I'm not a Gretsch Guru. More of a Gretsch Greenhorn. But I'll try.

Yes, Round Badges (RB) from the 50's and 60's are the Holy Grails of Gretsch drums. Some kits commanding $4k and up. As far as snares, they offered the following during the RB period:

#4160 - 14x5 Chrome Over Brass (1969 offered 24k Gold Over Brass)

#4157 - 14x5 1/2 wood with wrap - Name Band

#4153 - 14x6 1/2 wood with wrap - Floor Show

#4175 - 14x4 wood with wrap - Progressive Jazz/Max Roach

#4102/4103 - 14x5 1/2 - wood with wrap - Renown

#4190-4193 - 14x7/15/8 - wood with wrap or natural - Deluxe Concert

#4104 - 14x5 1/2 - wood with lacquer - Dixieland

#4105 - 14x5 1/2 - wood with wrap - Dixieland

There are probably other models, but these appear to be the main snares. The 50's tend to be 3ply and the 6ply started in the 60's with transition in the late 50's/early 60's. 50's mostly used metal hoops and the 60's mostly used die-cast hoops.

If your looking for a particular sound, search for videos/sound files. Steve Maxwell Drums has some on his website. In my opinion the #4157 Name Band snare would be the measurement for the Gretsch snare sound.

If you want a Gretsch kit without the Gretsch RB prices, look for an early Stop Sign Badge Style #1. Exact same hardware, shells, bearing edges and hoops as a 60's RB. Even the paper tag serial number sequences continued from the RB to Stop Sign Badge. The only difference is the badge.

Remember I am a Gretsch Greenhorn. :)

- Tim