"This post will probably be deleted as it references an item on eBay. I question this VDF policy..."Geez, what a way to start an otherwise interesting topic.
All right, all ready! I F**ked up! I thought I was blown off and my delicate ego just cannot endure that once more. Just ask my two ex wives.
It's actually supposed to read, "Alright, already" vice "All right, all ready".
Couldn't resist a swift ped to the naughty bits, Chet. Hope all is well and you find levity at every turn.
Chet,
I think this is strange & coincidental, the snare in the auction is alot like mine - when I got the snare with all the holes I sent it to Jack Lawton & had him plug all of the holes except the one set for the micro. I removed the 4 point and I did commit the sin of having Jack add an extra hole for a single point butt. I thought one more extra hole wasn't going to change this too much.
I do have a 2 point butt & a renown strainer and a set of real nice COB single flange hoops & tension rods with the clips/hooks. Are the large size of the holes where the Renown strainer was attached due to that guard?
For a short time I swapped out the stick chopper hoops (they looked like the ones in the auction) and put on the nice pair of single flange COB hoops that I had. (see attached photo) Those are not what were on the snare as I received it, it did have stick choppers & Gretsch tension rods. But when you refer to the "Back grip" is that what you are talking about? The hooks?
In many ways the drum on ebay has alot of similarities to the one that I have. There can't be too many of these.
Again thanks for the input and I do apologize for the extra hole.
Chet,I think this is strange & coincidental, the snare in the auction is alot like mine - when I got the snare with all the holes I sent it to Jack Lawton & had him plug all of the holes except the one set for the micro. I removed the 4 point and I did commit the sin of having Jack add an extra hole for a single point butt. I thought one more extra hole wasn't going to change this too much. I do have a 2 point butt & a renown strainer and a set of real nice COB single flange hoops & tension rods with the clips/hooks. Are the large size of the holes where the Renown strainer was attached due to that guard? For a short time I swapped out the stick chopper hoops (they looked like the ones in the auction) and put on the nice pair of single flange COB hoops that I had. (see attached photo) Those are not what were on the snare as I received it, it did have stick choppers & Gretsch tension rods. But when you refer to the "Back grip" is that what you are talking about? The hooks?In many ways the drum on ebay has alot of similarities to the one that I have. There can't be too many of these. Again thanks for the input and I do apologize for the extra hole.
Hi Mike
PLEASE, I implore you, put the die cast rims back on the drum. Seriously, these drums, in my opinion, I repeat, in my opinion, should be left as original as possible. I know there are those that disagree with me (name the bum!) but for future generation’s sake the drums should not be modified, even drums that have some modifications already. I realize the old Gretsch stick choppers are sometimes on the “undesirable” side with the flaking or non-existent plating, but they are the original rims. I once saw a comment that we are only the caretakers of these drums…wish I had said that!
I guess if you really can’t stand it, the originals could be replated, but my opinion, my opinion, as a purist, this is a mistake. As an example, when I received Arthur Press’ Gladstone drum, he had replaced the original Gladstone butt with one fabricated by Forrest Clark (LA Symphony). I have an original Gladstone butt (read REALLY rare) but I have resisted replacing it on the drum for several reasons. 1) It is not the original butt and thus is a replacement (only I would know but that is the point), 2) Who the f**k am I to question Arthur Press and Forrest Clark?, and 3) It is actually a better design (Sorry Billy). So march yourself directly into that drum room of yours and put those damn rims back on! Hep, 2, 3, 4!
“I think this is strange & coincidental, the snare in the auction is a lot like mine” actually not so strange. I have always maintained that Gretsch throw offs are the s**tiest around save the Gretsch Gladstone which is only surpassed by the Billy Gladstone, my opinion. That is why so many Gretsch drums come to us in a Swiss cheese condition. Filling and covering holes is not a sin. I’ve done it. The “Sticks” McDonald Gladstone came to me with filled and covered holes (some idiot replaced the, then broken Gladstone throw off with a P-83). The prior owner had the sense to have Arnie Lang replace the broken throw off arm and had the holes filled and covered. Trouble is, the pearl did not match perfectly (did I mention I was a purist?). So when I saw MBP inlay appear on eBay I snapped it up and was able to match the grain and color of the surrounding pearl. I also found an original throw off arm and am now in the process of replacing that. Patience is a virtue.
