Since the transition period is so close, we know that the SSB #1 and Square Badge #1 could show up within the same kit. Tiburon said the kit came undrilled and without hardware, so the drums were stocked as individual virgin items within the stores inventory. It's possible the tom tom and floor tom sat on the shelf longer than the bass drum. The snare with the Drop G badge is the odd ball. Maybe the snare had just arrived at the store. Once we find out the original date of sale, we might have a better understanding. If the date is in December 1979, it might make more sense that the kit was put together with three different badges. Of course, we need to find out if the Drop G badge was available for drums in the 1980 catalog. If the date is in the beginning of 1979, then I'm stumped.

Maybe KCDrumDad will chime it. He is the VDF member that is working on a Gretsch Dating Guide.

-Tim

The receipt is from 22/11/79 , and I seem to remember that the snare was not in stock and I had to wait a few months before it arrived on my doorstep.

(Not really doorstep, I had to pay a goodly amount of import tax)

I could wait because I still had the COB snare.

So if they send me a brand new one that would put it somewhere in the beginning of 1980.

This would make it all possible, I think ?

yea that is starting to make sense now. very weird combo 3 badges. But it looks like it is possible with your timing. How about the tags on the inside of each drum? Give us the rundown when u get a chance.

As Tim points out, I am working on a Gretsch dating guide (actually it is already published, but I am always gathering more information). A mixed badge set like yours is very interesting, but is particularly interesting to me because you are the original owner and have a dated receipt. A dated receipt really helps to support the link between serial numbers and years of production. This is difficult with Gretsch because it did not date stamp its shells during this period. If you post on this thread or private message me with the serial numbers from each drum, I can add them to my database and tell you a bit about your drums.

The latest of the three badges that you have (the "Drop G") first appeared in the 1979 time frame at about serial number 98000. This date is consistent with your purchase date of November 1979 and having to wait a few months for the snare with that badge.

Rick

the drop G badge went into production in 1979

so this all makes sense with the date of the receipt

this pic is straight from "The Gretsch Drum Book "

[IMG]http://imageshack.us/a/img59/197/g26g.jpg[/IMG]

And the square badge ? when is the start date for that ? alot of mixed badge sets i have seen have like in my case toms & snares stop sign and bass drum square badge.

thanks larry

[IMG]http://imageshack.us/a/img844/6146/uubr.jpg[/IMG]

ok thanks ! for your help !

The timing of the first Square badge is approximately 1977-1978.

Two comments:

1. The information in Rob Cook and John Sheridan's book about approximate years of use and serial number ranges is from my dating guide. All dates that I have expressed are approximations and should not be treated as absolutes. One can easily misinterpret information if it is read out of context and without understanding how the information was developed. This is an error that many have made with drum dating guides in the past and I feel a need to comment on this issue so that the same mistakes are not made here.

2. Rob and John had my permission to use information from my dating guide in their book. I would suggest that it is not good practice to scan and post copyright protected images without the authors' permission.

(getting off soap box now)

Rick

Right. No use getting into a discussion on Yamahas...Walking