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1970's Gretsch Chrome Over Wood Snare-A few questions....

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Greetings,

If you can believe it, this was essentially a "throw in" with a used kit I got for $80. Guy had no idea what he had, and neither did I until I had already given him the money and was loading it into my car, because it wasn't in the pictures on Craigslist. I scored!

Anyway, I have a few questions:

1. Can anyone tell me, based on the Model and Serial Number (or throw-off) what year this would be from? It has 10 lugs and die cast hoops.

2. Is this truly a "COW" (Chrome Over Wood), or is it just chrome wrap over the wood shell? There is a seam on the chrome wrap.

3. If it is just chrome wrap, what is the best way to clean and polish it? Should I use products for chrome (Nevr Dull, etc.) or should I use products for wrap (Novus, etc.)?

4. Judging just by the drum alone (assuming average condition-all factory parts are present), what would be an accurate re-sale value for this drum? Not planning on selling it just yet, but I want to know what kind of drum I am dealing with value wise.

Thanks for your help!

V

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Posted on 9 years ago
#1
Posts: 2010 Threads: 19
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Chrome over wood is always a wrap (usually chrome plated metal on vintage drums but sometimes a plastic wrap). Ludwig and Slingerland used metal in the 70's, I'm guessing Gretsch did too but I don't have any first hand experience to know that for certain (I do own a set of COW Ludwigs that I got in 1975 so I am familiar with this type of finish).

If it's actually metal then any sort of chrome polish will work, if it's a plastic wrap then I'd stick with novus or something similar and non abrasive.

The badge on your drum would place it in the 70's but beyond that I can't offer much more off the top of my head. Gretsch only did 2-3 catalogs that whole decade so there are a lot of gaps when trying to date things that fell through the cracks as far as when they were introduced, etc. Chrome finish is on the '77 swatch page so I'd guess this is probably a later 70's drum...but that's not a given.

As far as value I'm not a good one to ask as I don't sell stuff. Figure there is about $250-300 there just as "parts" (hoops, throw off and butt, badge, lugs, shell) so that is probably roughly the worth of the complete drum. Not suggesting that you part it out but to me it seems that the minimum value should be what the parts might bring. Not sure if a complete drum would actually bring much more than that though (sometimes a complete drum will sell for less than the parts, which is what encourages the parts guys to ransack nice drums, but it isn't always easy to sell every last little bit quickly or for top dollar).

Looks like a nice drum and probably a fairly uncommon wrap as most people wanting a chrome snare would have opted for a metal one. Someone wanting a wood shell (and a Jasper shell besides) that would go with anything might be interested in something like this. I have a similar COW snare but it's a 5 ply Slingerland.

Posted on 9 years ago
#2
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According to the Gretsch badge dating guide, it places your drum around 1973.

If you want to sell please let me know, I'd be interested.

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Posted on 9 years ago
#3
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