All, I've amassed too many projects and need to get rid of some stuff. Before I do, I need to get your opinion on a kit that I have. Here's the scoop.
My co-worker texted me one night about his grandpa in-laws Gretsch kit and asked if I'd be interested in it. After I peed my pants, I texted back YES! I had no idea what it was other than it was a 60's G kit in blue sparkle. I went over to see it and basically picked it up along with the other stuff he had. I picked up the One Nighter Kit, 4157 snare, Slingerland floor tom and some nice jazz cymbals. Apparently he was the original owner of all the stuff and gigged with it 30 or more years. I had a great conversation with him about the jazz scene in St Louis during the 60's, 70's and 80's. How cool is that?
Now back to the kit. He bought the drums from Northland Music in St. Louis. Phil Hulsey sold him the kit. Phil later became a sales rep for the West Coast division of Slingerland if I'm not mistaken. I'm not sure who else he had ties with. Anyway......
The two drums are 9x13 and 14X22 in crushed blue glass. This is early 60's as is there were no paper labels inside the drums.
14X22 Bass drum: The wrap was pretty rough and practically came off when I stipped the bass drum of its hardware. The wrap was full of splits and the seems were held on with duct tape. The metal was in really nice condition overall. Since the wrap was in really rough shape, I decided to remove it. It was making the drum look worse than it actually was. I removed the wrap but not the glue. Overall, I'd say the drum in very good player condition. The hoops are in good shape as is the lugs, Pratt muffler and tom mount. The round badge was pretty cruddy looking with lots glop on it so I cleaned it and now it looks like new and is shiny. I'm sure some brass darkening solution could give it a little age. Heads fit a little snug as expected.
9X13 Tom: I cleaned and waxed the drum and hardware. The metal is in pretty nice shape with all of its original parts minus a couple of washers and screws that hold on the lugs. I think it is missing just 2 of the washers and screws. The diamond plate is functional but probably should be replaced. The wrap on the tom is a little better than the bass drum but it would be a good candidate for rewrap / refinish. From a distance, it looks ok. The badge is original conditon. It needs a cleaning. I linked a pic of the tom. The wrap looks a little better in the pic than it really is but gives a good representation of the condition of the metal. AND the most important thing, heads glide on the shell even with the glass glitter wrap!
I sold off the snare since he bought it later and the wrap was in excellent condition. The wrap was in such good condition that it didn't match the other 2 drums. A member here purchased that drum awhile back. Again, please don't hate, it wasn't original with the kit!!!
So, if I were to sell these 2 drums, what could I ask for it? I believe the wrap would come off the tom real easy. The drums sound great and the shells and metal work are in good, usable player condition.
Here's a link to some photos. I'll need to take more pics.
http://s120.photobucket.com/albums/o181/pandfac/Gretsch%20One%20Nighter/
Sorry about the long windedness, I'd rather describe every detail to get an accurate appraisal. Thanks everyone,
Ray
[IMG]http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o181/pandfac/Gretsch%20One%20Nighter/P1040360.jpg[/IMG]
