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Gretsch Responsiveness

Posts: 51 Threads: 20

Picked up a round badge name brand in good shape pretty cheap. Even better is that it matches my blue sparkle premiers almost perfectly, couple of questions for you Gretsch folks.

Bearing edges are deep, I've only had one other roundbadge which I basically dumped due to it's dry boxy sound. This one sounds similar, took it out on a country/soul gig last night with the premiers just to check it out and sure enough, to get a nice full tone I had to hit it off center to pull some more body out of the drum. Having said that it matches the kit too well to let go of so I really want to try and dial it in. It has some puresound snares on there but I'm thinking about changing them out to either sonor snares or some vintage canopus wires for a more wet sound .

So my question for you guys is any suggestions on how to create a bit more reponse with these things?

Thanks!

PC

Posted on 12 years ago
#1
Posts: 729 Threads: 82

I think ALL Gretsch Roundbadge drums have a reputation for being dry and boxy, although I don't think it's necessarily deserved. I think you're on the right track. Wires and heads changed might give you the sound you're going for. I have the original wires on my snare, and it sounds great. I also use Aquarian Modern Vintage heads, which are very much like old Ambassadors mixed with calfskin.

Good luck.

Stephen

Vintage Drum Student
Posted on 12 years ago
#2
Posts: 298 Threads: 39

I've had 14 RB kits.....and every one of them sounded as amazing as the next

super easy to tune

great woody tone

love 'em

best drums ever made

crank 'em up.....they love it

Posted on 12 years ago
#3
Posts: 1570 Threads: 66

old 12to16 strand carbon steel wires, thinner heads, top and bottom. Although, I personally like cast hoops, they tend to tighten a drum up. If you went to a set of quality rolled hoops-----Slingerland Sticksavers , would be good, tune high: it would open the drum up.

Maybe a set of Premier hoops but they too are cast but not so heavy as the Gretsch. that's what I would do but then you are pushing . You can always put it all back together the way it was for the sake of vintage collectibility.

Posted on 12 years ago
#4
Posts: 51 Threads: 20

WEll one of the problems may be coming from the tight head syndrome. Heads fight so tight that it's going to be hard to get a good even tenion at lower pitches. Someone along the way even cut a small piece out on the wrap right at the seam where the bottom head goes. Maybe the aquarians would help out a bit allthough I'm not a big aquarian fan.

PC

Posted on 12 years ago
#5
Posts: 3 Threads: 0

I was also having the same problem with a Gretsch snare. I installed a fresh ambassador coated batter head, an ambassador clear resonant, and cheap snappy snares. With some tuning and fussing around with it, it did start sounding better. Then I put a pearl "fat tone" batter side hoop on that I had lying around.....That was the answer!! I have been using that snare for six months without any intention of not using it. It sounds and feels great.

Posted on 12 years ago
#6
Posts: 75 Threads: 32

Thinner heads and if you can find a set of Gretsch first generation hoops you will really open the sound up without changing the look, these thinner hoops make such a massive difference to the the sound.

Im on the lookout myself for another set.

1963 Gretsch Anniversary spark 13,16,20
1969 Gretsch Moonglow 20/12.14
1960s Gretsch Tangerine Spark 20/12/14
1950s Gretsch Anniversary Spark Floorshow snare
1960s Gretsch Champ Spark Max Roach 3 ply snare
1940s Gretsch Oriental Pearl Rocket lug snare
1960s Gretsch COB
1958 Ludwig Black Oyster 22/13/16
1964 Ludwig Black Diamond Pearl 22/13/16
1959 Ludwig Trans badge COB
1930s Ludwig and Ludwig WMP 28/13/16
Posted on 12 years ago
#7
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