not the 14 inch floor tom?

[cavica]

05Ric you got one of the most interesting and unique setups I've ever seen. I watched the youtube video the drums sound really good (I really like your playing to). Your cymbal stacks sound great. Speaking of the cymbals you got any specs on them?

[Allgretsch]

Hello all,

I'm new to this Forum but the Gretsch thread caught my eye. I have a few Gretsch kits and am a Gretsch NUT!
Here is my newest kit, a 2007 USA Custom in Millennium Maple in 10 12 14 6 22 that I will be taking out on tour this year with new Country/Pop Artist Shari Lynn, along with a Vineyard COB 5x14 snare drum.
Also at home are two '80's Gretsch kits, one being an '81 Rosewood 12 14 20 and a set from 1984 or so in 10 12 13 14 22 in Black Nitron wrap...among others!

Have a peek at:

www.drummerneil.ca/page5.html

Neil.

[stasz]

Wow 05Ric, what a cool setup! I'd love to get the chance to play those drums! Really cool stuff. That snare looks pretty killer. I don't understand the choice of the rototom over the floor tom, but whatever works for you. Again, awesome setup.

EDIT: Neil, just saw your drums. Just beautiful, I like your setups as well.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Gorgeous stuff Neil. Absolutely gorgeous.