I haven't seen this issue yet but I'm told my snare drum is written up. It's a 60s Round Badge Gretsch 5 1/2" I had overhauled and recovered in green glass glitter to match my set. Matt Synyard from Bonzo Drum did the work. He's a dedicated craftsman. The drum is dynamite. It has 45 wire snares and I use a Tama air-ride suspension stand. Playing that drum is bliss. Great snare response and resonance. I'll never sell it. My only beef is I hit hard enough so that either the adjustable butt or the micro throw off loosens after a while. I have to be concsious of it and readjust it a few times as the night goes on. I'm thinking of running a rubber band from a t-rod to the throw off arm to keep it fixed until I want to release it.

Cool, we have a forum member that makes plates that I think will work on your drum called Presto Plates. They match up to your holes and you can add any strainer you want to the drum and keep the original safe and sound. This way you will not have the problem of the adjustment which I think will get worse over time.

They can also use green sparkle for the finish and it should blend right in.

Here is the web site if you want to take a look. Click Here

I look forward to the isssue Classic Bruce!!!!

David

Webmaster

Thanks for the idea. I had such a plate made up for another drum. It allows me to put a Pearl throw off in the same place as the Gretsch micro using the same holes. I could swap it onto this drum. I just like the look and authenticity of the original part. Its not logical I know that, especially when you factor in that I'm using Pearl optimounts throughout and how vintage is that?

Gary

Dix Hills, NY

band2

Yes, the Gretsch drum is in the issue. The Presto Plate article is actually on the 2nd page of the Gretsch snare article. Matt is a very good on restorations. He's a cool guy as well, and a big Bonzo fan, as you can tell from his business name, Bonzo Drum Company. The issue should be arriving soon, if it hasn't already. Keep and eye out for it.