What style of wrap did you use; sparkle or glass glitter? What style was on before? Did the heads fit tight with the old wrap?

The glass glitter is some thick stuff. I just wrapped a kit in Blue Glass Glitter and I had to trim back the overlap where the head rings touch. I trimmed about 1.5" down from the bearing edge and all of the overlap. This really helped, but the head is still snug. I used Remo Ambassadors, so going with a vintage oversized heard might give me more play.

I'm sure the company that re-wrapped the shells will help you out. This wouldn't be the first time they encountered the issue.

Please post some pictures. We would love to see your "new" kit.

Thanks,

- Tim

Ditto to what Thornbeck said. Glass finishes are generally considered the thickes finish and that on top of the fact that many Gretsch shells were tight to begin with can prove problematic. Trimming the overlap is the first place to start. There are plenty of Gretsch geniuses here that can help as well.

The re-wrap is a Marine Pearl -- very nice, too. It replaced the same white Peral.

The old heads fit. I recall them as being "sticky," which I attributed to age - they appeared to be original.

I replaced the head on the Leedy-Slingerland snare, too, using the Aquarians. Consensus was that that was a re-wrap. They were snug. I sanded down one of the welds on the hoop and that helped a bit. It didn't occur to me that the re=wrap could be an issue.

I do see plenty of snares on which the wrap stops about 1/2 inch from the edge.

That brand of head is known to be a tight squeeze with wrapped drums.

Which Aquarian Vintage heads do you have?

'Modern Vintage' = standard size

'American Vintage' = slightly oversize.

And the suggestion about trimming the overlap about 1/2" down from the edge is a good one as well.

The re-wrap is a Marine Pearl -- very nice, too. It replaced the same white Peral.

The old heads fit. I recall them as being "sticky," which I attributed to age - they appeared to be original.

I replaced the head on the Leedy-Slingerland snare, too, using the Aquarians. Consensus was that that was a re-wrap. They were snug. I sanded down one of the welds on the hoop and that helped a bit. It didn't occur to me that the re=wrap could be an issue.

I do see plenty of snares on which the wrap stops about 1/2 inch from the edge.

Ditto here. Did you get the American or Modern Vintage heads?

I got the American heads...

I just found I can have it done professionally for 20 + 17 shipping, and an offer of guidance to do it myself.

I imaging a flexible flat edge and Xacto knife are involved.

I know there are plenty of DIY types her. Guidance? It looks tricky around the snare beds!

Anyone in the Kalamazoo/Grand Rapids area to help?

bfulton,

You and I are in the same boat. I have a Gretsch Round Badge that was re-wrapped in White Marine Pearl (nice choice, by the way) and had the same issues with heads. I also went with Aquarian American Vintage heads and they were still snug. In fact, on the floor tom, I had to seat it barely on the edges and then use extended length tension rods to SLOWLY lower the head into position. If you try this, just be careful not to catch a seam, as you could buckle or separate the wrap. This tightness is true on all three of my drums so I just deal with it. But the sound of those heads and the Gretsch shells make it more than worth the hassle.

Good luck!