New Gretsch Catalina Birch vs Cat Maples?

[sugarmaple]

Hey everyone, first post here. Has anyone played the new Birch Cats yet? I've looked endlessly for videos but no luck- I guess they're that new.
The Walnut Burst laquer finish just blows me away and is exactly what I'm looking for in appearance; however, am I just getting a kit because of how it looks? I prefer the Walnut over any of the higher end finishes. Are the new birch series different than the last go around?
And..the big question 30 degrees vs 45 degrees?

Here are the spec comparisons:

Catalina Birch *Catalina Maple

- 7ply birch 7mm 100% birch *6 ply tom/ 7ply bass maple

- 30 degree bearing edge *45 degree bearing edge

- 1.6 mm triple flanged hoop *2.5 triple flanged hoop

- mini suspension *GTS suspension

[Pocket-full-of-gold]

Sweet looking kit hey!

I have the maples and have been really happy with them. There looks to be a couple of improvements on the birch kit though. Firstly, the 30 deg bearing edges are one of the elements that defined 'the great Gretsch' sound. I would have thought the change will only help to 'Gretsch-ify' the sound. They also look to have improved the dreaded floor tom feet with rubber stoppers that look to be a lot more substantial than the mickey-mouse stock rubbers on the maples (they are a joke and need to be swapped immediately).

The only reservations I would have is with the mini tom suspension. It looks like it only connects with two lugs (the GTS on the maples covers 4). Would this be enough to stop the tom from bouncing around uncontrollably? I think I'd also prefer to see 2.5mm hoops on them too.

How do they compare cost-wise with the Cat maples? I think the maples are great value for money.....if the birch series are priced similarly, then they'd be well worth a look.

[sugarmaple]

Thanks for the reply and I 'm happy you dig your maple set. I've only heard good things about them.

As far as cost, I've seen them going for the same amount as the maple.

[Pocket-full-of-gold]

Originally Posted by sugarmaple

As far as cost, I've seen them going for the same amount as the maple.

Well worth a look then mate....good luck and be sure to keep us posted if you deal!!

Cheers.

[Florian]

As a Gretsch Birch owner I feel compelled to chime in here. There are some nice updates to the new birches, ie, bearing edge, hardware. Id jump on the Birch as IMHO they sound a bit fuller than the maples, but keeping them tuned is a pain.


F