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Attention Gretsch dudes: (fair market value)

Posts: 1427 Threads: 66

So, I came across a few old kits today. Not that I need (or have room for) another one but one of them was a mish-mash of Gretsch drums from various ages, but in the pile is a stop sign badge 14X20 bass, a drop-g badge 14X14 floor tom and a stop sign 8X12. There were more, and all in the natural blond finish, which still looks quite nice, not all beat to snot.

Long story short I have an opportunity to get this above mentioned kit, but it has its problems beyond being essentially an orphan kit (although the bass and 12 probably go together and are (according to the seller) ~1968-69 vintage) the floor tom was mounted as a ride tom at one point, but before that happened, the diamond FT leg mounts were replaced with later Ludwig ones, so, yes, there are some extra holes. I believe the diamond mounts would cover the 'new' hole between the original ones (it looks like he used one of the original leg holes and only drilled three new ones for the new leg mounts). The bass seems pretty much intact- original mount holes are there (blocked by a plate) so that seems fine. paper tag is intact in the bass; no idea about the others. Silver sealer in the bass too- Jasper shells if I'm not mistaken.

So, let's say you have this opportunity before you. What would they be worth as a seller (so I know what he has in mind) and what would be good as a buyer, knowing this is an orphan kit and has at least a few noted issues? I believe this is the original owner selling- he had a small kit he made into a monster (he has an Ames 20" kick that matches as well as a 24" Gretsch bass in the pile as well)

To add further confusion, there is also a 20-12-14 blue sparkle Ludwig kit, somewhat rough that I think will clean up. Issue there is the bass and 12 are pre-serial, and the FT has a serial and is clearly newer. Given this choice, how would you go? I know the Gretsch drums will sound great, and so will the Ludwigs. If they were priced the same, where would you spend your money and why?

Part discussion, part research on my part, as I kind of like this old blond Gretsch kit... (but the Ludwigs are nice too!) Because of the issues, I don't want to over-pay for the Gretsch kit.

Thanks to all for your input!

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
#1
Posts: 958 Threads: 138

Is the Ludwig kit a Downbeat, or Clubdate ?

Posted on 12 years ago
#2
Posts: 1427 Threads: 66

Not sure which is which, but it has lugs for each head, not the centered bowties and long tuning screws. (not up on the descriptions)

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: 958 Threads: 138

Downbeat kit.....which in my opinion....you CANTBEAT! Even as a resale value, they absolutely hold their value....what is the serial of the 14x14 floor?

Posted on 12 years ago
#4
Posts: 1427 Threads: 66

Sorry I didn't get the serial... I was focused on other things at the time.

if I had a photographic memory or was under hypnosis I could recall it, as I looked at it well enough to determine there was a number on the badge...Party

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
#5
Posts: 958 Threads: 138

Can narrow it down if you recall the muffler....round knob, or bat style?

Posted on 12 years ago
#6
Posts: 1836 Threads: 336

From surface

Can narrow it down if you recall the muffler....round knob, or bat style?

Good call!

Posted on 12 years ago
#7
Posts: 1427 Threads: 66

Don't recall the muffler type, but it is clear what you guys would be interested in if you saw the pile of drums that I saw. Cool Dude Maybe even the old Slingerland kit that was also there would be of greater interest to you than these Gretsch drums.

Any information that might be useful to the Gretsch kit? I need an idea of a fair and reasonable price range for them. I am not a drum dealer so I just don't know. eBay prices are only so good, as this is really a collection of orphan shells at this point.

Thanks!

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
#8
Posts: 9005 Threads: 266

Jim - If you're talking about a piece-meal orphan kit, they're worth whatever you can get them for. I wouldn't go over $5/$600 for them. And only because they are vintage Gretsch drums. If it was an original kit, then we'd be talking higher numbers. For randomly selected drums... I wouldn't go nuts with my initial offer. In fact, I'd offer the guy $350/$400 and start the negotiating there.

They sound like nice drums though. Hope you get them for a good price.

John

Too many great drums to list here!

http://www.walbergandauge.com/VintageVenue.htm
Posted on 12 years ago
#9
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