tom, Welcome to the VDF, now your questions, this kit has been altered some the snare drum has an after market snare strainer on it, which could mean extra holes drilled not good, also the bass drum has an non factory mount on it also extra holes not good! this would be a killer players kit, some are 60's some are 70's shells, so it's not a matched set. what are they asking for it??

Thanks for the welcome!

I was aware of the snare issue. If you look closely to the left of the throw off there are two additional holes. I believe the other 6 lug snare has an original throw off or at least not extra holes:

[IMG]https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=2777154367&view=att&th=12a3a1fc9769eee3&attid=0.1&disp=inline&zw[/IMG]

I'm guessing you mean the 20" bass drum has the non factory mount? It looks suspicious to me. Asking because the 22" just has the rail consolette for the one tom.

The store had all the drums divided into two stacks one was labeled as "1950's" and the other "1970's" This is how they were broken down (prices approx by memory):

"1950's" $1300

22"

18"

13"

13"

14" snare (extra holes, non factory strainer)

"1970's" $1400

20"

16"

13" (octagon)

14" snare

But, I feel like they are overpriced for the condition issues, and it is my hope to haggle down significantly. Knowing the 20" issues now, I guess it would be my hope to see if I can piece together a 22/18/16/13 and a snare wouldn't be too much of a concern. For under $1000 ideally.

Just wondering if I could try to haggle into this or am I a nut?

They have a WMP WFL snare that is quite nice also.

Thanks for your time and advice!

-Tom

tom, if you can get them to that price, especially a four piece kit with two floor toms! you'll be doing good, but shoot for the 1K or under price first. what about the wmp wfl snare drum??

I did not want to sound like an idiot, because well...I am...but, that aside, my feel was that was too high for either kit. Too bad about the 20, but it would still be nice to have a player 20" Gretsch...even if it does have an extra hole. Make sure you preface you offer with all of the issues, plus the fact it will take 25-40 hours to do a complete deep cleaning on the drums...

Then make your offer and say nothing else until the seller makes their move. This is important, as "he who speaks first loses" is the absolute truth. I am a salesman, and know this edict well. After the issues are addressed, offer say 750 and shut up. He will, likely, say NO! then go to work, reiterating the issues and time involved finding replacement parts and the cost of those parts, cleaning, all the fun stuff, then let him counter, you should not counter your own offer. Make him give you a number, then hammer him again.

Hey......

Nice find!Cool1

Too bad about the extra holes in some of the drums...........crying2-07

Gretsch really didn't make a whole lot of WMP........more in the 50's then the 60's for some reason!

The 18" 50's FT is VERY rare........I would try to get it.............

It might even have re-rings,which Gretsch did a few times with early 18"s........

As pointed out already.......

,point out the fade of the drums/extra holes/missing parts/need of new heads/time to clean etc.........

Keep us posted!

Blair

So many options. I will be stopping back in the next couple weeks to negotiate and possibly purchase. Thanks for the advice, and I'll keep everyone posted.

As far as the WFL snare, it was WMP and it actually looked like it was 15" from eyeballing it but I could be wrong. Looked like 6.5 deep. Looks to be in really nice condition and kept in a hard case. I took these shots:

[IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/TomBolton/photo9-1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/TomBolton/photo10.jpg[/IMG]

-Tom

I wouldn't wait too long......

Gretsch drums tend to sell pretty quickly!

So, guys...

I made a purchase!

I got out of there with 22/18/16/13 for $800 even including tax.

Here they are with my regular kit wondering who the old guys are.

[IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/TomBolton/photo3-2.jpg[/IMG]

And this 18" floor tom is in GREAT condition. Still shiny!

[IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/TomBolton/photo4-2.jpg[/IMG]

I'm pretty happy how it turned out and thanks a ton to you guys for your advice. Now I'll be bugging you about cleaning and restoring.

Thanks again everyone.

-Tom

You left a soldier behind! The poor snare...all alone, it's battalion has left for the battlefield again....

i know, it was a mismatch, but who are we to tell them they can't be together....

Seriously...NIce score. Would you be my agent when it is time to buy some American drums?