oldschool, %0's Gretsch clear Interiors -Yes, No paper tags -Yes, which ply are your shells??burgandy maybe late 50's I'm checking that one?

THANKS for the quick feedback and the information provided! I appreciate it.

I have no idea regarding the ply. I haven't yet seen the drums in person.

I've got some questions regarding a 50s Gretsch kit that I'm hoping all you "Gretsch Gurus" out there might be able to help me with. Here goes:

1. Would the shells on a 50s Gretsch kit be "clear"? In other words, no grey paint?

Although opinions differ as to precisely when, it is generally agreed that the silver sealer was started during the 1950s. Clear interiors often had date stamps, although these appear to have stopped around late 1953.

2. I believe that Gretsch didn't put its paper labels on its 50s kits. Am I correct?

Again, there is some disagreement, but labels started in around 1962, possibly as early as 1961

3. Other than checking the condition of the badge grommets and the fade of the wrap under the rims and lugs, is there any way to be certain that the wrap on a 50s Gretsch kit is original?

Check wrap at seam and bearing edges for anything taht looks like it is not 50 years old

4. Was a Burgundy Sparkle wrap offered by Gretsch in the 50s?

not in 1958 or 1961 catalogs, but appears in 1963 and 1966 catalogs. Some wraps were available before they appeared in catalogs, so burgundy sparkle *could* have been around in the 1950s.

5. If so, is this particular wrap considered rare and/or "desirable" by collectors and players?

Burgundy Sparkle is not common and is certainly desirable.

Rick

so, did you buy them?

A couple of other points that might help date your kit:

Are the FT legs on diamond plates (newer), or twin-post Gladstone mounts (older)?

Are the rims die-cast (newer) or stick-choppers (older)?

Are the drums 6-ply (newer) or 3-ply (older)?

Do the diamond plates for the bass-mounted cymbal holders have hidden screws (newer) or visible slotted screws on the exterior of the drum (older)?

Are the bass drum T-rods modern-style (newer) or bow-tie (older)?

Conventional wisdom is that Gretsch moved from clear to silver interiors, and from 3-ply to 6-ply shells, around the late 50s. There is a fair amount of cross-over -- many kits (mine included) have 3-ply shells with silver sealer. So there are plenty of variables.

NO. The current owner isn't ready to sell them right now. Although he's 79 years old he's still a very active player. He assured me that I'd be given the first opportunity to make an offer once he does decide to move them. However, after seeing them in person, there are some "issues" that would need to be addressed. We'll see how it plays out down the road.