1950's Gretsch Drum Question

[Real Gone Greg]

I'm about to buy a 1950's era Gretsch drum set. There's no photos of the inside of the drums though. I've requested photos and was told that only the 13" tom was painted on the inside and the rest of the matching set is a natural finish. I was also told that this was a common practice at the time. Is that true fellas?

As always, thanks in advance for any help or advice!

Greg

[vintagemore2000]

yes that is true, but press him for inside pics also,

[Real Gone Greg]

yes that is true, but press him for inside pics also,

GREAT! Cause to be honest, that sounded a little fishy to me. Yea I want the inside photos to look at the tags that are in there. Although I'll need help to see if they match up.

All of these drums have internal mufflers. I have seen some Gretsch bass drums have the felt or velvet strip running across the inside. Is that standard or only present when there were no mufflers installed?

It's a nice set, except for two small drilled holes in the bass drum on each side of the badge!!! they've been filled and are unnoticeable but damn that drives me crazy....

THANKS!

Greg

[KCDrumDad]

I want the inside photos to look at the tags that are in there. Although I'll need help to see if they match up.

All of these drums have internal mufflers. I have seen some Gretsch bass drums have the felt or velvet strip running across the inside. Is that standard or only present when there were no mufflers installed?


If they are from the 1950s, they should not have tags inside. Interior labels did not start until the early 1960s.

If the felt strip is adjustable, then the bass muffler you mention is likely the Jimmy Pratt tone control. It is the common factory muffler for that era of bass drum. It is pictured on several models in the 1958 catalog. For bass drums without mufflers, many drummers just used a felt strip placed under the head tom dampen the sound.

[Real Gone Greg]

thanks fellas, you guys are great!

[section2]

I'm about to buy a 1950's era Gretsch drum set. There's no photos of the inside of the drums though. I've requested photos and was told that only the 13" tom was painted on the inside and the rest of the matching set is a natural finish. I was also told that this was a common practice at the time. Is that true fellas?

As always, thanks in advance for any help or advice!

Greg

Gretsch started with the silver sealer in the late 50s or so. Before that, their interiors were natural. I'm told that there was a long transition period and that it wouldn't be unheard of for some shells to have sealer and others to be natural.

Enjoy! And post pics!