Any Gretsch New Classic snare owners?

[jkuhl]

I've had a 6.5x14 black sparkle lacquer for a while that I honestly bought to harvest the hw from. Chrome over brass lugs and die cast hoops make this drum a value at the typical used prices. However, I doubt I'll ever take it apart. The drum sounds really good. Ive been playing it lately and It's not really surprising that it sounds so good but I don't see a lot of discussion about these discontinued drums from Gretsch. If you see a use NC for a decent price (kit or snare) don't hesitate. While the drums are Asian made and not USA, they're super solid and have really good hw. Any one else use these drums?

Mark Guilana gives a nice demo here

 

[drumtimejohn]

Consider checking this out. It’s a little convoluted yet it’s a start. Since, I’ve come across a lot of sound samples. I sense the NC was the back line set of choice for many stages. Example, lots NC samples on Saturday Night Live. I’m thinking the positive regard for NCs will continue to grow.

Gretsch New Classic Bop & Snare Info

Edit: This thread was started to inform members about a potential deal on a Gretsch New Classic bop set and evolved into a discussion and source of info for the model. Hopefully others can continue to contribute and share the information in this thread to learn more about the NCs. Not mine...

www.drumforum.org

 

[drumtimejohn]

I’m thinking the video has a 14x5.5. Great drums in either size. I picked up an 8 lug Brooklyn 14x5 to try something different and more open with the NC bop. The Brooklyn craftsmanship was a disaster whereas my NC is perfect.

 

[jkuhl]

I’m thinking the video has a 14x5.5. Great drums in either size. I picked up an 8 lug Brooklyn 14x5 to try something different and more open with the NC bop. The Brooklyn craftsmanship was a disaster whereas my NC is perfect.

I had a wmp bop kit that was really solid. I liked it better than the re-released Jasper era broadkaster bop kit I owned. Just really solid drums. The wmp looked great too, a really creamy vs stark white. The blue ocean sparkle might be my favorite NC finish. The sparkles on the black lacquer are very subtle.

 

[shuffle]

I've had a 6.5x14 black sparkle lacquer for a while that I honestly bought to harvest the hw from. Chrome over brass lugs and die cast hoops make this drum a value at the typical used prices. However, I doubt I'll ever take it apart. The drum sounds really good. Ive been playing it lately and It's not really surprising that it sounds so good but I don't see a lot of discussion about these discontinued drums from Gretsch. If you see a use NC for a decent price (kit or snare) don't hesitate. While the drums are Asian made and not USA, they're super solid and have really good hw. Any one else use these drums?

Mark Guilana gives a nice demo here

View attachment 614618 View attachment 614620

The snare looks and probably sounds great!
I have the aluminum Steve Ferrone,6.5,titanium coated.
Killer snare drum!
I had problems with the New Classic lugs,1st Gen.(missing tiny screws)but so what,that thing can do it all,regardless.
I know it's not wood but the same series and I dig it.

 

[KCJazz]

I've had a 6.5x14 black sparkle lacquer for a while that I honestly bought to harvest the hw from. Chrome over brass lugs and die cast hoops make this drum a value at the typical used prices. However, I doubt I'll ever take it apart. The drum sounds really good. Ive been playing it lately and It's not really surprising that it sounds so good but I don't see a lot of discussion about these discontinued drums from Gretsch. If you see a use NC for a decent price (kit or snare) don't hesitate. While the drums are Asian made and not USA, they're super solid and have really good hw. Any one else use these drums?

Mark Guilana gives a nice demo here

View attachment 614618 View attachment 614620

I wonder why the COB lugs? It seems like cast steel hoops would sort of cancel the subtle effects of brass lugs. I think I would want brass hoops too.

 

[jkuhl]

I thought the same and especially from a cost/production standpoint. A pair of cob hoops would probably really open this drum up BUT a naturally controlled drum has it's advantages too.

 

[drumtimejohn]

I wonder why the COB lugs? It seems like cast steel hoops would sort of cancel the subtle effects of brass lugs. I think I would want brass hoops too.

Per Gretsch literature NCs have die cast lugs and hoops. The hoops are the same as on USAC drums.

 

[KCJazz]

Per Gretsch literature NCs have die cast lugs and hoops. The hoops are the same as on USAC drums.

