I'm looking at a Gretsch kit, from the mid 60's. All original, 20,12,14, and 14 snare.
I'm not up on my Gretsch. When did they have the Jasper Shells (which I heard are the coveted drums)? Also what is a good price for this set up, in a rare finish?
I'm sorry I don't have pictures, but any help would be great!
these are the jasper shells, jasper was gretsh's shell supplier from 50's to late 90's or early 2000's memory is faded on the time line, sorry, 60's gretsch kits in good to excellent condition aren't cheap, try what ever amount you fill comfortable with,
Your probably going to be looking at several thousand for a set in those sizes in good condition. What is the finish? This could be a huge determining factor of value as some of the rarer finishes can fetch boat loads of money.
The Jasper furniture factory closed in 2003 I believe.
The 3 ply have an inner layer of American Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua and the 6ply have layers of same in between. I've checked it out first hand. Gretsch switched from 3ply to 6ply in 1958 and added silver sealer at that time.
I recently bought a neglected 58 Gretsch 4pc - 1420,812,1414 & 5.514 - in Gold Sparkle for under $1,000 Cdn with hardware and cymbals thrown in. I found out shortly after I bought them one of the cymbals is probably worth a lot more than I paid for the drums. The kit needed lots of work to restore but I'm happy to say the finish is in great shape - it was mostly dirt & grime on the shells & hardware.
My main point here is regarding what people (some people will pay for something like this). Yesterday for instance I received an email from the Canadian Gretsch drum rep. in answer to a question about the finish. My question was answered and then added this:
"By the way, I saw a 60's kit exactly the same as this in mint condition going for $13,000 (which is totally ridiculous) and the buyer's were lining up cheque-book in hand!"
That was a shocker for me. I had no idea! My drums aren't in "mint" condition, but still........
they're in very good to excellent condition....I'm not selling though - at any price. Because you just spend the money and then you don't have your dream drums (mine are these) and the money's gone....
Gary
The Jasper furniture factory closed in 2003 I believe.The 3 ply have an inner layer of American Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua and the 6ply have layers of same in between. I've checked it out first hand. Gretsch switched from 3ply to 6ply in 1958 and added silver sealer at that time.I recently bought a neglected 58 Gretsch 4pc - 1420,812,1414 & 5.514 - in Gold Sparkle for under $1,000 Cdn with hardware and cymbals thrown in. I found out shortly after I bought them one of the cymbals is probably worth a lot more than I paid for the drums. The kit needed lots of work to restore but I'm happy to say the finish is in great shape - it was mostly dirt & grime on the shells & hardware.My main point here is regarding what people (some people will pay for something like this). Yesterday for instance I received an email from the Canadian Gretsch drum rep. in answer to a question about the finish. My question was answered and then added this:"By the way, I saw a 60's kit exactly the same as this in mint condition going for $13,000 (which is totally ridiculous) and the buyer's were lining up cheque-book in hand!"That was a shocker for me. I had no idea! My drums aren't in "mint" condition, but still........they're in very good to excellent condition....I'm not selling though - at any price. Because you just spend the money and then you don't have your dream drums (mine are these) and the money's gone....Gary
Silver sealer had been known to show up earlier than the switch to 6-ply shells as well. I had a set of 3-ply Gretsch in my possesion for a short time that all had silver sealer interiors, no paper labels, and they most definitely were 3-ply shells.
Silver sealer had been known to show up earlier than the switch to 6-ply shells as well. I had a set of 3-ply Gretsch in my possesion for a short time that all had silver sealer interiors, no paper labels, and they most definitely were 3-ply shells.
For sure - I've heard that too. I should have said all the 6ply had silver sealer. I was quoting a Gretsch historian and should have made that clearer.
My drums are 3ply except for the 1414 floor T - it's 6ply and all my drums have silver sealer and were bought new that way - previous owner bought them new in 1961. The snare, rack T & bass drum had to have been made in 1958 or earlier.
These drums are so nice! The calf heads are a different feel and sound - I really like them. I'm not recording - other than for myself - or playing out - they're staying in my drum room and are going to be played at every opportunity - daily if I have my way.
I also have information that the paper labels were added in 1962 but there was definately labels of some sort a lot earlier than that on some Gretsch drum interiors - I've heard from several people about earlier labels.
Just read a Gearslutz forum member and studio owner RAVE about his Jasper shell kick drum for recording,and this is a guy with a few dozen vintage sized kicks at his disposal.It just drops everyone to their knees when they hear it! There's MAGIC in that wood,son.
As far as price indications, I just sold a 12" and 14" Gretsch toms, both originally from the same kit, pre-label, 6 ply for $460 and $1250, respectively. The finish was very clean as were the drums (save for some lift at the seam but not wrap shrinkage). Finish was champagne sparkle.
But there can be some play in prices if you are willing to wait. There was a guy who couldn't sell a 12/14/20 round badge set in champagne sparkle for $1850 on ebay about a month ago. Over the New Year there was a guy who had a set os 12/16/20 with snare in champagne sparkle and I was the high bidder at $1300! but the reserve was not met. He went on to sell it for $1900 when relisted. classicvintagedrums.com is or was selling that configuration (perhaps the same set for all we know) for $3200 or thereabouts.
Then, at the other end of the spectrum I think P00der has a 12/14/20 in champagne sparkle for $3500, no snare to boot I think.
