SPECIAL NOTE: 99.9% of all burgundy sparkle Gretsch 6-ply bop kits that I have researched will have the rail mount installed at the 1 o'clock position and typically with a Pratt Muffler & cymbal mount... mine does not... as this particular kit posted above is factory set-up with the W&A rail mount at the 12 o'clock position and is made without either a bass drum cymbal mount or Pratt Muffler.

So because of those unique particulars, I call this one my Blue Note kit... mainly because of my attachments of Art Blakey & Elvin Jones both playing burgundy sparkles RB's bop kits with 12 o'clock rail mounts ... but I refuse to mount my 12x8 tom upside down and backwards.

Hmm, I have wondered if this kit once belonged to one of the Master?

Another home run here !

It is interesting that you note the "upside down and backwards" aspect of hanging the tom. In the era just slightly later than 64, in which I was beginning to take an interest in drumming and drums, it was common to see the Gretsch toms mounted with the tone controls facing the audience. I wonder if there was any particular reason that was done. It seems that it could avoid some damage with the snare banging up against the tom, especially with the dynamic playing typical of a either of the drummers you featured. I saw them both live along the way and they were truly intense drummers.

That is THE KIT! and along with Tony and Philly Joe...those are THE CATS! My whole approach to playing comes from those guys. Beautiful kit man...congrats!

The upside down tom placement kept the muffler surface away from the playing sweet spot

Mufflers should be turned all the way out anyway. :cool:

Killer kit.

Really nice drum set.

Want to know a secret? If you spin the badge 180, then your problem would be solved. It is simply a tack, and you can easily get the badge to spin, the tack is in the center of the badge, so it won't go off kilter.

Yeah, I understand... but I will absolutely NOT rotate (twist them) around just because my "drum ideals" felt the drum looked better backwards. I feel they flipped the drums purely as ornamental as I can't hear any tone change otherwise.

The kit will remain in it's original factory appearance.