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Vintage Gretsch? What have I brought home?

Posts: 137 Threads: 25

I did some horse trading and brought home this 1950s Gretsch set. I'll be honest, I don't know anything about Gretsch at all, but the set sounded cool and it was a fair trade to both.

I'd like to learn more about it. Looking at the drums, it looks like this set was cobbled together from different drums. Bass drum badge is different than the toms, wrap pattern and yellowing is different for each drum, the counterhoops on the tops appears to be reproduction, etc...

Sizes are 13", 16", 20".

Anybody want to play detective and tell me what you see about the set?

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Current sets
2018 Precision Drum (natural maple, 10/12/13/16/20)
Gretsch USA: 1958 3-ply (white pearl, 12/16/20), 1976 6-ply (12/13/16/22), 1998 6-ply (walnut, 8/10/12/14/16/20)
Slingerland: 1963 (BDP, 13/16/22), 1966 (Sparkle red, 13/16/20)
Posted on 4 years ago
#1
Posts: 137 Threads: 25

Bass drum:

No tom mount. Interior is spray painted silver. From my reading that could mean the bass is a Jasper shell. I did not see a date stamp anywhere.

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Current sets
2018 Precision Drum (natural maple, 10/12/13/16/20)
Gretsch USA: 1958 3-ply (white pearl, 12/16/20), 1976 6-ply (12/13/16/22), 1998 6-ply (walnut, 8/10/12/14/16/20)
Slingerland: 1963 (BDP, 13/16/22), 1966 (Sparkle red, 13/16/20)
Posted on 4 years ago
#2
Posts: 137 Threads: 25

13" tom:

[LIST]

[*]Substantial pitting.

[*]There is a date stamp inside, but I can't make out the last digit (195?).

[*]Badge corresponds to the 1960s, based on Vintage Drum Guide's web site. I'm not sure how accurate the badge/date range is.

[*]3 ply shell, some cracks on the inner ply. Some damage to the bearing edge.

[*]Original tom bracket is missing.

[*]Counterhoops have no engraving or stamping and look new. Reproduction?

[/LIST]

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Current sets
2018 Precision Drum (natural maple, 10/12/13/16/20)
Gretsch USA: 1958 3-ply (white pearl, 12/16/20), 1976 6-ply (12/13/16/22), 1998 6-ply (walnut, 8/10/12/14/16/20)
Slingerland: 1963 (BDP, 13/16/22), 1966 (Sparkle red, 13/16/20)
Posted on 4 years ago
#3
Posts: 137 Threads: 25

16" Floor tom:

[LIST]

[*]Sometime in the past, somebody spray painted "U.S." on it. Maybe it was something like a USO drum?

[*]Very clear date stamp inside: JUL-7-1953

[*]Same badge issue as 13" tom.

[*]Also like the 13" tom, the counterhoops have no engraving or stamping and look new. Reproduction?

[*]3 ply shell, very clean, bearing edges are very smooth.

[/LIST]

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Current sets
2018 Precision Drum (natural maple, 10/12/13/16/20)
Gretsch USA: 1958 3-ply (white pearl, 12/16/20), 1976 6-ply (12/13/16/22), 1998 6-ply (walnut, 8/10/12/14/16/20)
Slingerland: 1963 (BDP, 13/16/22), 1966 (Sparkle red, 13/16/20)
Posted on 4 years ago
#4
Posts: 891 Threads: 26

vintage Round Badge era

TomToms had the Tack badge; Bass drums (and snare drums) had the vented hole Badge. You're good.

Your 3 ply shells were built in Brooklyn NY.

(Jasper (Indiana) were used later the 6 ply shells)

Everything you have there -hoops- look original.

Missing tom holder may have been the Hoop Mounted set up hence No drill on bass; but I see where the holes for a mount on the 13. So may have been a hoop (BD hoop) holder)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/WM-F-LUDWIG-WFL-40s-50s-Rack-Tom-Mount-Ratchet-Tooth-Bracket-Hoop-Clamp-Holder/184266256030?hash=item2ae71fee9e:g:vo0AAOSweZ9eoyzU

Page 12:

[ame]http://www.drumarchive.com/Gretsch/Gretsch_61.pdf[/ame]

Utility Ratchet Holder tom tom 4940

.................................................. ......Joe
Posted on 4 years ago
#5
Posts: 137 Threads: 25

Thanks, JDA, and thank you for your detailed reply on the other forum!

Current sets
2018 Precision Drum (natural maple, 10/12/13/16/20)
Gretsch USA: 1958 3-ply (white pearl, 12/16/20), 1976 6-ply (12/13/16/22), 1998 6-ply (walnut, 8/10/12/14/16/20)
Slingerland: 1963 (BDP, 13/16/22), 1966 (Sparkle red, 13/16/20)
Posted on 4 years ago
#6
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