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1959 Gretsch Restoration Project

Posts: 715 Threads: 59

Two years ago I acquired a Gretsch kit that was a basket case. Normally I would pass on a kit like this but the kit has history. It was the house kit used at The Record Plant in Sausalito, CA. Some of the recordings on the kit includes Rick James - Fire It Up, Rick James - Street Songs and Sly & The Family Stone - Fresh. According to the owner, recording engineer Tom Flye, the kit was a Christmas gift from his father in 1959. The kit was originally Tangerine Sparkle but Tom didn't like the WAY it looked under lights so he tore the wrap off back in the 70's. At that time the badges went missing along with one bass drum hoop and the reso lugs.

I made an offer that was initially declined but after two months discovered that my offer was quite generous considering the condition of the drums and we made the deal. When I got them home all I could think of is "What the hell did I get myself into?".

Through Ebay I was able to find all the missing parts, which wasn't cheap as we all know the parts are worth more than the drums! I contacted Jammin Sam's to get a sample of Super Tangerine Sparkle and much to my surprise it's a dead on reproduction of the original Tangerine used by Gretsch. I contacted Garry Williams of the San Francisco Drum Company and he's been filling holes, touching up bearing edges and wrapping the drums in his very limited free time! Garry also was able to save the one paper tag and make copies for the other drums!

I also finally found a snare to go with the kit. The original is long gone as Tom opted for a Ludwig Black Beauty sometime in the 70's and he chose to keep the Ludwig snare drum. The snare was a perfect candidate as it had multiple extra holes. I sent the snare drum to another local repair person, Mark Foglia as Garry has been very busy. I got the drum back on Saturday and it's just amazing! I picked up a new reproduction Micro-Sensitive strainer and I'm really impressed, it works flawlessly!

The rest of the kit should be ready sometime next week and I will post pics when it's all done. For now, here's a sneak peak of the snare drum. Sorry for the not so great pics but I had to take these at night. Better pics coming soon!

[IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x246/dolfan54/1959%20Gretsch%20Drum%20Set%20Restoration%20Project/IMG_1275.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x246/dolfan54/1959%20Gretsch%20Drum%20Set%20Restoration%20Project/IMG_1277.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x246/dolfan54/1959%20Gretsch%20Drum%20Set%20Restoration%20Project/IMG_1278.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x246/dolfan54/1959%20Gretsch%20Drum%20Set%20Restoration%20Project/IMG_1900.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x246/dolfan54/1959%20Gretsch%20Drum%20Set%20Restoration%20Project/IMG_1901.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x246/dolfan54/1959%20Gretsch%20Drum%20Set%20Restoration%20Project/IMG_1897.jpg[/IMG]

1957 George Way BDP 26" concert bass drum
1959 George Way BDP 22/12/16 w/ 5.5x14
1959 George Way Green Sparkle 22/12/16 w/5.5x14
1961 George Way Blue Sparkle 20/12/15
1961 George Way Jelly Bean 20/12/14 w/4.5x14
1960’s Camco Oaklawn Champagne 20/12/14/16w/5x14
1971-73 Camco Chanute Walnut 24/14/18 w/5x14 COB
Posted on 13 years ago
#1
Posts: 151 Threads: 12

Wow! This is certainly a challenge..I for one, would never have tried to fix those drums. They look way beyond repair. However, with hard work, patience, a little help from your friends, and some of that Super Tangerine Sparkle, I am hoping to see them rise from the ashes like the bird Phoenix.

-Tangerine happens to be my favorite wrap Clapping Happy2

I can't wait to see the pictures.

/Johan M

70's Slingerland, 13,14,18,24" Copper wrap
70's Pearl Wood/fiberglass 12,13,13,14,16,18,22,24" Red
70's Pearl Fiberglass shells 12,13,16, 22" White
70's Hayman, 13,14,16,22" Black
60's Hoshino, 13,16,20" WMP
2009 Ludwig element, 10,12,13,16,22" Orange
Posted on 13 years ago
#2
Posts: 348 Threads: 41

Wow, that Super Tangerine looks like the original tangerine (at least in the pic).

Love to see these complete. Great job.

Posted on 13 years ago
#3
Posts: 146 Threads: 24

Did Jamming' Sam admonish you for not using tape?

Posted on 13 years ago
#4
Posts: 715 Threads: 59

From Ludwig von Buzzthoven

Did Jamming' Sam admonish you for not using tape?

LOL, yes he did!

1957 George Way BDP 26" concert bass drum
1959 George Way BDP 22/12/16 w/ 5.5x14
1959 George Way Green Sparkle 22/12/16 w/5.5x14
1961 George Way Blue Sparkle 20/12/15
1961 George Way Jelly Bean 20/12/14 w/4.5x14
1960’s Camco Oaklawn Champagne 20/12/14/16w/5x14
1971-73 Camco Chanute Walnut 24/14/18 w/5x14 COB
Posted on 13 years ago
#5
Posts: 937 Threads: 82

Nice work. Never a waste of time restoring a Gretsch round badge...Can't wait to see the final outcome. flower

"It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing..."
Posted on 13 years ago
#6
Posts: 162 Threads: 25

I can't wait to see the completed restoration project. To me, this is the very best part about VDF - checking out the before and after pictures of everyone's restored drums! :)

Posted on 13 years ago
#7
Posts: 9005 Threads: 266

Steve - looks like that floor tom may have had Gladstone mounts/feet on it. Is that what you're going to use?

I have no doubt that kit will look fantastic. Can't wait to see the 'after' photos.

John

Too many great drums to list here!

http://www.walbergandauge.com/VintageVenue.htm
Posted on 13 years ago
#8
Posts: 1142 Threads: 134

Wow! Aside from having a 1959 RB kit, you have set that is full of music history. Check out the info on The Record Plant: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Record_Plant

If these drums were the house drums at The Record Plant, you are very lucky. So many artists went through that studio and so many hits were made. I would see if you can get a letter from Tom Flye that documents the kit's usage. Not necessarily for monetary purposes, but to document music history . Once the set is finished, invite Tom to check them out and let him jam on them.

This is the stuff that really makes vintage drums "vintage". I can't wait to see the finished set.

Thanks for sharing,

Tim

Posted on 13 years ago
#9
Posts: 802 Threads: 149

I have to agree that I would have never restored that set...too far gone.

But you have, and I'm sure it is going to look GREAT. Please post pics when done!

Posted on 13 years ago
#10
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