Custom order Gretsch Broadkaster 26/14/16/18

  • Thread starter harry.evanz
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harry.evanz said:
Hi all, I've been looking for an upgrade kit from my Yamaha Rydeen 22, 12, 14 for about six months.
I play jazz/swing, 60's/70's rock, blues rock etc. (influences include Bonham, Buddy Rich, Krupa, Bill Ward, Mike Miley, Ginger Baker, Mitch Mitchell, Patrick Carney etc.)
Looking for a three ply mahogany or maple ideally with re-rings, in 26x14 14x10 16x16 and 18x16 like Bonham :cool:, Ludwig, Gretsch, Slingerland, or Rogers, and ideally in Gold Sparkle (although of course, not essential).
Been looking on Ebay and Reverb used for months and found nothing in that configuration so I'm now thinking about surrendering to a custom order

My question: has anyone custom-ordered a set of Broadkasters with a similar criteria? How much would a set like this cost from the UK?
I'm also considering a 13x9 instead of 14x10 but not sure about the tonal as well as practical differences if anyone wants to weigh in on that too?

Thanks guys! :)
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I've got a DDrum bombadier kit in very similar sizes. It works fine for me but a large percentage of my height is in my torso and I'm 6'1". If you haven't played on a kit with those sizes you may want to break out a measuring tape and space your current drums as if they were that size. If you are unsure I'd recommend the 13" just based on getting a little bit easier placement. If you have played for a bit with that sizing then disregard that first bit.

Given the specificity of your sizing and finish have you considered building your own? I'm not sure how things work as far as getting supplies where you're at but working out a base price is ending up lower here than a set of broadcasters would. Using the keller vintage shells should be right in your ballpark. Throwing all the hardware, wrap, shells, and shell work that you'd need together real quick is putting me in the ballpark of $2500 rounding up (Round up again to £1900 and you're probably in a safe estimate range). If shipping costs/availability over there won't kill you I'd look at that option.
 
Ox Han said:
3. 26" kicks aren't really necessary. It was a Bonham signature and worked in the time for his sound, but with modern mic techniques I don't think there is much value in them other than looking like a BFD at a show/on stage. You could also end up in another band, or other musical situations like a session drummer, that calls for a more standard bass drum sound. Lastly, I think a 26 is overkill and if you're ever in a situation where you aren't gigging much, will a 26" kit be what you want? I think a 26" drum would sound pretty bad in most rooms in a home.

Additional food for thought....I don't know if you're really 16, but a 26" kit will be a pain to load in and out of basement/house shows. Would you take it to college if higher education is in your plans? It will take up a godly amount of space in a vehicle when on tour if that is a concern. Further down the line, if music doesn't become a job and pay bills, you may end up wanting less kick drum as your career and family (if you become a father) take priority. A 26" kick drum will be expensive to ship if you ever have to sell it or take it on a plane.
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As someone who played a 26" almost exclusively for a long time, I can agree with all of this. I was only able to get away with it because I was only playing with my main band, a rock band where that sound worked. If I had to do any other gigs, I needed to rent drums. Sharing backline (a reality in most gigging situations) was always a pain, and nobody ever wanted to play my drums. On shared band bills, that meant I was very often playing someone else's drums (if you're playing original music, this is a firm reality. You don't have the option of saying "I'll just set up my drums for our set" -- it's often one set of drums for the night, take it or leave it). Transportation is a nightmare. You absolutely need a station wagon / wan / SUV / truck. Any car with a trunk is going to have a hard time fitting the kick in, and most wagons that are small enough to be called a "hatchback" aren't going to be able to fit the kick, hardware + one floor tom, let alone two.
 
Can't resist sharing a photo of my new set of gold sparkle Classic Maple Ludwigs with full round over edges in exact those sizes :)
Sorry for the crappy background (I have my drums at work).
Are they practical? - No
Are they fun to play? - Yes!!

IMG_2950_crop.jpg
 
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cplueard said:
I've got a DDrum bombadier kit in very similar sizes. It works fine for me but a large percentage of my height is in my torso and I'm 6'1". If you haven't played on a kit with those sizes you may want to break out a measuring tape and space your current drums as if they were that size. If you are unsure I'd recommend the 13" just based on getting a little bit easier placement. If you have played for a bit with that sizing then disregard that first bit.

Given the specificity of your sizing and finish have you considered building your own? I'm not sure how things work as far as getting supplies where you're at but working out a base price is ending up lower here than a set of broadcasters would. Using the keller vintage shells should be right in your ballpark. Throwing all the hardware, wrap, shells, and shell work that you'd need together real quick is putting me in the ballpark of $2500 rounding up (Round up again to £1900 and you're probably in a safe estimate range). If shipping costs/availability over there won't kill you I'd look at that option.
Click to expand...

