Have you seen this ??

http://www.maxwelldrums.com/museum-sale-gretsch-cadillac-green-c-79_87.html

Don't know if you saw this, but Steve Maxwell has some info and pics of the Cadi Green drums.

http://www.maxwelldrums.com/museum-sale-gretsch-cadillac-green-c-79_87.html

Steve states that it was common for the gold plating to ware away. Early drums were painted and later drums were wrapped. He also says Cadi Green is the only color that came with gold hardware. If you can verify that the paint is original, then I think you could say this drum is the real deal.

Good luck,

Tim

There be gold under the paint....

ACETONE AND LUG BATTLE

I soaked one lug in Acetone - gently wrapped it in a soft cloth soaked a little in the stuff.

This is a lug (the one on the right in the photo of the two and the last photo) after soaking - only for about 3-4 minutes if that. I should have taken the photo before too but these photos clearly show the difference in the painted lug and after the paint is removed. When I unwrapped the lug the paint was on the soft cloth and it looks like it cleaned up nicely. This drum has been knocked around - no doubt about that - and the gold is wearing off.

I dipped the lug into w-d40 for a few seconds then I washed it off with gentle dish soap and warm water and dried it. The 'oil' tip I got on line - Acetone takes the oily protective base off metal and leaves it open to rust (the spring in the lug etc.).

Looks like shiny gold to me.

THE SHELL PAINT

Looks like original paint/lacquer because of the difference in shades of green - under the tom hanger plate compared to the shell for instance.

Don't know about the badge at this time - but it was certainly NOT removed at any time I can see that.....in my 'unprofessional opinion of course.'

I will be emailing Steve Maxwell too.

Mr. Curotto - would you like to add something here?

Gary, I like the way the gold's worn, and the shell. that bad boys got serious mojo!

By George, I think he's got it!!

Yes SirYes Sir

Glad it cleaned up good!

Me too. I was kinda holding my breath waiting to see the results. Now all you need is: a Cadillac Green Bass drum, floor tom and snare drum. Easy! LOL

Very cool drum, Gary. Glad you found a way to restore the hardware. Good job.

John

try a back to nature stripper apply then bag it with plastic and let it sit for 2 days it will flake off without hurting the plating ......

Thanks - ya, I've used it on drum shells in the past but not on gold plating. There are mixed reviews on it...some say it will remove some of the gold - I don't know for sure, that's why I tested the Acetone. Acetone is horrible stuff but it seems to be working without negative affects on the Gold so I might as well stick with it as much as I don't like to use it.

Man - if they just had something like this: "natures paint stripper - removes all paint from Gold Plated Hardware - yes - on your painted over Gold Gretsch Hardware too - I'd buy it in a flash!

oddball The inside of the lugs are painted. I did not soak the 'experimental' lug enough to get rid of that paint - the spring and lug nuts are still in the lugs too. I will remove the springs and lug nuts and try to have the Acetone soft rag tucked into the lug enough to get at the paint there as well. I'll post some before and after photos when I get to it.

Oh....it's Christmas......I better go do some shopping nowEye Ball

the plating process is the similar to chrome plating it wont hurt it and u'l be rid of that nasty paint even try steaming it it mite work as it sometimes removes some paint because there is no adhesion hope they did not sand the gold plated first as to get paint to stick u have to sand first maybe they did not if your lucky , if its crest lite based try lacquer thinner it will take it off without harming the plated surface good luck whatever u do try it on the back side first to be safe but i dont think you will have a problem gary