Thanks,Bro......
BTW.....The Gretsch kit was a find out of the local paper......
She told me it was a WMP Ludwig kit!........imagine my surprise!
$500 with A.Zildjians.........13-14 years ago though.........
Worked out real good for me..........
I was going to Australia for 3 weeks at the time,and with the $1,000+ I made on the kit,I added on another week,and went to New Zealand too!
Thanks, guys. I've really enjoyed working on this kit and playing it a bit. The kick has a 4-digit serial number (on the standard Gretsch sticker). That's an early production number... but I'm not sure exactly what year. The other drums don't have a Gretsch sticker, nor do they show any signs of ever having a sticker. Likely early 60s since it's 5-ply and not a 3-ply. I would love to get some other expert advice so let me know if you have any other advice.
What is the serial number? Per John Sheridan's Rule of Thumb, a four digit serial number on a round badge drum would be "early 60s." Here is a link to John's article on Gretsch's website - http://www.gretschdrums.com/?fa=historybadges.
I recently completed a "research paper" about using serial numbers to date Gretsch drums (last night I started working on a website at www.GretschDrumDatingGuide.com - more information available soon). Based upon the data I have reviewed, I would expect a four digit number to be from the 1962-63 time frame. Your set is interesting because of the mix of labeled and unlabeled drums. If these were sold together originally, this would indicate that your drums were from the time when labels were just getting started.
Rick
Rick's research paper is great. I've used to narrow down the build date on my Gretsch drums.
Rick, will the report your drum section of your webpage eventually have form fields where you can fill it in on your webpage and send it in (all done on your webpage)?
Thanks,
Ray
Ray,
Thanks for the kind words.
I hope to enhance the website so that I can receive reports of drums as you suggest. I am not that web savvy, so it may be a while. Until then, just an email with the pertinent data will have to do.
Rick
Thanks Rick, sorry to hijack.
Wow! Your new old kit is worth 3-4 times what you paid. Congrats!
By contrast I'm going to pick up a 22,16,13 RB Champagne sparkle today that's been painted over and missing a bass rim and some claws with a few extra holes where a Rogers swivo mount was put on (otherwise in good shape) for $350.
It will need a ton of work but still worth the $$.
Your score though is outstanding. Enjoy!
kellyj
These are what its all about right here...similar to mine from 1960
