Loose down tube

[tmccartney]

Let me start by saying this is only the second acoustic kit I've ever owned (the first was a Pearl Rhythm Traveler bought new), so I'm not a hardware expert.

I have a used Gretsch Catalina Birch kit that I picked up from a pawn shop. Good thing I got a deal on it, because some of the hardware has seen better days.

The biggest problem is the down tube that holds the toms is loose in the kick drum. I thought these things were pretty standard (mine's a 1"), but it won't get tight and stay upright no matter how tight the clamp that's mounted to the kick drum is.

It looks like the opening is more like 1 1/4", but I can't find a down tube that size on line, so I'm wondering if there's a sleeve or insert missing from the opening on the kick.

Can anyone help before I go and get myself ripped off at the local Sam Ash?

[alparrott]

Probably the tightening collar in the bass mount is gone, or something else is the matter with that mount. I say to heck with is, grab a multi-clamp and fly the tom off a cymbal stand. Done and done.

[Pocket-full-of-gold]

Sounds like the screw has been stripped. Does the tom mount have a memory lock?

[Les Ismore]

Originally Posted by tmccartney

Let me start by saying this is only the second acoustic kit I've ever owned (the first was a Pearl Rhythm Traveler bought new), so I'm not a hardware expert.

I have a used Gretsch Catalina Birch kit that I picked up from a pawn shop. Good thing I got a deal on it, because some of the hardware has seen better days.

The biggest problem is the down tube that holds the toms is loose in the kick drum. I thought these things were pretty standard (mine's a 1"), but it won't get tight and stay upright no matter how tight the clamp that's mounted to the kick drum is.

It looks like the opening is more like 1 1/4", but I can't find a down tube that size on line, so I'm wondering if there's a sleeve or insert missing from the opening on the kick.

Can anyone help before I go and get myself ripped off at the local Sam Ash?

... "picked up from a pawn shop." There's your clue that its probably not a GRETSCH piece then, 26mm I'm pretty sure that's TAMA.

The GRETSCH/GIBRALTAR is 32mm... anybody?

[tmccartney]

Originally Posted by alparrott

Probably the tightening collar in the bass mount is gone, or something else is the matter with that mount. I say to heck with is, grab a multi-clamp and fly the tom off a cymbal stand. Done and done.

I think we have a winner. I sent an e-mail to Gretsch, and they confirmed that there's supposed to be a plastic collar in there. They asked for a picture, and I think they're going to send me another one. Meanwhile, I fashioned one out of some plastic pipe (not PVC) that will do for now.

Thanks for the help...