If you're looking for a nice, complete Gretsch set in 12 20 14 sizes, and you find one at a retail price, and you don't want to wait forever or get a "problem" set, go to a reputable dealer and fork over the #.
well that seems reasonable to me since i would have the set shipped to europe... i really would not want a "problem" kit.
in fact that is why i would be willing to pay extra cash: just to be sure no extra cost is waiting...
thanks
Just came upon this thread...figure I'll chime in, and try to not sound like a used car salesman. :) Thanks everyone for their kind words.
A year or two ago, a Gretsch RB 20-12-14 in a common finish, nice condition, was worth $3000, all day long. I sold several kits in blue sparkle, red sparkle, BDP, with matching snares for $3500 - $4000. More rare finishes were going for quite a bit more, and still are. White Satin isn't exactly rare, but it is more desirable because of the Elvin connection.
Things slowed down, obviously, and now an original RB 20-12-14 in a common finish, nice condition, no extra holes, can be had for $2000 - $2500. For a while there I couldn't give a 20-12-14 away, but the market has recently picked back up, and I was able to sell two kits, WMP and Champagne, in that price range in the last two weeks. Champagne, especially, is extremely common, and you'll probably find the best deals in this color. If you can find a 20-12-14 kit with no extra holes for $1600, BUY IT!
To Bloody Rich - my prices are all negotiable...very rarely do I sell anything at my listed price. I'm more interested in moving drums, so I'm open to all offers. I also have a few other RB 20-12-14 kits not on the site...PM if interested.
-Bill
A year or two ago, a Gretsch RB 20-12-14 in a common finish, nice condition, was worth $3000, all day long. I sold several kits in blue sparkle, red sparkle, BDP, with matching snares for $3500 - $4000. More rare finishes were going for quite a bit more, and still are. White Satin isn't exactly rare, but it is more desirable because of the Elvin connection.Things slowed down, obviously, and now an original RB 20-12-14 in a common finish, nice condition, no extra holes, can be had for $2000 - $2500. For a while there I couldn't give a 20-12-14 away, but the market has recently picked back up, and I was able to sell two kits, WMP and Champagne, in that price range in the last two weeks. Champagne, especially, is extremely common, and you'll probably find the best deals in this color. If you can find a 20-12-14 kit with no extra holes for $1600, BUY IT! -Bill
Bill, thanks for this market color. I really am grateful when dealers take the time to post this sort of info.
Indeed, it's the first time I've heard that champagne was a common color, although I figured it because I see it a lot.
But despite this it seems to be a desirable color as the singles seem to fetch a lot and snare-less kits go for over $2K. I tend not to like a color because it's rare; I like it because it's nice. I am quite sure the reason why a number of colors are so rare is because no one liked them in the day!
I've been looking for floor toms for my 3 piece kit (snare, 13/22) forever and considered contacting you about the champ spark one you then sold (and mention above).
You can PM me anytime with champagne sparkle floor toms!
Also: I would love some market color on how 13/16/22 are doing. I think sometimes I am the only person who likes Gretsch for rock.
When I see the prices of 12/14/18 or 20, I am very glad this is the case!
Bloody: Good luck. I'm sure you'll get it sorted.
Bill, thanks for this market color. I really am grateful when dealers take the time to post this sort of info. Indeed, it's the first time I've heard that champagne was a common color, although I figured it because I see it a lot. But despite this it seems to be a desirable color as the singles seem to fetch a lot and snare-less kits go for over $2K. I tend not to like a color because it's rare; I like it because it's nice. I am quite sure the reason why a number of colors are so rare is because no one liked them in the day!I've been looking for floor toms for my 3 piece kit (snare, 13/22) forever and considered contacting you about the champ spark one you then sold (and mention above). You can PM me anytime with champagne sparkle floor toms! Also: I would love some market color on how 13/16/22 are doing. I think sometimes I am the only person who likes Gretsch for rock. When I see the prices of 12/14/18 or 20, I am very glad this is the case! Bloody: Good luck. I'm sure you'll get it sorted.
Yes, Champagne was very popular, and thus is very common today. And rightfully so - it's a beautiful, timeless, classy finish!
I had a kit for sale, Steve Maxwell currently has a gorgeous bop kit for sale, pooder has one and sold another a couple of weeks ago. There's been 2 kits on NYC craigslist on and off for months, as well as a 20-12-16 on ebay and the aforementioned kit with the 2 extra holes in the rack tom. Just a couple of days ago a guy contacted me with a beautiful 20-12-14 he wants to sell. That's 9 Gretsch RB kits in Champagne Sparkle on the market within one month. It's everywhere! If I find a floor in Champagne I'll let you know.
22-13-16 kits in common finishes tend to go for between $1500 and $2000. With a snare, add $500 to those quotes. Earlier in the year I sold a beautiful 22-13-16 w/ matching snare in Anniversary for $2600. The buyer put it on ebay after a couple of weeks and it sold for $3600. The same kit showed up again on ebay a few weeks ago, and sold for $2600. So the market is still pretty chaotic, but with signs of growth...these beauties in Midnight Blue just ended at $3300: http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-1950s-GRETSCH-ROUND-BADGE-4-Piece-Set-Drum-Kit_W0QQitemZ110437154082
-Bill
Also: I would love some market color on how 13/16/22 are doing. I think sometimes I am the only person who likes Gretsch for rock. When I see the prices of 12/14/18 or 20, I am very glad this is the case!
I'm in good company, then! Sometimes I think I'm doing it backwards: I've got my 13/16/22 RB Gretsch for rock and a 12/15/20 Luddy for jazzier stuff.
But I think those old Gretsch kits don't get their proper due as great rock drums. I was in a rehearsal once with my beloved Gretsch kit, and we were playing the Heartbreakers' cover of "Something In The Air." It was a tiny room with no PA; just five guys crammed into a little space with my unmiked drums and our amps. I ran off that big, boomy fill to kick the song off, and when the song was done, the band just looked at me. One of the guys beamed and said, "you have the perfect drums for this." That was a great moment for me. :)
But don't take my word for it: check out the incredible drum sound Phil Collins got from his 13/16/22 Gretsch RBs on "Genesis Live." The drums sound as good as any kit I've ever heard, and his playing on that record is truly phenomenal--light years ahead of just about any other rock drummer in terms of subtlety and creativity. If you only know his drumming from "In The Air Tonight," you should check this record out. Great stuff.
