Sounds like a cool project. What are the sizes? What type of wrap was originally on the shells? Glitter is thinner, glass is thicker and when it comes to Gretsch shells with glass glitter, the heads are going to fit tight. Glitter is easier and glass is harder to work with, especially if you use glue to adhere the wrap to the shell. To answer your question on which would be more authentic; I see more Sparkle wrapped drums.

If you are looking to keep the cost down and you are open to other colors/styles, Jammin Sam has a special on White Pearl. $169 for a 12×8, 13×9, 16×16, 22×14 kit configuration.

Please post pictures as your project moves along.

-Tim

18, 12, 14. The 18 is a converted floor tom to bass. The guy that I purchased that from had the work professionally done and it looks great with the period correct looking parts. Holes were filled as well.

The 14 did not have any wrap but appears to have been that way originally, which is certainly unusual. Looks like the wood had a darker stain finish applied to it. The hoops look clean but I think original, at least I hope. The 12 has a gold sparkle finish. Each of the drums are in great condition. But of course, I want to bring them to life and have them in matching setup.

That's the easiest way to get a nice 12,14,18. That's how I did it. I didn't feel the need to be authentic, I just went ahead and did a nice stain job on them. You'll love this set.

Hopefully it will all turn out great. I have a local guy that does this kind of work.

When you wrap that 14 I think you'll have issues with heads fitting won't you? Of course you can always cut the wrap Dow. From the edge or something.

Good point above. I'm going to talk with my contact about that issue. I know he has worked on some old G drums before.

I'd avoid the glass glitters because of head fit issues. The thinner the wrap, the better. I've got a set needing wrapping, and I'm thinking either satin flame {which I really like}, or that Jammin Sam white pearl special. I've dealt with heads that had to be tapped on, and don't care to do that again........

Gretsch was using Glass Glitters in the 60's so that would be the more accurate choice but glitter is harder to work with and thicker so the issues of easily getting heads on the drums can arise. Also some of the modern "silver" glitters look more white than the silver coloring of the originals.

Gretsch did use some sparkle style wraps in the 50's and again in the 70's so they aren't completely "inaccurate".

The new 360 heads from Evans are said to fit older gretsch shells better than any other heads and they might sidestep the oversize issue (assuming you wanted to use them) but you probably wouldn't know for sure until after re-wrapping the drums. Either way cutting the wrap back from the edge will also work if necessary. Gretsch does that on all their modern wrapped drums.

Perhaps a good idea would be to take the bare shell, place you head IV choice on it, then push something like a credit card underneath the collar. The number if cards under the collar will give you a good indication of how thick the wrap can be before you have an issue.