I got an email from a guy that had a question on EARLY Gretsch RB drums... interesting because I don't really know much about Gretsch, being the Rogers guy that I am... although I certainly respect their Jazz heritage and legion of devoted players! Having said that:
Anybody know when Gretsch switched over from NATURAL interiors to the silver painted interiors? Thanks!
Tommyp
Hey Tommy!
While I am not a Gretsch guy, I do know right when they switched from using their own 3 ply shells made in the Brooklyn factory to the Jasper 6 ply shells, they started using the silver sealer on the Jasper shells. I have never heard a confirmed date, so the best answer I can give is around the mid-fifties. Maybe someone else has a confirmed year.
TommyP!!
Long time no hear on the forum. I found this cruising aroung other "areas". I'm not a Gretsch guy, but I wish I had one! Hope this might clear some things.
Originally Posted by mlvbs
Well, it's really hard to tell with Gretsch - they had so many overlapping characteristics during the changeover from 3 ply to 6 ply.
Are your drums 3 ply? Do they have the silver interior paint? That started during 1957, but there are drums made after that that didn't get painted. The paper tags started around 1962 or 1963.
I had a 3 ply bass drum with the earlier faucet handles and silver interior, so my guess was that it was around 1958.
I'd say the earliest a bass drum with the newer T-rods could be is 1958 or 1959, but no, I'm not 100% on that.
For what it's worth,
Backbeatkeeper
Hey MichaelSJ and backbeatkeeper!...
Thanks for the replies as that is what I was looking for... should be enough info to satisfy him. Regarding the forum:
Actually, I am on it every day... and many times in a day too... but ... as the Super Moderator, I keep a very low profile with regard to posts, and take care of other things as they arise... or don't. This is a forum for YOU GUYS, our members, so a lot of times I'll let someone else post up an answer, reply, etc. Thanks for the nice words though! :-)
Tommyp
The other posts are pretty close. It is not documented as an exact time, but it was for sure in the mid to late 50's that Gretsch started to use the silver sealer. It is entirely possible to get a 6 ply Jasper that does not have the sealer on it. the two changes did not occur simultaneously. The first catalog to officially announce the two changes was the 1961 catalog. But Gretsch did in fact begin using the Jasper shell in the mid 50's and then they started applying the silver sealer soon after that. Just as a side note (if there is any question) the Jasper shells are indeed 6 ply. although they were the same thickness as the 3 ply. They just used thinner plies. It has also been my experience that the 3 ply shell has a little more weight to it. The 3 ply shell also has a little more sustain than the jasper, but not as much as the newer 6 ply shells that are made with the thicker plies. Hope this helps. I have played Gretsch drums for the last 25 years and have in the last two just started really learning the history of them. If you need an more info, just give me a holler!
Kurt The Band
shells where clear interior till 53'. 54' on had silver sealer.3 ply shell made until 57' switch to 6-ply jasper, but leftover 3 plys turned up on sets in early 60's
