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Odd Gretsch Snare Help

Posts: 9 Threads: 6

I have just completed cleaning up a 1950's gretsch snare drum and was wondering if anyone knows any other information about it. It is a 6.5 x 14 drum with 16 lugs. This seems to be inconsistent with every gretsch I've seen on the site (the 16 lug on this site says 1960's) and on ebay for quite a while. It is a round badge, white marine pearl (which you'll hopefully be abel to see if my picture works), has the lightning strainer, and has an unpainted interior with a date stamped on it. If anyone can tell me if this is just a weird model or if this model was a usual production for that era it would be great. I am not familiar with gretsch so any basic history of their snares is fine too. Thanks!

Pictures:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a188/LizSabol/100_0059.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a188/LizSabol/100_0062.jpg

I have the original hoops which are diecast. Only reason I'm not using them is because they are slightly out of round and kind of messed up the head when I tightened it down.

Posted on 18 years ago
#1
Posts: 1190 Threads: 86

Hi...looks like you have the "floor show" model. Your strainer is the "micro sensitive," not the lightning. The clear interior indicates a drum from the '50s or early '60s. Check the amount of plies (3 or 6) and the butt side (one screw or 4 screw). Your drum is fairly common to Gretsch collectors, but much rarer than a 5 x 14. It's a pretty desireable drum to both collectors and players. Interesting how Gretsch's white marine pearl doesn't yellow as much as the other brands' versions did.

Posted on 18 years ago
#2
Posts: 9 Threads: 6

Thanks Rich, I'm not looknig to sell or anything, but does the drum have a high enough value that I should have it insured. If so, what would you recommend to put it at? Thanks for the strainer name too. It looks like a 3 ply with 1 butt side screw.

Posted on 18 years ago
#3
Posts: 1190 Threads: 86

I'd guess the drum is worth between $600 and $800.

Posted on 18 years ago
#4
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