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Help with I.D. on old Gretsch kit

Posts: 950 Threads: 48

Hello vintage drum folks

I am 1st in line to buy these old Gretsch drums

They have no badges, the bass is single tension,

old external-type hoop mounted muffler

the mounted drum has lugs for the batter side

and a tacked calfskin on the resonant side

The snare has the straight stick chopper hoops

with the separate claws or clips?

They look pretty decent condition-wise

There is no floor tom, and at least a few of the cymbals are AJAX

The price is 500.00 ..

I am usually a MIJ collector

so I have zero knowledge on the American stuff especially a kit this old

I am not sure if they are a matched kit or just some cool orphans thrown together

What do you think?

Posted on 8 years ago
#1
Posts: 404 Threads: 23

I have no expertise in this area either, but I would turn here for some Gretsch catalog searching:

http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/gretsch.html

John/Levelpebble

Tama Superstar 81 Aqua bop
Rogers Cleveland BDP (x2), Silver bop, Champagne, Black/Gold Duco, WMP, Blue sparkle; Dayton Red Onyx;
Camco Oaklawn 12 14 20 5x14 Tuxedo WMP
LW 59 SC Blue Sparkle, WMP
WFL Gold Sparkle SC, WMP Compacto
Gretsch 49/50 Broadkaster WMP
Fibes Copper Forte
Remo MasterEdge Bop, Gold Crown, Mondo
Slingerland Conway Black Satin
70's MIJ Del Ray, my first and fav ok I'm lying here
Way Too Many Snares, She Says
Posted on 8 years ago
#2
Posts: 950 Threads: 48

John thank you for the reply

I thought for sure someone might know something over here

It is most likely that the old Gretsch guys have yet to find this thread

Posted on 8 years ago
#3
Posts: 2148 Threads: 177

Looks like 40s...the tack heads on the bottom are about 40s..

The snare is most likely worth $400+

The cyms may be Trans stamp era..(40s/50s)

Easily another $400++

Then the drums are more coin.....

they look like they are all of the same period to me,,

I.e. Hoops on the snare have the lil clips...!

Go get them,b4 you get out bided

Bop iT / Til U Drop iT.

ROGER's
1964 Cleveland,.18/14/12 in WMP
1966 Cleveland, 20/14/12 O'natural.
Fullerton,...20/16/13/12 Silver Glass

WFL
1957 B/R Super Classics In WMP

Snares..
Wood & COB Powertones,
Wood & COB Dynasonics,
57 Jazz Festival

Zildjian avedis cymbals.
40s/60s era.
Posted on 8 years ago
#4
Posts: 950 Threads: 48

Hello Kelly

Thanks for your reply

buying these drums will require a moderate road trip for pick up

I offered to PayPal the seller in full and he does have a PayPal account

but he told me not to worry that he liked my plans for the kit

and that the drums will be there when I am able to come

famous last words I know but I have a feeling this fellow will stick to his word

Posted on 8 years ago
#5
Posts: 947 Threads: 115

40's Broadkaster kit most likely. I have a '39 set up with the older Rocket Lugs :)

Go get these now! :D

Found it!!
Posted on 8 years ago
#6
Posts: 802 Threads: 149

Nice set!!!

Posted on 8 years ago
#7
Posts: 2713 Threads: 555

Very nice drums. The rack tom lugs look to me to be 50's era but this could be a transition drum......transition from the "Rocket lugs to Broadkaster (modern) lugs. The 'modern lugs showed up by 1950 (pg 192 in Rob Cooks The Gretsch Drum Book). So the new 'modern' lugs could have been sent out on 1940's shells that were in stock..........?

Posted on 8 years ago
#8
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