I can't say I've ever heard of reverse bearing edges on a Gretsch...and I've been a drummer for over 40 years and have owned tons of kits, several Gretsch SS models...by this you mean the edge itself is closer to the INSIDE of the shell, right?

That is correct. It is the first time I've ever seen this as well, but my research did reveal this to be done in a certain era of the Gretsch's. I have been going through pictures and it looks as though some of the old RB had this. Hopefully someone can enlighten and elaborate.

I owned a reverse bearing edge 24-13-16 kit and HATED it-stick chopper hoops,straight tom legs etc.Probably would have been an excellent big band kit,but I could not get them to sound good,or at least what I thought was good.My set was round badge,probably mid fifties.My 73' kit was the best Gretsch kit I've owned,and I've had 3.Regular round-over edges.

I have heard that Gretsch had some oversized shells during a certain period. Could the bevel on the edge have been "reversed" in order to facilitate fitting standard drumheads on those shells?

Thanks for the reply. I have learned since that his kit had been re-wrapped and was probably fitted with the SSB after the fact. Clear interiors, consolette rail mount and the reverse edges all point to older RB. Thanks for that, he wanted to cut new edges, fill holes, remove the muffles and re-wrap with a modern finish. I told him if he did that he would no loger have a Gretsch kit and resale would be shot. I told him to keep it as original as possible if for nothing else, if he didn't like it, he could get much more for it.

I have a question on the 70's SSB bearing edges. Are they different from the SB 80's era? Thanks, Dave