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Newbie to Vintage Drum Forum, Gretsch Question

Posts: 3 Threads: 1

Greetings to all fellow drummers!

Newbie here to Vintage Drum Forum, but certainly not a newbie to drumming.

I'm hoping to find some Gretsch Aficionados out here in cyber space.

I recently attended a drum show (CT Drum show, great show BTW) and acquired my first Gretsch set. I have a penchant for large drums and this kit immediately grabbed my eye. What I do know is I have a '77 big band kit 24,14,18. The kit also had a matching 13 tom. The 13 tom is a square badge and from research, it is from about 1980. Enough blabbing, here is my question:

The 18 floor is a 4 leg tom. This at first blew my mind since, being a luddy nut, I never knew they existed. Research in the 77 Gretsch catalog shows only 3 leg floors. Looking at the serial numbers , it appears this is a factory build. How rare was the 18 4 leg toms in 77? I cant seem to find any info on them. If anyone has info on this, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advanced, and I will post some pics in the future...

A wise man once said " Drummers do it with rhythm"
Rocking with the following:
'72 Ludwig Mahogany 24,28 "Virgin" Kicks, 14, 16.
'76-77 Premier Super Olympic (the real deal "blue badges"), Polychromatic Blue, 22,13,14,16
'89 Ludwig Rockers "The Beast" 24,12,13,14,15,16,18
'70's Ludwig Vistalites dual 22's, 13,14,15,16,20
Posted on 12 years ago
#1
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

on an 18" drum they are factory with 4 legs, my 16x18" has four legs on it. My kit is a 1981

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 12 years ago
#2
Posts: 1427 Threads: 66

I saw that kit- it is in realy nice condition.Cool1

The big floor toms did have four legs. As to when they stopped or started, that will have to come from a Gretsch person for sure, but I have seen the four-legged floor tom before!

Cobalt Blue Yamaha Recording Custom 20b-22b-8-10-12-13-15-16f-18f
Red Ripple '70's Yamaha D-20 20b-12-14f
Piano Black Yamaha Recording Custom Be-Bop kit 18b-10-14f
Snares:
Yamaha COS SDM5; Yamaha Cobalt Blue RC 5-1/2x14; Gretsch round badge WMP; 1972 Ludwig Acrolite; 1978 Ludwig Super Sensitive; Cobalt Blue one-off Montineri; Yamaha Musashi 6.5X13 Oak; cheap 3.5X13 brass piccolo
Posted on 12 years ago
#3
Posts: 635 Threads: 33

From ludwigclassic2012

Greetings to all fellow drummers!Newbie here to Vintage Drum Forum, but certainly not a newbie to drumming.I'm hoping to find some Gretsch Aficionados out here in cyber space.I recently attended a drum show (CT Drum show, great show BTW) and acquired my first Gretsch set. I have a penchant for large drums and this kit immediately grabbed my eye. What I do know is I have a '77 big band kit 24,14,18. The kit also had a matching 13 tom. The 13 tom is a square badge and from research, it is from about 1980. Enough blabbing, here is my question:The 18 floor is a 4 leg tom. This at first blew my mind since, being a luddy nut, I never knew they existed. Research in the 77 Gretsch catalog shows only 3 leg floors. Looking at the serial numbers , it appears this is a factory build. How rare was the 18 4 leg toms in 77? I cant seem to find any info on them. If anyone has info on this, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advanced, and I will post some pics in the future...

Welcome to the Forum! I too love the Larger size drums, Can you post some pictures of your kits?

Posted on 12 years ago
#4
Posts: 3 Threads: 1

Thanks Vintagemore for the info! Looking at the 77 catalog on the big band kit the pic shows a 3 leg Tom so I was a wee bit confused. And here I thought I found the ever elusive unicorn!

Thanks Jim as well. Yeah great show, as soon as I saw this kit I was hooked. I made a fair offer and he even threw in a set of cases , very pleased with the kit

A wise man once said " Drummers do it with rhythm"
Rocking with the following:
'72 Ludwig Mahogany 24,28 "Virgin" Kicks, 14, 16.
'76-77 Premier Super Olympic (the real deal "blue badges"), Polychromatic Blue, 22,13,14,16
'89 Ludwig Rockers "The Beast" 24,12,13,14,15,16,18
'70's Ludwig Vistalites dual 22's, 13,14,15,16,20
Posted on 12 years ago
#5
Posts: 3 Threads: 1

From Slingalud

Welcome to the Forum! I too love the Larger size drums, Can you post some pictures of your kits?

Thanks Slingalud.. Most definitely will post pics

A wise man once said " Drummers do it with rhythm"
Rocking with the following:
'72 Ludwig Mahogany 24,28 "Virgin" Kicks, 14, 16.
'76-77 Premier Super Olympic (the real deal "blue badges"), Polychromatic Blue, 22,13,14,16
'89 Ludwig Rockers "The Beast" 24,12,13,14,15,16,18
'70's Ludwig Vistalites dual 22's, 13,14,15,16,20
Posted on 12 years ago
#6
Posts: 190 Threads: 34

From ludwigclassic2012

Greetings to all fellow drummers!Newbie here to Vintage Drum Forum, but certainly not a newbie to drumming.I'm hoping to find some Gretsch Aficionados out here in cyber space.I recently attended a drum show (CT Drum show, great show BTW) and acquired my first Gretsch set. I have a penchant for large drums and this kit immediately grabbed my eye.

Did you also see the big walnut wrap Ludwig? ...big as in 28/15/18/20"!

Posted on 12 years ago
#7
Posts: 1427 Threads: 66

You couldn't miss that big Ludwig kit! It takes up the space of two kits!!

It was offered here first, and it certainly makes an impression!

Cobalt Blue Yamaha Recording Custom 20b-22b-8-10-12-13-15-16f-18f
Red Ripple '70's Yamaha D-20 20b-12-14f
Piano Black Yamaha Recording Custom Be-Bop kit 18b-10-14f
Snares:
Yamaha COS SDM5; Yamaha Cobalt Blue RC 5-1/2x14; Gretsch round badge WMP; 1972 Ludwig Acrolite; 1978 Ludwig Super Sensitive; Cobalt Blue one-off Montineri; Yamaha Musashi 6.5X13 Oak; cheap 3.5X13 brass piccolo
Posted on 12 years ago
#8
Posts: 1273 Threads: 22

My mid-70's 18 incher has 4 legs, as well. Love the eighteens; bass drums with legs.

B

Vintage Drum Fan (Not a Guru)
Posted on 12 years ago
#9
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