This kit looks completely MIJ to me. If you had a Gretsch bass and Tom 12" and MIJ 13" in different wrap, would you strip down pricy gretsch to have a matching colour kit?

Someone had a lot of different parts including gretsch mount and mix it together on some unknown shells.

I think it's MIJ kit

You can see the silver sealer on the interior of the bass drum in the second photo.

I believe it to be factory original Gretsch blue sparkle that has been bleached by the sun and dry heat for about thirty years. Of course, it could be any of several original sparkle finishes bleached out by the elements, as sometimes they will turn to look like a completely different color than before. It is unusual to see such overall consistent fading and decomposition but not impossible. I've seen many drums from the American Southwest desert areas which were regularly played outdoors or displayed in store front windows in direct sunlight which have taken on a similar appearance. I certainly wouldn't let it stop me from buying them if the opportunity presented itself. The wood shells are probably so well aged by now that they might have "That Even Greater Gretsch Sound!"

(This is edited reply corrects and supercedes my earlier reply to this post. Moderators feel free to delete the earlier version.)

The top left mounted tom is MIJ. I believe the remaining drums are 1960's Gretsch. The drums may have been all matched in color, or perhaps all later rewrapped together in blue sparkle which is now visibly bleached out and deteriorated after many years exposure to the elements. The missing round badge from the bass drum would indicate the latter recovery, although it's possible that the badge was once knocked loose and lost, or perhaps pried off and listed on eBay by previous owners. Vintage pearl and sparkle finishes often change in color when aged, and I've seen many drums from the American Southwest desert areas which were regularly played outdoors or displayed in store front windows in direct sunlight which have taken on a similar appearance. I certainly wouldn't let it stop me from buying them if the opportunity presented itself.

I'm pretty sure the bass drum and 12" tom are legit _ look at the pratt muffler dangling inside the last pic uploaded. It's pretty hard to figure out the layout on installing something like that. Also the hoops have the correct size inlay, small detail but significant.

I've seen a lot of crazy stuff come down the road with previous owner's painting over very desirably finished kits _ one VDF member snagged a kit of Roger's painted in a flat black over a Mardi Gras wrap _ he used grafiti remover _ and they turned out gorgeous.

What I suspect is that the wrap on these were damaged long ago and were probably stripped and the paint applied directly to the shells _ probably right over the glue residue _ just a guess as I don't see any wrap overlap or seam in the sellers listing.

The paint is junky hobby shop texture paint. The 13" tom is slingerland. The other drums are Gretsch. I wanted this at the right price. My right price was just a little lower than you were willing to spend. You did alright, but you have a bunch of work in front of you.

I'm used to seeing and saving 'basket case' drum kits. Strip and rewrap the legit Gretsch drums in the kit, you won't regret it. Here are a couple of examples of kits that most guys would have passed on. I hope it motivates you. Bringing valuable vintage drums back to life is very satisfying for me as a craft person and deeply gratifying for me as a drummer and someone who loves the instrument.

Nice tubs, if you got em cheap, so much the better. Have fun bringing them back. Congrats!

John

1st Photo: 1959 Club Date rack tom. All the drums in the kit were in the same, or worse condition when I got them.

2nd Photo: The 59' Club Dates after I finished them.

3rd Photo: Late 50's 3-ply Gretsch kit. All the drums were in about the same dilapidated state. Photo 3 is a before and after of the bass drum. The entire kit came out gorgeous.

In the first pic. Are you all not seeing where the tom mount on the left drum appears to be very low on the drum or are my eyes play`n tricks here ?

Great Job Purdie! Do you ever repaint duco finishes for other people?

Yes - John - I love looking at your nice work. Amazing looking drums. Thanks for posting the photos.