Gretsch was recently using the drop G badge again (briefly) before going back to the round badge last year. So there might be some newer snares out there with that re-issued badge...although they wouldn't be the same vintage as your other drums.

Gretsch was kind of on life support during the drop-G era so metal snares from that time frame may be pretty rare. I have a bunch of later 80's Burnt Orange drums and was always on the lookout for more, and Rosewood seems much easier to find, but you're right the stain colorations can vary by quite a bit.

Iv been looking for a good snare to replace the two that I swap every now and then on my gretsch kit. There both great but I just feel its time to upgrade.

I'm a ludwig nut but the Gretsch drums I have are by far the best sounding out of ALL of my drums. Very versatile. I've been using a ludalloy 5x14 supra phonic and I also have a Leedy Shelly Manne(basically a sound King with different lugs)

I usually like 5" depth snares but a big fat 6x14 would also be cool.

I guess I could always opt for a natural maple finish snare and run natural maple hoops on the bass drum...

"Bite" and "cut-through" are exactly how to describe these snares. They can probably wake the dead. ;)

If you're a heavy hitter, it might be easy to get away from you too.

Evans Power Center Reverse Dot on the top, Hazy 300 on the bottom and Puresound Super 30 snares seem to be a good combination.

Good luck with your search.

-Tim