That's a collectible drum, so you are probably going to be bidding against someone regardless of the condition it is in. Some don't like the throwoff on them, You would have problems finding a pitted shell because COB holds the chrome well. They sound great, I think. I'm referring to the model 4160 Round badge snare.

i personal think the gretch cob 4165 with the lighting throw is one of the best sounding ( i played one for years )and highly collectable drums out there hands down over a supra at least you can replace the supra if it gets stolen the gretch is almost irreplaceable and 2 to 3 x the cost of a cos supra or more for gigging go with the supra and tweak it with right heads etc, a little z ring and that's it it will crack, good luck

Not many COB RBs with the Lightning throw out there, for sure mine is the Microsensitive, some don't like the Microsensitive but mine works great. When did the lightning throwoff come out? '68? '69?

im thinking a little earlier but im not sure it was 1 of my best snares ever wish i still had it

Let me ask you this. Are the holes for the micro strainer and the lightning in the same place? Is it compatible? If it is then I will just get one of these and add a lightning to it. I have played a Gretsch COB snare before that sounded really boxy but I think it may have had die-cast hoop issues like if they are bent. I have a bent hoop on my 13" tom and it won't ring out or tune right. I am looking for a 13" DC hoop for it now. I remember playing another COB snare that was fantastic but I think it was 6.5x14. I still want a 5x14 for general purpose use. I want to get the 42 strand snares for it and either mount a p-85 or a Lightning throw off if it is the same hole pattern. I don't wanna drill if I don't have to. I would never sell one if I get a jem. I would like to get one for collecting and then also have one just to gig with so it can get no so pretty and I won't be mad. That was why I said I don't care if it has a few scuffs or scratches. Their snares are awesome to me.

Mine's got the microsensitive and I actually have old ludwig PAT snare wire on it. Sounds great. No problems with this throwoff whatsoever. I have noticed they can lose the handles on them, there are replacement handles available, mine lost its handle before I got it, and former owner put the top adjustment knob of a P-83 on it, works like a charm. The adjustable butt has never gone loose or anything.. The prevailing opinion is that the Lightning throw is superior but I'm not about to change anything on this one. Not sure if the holes are the same.

Holes are definitely not compatible. Also, the lightning throw used a different butt, also with different holes.

All the lightning throw Gretsches I've seen are stop-sign badge; don't know if they made some with a RB on them, but if they did then they would be the exact same drum except for the badge.

I recently saw a RB wood snare with the Lightning throwoff on it, but the serial indicated a mid-late 60s model. Online info suggests the Microsensitive was around 'til '69, so I'm guessing that's when the Lightning throw came in. Makes sense to me.

I bought one for a project off eBay so wish me luck. I haven't decided what throw to use. I still have my micro in an ammo box from when I switched out my round badge years ago. I know, I know... It was before eBay and I was a teenager.

I have always wanted a COB drum and now I have to get lugs and hoops for it as well as a throw off. I have a brass hammered shell Gretsch crytaltone that has a lightning throw and I like it a lot. It's smooth and easy and has never let me down. I may gut that drum for the parts.

I have seen a COB 13" drum on eBay before. Were those made as a round badge? That would be kinda cool to have one in a 13". I love my 13" brass Pearl sensitone.