K.O. is right. The early aluminum snares used the 4105 model number that was already in use on a wood shelled 6 lug snare. Eventually Gretsch started using model numbers 4106 (which had previously been used primarily on chrome finished 6 lug drums), 4108 (which was a new number introduced in the later 1960s) and 4109 (used on a few examples in the late 1960s/early 1970s) on their aluminum snares.

I got a 4108 8 lug a few years ago on local CL. Sounded so good that I bought another (stop sign badge) a couple yrs later from a guy on Reverb. Both came with original 40 wire snares. Down side is that the throwoffs arent that great after worn.http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=26632

That is a nice looking snare! Do you like the 40 strand wires? I've never had them. Have you tried putting a smaller set on one of the snares just to A/B them?

Never had an issue with them and I doubt that you would hear a big difference with say 20 wires once a Bass and a guitar or 2 start playing.