I've got both the 5x14 and 6.5x14 Solid Steel Gretsch Drums too...Both are really great sounding drums. I recently did a session where both the producer and artist fell in love with my 5x14 Gretsch Solid Steel. We had it tuned down just a bit from where I usually have it and it absolutely killed on 4 of the 6 tunes we cut that day. The other two were cut on a Duluth 6.5x14 Cast TreeBronze drum. Here's a few pictures of the Gretsch 5x14 Solid Steel with my Ludwig Black Galaxy CM kit.
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Cast vs thick rolled snares
- Thread starter Ptrick
- Start date
Well, I found an earlier version of the Sakae Cast Phosphor Bronze 6.5x14 with Cast Bronze hoops from an endorser and I have to say that this is one of the best sounding drums I've ever played right out of the box. Here are my two Sakae Cast Brothers! I thought that the color of the shell itself would be much closer in hues, but they are definitely different looking. The newest addition (with the cast bronze hoops) is from 2016 and the other one with the Sonor Hella Hoops is from 2021. Both are just incredible sounding drums. Also, the badges are different as well with the older one saying "Made in Japan" and the newer one says "M
ade in Osaka"
I was watching one on eBay for MONTHS before they were originally discontinued, but never pulled the trigger. Happy to hear you got (a pair!). Now you just need that Keplinger
Ain't that the truth???I was watching one on eBay for MONTHS before they were originally discontinued, but never pulled the trigger. Happy to hear you got (a pair!). Now you just need that Keplinger
aparker2005
DFO Master
I was about to pull the trigger on that 6.5! Amazing score!
The drum sounds incredible right out of the box. I think the owner is/was a Blue Man drummer and he had two of them. One was heavily played with lots of patina and this was his backup that was definitely played, but in excellent condition. It also came with the OEM Sakae Heads in the box! I am over the moon on this one because it definitely has "that" tone/mojo in spades. This drum has me like a kid at Christmas...I got up early this morning to go look at it and play it to make sure that it was still there and it still sounds like I remember it sounding last night! I have a recording session next weekend that I will 100% be bringing it to. Yay!
14x6.5, 8 lug Black Iron (unfinished steel) Keplinger. I have a 14x6 Stainless and a 14x6.5 Copper, and this one sits right in the middle (stainless higher pitched, Black Iron in the middle, and Copper with a lot of bottom). Might actually be the Goldilocks of the three. Only through gigging will I know for sure.
What a lovely beast! I always love the personalized "treatments" you give to each of your drums. You make them your own. I love it! Congrats on this wonderful addition to the arsenal.
What a beauty! Stunning!
Markkuliini
DFO Master
Testing this 14x4 cast steel snare (3 mm straight shell) from Finnish company called Sorva. I already have a 7" deep snare drum the same line, and it's been fantastic! Lately it's been asking to get a baby sister, so here we go, lol
This one sounds REALLY good too (haven't been able to play it with a kit yet), so I probably have to buy it.
Will be interesting to see how this one well hold up against the 14x5 Keplinger Black Iron that I've got in my rehearsal room.
This one sounds REALLY good too (haven't been able to play it with a kit yet), so I probably have to buy it.
Will be interesting to see how this one well hold up against the 14x5 Keplinger Black Iron that I've got in my rehearsal room.
What stands do you all like for heavy drums? I'm using a DW 9300 at the moment, but I've never cared for the positioning rod. The Tama Star looks promising, but I've never laid hands on one.
Tama Star is great, as is the high end Pearl model.
My main one for gigging is the Gibraltar. Never slips, ultimate adjustment, and goes easily low enough for an 8” deep snare.
Gibraltar 9706 9000 Series Pro Ultra Adjust Snare Stand
Snare Stand with Gearless Adjustment and Memory Lock
www.sweetwater.com
I added some cast bronze hoops later on from John at Duluth. They definitely take it next level. A slightly more musical ring with amazing crack. But I really am a fan of those OG Tama hoops, as they are pretty warm for a die cast.
I have some OG extended Tama wires I got off the donor drum for this build.
There are a few wires commercially available that work, plus Kevin Cundy now makes an accurate replica.
Pearl Free floating extended wires (20 strand, end plates are a little large and can rub the extended bottom hoop gates)
Puresound Free Floating extended wires (16 strand, fits well, but are darker and drier than the originals)
Drum Factory Direct 16” snare wires I have been told work
Gibraltar makes a set for extended systems.
Best, most accurate to original sounds will be the Kevin Cundy replica wires. He is on a lot of the Facebook Tama groups.
Heartbeat
Advanced Heart Guru
I have 2 sets of Kevin's wires. They're the aircraft (6039) version and sound great. Very well made.
