I believe that the Anniversary in question was Gretsch's 75th so that was 1958. Given that I'd say 6 ply with Die-Casts although there is some question as to when the shells switched from 3 ply to 6. Generally it is thought to have been in the mid to late 50's so say 1957 is a good guess. May have still been some 3 ply shells being used up for a while.

I have one Anniversary Sparkle drum and it is 6 ply with Die Casts. It seems the wrap was available for longer than just that one year. My copy of Rob Cook's Gretsch book seems to be MIA at the moment but the info as to when the wrap was available is probably in there...my hunch is 1958-1962. I have a 1963 catalog scan and the wrap isn't listed there.

I'm certainly no Gretsch expert but I have a snare drum with the Diamond Anniversary plate that matches that kit. It has six ply shells and stick chopper hoops. It's for sale if you are interested.

Those are die-cast hoops on your drum. The earlier brass ones are like the modern 302 hoops only not as thick.

Thank you. And what about floor tom/cymbal holder brackets? Which ones are present in your set?

Not sure when those mounts transitioned from the bolt thru version to the ones with the threaded boss cast into the back side. My sixties round badge sets all have the later style. My solitary anniversary sparkle drum is a snare so that doesn't help with any answers. My GUESS is that an earlier anniversary sparkle kit could easily have the earlier style. Someone else will no doubt know when they introduced the newer style.

O.K. Thanks, K.O.