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Gretsch SSB with chromed steel bass drum hoops Last viewed: 7 hours ago

Posts: 13 Threads: 4

Hi there

Just last week I picked up a champagne sparkle 22 13 16 SSB kit over here in England. It's a Jasper 6ply with consolette holder and it's got chromed bass drum hoops with wrap inlay. All original bags, mufflers all work, all the stickers are there, serial numbers (for what they're worth) and it's an absolute minter. It's as if I'd bought it new yesterday! From what I've managed to find out through the previous (and only) owner and your wonderful website it appears to be a 1971-ish name band kit. Would that be right and are the metal hoops a rare thing or were they turned out by the shedload?

Sorry no photos yet.

Appreciate any feedback. Many thanks.

Posted on 11 years ago
#1
Posts: 586 Threads: 22

Welcome to the forum.

The chrome hoops tend to point to the early 1970s time frame. I do not think that those hoops alone can narrow the date down to one year, but when you make it "1971-ish" that seems about right.

The serial numbers are worth more than has historically been believed. If you would provide the serial numbers and whatever pictures you can upload, there are several here who should be able to help you.

Rick

Collecting information about the following for ongoing research projects:
Gretsch drums with serial numbers,
Ludwig Keystone and B/O badge drums with serial numbers and date stamps,
Ludwig Standards from 1968-73, and
Ludwigs with paper labels from 1971-72
www.GretschDrumDatingGuide.com
Posted on 11 years ago
#2
Posts: 13 Threads: 4

Hello again and thanks to KCDrumDad for the very quick reply.

And apologies for my slow follow up.

Come to think of it I never introduced myself did I? I live in Leeds, Yorkshire England, been drumming forever, and just recently kind of fell into the vintage thing. First via a Slingerland Radio King and now via this beauty.

As requested, here are some photos of the Gretsch kit with chrome bass drum hoops.

The serial numbers are:-

model 4418 serial no.17109

model 4247 serial no.17409

model 4416 serial no.17300

Cheers!

Posted on 11 years ago
#3
Posts: 3467 Threads: 116

G'day..

You summed it up nicely with your initial post.. "absolute minter"..

very nice indeed..

Cheers

'77 Slingerland 51N,Super Rock 24,18,14,13.. COW 8,10 Concert toms
'69 Slingerland Hollywood Ace
'75 Rogers Dynasonic 6.5 x 14, 10 lug COB
'77-78 Slingerland 6.5 x 14, 10 lug COB
'78-79 Slingerland 5 1/4 x14 8 lug COB
'79 Biman 5 1/4, Acrolite
'82 Slingerland 5 1/4 x 14. Festival COS
'84 Tama MasterCraft Superstar 6.5 x 14, 10 lug Rosewood
'98 Slingerland (Music YO) 6" 10 Lug Maple.. NOS
Zildjian, Sabian , UFIP & Paiste mix.
Posted on 11 years ago
#4
Posts: 586 Threads: 22

Beuatiful drums. Based upon the serial numbers, I might slide the estimate to 1972-ish.

Collecting information about the following for ongoing research projects:
Gretsch drums with serial numbers,
Ludwig Keystone and B/O badge drums with serial numbers and date stamps,
Ludwig Standards from 1968-73, and
Ludwigs with paper labels from 1971-72
www.GretschDrumDatingGuide.com
Posted on 11 years ago
#5
Posts: 1142 Threads: 134

Welcome and you're not kidding, that kit is mint.

I wonder when Gretsch went from 8 lugs on each side of the 22" bass drums to 10 lugs?

-Tim

Posted on 11 years ago
#6
Posts: 507 Threads: 31

Absolutely beautiful!!

Believe it or else!
Posted on 11 years ago
#7
Posts: 13 Threads: 4

Thanks guys, glad you like 'em! I feel very lucky.

A quick question- Why did Gretsch suddenly start with the chrome hoops?

Anyone know?

Cheers!

Posted on 11 years ago
#8
Posts: 1142 Threads: 134

Cost cutting. They were cheaper to than wood hoops.

Wooden hoops had to be cut, sanded, inlay groove routed, inlay cut, inlay glued to the hoop, inlay masked off, hoop painted and then set aside to allow time to dry.

Steel hoops came into the factory, unboxed, inlay cut, inlay glued to the hoop and then the hoop could be installed on a drum.

-Tim

Posted on 11 years ago
#9
Posts: 3467 Threads: 116

I once had a Pearl Power Mate, the wood fibreglass kit, It had the hollow chrome hoops... both of the hoops would ring like bells... one of the hoops also had some piece of metal schrapnel floating around inside it.. I replaced both hoops with some Ludwig wooden hoops and never looked back.. (till now of course)..

Cheers

'77 Slingerland 51N,Super Rock 24,18,14,13.. COW 8,10 Concert toms
'69 Slingerland Hollywood Ace
'75 Rogers Dynasonic 6.5 x 14, 10 lug COB
'77-78 Slingerland 6.5 x 14, 10 lug COB
'78-79 Slingerland 5 1/4 x14 8 lug COB
'79 Biman 5 1/4, Acrolite
'82 Slingerland 5 1/4 x 14. Festival COS
'84 Tama MasterCraft Superstar 6.5 x 14, 10 lug Rosewood
'98 Slingerland (Music YO) 6" 10 Lug Maple.. NOS
Zildjian, Sabian , UFIP & Paiste mix.
Posted on 11 years ago
#10
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