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1948 Gretsch colors? Last viewed: 7 hours ago

broadkaster gretsch rocket lugs vintage colors
Posts: 32 Threads: 13

Hello fellow Gretsch fans..

I am trying to determine the actual color of this 1948 Gretsch set.

The set consists of a single tension 24" x 14" bass drum, a 14" x 6" Broadkaster snare with rocket lugs, and a 12" x 8" single headed tom with rocket lugs.

Wondering if anyone would know the actual Gretsch factory color or if this might have been a custom color for a custom set?

My guess is this is a Chico Hamilton model and possibly manufactured and sold by the Rocket Gretsch & Brenner Co. and that the color was once more of a robin egg greenish blue that has uniformly faded to this olive green over the last 66 years. I'm purely basing this on the colors revealed under the lug and bass drum hoops as shown.

Looking forward to everyones suggestions or hopefully facts.

Thanks, Twigdrum...

3 attachments
color.jpg
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snare.jpg
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tom:bass.jpg
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Thanks,
Twig Drum
Posted on 10 years ago
#1
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

here is a link to the 1948 gretsch catalog. [ame]http://www.drumarchive.com/Gretsch/Gretsch_48.pdf[/ame]

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 10 years ago
#2
Posts: 32 Threads: 13

Thanks for the link vintagemore2000.

I've done my research from the catalogs but unfortunately it doesn't list this particular color.

Thanks,
Twig Drum
Posted on 10 years ago
#3
Posts: 617 Threads: 7

Can't you pull a snare lug off and look underneath for a bit of the original finish?

Posted on 10 years ago
#4
Posts: 1867 Threads: 179

That color is great. Maybe you could get it matched at a "pro" paint store for touch ups.

sa

BLAEMIRE DRUMS
Thanks to Mr. Jerry Jenkins
Posted on 10 years ago
#5
Posts: 32 Threads: 13

From BEC

Can't you pull a snare lug off and look underneath for a bit of the original finish?

Thanks BEC,

I did pull off one of the lugs as shown in the picture, and it is slightly different then the overall color, but what I'm trying to determine is what Gretsch would have called this color or if it was a custom job.

Thanks,
Twig Drum
Posted on 10 years ago
#6
Posts: 6524 Threads: 37

From twigdrum

Thanks BEC,I did pull off one of the lugs as shown in the picture, and it is slightly different then the overall color, but what I'm trying to determine is what Gretsch would have called this color or if it was a custom job.

If it`s a custom color, wouldn`t the buyer request the color ?

It`s a drum,.....Hit It !!

.....76/#XK9207 Phonic Sound Machine D454/D-505 snares !i
Posted on 10 years ago
#7
Posts: 6524 Threads: 37

Blue metallic lacquer, I found it in the 54 snare cat.

It`s a drum,.....Hit It !!

.....76/#XK9207 Phonic Sound Machine D454/D-505 snares !i
Posted on 10 years ago
#8
Posts: 295 Threads: 16

Those drums are gorgeous.

Posted on 10 years ago
#9
Posts: 2713 Threads: 555

Beautiful drums! I love the colour.

I bought this 1947 6x10 Gretsch tom a few years ago that has a Green lacquer but your drums do not look green - at least from the photos.

I've read where my drum is Green Lacquer

Could yours be Lustre-Blue Lacquer Gretsch drums 1948-1953?

Posted on 10 years ago
#10
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