Thanx Gerald and All. Turns out they sound as good as they look! :p

I can't believe I (finally) own a set of Brooklyn 3-ply Round Badges. Clapping Happy2

John

And to think you were originally not planning on a floor tom and probably just flipping the three piece when done!

Again, really great job.

These are just way too cool to flip. They be 'keepers' alright!

John

John, this thread has been inspirational to me. Most of the kits I come across lately have been MIJ. They have nice wraps like red oyster pearl, light blue pearl but all they needed was a good cleaning. The kits that I paint myself are also MIJ kits but had wraps damaged or painted beyond repair and came so cheep that they are good candidates for paint experiments. I do own a nice Ludwig Club Date in SBP but again, just cleaning. I think it would be a lot of fun to find an American kit that needs new wraps, then find the period correct material and bring it back to life. One that is highly sought after and worth putting the time and money into restoring. I have not yet found that kit but hope to soon and do a nice wrap/restoration like you did with these Gretsch’s. My Fibes project was fun, educational and interesting for sure but its stainless steel. I guess what I’m trying to say is I love that burgundy sparkle wrap so much it makes me want to do restoration using a Precision Drum wrap whether it be sparkle or pearl, I just think it would be fun to do for a change. Thanks again for sharing your excitement. Enjoy your new/old drums!

Jeff C

Hey Jeff, Gravy has two early 60's Gretsch drums for sale, a bass and tom. All the hardware is there, the shells are good, and the price is right! If you really want one of these (like mine,) talk to Gravy. You can do like I did and add a floor tom later to complete the kit.

http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=31674

Gravy is good people, you might be able to work out a good deal with him for the two pieces. If I hadn't already done this one, I'd be all over Gravy's two drums and do it all over again. Check em out.

John

Wow! John those look fantastic! What a transformation! I don't know how I missed this thread previously, but I'm glad I came across it. The wrap is stunning - it really sets off nicely against the chrome hardware. Cheers!

Also, I had no idea that Gretsch had a Brooklyn factory (I really dont know anything about Gretsch drums - other than that they sound oh so nice :)). Being a New Yorker (now displaced to Texas) this really made smile. A bit of New York history in those sweet babies! Enjoy those and thanks for sharing all the pics and info!

James

James, I don't know how old you are, but I remember seeing the Gretsch factory on the Brooklyn side every time I took the train/subway over the Manhattan Bridge. My only regret is; I never bothered to actually go into the factory and check it out. I believe the Jehova's Witnesses took over the building and it became the headquarters of their newspaper, 'The Watchtower.' The building still stands if I'm not mistaken.

Thanks for the compliments on the kit. I'm really loving it. It came out great.

John

That's good to hear. I'm glad your not selling them. I kinda thought you would keep them but didn't want to pry and ask. ;) All the time and work you put in them it's good your going to enjoy them for a long time!!

I never knew Gretsch had a factory in Brooklyn either. Where did they move too after that?

John,

I'm 33, but guess that Gretsch was long gone from Brooklyn by the time I was old enough to care about drums. Man, that would have been so cool to go into their Brooklyn factory! Great little story you had their about passing that factory too! I don't think I would have been able to resist a visit :)

James

James - I was always a Ludwig guy, never had much interest in Gretsch drums other than the fact that a lot of the great jazz drummers at the time played/preferred them. Had I owned, or wanted to buy, a Gretsch kit, I'm sure a visit to the factory would have been a lot more alluring to me. I kind of associated Gretsch more with the guitar line than the drums back in the 60's. George Harrison did for Gretsch guitars what Ringo did for Ludwig drums. Put them years behind in their ability to fill orders. lol

Glenn - In 1967 Fred Gretsch sold the company to Baldwin Pianos, which reorganized it as a subsidiary. Baldwin moved the New York guitar production to Booneville, Ark. in 1970, in an attempt to consolidate its factories and find cheaper and more reliable labor than was available in New York at the time. In '72 the New York offices were shut down and relocated to Chicago. The old Gretsch building on Broadway in Brooklyn was a NYC landmark.

John