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Gretsch Micro-sensitive Strainer Last viewed: 3 hours ago

Posts: 3165 Threads: 969

OK.......... I need someone to explain to me (very slowly, please!) what seems to make the Gretsch Micro-Sensitive Strainer the alleged "holy grail" of vintage American-made strainers.

I only own one piece of vintage Gretsch equipment -- a 1958 Midnight Blue Pearl Snare in a 14 x 6 1/2 configuration that I'm trying to complete. I believe that they call it a Floor Show Model. I've got everything original on the drum -- the 16 small tom lugs, die-cast rims, Gretsch round badge, Gretsch Responso snare wires, dial type muffler, etc. but still need the Micro-Sensitive strainer to complete the drum.

When I do find one that's being offered, which is extremely seldom, the asking price is TOTALLY RIDICULOUS, at least in my humble opinion. I've actually bid in excess of $180.00 for one of these (a moment of "brain freeze", I guess), only because it would be the final "piece of the puzzle" to complete my snare. I still never end up winning the piece. I just don't get it. I'm fully aware of the law of "supply and demand", but I have no idea what makes this particular strainer so unique, so rare, so wanted, so RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE!

Did they make so little of these back "in the day", that the supply's been almost completely exhausted? Are they the greatest "piece of engineering" in American drum history? Is the configuration so unique that it took a genius to create? Please help me out here. I'm totally baffled!

THANKS in advance for your "words of wisdom!"DOH

Posted on 17 years ago
#1
Posts: 3284 Threads: 717

Actually, in my opinion, it is not that great of a strainer and I have had more people email me about their missing arm then most other strainers..

So I think it is that so many are missing arms and do not work..

Next in line is the Clamshell, Ludwig Classic then the Slap Shot...

Other then that your lucky day will arrive and then you will be a happy camper.. In the mean time there is a Presto Plate that you can mount on the drum until you find the strainer...

David

Posted on 17 years ago
#2
Posts: 1190 Threads: 86

The reason originals cost so much is that they were poorly made and didn't work well. They were often broken, replaced and discarded, which is why they're hard to find in complete working condition.

Posted on 17 years ago
#3
Posts: 766 Threads: 68

I hope I don't offend anyone here, but I think the Microsensitive strainer is possibly the worst throw off design ever. I would take a Slingerland clamshell any day of the week over a micro. Having said that, I also feel it's possibly the coolest looking of all the strainers!

Old School, if your luck is anything like mine, you will pay WAY too much money for your strainer, having searched far and wide for many months. Then, in the following month you will fall into 3 or 4 mint microsensitives for dirt cheap. Doh!

http://www.classicvintagedrums.com
Posted on 17 years ago
#4
Posts: 766 Threads: 68

Old School, buy this FAST!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Gretsch-Round-Badge-Microsensitive-Throwoff-w-Hdw_W0QQitemZ280196062912QQihZ018QQcategoryZ47089QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://www.classicvintagedrums.com
Posted on 17 years ago
#5
Posts: 3165 Threads: 969

mlvibes:

THANKS for your help and comments.

Apparently the seller of the Micro-Sensitive Strainer cancelled the listing, then re-listed. However, when you hit the "re-listed" button, you receive a message, stating that the "re-list" couldn't be posted for some reason.

I think I'll go do some serious "digging" right now!

THANKS AGAIN for everything!Cool

Posted on 17 years ago
#6
Posts: 70 Threads: 29

Gretsch made 2 kinds of micro's...2 banded and 3 banded ..the 3 banded where used on snares 61/2" and up..the 2 banded on the narrower snares. The big problem with the miro was that the 2 banded ones did'nt drop the snares down far enough in the off postion and they rattled against the bottom head. The 3 banded at least droped the snares far enough so they did'nt rattle..I agree with the above comment that they were lousy strainers..but at least the 3 bands worked..

Posted on 17 years ago
#7
Posts: 159 Threads: 24

This auction makes me angry.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130218578034&_trksid=p3907.m32&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching

The thought of a person paying $400 for one of these blows my mind. Jeez, probably could have bought a round badge snare with it and end up either paying less or not much more.

Bopworks Hickory Jazz Drumsticks
http://www.youtube.com/user/mgimino
Posted on 17 years ago
#8
Posts: 68 Threads: 21

I once owned a 50's Gretsch round badge set, and I loved the sound of all the drums except the snare. I never could get it to sound good! I tried every tuning, low-high, fat-tight different heads etc. In my opinion you can keep the RB Gretsch snares. They just don't sound good! Give me a Ludwig Supra or Acro and that is good sounding snare.

Posted on 17 years ago
#9
Posts: 5227 Threads: 555

hello to all,have a question on this strainer,does any one know of a place that makes the handle[arm],iam restoring a snare, strainer works great but is missing the handle,,,thanks mike

Posted on 17 years ago
#10
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