I wonder if die cast brass lugs would have greater strength than the notorious vintage Rogers bread and butter brass lugs.

I'm doing a lot of wondering.

 

[drumtimejohn]

The snare looks and probably sounds great!
I have the aluminum Steve Ferrone,6.5,titanium coated.
Killer snare drum!
I had problems with the New Classic lugs,1st Gen.(missing tiny screws)but so what,that thing can do it all,regardless.
I know it's not wood but the same series and I dig it. View attachment 614663 View attachment 614664 View attachment 614665

I believe that dilemma is associated with the Ferrone and Swamp snares with different lug construction. The NC lugs that do separate are on toms for the ITS. Reportedly the expense of the NC lug construction contributed to the demise of the line.

That’s a cool snare! What year?

 

[drumtimejohn]

I wonder if die cast brass lugs would have greater strength than the notorious vintage Rogers bread and butter brass lugs.

I'm doing a lot of wondering.

Zinc alloy not brass.

 

[Seb77]

The hoops are die-cast zinc; the lugs are brass, I would guess machined?
All chrome-coated, so they look the same. There are no die-cast steel drum hoops, only zinc and aluminum. I think I read you could cast brass, too, but it‘s not done with drum hoops.

I have a COB-shell snare with NC lugs, very solid. Some early snares had tube lugs with swivel inserts, that didn‘t work well under higher tension; some pictures indicate the casing was too weak for that.
Brass triple-flange hoops would be interesting on this drum, an all-brass snare, probably very ringy.

 

[drumtimejohn]

I believe the shared thread intent is to celebrate the New Classic snare accurately. It’s well established the Steve Ferrone Signature snare lug cited is not the same. Perhaps to avoid misinformation the two should be delinked.

https://www.drumforum.org/threads/gretsch-new-classic-lugs.164384/

https://www.drumforum.org/threads/steve-ferrone-6-1-2-pearl-snare-drum.120504/page-2

As for the New Classic lug, the literature eventually stated “heavy die cast lugs” (2011). I believe this was the first Gretsch documented lug metal specifics.

https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/10773992/gretsch-product-catalog-gretsch-drums

Historically, Gretsch is ambiguous regarding NC details. Additionally, the NC has different eras. The Post #2 link gets into era and lug details. I can say now having owned 3 USA NCs, 4 import, and some of the last spare snare lugs directly from Gretsch, any snare lugs I removed or viewed were all one piece. I guess it’s possible Gretsch NC had both brass and die cast snare lugs by history. Perhaps it’s both, die cast with brass tubes for threading. I don’t know if that’s a thing so I’m sharing a picture of an extremely rare unthreaded NC lug to demonstrate this potential. Note, the mounting threads differ in color from the tension rod threads. Enjoy and go buy a New Classic!

 

[JazzDrumGuy]

No, but I love the snare lugs! I have 8 gold plated ones waiting for the right snare!

 

[drumtimejohn]

No, but I love the snare lugs! I have 8 gold plated ones waiting for the right snare!

Like this? I’m thinking just brass, perhaps plated. Gretsch called it “gold accented hardware”.

 

[drumtimejohn]

Here’s the related literature. I’d love to see the drum once done. I see DFD may have matching hoops.

 

[pgm554]

Yup!

 

[JazzDrumGuy]

Like this? I’m thinking just brass, perhaps plated. Gretsch called it “gold accented hardware”.

No, its more gold vs brassy yellow. I think it may be gold plated. Bentley's has a last set on eBay.

 

[moosryan]

I wanted one of these for so long -- I kept watching videos on youtube and feeling like this was the exact sound I was looking for. Finally pulled the trigger on one and ended up selling it within a few months. It is a a great-sounding snare, but it is a loud drum. Not really an issue for live work, but I rehearse in a lot of small studios and it was overpowering. And not that good, careful playing can't counter a loud drum; I just wanted something with a little more flexibility. Just my experience--beautiful drums, but they really pack a wallop.

 

[Seb77]

Here’s the related literature. I’d love to see the drum once done. I see DFD may have matching hoops.

I never tried to find a matching wood snare becuase of the thick shell. The thin shell mentioned in these early catalogues might be nice, and a bit quieter. The video of the 4" drum shows die-cast hoops, but the catalogue mentions 2.3mm triple-flanged ones.