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Concerned about a snare drum Last viewed: 21 minutes ago

Posts: 23 Threads: 6

I've come across a Gretsch snare drum described as a vintage walnut single-ply shell. I love everything Gretsch but I have some concerns based on the supplied photos.

1. The square badge simply says "Gretsch" in the typical right side up/upside down format...no "U.S.A" scripting anywhere. I find this odd.

2. The snare drum has Gladstone style tube lugs...I haven't ever seen a production Gretsch snare with these style lugs.

3. The photos show a single-ply drum with reinforcement rings. Inside is inscribed "To Charlie from Fred Gretsch 10-27-??". I can't read the year...if there is one. This is the most concerning thing of all. I can only assume that the signature is meant to refer to Charlie Watts who has played Gretsch drums his entire career.

4. The inside of the shell is virgin wood...it hasn't been coated with the gray flake. Kinda odd for a vintage drum.

I could honestly care less about the signature...I was just looking for a nice vintage snare drum for Christmas and this one peaked my curiosity. But the above issues have made me wonder if it has been altered or faked.

The seller's asking price is not overly high...but not cheap either. He claims it was probably a prototype drum...so possibly one of a kind...but his price doesn't reflect this...which is another concern. I've seen actual prototypes sell for many thousands.

It's all very weird and since I'm not a vintage expert I wondered if someone here could confirm my suspicions. Thanks in advance for the help :-)

Cuttle

Posted on 14 years ago
#1
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

Could you post pics of the drum. but no gretsch snare drum of this description exists At this time frame to my knowledge?

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 14 years ago
#2
Posts: 23 Threads: 6

Here is a link to the auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Gretsch-Single-Ply-Walnut-Snare-Drum-14-x-5-/140481695195?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20b55c8ddb

The more I look at it...the more it doesn't seem kosher to me. Too many questions...I think I'm gonna pass on it anyway.

Cuttle

Posted on 14 years ago
#3
Posts: 802 Threads: 149

It does kind of look like someone just built that drum from available parts....BUT...its a really nice looking drum and I'd bet it sounds great too.

I wouldnt mind having that drum to play!!

:)

Posted on 14 years ago
#4
Posts: 4009 Threads: 209

It looks like it's a current G-5000 series solid walnut shell snare drum that someone fitted the New Classic series lugs to.....or it could have been special ordered that way by the orginal owner.

I would ask for documentation on that signature though.......I mean, Charlie could mean anybody (what's to say that the Charlie implied is Charlie Watts? It could be just as easily Charlie Smith or Charlie Jones.....see where I'm coming from?), and is that actually Fred Gretsch's signature?

Finally, there is nothing vintage about that Gretsch drum. It is a modern Gretsch.

Posted on 14 years ago
#5
Posts: 23 Threads: 6

Yea, I agree it probably sounds nice...I like walnut shells as well. I just didn't want to be the rube that bought a "vintage" drum only to find it's not vintage lol. There are modern drum companies that make single-ply shells...Noble & Cooley for instance.

The finish on the drum would go nicely with my Catalina Birch too. Oh well...just seems to risky to me :s

Cuttle

Posted on 14 years ago
#6
Posts: 23 Threads: 6

Thanks LD...I'm gonna pass on it. I didn't realize that Gretsch was doing solid shell snares recently. That's the final piece of this odd puzzle lol. The whole thing didn't pass the smell test.

Thanks again everybody for your input :-)

Cuttle

Posted on 14 years ago
#7
Posts: 2433 Threads: 483

I heard Gretsch will buy shells from anyone who has the right price.Nothing wrong with [i guess] but it would be cheaper to buy your own shell and look for a hardware package.To me its not a Gretsch if they did,nt make the shell.

Hit like you mean it!!
Posted on 14 years ago
#8
Posts: 2212 Threads: 95

250.00 for a solid shell is a killer price! I am going to watch this one, 38 minutes left.

Posted on 14 years ago
#9
Posts: 410 Threads: 32

I had a Gretsch 10-ply maple snare that had the same badge with no "USA". I always assumed it was assembled offshore because I believe that badge was used for the Renown series when it first came out, before they created a separate badge. It was a nice drum though. And it did have silver sealer. For what it's worth.

60's Gretsch Round Badge 22/13/16
'71 Ludwig B/O Badge 20/12/13/14/16
'72 Ludwig B/O Badge Jazzette 18/12/14
'65 Rogers Holiday 20/12/16
Posted on 14 years ago
#10
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