Sounds like a neat kit, but we need pictures. If I understand you correctly, it doesn't have a floor tom, which will hurt its value. Still, if it's in good enough shape, it could be worth a fair sum of money.

Good luck.

Thanks,

I'm working on getting pictures

Many of the Gretsch kits from this era did not come with a floor tom

Thanks for providing us with that well informed notion about Gretsch sets not usually being sold with floor toms. Where was that information gathered.

Maybe not usually, but very often. And I believe that info comes from this very forum.

The One Nighter! Single tension, perhaps.

http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/images/gretsch_drum_sets/1954-gretsch_drum_set3.jpg

Pics please!

Aaron

I understand that many kits from that era came without a floor tom, I was just stating that it hurts its value, especially if the potential buyer intends to use it as a player, which is probably most people around here. The catalog posted has kits with floor toms as well, albeit more expensive. More expensive then; more expensive now.

Thanks for coming to the forum for information on your friend's Gretsch drums.

Depending on the "era", your statement is correct. The 1954 Gretsch catalog had 9 kits listed and 7 of the kits did not come with a floor tom.

The clues you provided can help narrow down what kit you friend might have.

- silver inside shells = late 50's/early 60's

- single tension bass drum = +1 for Renown kit

- single headed tom = +1 for Renown kit

- bass drum hoop mounts for tom/cymbal/cowbell/spurs = +1 for Renown kit

- 1954, 1958 and 1961 Gretsch catalogs had the Renown kit (without floor tom)

- you mention in another thread that the bass drum is 24" = +1 Renown 50's drum (because the 1958 and 1961 catalog listed the Renown kit with a 22" bass drum)

- you also mention in another thread the snare is 5" = +1 for 60's drum

If it's a matched kit, then the snare could be either 5 1/2" or 6 1/2" deep depending on the era. Look inside the shells to see if there are any paper tags. This will help with figuring out a date. Another thing that can help, is to count the number of plys that make up the thickness of the shells. 3 ply shells are going to be from the 50's and earlier. 6 ply shells are going to be late 50's early 60's. The silver paint also helps.

My guess/prediction: transitional late 50's/early 60's Renown Kit, no paper tags, possibly some 3 ply shells

1954 Catalog

http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/images/gretsch_drum_sets/1954-gretsch_drum_set5.jpg

1958 Catalog

http://www.gretschdrums.com/ebooks/1958/index.html#/10/

1961 Catalog

http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/images/gretsch_drum_sets/1961-gretsch_drum_set5.jpg

Looking forward to seeing some pictures.

-Tim

Now that's 👆an expert!!!

Agree, no floor tom is a big sticking point nowadays. One doesn't see many with a single mounted Tom, a single floor tom maybe, but mounted?