You need to show the complete drum, so we can make sure exactly what it is.. Also which badge.

Here is a page that has Gretsch Snare Drums

We also know the paper tags started some time in 1962. How many plies in the shell?

David

Well, the model number is that of an 8 lug Name Band snare, with a Microsensitive strainer. The round screws indicate round badge era, so I would date the serial number to circa 1962.

I agree, 62-66. I have one in the Midnight Blue Sparkle.

Clean it up first to see how it looks. The heads don't matter so feel free to put new ones on. The "finish" on it, is it painted on or is it a wrap?

If that is a painted finish on it, it's not original, a wrap would have been used, more than likely a sparkle/glitter would have been the usual, possibly a white marine pearl as well.

Remove the lugs, clean and polish them. Don't remove the throw or the muffler right now, they are difficult to get back on correctly.

Clean the bearing edge and run wax (parrafin, candle) along the edge, do not use vasoline!

[QUOTE=JRichard;19984]I agree, 62-66. I have one in the Midnight Blue Sparkle.

Gretsch made Midnight blue pearl, and blue sparkle...there's no such thing as midnight blue sparkle...both are nice.

You have a circa 1962 Gretsch Name Band 8 lug snare drum, with Microsensitive Strainer, 6 ply, in Champagne Sparkle. The lifting wrap seam is very common, and easy to fix (contact cement, NOT super glue)...I would leave it alone if you plan on selling and let the new owner fix it. Not sure about the stain, could be some kind of wax or vaseline that was used on the bearing edge. I would see what happens with a little bit of water and a rag, otherwise just leave it alone for the next owner. If you plan to restore the drum for yourself then you could very gently try various "goo gone" or "oops" type products...always test somewhere like under a lug first.

A few months ago these were going for around $800, but the market has taken a serious hit recently, I would put your drum in the $400 to $600 range.

The blue I have it in is very dark and finer grit sparkle compared to other gretsch snares I've seen of that period with blue sparkle

Sounds odd...in the late '50s and early '60s, Gretsch used the "confetti" type sparkle, and then switched to the "glitter" type...but both were essentially the same shade of blue...like a medium blue. Gretsch never used a real dark blue sparkle like Slingerland did for a while. If you look at the Slingerland article here on the sparkles, check out Slingerland's version of blue from 1970 on. That's what the Gretsch usually looked like. I'd like to see a picture of yours.

No company ever had a finish called midnight blue sparkle, although I've heard folks using that name to describe Slingerland's real dark blue of the mid '60s.

I'll upload pictures of it tonight.

---------

As promised.

Gretsch 1966?

Microsensitive Throw, 4 point adjustable butt.

5x14, 8 lug "Midnight Blue Sparkle"

Bought at local drum store in 1969,

6 of the 8 lugs missing, replaced.

All other parts original.

Nice drum...I've never seen a Gretsch in that dark blue finish before...and I've seen a bunch. I thought the grommet looked weird, so I sent the picture to a Gretsch expert I know...this was his response:

"I have seen that finish before but the grommet isn't right for that era. Neither are the tension rods. Gretsch did use a press grommet like that but that was in the late 40s, very early 50s. One way to tell is the seam position that's not shown. That was one thing they were consistent on. They're always opposite the badge with the lap top facing right and almost over to the next lug."