Q: If you purchased this snare drum hopefully you keep the original Gretsch box? Because during that era the factory box will (should) have all the information about that particular drum written on the box including date and who ordered it, etc.

Unfortunately if no original factory paper tag is found inside the shell the snare drum will be regarded as a good looking replica, clone or home built drum. Good luck.

Thanks for the note - It did not come with a box. I purchased it from my Drum Teacher at the time - the renowned percussion teacher Carl Wolf in Bloomfield, NJ and I know he placed the order directly with Gretsch.

This is an interesting one for sure - I have had this away in storage since the purchase..

Something doesn't... I don't know. Maybe Carl Wolf owned the Drum shop?

"I purchased this new around 1980 from a Drum shop in New Jersey for $200 from the shop owner who ordered it for a customer but was never picked up."

"I purchased it from my Drum Teacher at the time...and I know he placed the order directly with Gretsch"

Yes Carl Wolf owned the Drum Shop and was my Drum Teacher. A gem of a man and a great teacher who was featured in Modern Drummer when he passed away.

He was friends with Buddy Rich among others and a number of us got a chance to meet Buddy a few times when we were in our early 20's.

Sorry for anyconfusion.

A quick search around the net found a snare drum that looks pretty much like your drum that just sold recently. The current auction results here should help you with value, etc. Good luck.

yes pretty close - thx~!

That badge was used on imported drums in the early 2000's. That throw off was also used only on the imported Gretsch lines that were introduced by Kaman circa 2001.

Are you sure you are remembering the chronology correctly? I don't doubt that Gretsch built it ( albeit overseas) but it doesn't appear that it could be over roughly 15 years old.

Thanks for the note but yes, I am positive I purchased it myself around 1980-81 and the store owner ordered it direct from Gretsch..

It's been sitting in a closet ever since - never played.

I found a snare from the Gretsch tour looks exactly like yours, same lightning throw and 24K plating.

It`s Maple but it`s the same.

https://reverb.com/item/7079297-gretsch-prototype-usa-14-x-5-birdseye-maple-snare-with-gold-hardware?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvMii7pTC2AIVkYl-Ch1hjg22EAkYBSABEgLLwvD_BwE&pla=1

Hope I did the link correct.