Search
Register
Only Admins can see this message.
Data Transition still in progress. Some functionality may be limited until the process is complete.
Processing Attachment, Gallery - 130.46347%

Gretsch Snare Drum .....Need some help...

Posts: 802 Threads: 149

Guys, I rebuilt a 1959 Gretsch President 6 lug snare drum.

I added Die cast hoops, new snare wires, and new Aquarian heads on both sides. The shell, like many Gretsch shells, was a bit off and the heads were a bit hard to get on. The top head was fine b/c I used an aquarian american vintage THIN head which is a little oversized.

The bottom head, however, I had to really press hard to get it on. Tuning it, leaves small ripples on the snare ends.

Ok......the problem is that the drum just doesnt sound good. Sounds "tubby" without a really crisp snare sound. Tapping off center, the snare sound is really bad.

I used the Puresound 20 strand snares .

Any help is appreciated!!!

Retro

Posted on 12 years ago
#1
Posts: 526 Threads: 60

From Retrosonic

Guys, I rebuilt a 1959 Gretsch President 6 lug snare drum.I added Die cast hoops, new snare wires, and new Aquarian heads on both sides. The shell, like many Gretsch shells, was a bit off and the heads were a bit hard to get on. The top head was fine b/c I used an aquarian american vintage THIN head which is a little oversized.The bottom head, however, I had to really press hard to get it on. Tuning it, leaves small ripples on the snare ends.Ok......the problem is that the drum just doesnt sound good. Sounds "tubby" without a really crisp snare sound. Tapping off center, the snare sound is really bad. I used the Puresound 20 strand snares .Any help is appreciated!!!Retro

This is a common issue with Gretsch snares of that vintage. I had the same issue with my 3-ply 8-lugger. I tried different heads, different snares, different tunings... no matter what I did, the drum just went "thunk" instead of "crack"!

I finally had better luck last year when I put a Fiberskyn on the batter side and an Ambassador Snare on the snare side. I also added a new set of cheap Gibraltar snares. Suddenly the drum was warm, round and responsive. Lots of fat tone. This is the only setup that's ever sounded good on this drum, so I'm sticking with it.

Bottom line: vintage Gretsch snares are an acquired taste. They don't have a ton of snare response, and they're temperamental and wonky. I don't use mine as my main snare, but it sounds good if I'm aiming for Blakey or Watts. I've heard that the reason for their odd sound is that the snare beds weren't always cut well. People have told me that a few swipes with sandpaper along the snare beds have added a world of sensititvity to their Gretsch snares. I haven't had the heart to try it on mine, but who knows?

I'd suggest giving a Fiberskyn head a try. If that doesn't work for you, you might need to go the sandpaper route. Better to alter the drum slightly than to let it sit there unplayed.

Good luck!

Kits:
1950s Gretsch Name Band in Midnight Blue Pearl (13/16/22/14sn)
1965/66 Ludwig Club Dates rewrapped in Black Diamond Pearl (12/15/20)
Posted on 12 years ago
#2
Posts: 802 Threads: 149

Hey Sec...

Thanks for that post! Can you tell me exactly which Fiberskin head you used?

many thanks,

Retro

Posted on 12 years ago
#3
Posts: 526 Threads: 60

Hmm. If memory serves, it's a Fiberskyn Ambassador, though I can't say for sure. (I put my Gretsch kit away a couple of months ago to focus on my Luddies for a while.)

The snare still doesn't go "crack"--Gretsch snares just don't do that--but it's got a nice warm sound now. Let me know how yours turns out!

Kits:
1950s Gretsch Name Band in Midnight Blue Pearl (13/16/22/14sn)
1965/66 Ludwig Club Dates rewrapped in Black Diamond Pearl (12/15/20)
Posted on 12 years ago
#4
Posts: 802 Threads: 149

Will Do.

Tonight I will try and see how level (or, non level) the bottom edges are and sand accordingly. I'll also look at the bearing edges.

I dont know if I'm sold on splitting the rim on the bottom head, tho. For some reason my brain thinks the head can never tension correctly once thats done. Where the cuts are, there would be no tension.

Thanks for your help!

Posted on 12 years ago
#5
  • Share
  • Report
Action Another action
Something else here