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Snare Find: 70s Gretsch 4108

Posts: 48 Threads: 3

So a guy I know was going to dump this snare off at a thrift shop and I kindly offered to save him the trouble of going to the thrift store. I didn't know what it was when I got it but I saw the Gretsch badge and knew it could be decent. It turned out to be a model 4108 aluminum snare from the 70s!

I found a vintage Ludwig snare earlier this year to launch my vintage career. I'm learning a lot from this website, so thanks to all you vintage experts!

As best I can tell this drum is from somewhere between 1972-1978. I read up on the Gretsch badges on their website and the badge on this drum is stop sign #1. I found that the strainer on this model was different in '71 so that's as far as I got in narrowing down the age. It was in really decent shape but I took it all apart and cleaned and polished everything. Here are a few pics!

Posted on 12 years ago
#1
Posts: 9005 Threads: 266

Man, that snare is in excellent condition. Great score.

Some drummers don't like the sound of Gretsch snare drums for some reason, I have read comments like that. I'm playing a late 50's 3-ply wood 5.5x14 and loving it.

Enjoy,

John

Too many great drums to list here!

http://www.walbergandauge.com/VintageVenue.htm
Posted on 12 years ago
#2
Posts: 1427 Threads: 66

That thing looks fantastic!

And, I am one of those guys who don't like Gretch metal snares for some reason.

Although I have not tried them all, I had a beautiful '70's vintage COB model and cleaned it up and installed new heads.

I ended up selling it as it just wasn't right for me. It certainly couldn't compete with the PowerTone snares but it just wasn't right for me. It didn't sound "bad" per se, just not right for me.

I don't have a lot of experience with wood snares from Gretch, so I canot comment on those.

Cobalt Blue Yamaha Recording Custom 20b-22b-8-10-12-13-15-16f-18f
Red Ripple '70's Yamaha D-20 20b-12-14f
Piano Black Yamaha Recording Custom Be-Bop kit 18b-10-14f
Snares:
Yamaha COS SDM5; Yamaha Cobalt Blue RC 5-1/2x14; Gretsch round badge WMP; 1972 Ludwig Acrolite; 1978 Ludwig Super Sensitive; Cobalt Blue one-off Montineri; Yamaha Musashi 6.5X13 Oak; cheap 3.5X13 brass piccolo
Posted on 12 years ago
#3
Posts: 1142 Threads: 134

That is one sharp looking snare. The brushed aluminum looks like it's in perfect condition. Did it come with the original drum key?

I see you installed an Aquarian Vintage Series Medium batter head, which is a 10 mil. single ply head. If you think the sound is a little too metallic or you just don't like it, consider trying an Evans Power Center Reverse Dot or Remo Controlled Sound X head. I have a Gretsch 4165 (COB) and I originally had a Remo Ambassador installed. It was crazy loud and I felt the metallic overtones washed out the rest of the drum. I installed an Evan Power Center Reverse Dot and it sounds awesome. It still has that metallic sound, but now you can actually hear the snares and it has a drier almost woody sound. Tune it high to get that nice "crack" sound or tune is low to open it up.

I'm glad you rescued it from the thrift store and it's now is owned by someone who respects vintage drums.

Thanks for sharing,

- Tim

Posted on 12 years ago
#4
Posts: 6583 Threads: 644

Beauty,eh...Mind Blowi

I am really digging the brushed metal snares..

Premier has the best looking one IMO

Then Gretsch,then Slingerland...

Too bad Rogers didn't do one....

"Always make sure your front bottom BD lugs clear the ground!"
Posted on 12 years ago
#5
Posts: 2264 Threads: 83

Very nice. Wondering what you paid for it? And the Gretsch paper label looks great too. So it's a lifetime guarantee - hmm...how would Gretch handle it if you contacted them for a refund? :)

The greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you. - Joyce Meyer
Posted on 12 years ago
#6
Posts: 6583 Threads: 644

I used to have a VERY old (teens-20's?) Gretsch snare that had a paper tag inside stating the shell had a 3 year guarantee!

"Always make sure your front bottom BD lugs clear the ground!"
Posted on 12 years ago
#7
Posts: 48 Threads: 3

From Purdie Shuffle

Man, that snare is in excellent condition. Great score. Some drummers don't like the sound of Gretsch snare drums for some reason, I have read comments like that. I'm playing a late 50's 3-ply wood 5.5x14 and loving it.Enjoy,John

It is indeed in excellent condition! I cleaned it all up but it really didn't need much.

From J!m

That thing looks fantastic!And, I am one of those guys who don't like Gretsch metal snares for some reason.Although I have not tried them all, I had a beautiful '70's vintage COB model and cleaned it up and installed new heads. I ended up selling it as it just wasn't right for me. It certainly couldn't compete with the PowerTone snares but it just wasn't right for me. It didn't sound "bad" per se, just not right for me.I don't have a lot of experience with wood snares from Gretch, so I canot comment on those.

Hmmm, do people say that they don't like vintage Gretsch snares or modern ones?

Posted on 12 years ago
#8
Posts: 48 Threads: 3

From blairndrums

Beauty,eh...Mind BlowiI am really digging the brushed metal snares..Premier has the best looking one IMOThen Gretsch,then Slingerland...Too bad Rogers didn't do one....

The brushed aluminum looks really nice. What is the Premier model you are referring to?

From larryz

Very nice. Wondering what you paid for it? And the Gretsch paper label looks great too. So it's a lifetime guarantee - hmm...how would Gretch handle it if you contacted them for a refund? :)

This drum was about to be orphaned and I rescued it to a good home. The guy was literally on his way to give it to a thrift shop... Yeah that would be pretty funny if I called in warranty claim!

From blairndrums

I used to have a VERY old (teens-20's?) Gretsch snare that had a paper tag inside stating the shell had a 3 year guarantee!

Bah, what's three years compared to a lifetime?!

Posted on 12 years ago
#9
Posts: 48 Threads: 3

From thornbeck

That is one sharp looking snare. The brushed aluminum looks like it's in perfect condition. Did it come with the original drum key?I see you installed an Aquarian Vintage Series Medium batter head, which is a 10 mil. single ply head. If you think the sound is a little too metallic or you just don't like it, consider trying an Evans Power Center Reverse Dot or Remo Controlled Sound X head. I have a Gretsch 4165 (COB) and I originally had a Remo Ambassador installed. It was crazy loud and I felt the metallic overtones washed out the rest of the drum. I installed an Evan Power Center Reverse Dot and it sounds awesome. It still has that metallic sound, but now you can actually hear the snares and it has a drier almost woody sound. Tune it high to get that nice "crack" sound or tune is low to open it up.I'm glad you rescued it from the thrift store and it's now is owned by someone who respects vintage drums.Thanks for sharing,- Tim

It does look very good! Pretty amazing for a 40ish year old drum. It did come with the drum key so I'm assuming it is original. There is nothing missing on this drum and it appears to be all original, right down to the heads and snare wire. I've since changed the heads. Here's the interesting thing. I tried a Remo head on this drum but it wouldn't fit. Apparently some of the vintage Gretsch shells are a bit oversized... I had to order in the Aquarian Vintage heads to fit on the drum. I guess it'll have to be up to moongel to tame this beast if I need to.

The (original) snares on this drum are stretched out and need to be replaced. I hear a lot of hype for the puresound snares, does anyone know if they are worth it and what model might sound good on this snare?

I’m just getting into vintage drums but it’s a fascinating world!

Posted on 12 years ago
#10
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