The issues can be plenty but I’m sure the Gretsch experts will chime I

Hi zeph!

No, they don't vary at all from the other Gretsch kits. Same shell design, hardware, etc. Gretsch was just trying to cash in on the "rock" explosion like the other American drum companies. The use of dual 12" rack toms was very common and offered as catalogued kits by Ludwig and Slingerland. I believe you're referring to this kit... http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/images/my_collection/literature/gretsch_flyer/gretsch4.jpg

It's a very cool kit! The tom holder wasn't the best, but if it's working properly on the kit you're considering, there should be no problems. Is all the original hardware intact, such as all die-cast hoops, tension rods, mufflers, etc? I think it's a great little "Rock 'n Roll" kit! Let us know if you get it!

-Mark

There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with that era tom mount found on RB kits. That style was the strongest (best) of the several dual styles that followed... also the drums will sould just like any other Gretsch RB drum set of the times. If you get them just make sure you correctly tune them in the best you can... they will sing...

Same drums as any other Gretsch set of the era. The Rock and Roll moniker just refers to the 5 piece combination of drums not to anything different about the drums themselves.

My opinion of the 60's double tom mount is at odds to Osa's. I'm not impressed with the design. In my case I chose to use the set as a four piece rather than use that contraption. What I do is replace the base plate with a modern Ludwig unit which fits the same holes. At that point you can use anything with a 1" down tube. You will have to use a RIMS style mount to interface the tom with a modern holder unless you want to use the diamond plate on the tom. That is what I do but I had to create my own hybrid holder combining the spade arm that fits the diamond with a ball that fits the modern Gretsch holder I'm using. Works rather well and gives me the best of both worlds. You could adapt it to mount double toms but the placement of the base so near the batter side of the shell makes this awkward at best.

I had this same dual tom holder on my Walberg & Auge set in Ice Blue Metallic. I'm pretty certain that W&A made the piece of hardware for Gretsch. It was very sturdy, and placed the two toms wherever I wanted them to be. The one thing that this tom mount would not allow me to change was the spacing between the two toms. But, I would have chosen the pre determined spacing, anyway.

Your post brought back adolescent memories - that Gretsch (20, 12, 12) kit is the type that Mickey Dolenz used on "The Monkees" TV show! I don't think he ever had a floor tom with it.

Hey, Hey!.....MB

I loved that Gretsch champagne sparkle kit! Here's an early promo shot, showing Mickey on the kit. His floor tom is BEHIND the snare drum! Also note that first-generation double-tom holder!

-Mark

Hey anyone have a dual tom mount for mine?

Thanks for the Monkees pic, Idrum4fun! Pink Champagne Sparkle was my favorite '60s color also (on my Kents). Odd setup of Mickey Dolenz - left handed, sitting sideways. How did he ever work the bass drum pedal?

Obviously an "actor drummer." That double-tom mount appears identical to the 1st generation (1950s into early 1960s) Ludwig mount, that had the little block of wood painted black. It sat between the two bottom hoops, and held the toms a bit more securely, due to the flexing nature of the steel "tongue in groove" mounts.

I had a 1958 Ludwig "Hollywood" kit (22, 12, 12, 16) with this mount, but despite the wooden block, the toms still bounced a bit, with only moderate playing.

Regards, MB