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Gretsch Round Badge Restoration

Posts: 44 Threads: 19

Hi Everybody,

I'm here today because I need your support and guidance. First the good news. I have a Gretsch kit circa 1954 - dual post tom legs, 3 ply. I've had them since I was 14 back in 1975...and I'm going to restore them. Yay!

Now the bad news. They were originally Nitron Copper Mist. I painted them gloss black (sob). I also painted the insides white -(sob, puke and start shaking). Ok then. There it is. Sizes are 22", 16" FT, 9X13 T and 6.5X14 Snare with a nice Micro Sensitive strainer. I've stripped the shells and am ready to start. All the harware is original . Ive got to clean up the lugs with some polish. Everything else has to be done professionaly. Which is where the questions begin.

1) Do I get badly pitted hoops plated? Or just cleaned up?

2) Who do we know that can strip, sand and paint shells?

3) How do I match the color?

4) Do I forget about that route and just have them wrapped in a WMP?

Whoever does the shells should be prepared to re-do the bearing edges also.

Chime in everbody!

Also, I do need a few replacement parts:

- A 16" hoop

- A 22" hoop. The one I have is cracked all the way through...can it be repaired? Or do I need two hoops?

- 3 flared tom legs

Greg

1953 Gretsch 22/13/16/6X14 "Name Band"
2001 Gretsch 22/10/12/14 "Catalina Elite"
2011 Gretsch 18/12/14 "Catalina Club Jazz"
Posted on 15 years ago
#1
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

Ok, first off, i'm glad you kept the kit, i.m not glad you did what you did, but that's water under the bridge now, you have a great sounding drum kit, 1st class all the way!!, now to you questions, replating is very expensive, you can find all replacement parts for less on ebay and post a parts list here on the VDF, you shuold be able to glue the bass rim back together, was the kit originally painted or wrapped, if wrapped, re-wrap it, there are a lot of people that do this type of work, precision drum company can do all that you need and if the bearing edges are recut have them put back to factory nothing else!!!! good luck,

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 15 years ago
#2
Posts: 2713 Threads: 555

Hi

A great project to look forward to.

Was the finish originally like this:

http://www.scottymoore.net/gretschdrums.html

Ooooooooo..........

Wow!

Contact someone at Fork's Drum Closet in Nashville - Sam Bacco if he's still there.

He is a well known Gretsch drum restoration person.

http://www.forksdrumcloset.com/cart.html?m=splash

I would think if the drums were originally in a Nitron Lacquer finish the shells are in a condition for a natural finish.

You have some nice drums there.........take your time, ask around and have fun with it. They will eventually be where you want them to be. It's just time-n-money.

And..........you're most of the way there now - YOU HAVE THE DRUMS!

Good luck!

Posted on 15 years ago
#3
Posts: 44 Threads: 19

Ok...so months later I feel compelled to give an update. You'll love this. I disassembled the kit and sent them to Steve Maxwell Drums. Willie Martinez was able to begin the process of removing the black paint to reveal the Copper Mist finish. I am absolutely thrilled with the response I got from SMD. It's obviously very tedious work, and well worth the wait. I expect late October for completion of the paint removal. I was able to collect from Ebay a few of the necessary hardware items...bass drum T-rods and claw's, etc., and am anxious to start cleaning up the hardware and begin the process of putting it all together.Clapping Happy2

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Greg

1953 Gretsch 22/13/16/6X14 "Name Band"
2001 Gretsch 22/10/12/14 "Catalina Elite"
2011 Gretsch 18/12/14 "Catalina Club Jazz"
Posted on 14 years ago
#4
Posts: 82 Threads: 21

From GSWeb8

Ok...so months later I feel compelled to give an update. You'll love this. I disassembled the kit and sent them to Steve Maxwell Drums. Willie Martinez was able to begin the process of removing the black paint to reveal the Copper Mist finish. I am absolutely thrilled with the response I got from SMD. It's obviously very tedious work, and well worth the wait. I expect late October for completion of the paint removal. I was able to collect from Ebay a few of the necessary hardware items...bass drum T-rods and claw's, etc., and am anxious to start cleaning up the hardware and begin the process of putting it all together.Clapping Happy2

you will find that Willie is about as good as they come. He has done some work for me bearing edges and the like. He change a crappy sounding floor tom into a killer sounding drum. Great choice

Posted on 14 years ago
#5
Posts: 2713 Threads: 555

Yes - great choice.

The folks at Steve Maxwell do know their stuff. It sounds like you're well on your way. It will be nice to see the finished product.

I'm sure you'll keep us posted.

Cheers,

Posted on 14 years ago
#6
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