Yes - I said 1961 3ply with silver sealer and the drums are the not-so-common small sizes (1420 bass, 812 rack and 1414 floor........5.5x14 stickchopper rimmed snare too). I know Gretsch changed from 3ply to 6ply in 1958 and introduced Silver Sealer then too. However, there are some 58-61, maybe even later, 3ply shells out there - so I'm told by Gretsch historians.
Someone - years ago changed out the Gretsch strainer for a Rogers.
If someone can send me some closeup photos of what original early 60's snareshell (strainer) screw holes look like that would be great........and the shellside of the throwoff itself would help. I want to see how much "damage" was done to the snare to accommodate the, very nice I might add, Rogers throwoff.
I just bought the drums last weekend and it's my very first kit restoration project. I'm not in a hurry but I can use a lot of help. Stuff is broken here and the drums have been neglected and not played in decades I think.
I have a shopping list........so if anyone can help I would appreciate it. I have hundereds of photos so far........keeping a good record as I go. I'm only at the cleaning and documenting stage.
I know I can go one eBay and Craigslist - in fact that's where I found the drums, but I thought it might be helpful to ask here first.
Here's the drums as I unpacked them and sorted through the drums. They came with nice fiber cases and a "goodies" box with what appeared to be broken and rusted metal and some sticks. It turned out to be a 18.5 K Zildjian, 14" A Zildjian hats, Beverley Crash, Speed King hihat and Speed King pedal, wood block and drum attachment, sticks and a few other odds-n-ends. The cymbals polished up beautifully!
Thanks,
Gary