I'm 5'8 so I think it sounds like a bit of a stretch on paper but I've played a Sakae Trilogy 24/12/18 and it was more than comfortable so I think it'll be alright in terms of reach and adapting.
I have thought about building my own but ngl it seems like a lot of work and costs could add up with each drum (especially wrapping the 26''). I'm based in the UK so shipping might not work out too cheap as well :/
I'll keep it in mind though and check with my teacher, thanks!
 
harry.evanz said:
Hi all, I've been looking for an upgrade kit from my Yamaha Rydeen 22, 12, 14 for about six months.
I play jazz/swing, 60's/70's rock, blues rock etc. (influences include Bonham, Buddy Rich, Krupa, Bill Ward, Mike Miley, Ginger Baker, Mitch Mitchell, Patrick Carney etc.)
Looking for a three ply mahogany or maple ideally with re-rings, in 26x14 14x10 16x16 and 18x16 like Bonham :cool:, Ludwig, Gretsch, Slingerland, or Rogers, and ideally in Gold Sparkle (although of course, not essential).
Been looking on Ebay and Reverb used for months and found nothing in that configuration so I'm now thinking about surrendering to a custom order

My question: has anyone custom-ordered a set of Broadkasters with a similar criteria? How much would a set like this cost from the UK?
I'm also considering a 13x9 instead of 14x10 but not sure about the tonal as well as practical differences if anyone wants to weigh in on that too?

Thanks guys! :)
Click to expand...
- I'd keep my eyes out for a used kit on those sizes. Perhaps better yet, and more likely to preserve your investment, a used USA Custom/80's Gretsch kit in larger sizes. We've seen a few on this forum in the past year or so. Or ,since you8're in the UK, maybe a used Sonor Phonic kit. Those suckers speak.
 
bpaluzzi said:
As someone who played a 26" almost exclusively for a long time, I can agree with all of this. I was only able to get away with it because I was only playing with my main band, a rock band where that sound worked. If I had to do any other gigs, I needed to rent drums. Sharing backline (a reality in most gigging situations) was always a pain, and nobody ever wanted to play my drums. On shared band bills, that meant I was very often playing someone else's drums (if you're playing original music, this is a firm reality. You don't have the option of saying "I'll just set up my drums for our set" -- it's often one set of drums for the night, take it or leave it). Transportation is a nightmare. You absolutely need a station wagon / wan / SUV / truck. Any car with a trunk is going to have a hard time fitting the kick in, and most wagons that are small enough to be called a "hatchback" aren't going to be able to fit the kick, hardware + one floor tom, let alone two.
Click to expand...

Ah yeah, I'll be learning to drive in 2021 so transport is something to consider. Maybe I could just use my Rydeen 22'' tuned wide open if I can't transport the 26'' each time I go out? I'm thinking of using a basket for the tom for this reason, so I can interchange kicks. I'm perfectly good with using one floor when out of my own house. Hoping to get a van once I can properly drive though since I also play (mainly) guitar and love big amps!

Here's the tricky part, I'm not in a band. Yet.
I'm hoping to form something but COVID hasn't fully lifted up enough to network with others much, I definitely want to start playing with others more outside of education though. I actually play guitar in an original band called Loser Denial (we've got a single + upcoming demo ep on Spotify!) and we've done 2 battle of the bands along with some pub and club nights so I've accepted the fact that I'll have to share a different kit, I'll just wait until I'm in a band established enough so I can play my own kit which is cool by me :thumbup:
 
harry.evanz said:
I'm 5'8 so I think it sounds like a bit of a stretch on paper but I've played a Sakae Trilogy 24/12/18 and it was more than comfortable so I think it'll be alright in terms of reach and adapting.
I have thought about building my own but ngl it seems like a lot of work and costs could add up with each drum (especially wrapping the 26''). I'm based in the UK so shipping might not work out too cheap as well :/
I'll keep it in mind though and check with my teacher, thanks!
Click to expand...

FWIW, there's a massive different between placement on a 12/24 setup and a 14/26. Besides the raw 4" difference, there's also the fact that both drums are wider, which pushes the center out further.
 
bpaluzzi said:
FWIW, there's a massive different between placement on a 12/24 setup and a 14/26. Besides the raw 4" difference, there's also the fact that both drums are wider, which pushes the center out further.
Click to expand...

Yeah true, I'm gonna ring around some shops to see if I can play some 26 kits and get used to it
 
Pretty sure I didn't have 4K in the bank at 16~ for a drumset either...(more like 400..) Good Luck to you Neusonic and new cymbals!
 
JDA said:
Pretty sure I didn't have 4K in the bank at 16~ for a drumset either...(more like 400..) Good Luck to you Neusonic and new cymbals!
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Ehh I've been working 2 jobs, I'm extremely good at saving and very rarely spend any money on anything apart from music, and the cymbals are all taken care of (Zildjian A Sweet Ride 23", K Dark Thin Crash 19", A Medium Thin Crash 16", and a pair of original Paiste 2002 black label Hats from 1974). Legacy/Classic or Broadkaster/Brooklyn all the way :glasses2:
Thanks for the replies
 
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foxy_shazamtastic said:
Have you checked out the wood hoop PDPs? They come in 26.
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I haven't tried them out, however I've heard from lotsa people (including an employee at Graham Russel Drums) that they lack resonance which is another high focus for what I'm looking for :/
A bit like the Ludwig Centennial's which I was also looking at a while back too
 
J_Boomy said:
Can't resist sharing a photo of my new set of gold sparkle Classic Maple Ludwigs with full round over edges in exact those sizes :)
Sorry for the crappy background (I have my drums at work).
Are they practical? - No
Are they fun to play? - Yes!!

View attachment 473273
Click to expand...

Hey man, could you help me out and lemme know how it was having to play with that configuration for that long? In terms of gigging, playing with others, versatility, transportation etc.
If you ever want to sell that kit let me know :laughing9:
Thanks!
 
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