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Help in Identifying Gretsch Set

Posts: 6 Threads: 3

Hi, I'm Dan from Connecticut. In my quest to learn more about my drums, I came across this forum. Seems like a great resource. I've been playing since the early 70's - mostly rock and roll. Aerosmith, Chicago, Grand Funk, Kansas, Rush, etc.

In 1981 I bought a set of Gretsch drums and I'm trying to learn more about them - what type of wood, how many Ply's, the "Model Name" of the set (Blackhawk, Catalina, etc.), that kind of thing. I was young and foolish at the time and wasn't smart enough to keep records that might prove useful later on.

Anyway, here's what I know: The drum sizes are 5x14 metal Snare, 14x22 Bass, Concert Toms (single-headed) are 8x12, 9x13, 10x14, and 12x15, plus a 16x16 double-headed Floor Tom. The drums have a natural maple finish, except the snare which has a chrome finish. The badge is the stop sign with the drop-G above the hole. The inside finish is silver, and the gray/white label inside the 12x15 has a hand-written model# 4453w, and a stamped serial# 108104.

I've been looking around to see what I can find out, but haven't made much progress. Anybody have any info on this set, or pointers about where I can go to find out? Thanks for your help! Have a great day...

-DanD

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Posted on 15 years ago
#1
Posts: 187 Threads: 7

From ddesroches

Hi, I'm Dan from Connecticut. In my quest to learn more about my drums, I came across this forum. Seems like a great resource. I've been playing since the early 70's - mostly rock and roll. Aerosmith, Chicago, Grand Funk, Kansas, Rush, etc.In 1981 I bought a set of Gretsch drums and I'm trying to learn more about them - what type of wood, how many Ply's, the "Model Name" of the set (Blackhawk, Catalina, etc.), that kind of thing. I was young and foolish at the time and wasn't smart enough to keep records that might prove useful later on. Anyway, here's what I know: The drum sizes are 5x14 metal Snare, 14x22 Bass, Concert Toms (single-headed) are 8x12, 9x13, 10x14, and 12x15, plus a 16x16 double-headed Floor Tom. The drums have a natural maple finish, except the snare which has a chrome finish. The badge is the stop sign with the drop-G above the hole. The inside finish is silver, and the gray/white label inside the 12x15 has a hand-written model# 4453w, and a stamped serial# 108104.I've been looking around to see what I can find out, but haven't made much progress. Anybody have any info on this set, or pointers about where I can go to find out? Thanks for your help! Have a great day...-DanD

Hey Dan!!

More pics would help, but from what little you've posted you have a kit of Limited Edition Badge, late 1970's, (or possibly early 1980's) set of 6 thin ply, Maple Gretsch drums, with Techware hardware installed. (heavy but bulletproof) That's a maple (or natural) finish with silver sealer interiors.

In that era there was only ONE set of Gretsch available, the top of the line maple shelled kits.

VERY desirable stuff as it sounds great AND looks good too!!!

It would be a simple project to make all of the toms into double headed classics as well. It wouldn't be original, but it would probably be MORE desirable as the concert toms are sometimes considered kind of "timey".

Good luck with it!!

Mike from Rhode Island!!

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ViperSpace
Posted on 15 years ago
#2
Posts: 6 Threads: 3

Thanks Viper, everything you said is consistent with my recollection. I've attached a few additional photos. The big kit is from my playing days in the 80's and shows all the drums from the original set plus a couple smaller rack toms that were purchased later. I sold several pieces a few years ago, and what's left is small kit in the photos.

I'm considering selling this kit and buying an electronic kit that won't bother the wife and kids so much. Any thoughts on street value or good venues to sell it would also be appreciated.

Thanks!

-DanD

Posted on 15 years ago
#3
Posts: 187 Threads: 7

From ddesroches

Thanks Viper, everything you said is consistent with my recollection. I've attached a few additional photos. The big kit is from my playing days in the 80's and shows all the drums from the original set plus a couple smaller rack toms that were purchased later. I sold several pieces a few years ago, and what's left is small kit in the photos.I'm considering selling this kit and buying an electronic kit that won't bother the wife and kids so much. Any thoughts on street value or good venues to sell it would also be appreciated. Thanks!-DanD

Well, if it were ME, I wouldn't sell it. It's more valuable than the market would give you right now. That kit is a really good score, and you already OWN it.

At the MOST (if you already haven't done so to the fullest extent) you could pare the kit down to only what you need and sell off the rest as pieces. (though seriously, I WOULD NOT!!) Again, the market is too soft right now.

I once had a kit of mid 1980's Gretsch, and I regret to this day ever getting rid of them. You too will have sellers remorse if you sell them. You will have an almost impossible and ridiculously expensive task if you ever try to replace them some years from now. Just the fact of their being the special badges would be good reason to keep them.

Save your pennies and get the eKit some other way.

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You are always welcome
Listen To BONHAM here!!
ViperSpace
Posted on 15 years ago
#4
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