Thanks for the advice. Is the main difference between the RN1 and RN2 kit the cast hoop? What makes the RN1's superior? Do they not make those any more?
RN1 is where Gretsch started using the softer Asian maple middle plies. The previous version (with the black square badges) were 100% hard rock maple. Both have die cast hoops. I own the previous square badge Renown and a Renown 57 (with the chevrons removed), and have played an RN1. They sound identical to me. However I do prefer the tom mount system of the RN1s, and upgraded my square badge Renowns to these.
Here are the differences between the various Renowns.
(I don't know the official names of the first two versions, but I do know their general specs)
Original chrome badge:
100% NA rock maple shells, square chrome badges, die cast hoops, bass drum tom mounts, hanging floor toms, RIMS-style mounts
Black badge:
100% NA rock maple shells, square black badges, die cast hoops, revised bass drum tom mounts, floor toms with legs, RIMS-style mounts
Renown 57:
Same as the black badge above, but with white chevrons in place of badges. These were only offered in a few solid colors (black, red, light blue, sea foam green) and only came in two configurations: Rock (10/12/16/22) and Bop (12/14/18), with or without a matching 6.5x14 snare. The chevrons can be removed, leaving a clean solid-colored shell (without a badge or any other identifier). If you can find other Gretsch badges, you can install them for a more "authentic" Gretsch look.
RN1:
NA rock maple + Asian maple shells, round badges, die cast hoops, virgin bass drums, floor toms with legs, upgraded GTS tom mounts
RN2:
NA rock maple + Asian maple shells, round badges, 302 "stick chopper" hoops (same as on Brooklyns), gas cap-style bass drum tom mounts, floor toms with legs, upgraded GTS tom mounts
I have a good friend who has owned dozens of kits over the years, and he's a huge Gretsch fan. He absolutely HATED these.
What did he hate about the Renown 57s? The look? They sound fantastic—just as good as any other Renown.