Newbie to Vintage Drum Forum, Gretsch Question

[ludwigclassic2012]

Greetings to all fellow drummers!

Newbie here to Vintage Drum Forum, but certainly not a newbie to drumming.
I'm hoping to find some Gretsch Aficionados out here in cyber space.
I recently attended a drum show (CT Drum show, great show BTW) and acquired my first Gretsch set. I have a penchant for large drums and this kit immediately grabbed my eye. What I do know is I have a '77 big band kit 24,14,18. The kit also had a matching 13 tom. The 13 tom is a square badge and from research, it is from about 1980. Enough blabbing, here is my question:
The 18 floor is a 4 leg tom. This at first blew my mind since, being a luddy nut, I never knew they existed. Research in the 77 Gretsch catalog shows only 3 leg floors. Looking at the serial numbers , it appears this is a factory build. How rare was the 18 4 leg toms in 77? I cant seem to find any info on them. If anyone has info on this, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advanced, and I will post some pics in the future...

[vintagemore2000]

on an 18" drum they are factory with 4 legs, my 16x18" has four legs on it. My kit is a 1981

[J!m]

I saw that kit- it is in realy nice condition.

The big floor toms did have four legs. As to when they stopped or started, that will have to come from a Gretsch person for sure, but I have seen the four-legged floor tom before!

[Slingalud]

Originally Posted by ludwigclassic2012

Greetings to all fellow drummers!

Newbie here to Vintage Drum Forum, but certainly not a newbie to drumming.
I'm hoping to find some Gretsch Aficionados out here in cyber space.
I recently attended a drum show (CT Drum show, great show BTW) and acquired my first Gretsch set. I have a penchant for large drums and this kit immediately grabbed my eye. What I do know is I have a '77 big band kit 24,14,18. The kit also had a matching 13 tom. The 13 tom is a square badge and from research, it is from about 1980. Enough blabbing, here is my question:
The 18 floor is a 4 leg tom. This at first blew my mind since, being a luddy nut, I never knew they existed. Research in the 77 Gretsch catalog shows only 3 leg floors. Looking at the serial numbers , it appears this is a factory build. How rare was the 18 4 leg toms in 77? I cant seem to find any info on them. If anyone has info on this, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advanced, and I will post some pics in the future...

to the Forum! I too love the Larger size drums, Can you post some pictures of your kits?

[ludwigclassic2012]

Thanks Vintagemore for the info! Looking at the 77 catalog on the big band kit the pic shows a 3 leg Tom so I was a wee bit confused. And here I thought I found the ever elusive unicorn!

Thanks Jim as well. Yeah great show, as soon as I saw this kit I was hooked. I made a fair offer and he even threw in a set of cases , very pleased with the kit

[ludwigclassic2012]

Originally Posted by Slingalud

to the Forum! I too love the Larger size drums, Can you post some pictures of your kits?

Thanks Slingalud.. Most definitely will post pics

[JSdrums]

Originally Posted by ludwigclassic2012

Greetings to all fellow drummers!

Newbie here to Vintage Drum Forum, but certainly not a newbie to drumming.
I'm hoping to find some Gretsch Aficionados out here in cyber space.
I recently attended a drum show (CT Drum show, great show BTW) and acquired my first Gretsch set. I have a penchant for large drums and this kit immediately grabbed my eye.

Did you also see the big walnut wrap Ludwig? ...big as in 28/15/18/20"!

[J!m]

You couldn't miss that big Ludwig kit! It takes up the space of two kits!!

It was offered here first, and it certainly makes an impression!

[AZBill]

My mid-70's 18 incher has 4 legs, as well. Love the eighteens; bass drums with legs.

B