Yeah you did commit a sin. Say three Hail…oh never mind. One more hole, even in a Swiss cheese drum, is a sin. My opinion.
“when you refer to the "Back grip" is that what you are talking about? The hooks?” No, I was talking about the single post butt (Gretsch called it a “Back Grip”). Like I said in a previous post (sorry I’m so long winded), I learned something new with this drum and subsequent posts…that Max Roach snares also came with a standard two bolt clamp butt. So much for my “know it all” attitude, huh? (Damn you Bill Hagner for not telling me!)
“There can't be too many of these.” Nope.
Best
Chet
OK…Round Two!! I heard that! Who just asked, “Who invited this guy?” I wasn’t invited. I just bullied my way in.
[Attachment: 25557]THESE ARE NOT GRETSCH GLADSTONE LEGS! There was an eBay listing yesterday with a set of these listed as “Gretsch Gladstone.” The poor soul probably saw my tirade on the Gretsch Gladstone snare (was a bit over the top) and ran for cover. In fact I think I just saw him pass under my living room window here in Italy.
Anyway, another common (too common) misnomer. Yes, again looks like a duck, but… There is no such thing as a Gretsch Gladstone leg. Someone observed that the 50’s Gretsch post mounted floor tom legs were similar to the Billy Gladstone floor tom legs, and because of their rarity (he only made four sets) decided to sizzle-up his listing with a gross exaggeration. Who knows who was first to use this design, but they are only similar…not the same.
Stop it now or I will hunt you down.
I heard that!
[Attachment: 25557]THESE ARE NOT GRETSCH GLADSTONE LEGS! There was an eBay listing yesterday with a set of these listed as “Gretsch Gladstone.” Anyway, another common (too common) misnomer. Yes, again looks like a duck, but… There is no such thing as a Gretsch Gladstone leg. Stop it now or I will hunt you down.
Up here in tight lipped Piemonte I don't come accross much writing like this. But I like the skiing and having the ability to pick up French wines easily.
I digress.
Concerning the non-Gladstone legs, I have to admit that I've seen them called that by pretty reputable dealers among other people. If they are not "Gladstone Legs" what is their proper name? They are cool and I wouldn't want to perpetuate something that is not correct which admittedly I have been doing in my own small way till now.
Up here in tight lipped Piemonte I don't come accross much writing like this. But I like the skiing and having the ability to pick up French wines easily.I digress.Concerning the non-Gladstone legs, I have to admit that I've seen them called that by pretty reputable dealers among other people. If they are not "Gladstone Legs" what is their proper name? They are cool and I wouldn't want to perpetuate something that is not correct which admittedly I have been doing in my own small way till now.
PLEASE, OH PLEASE TELL ME THERE IS NOT ANOTHER AMERICAN LIVING HERE! That's my guess or you are the best English speaking (writing) Italian I know. OMG there goes the neighborhood. I tell all the locals here that George (Clooney, we are on a first name basis) and I are great friends but we have an agreement that he will not trespass on Lago Maggiore territory and I will stay away from Lake Como. I think they believe me. Anyway if you are one of those damn Americans, don’t tell them Gringos Maggiore is better. Just let them continue to think Lake Como is better.
French wines?? Che schifo!
I digress.
Believe it or not, I have sold all my Gretsch catalogues (don’t tell anyone). After I wrote the book I thought WTF, what do I need these for? So I can’t tell you the catalogue name (my guess? Floor Tom Legs) but for lack of the specific catalogue terminology I would call them “Nodal Post Floor Tom Legs.” Maybe mention the similarity to Gladstone’s (?). As I said, who knows who thought of it first, but a damn good idea, huh? Less stuff attached to the shell=more resonance. That’s my belief anyway and from my research, Gladstone’s too. That said has anyone noticed the base plate of a Gretsch Gladstone or Billy Gladstone throw off? Hey lighten up! In fact, I stripped the Gretsch Gladstone throw from my Craviotto/Lang birdseye maple drum to complete a Gretsch Gladstone missing same.[Attachment: 25560] For the Craviatto, I am fabricating a mock Gladstone throw from spare parts but with a much smaller base. Oh forgive me Billy, for I have sinned.
