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Gretsch snare identification help

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Hey guys, I’m in need of some education if anyone can spare the time to educate. I got this Gretsch snare today and want to get its butt plate and throw replaced because what’s on it isn’t original. However, I don’t know anything about the snare. I don’t know what year or era it’s from, what it’s made of, how to decipher the model/serial numbers or anything. If anyone of the top of their head can look at this and tell me what it is I’d be appreciative! The badge says “Grestch USA” on top and its flipped on the bottom saying the same thing. Model number is “GUSAMK, 4156AB” and the serial is “61976. Gretsch USA Maple?

Again, any help will be very much appreciated! Thanks!

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Posted on 6 years ago
#1
Posts: 2010 Threads: 19
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Gretsch had a line of drums in the late 1990s they called "USA Maples". They were meant as a somewhat cheaper alternative to the USA Custom series. If I remember right the cost savings were due to a limited selection of finishes and configurations. Possibly the hoops were triple flanged rather than the Gretsch Die-Casts (I really can't remember but I see your snare has triple flange hoops and that would definitely cut down the production costs which was their goal). I think the shells were still the same Jasper made ones as Gretsch was using at the time. The badges were a pewter tone color (like the ones on the Broadkasters from around that same time frame) instead of the gold/bronze color of the USA Custom badges.

So it is an American made Gretsch from a relatively short lived series and probably about 20 years old. I think the throw-off was probably originally a Lightning but am not 100% sure (post a picture of the throw it has now). If you can track down some promotional material you can probably find out.

Posted on 6 years ago
#2
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From K.O.

Gretsch had a line of drums in the late 1990s they called "USA Maples". They were meant as a somewhat cheaper alternative to the USA Custom series. If I remember right the cost savings were due to a limited selection of finishes and configurations. Possibly the hoops were triple flanged rather than the Gretsch Die-Casts (I really can't remember but I see your snare has triple flange hoops and that would definitely cut down the production costs which was their goal). I think the shells were still the same Jasper made ones as Gretsch was using at the time. The badges were a pewter tone color (like the ones on the Broadkasters from around that same time frame) instead of the gold/bronze color of the USA Custom badges.So it is an American made Gretsch from a relatively short lived series and probably about 20 years old. I think the throw-off was probably originally a Lightning but am not 100% sure (post a picture of the throw it has now). If you can track down some promotional material you can probably find out.

Thanks for the info! The throw it currently has is broken and black. The guy I got it from told me he replaced it at some point so it's not original. I appreciate your help!

Posted on 6 years ago
#3
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