Gretsch RB aqua satin flame drums - project kit

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Tama CW said:
Do you have a supplier where I could take a look? Jammin Sam doesn't offer that particular one. They have a turquoise sparkle which is a bit deep.
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it's linked/ to Precision/ page/ post #18 'er
I think the oyster may be "it"? not "it" but
there's a "turquoise" in three categories...
 
Precision's Turquoise Oyster or Turquoise Sparkle are decent choices. A lot of green in them. I'd rank them with the Satin turquoise flame. it comes down to aqua (silver, blue and green VS turquoise (green and blue)
Of Precision's choices I would at least consider those turquoise choices, white satin flame, or chrome. None ideal to me.

https://precisiondrum.com/high-quality-musical-drum-products/drum-wraps/#pearl
 
they used to send out sample cards with sample chips on
(that's why I said blonde hoops no/lay in the 1st place
my gold satin flame set was stunning with blonde (satin) hoops)
Lit up the nightclub stage) back then) (not sure same relationship it'd be with aqua
 
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Great find and awesome restoration this far!

After a similar search, finding the same lack of color correct inlays, I went with blond hoops with a WMP inlay - I like the lighter look of the kit and it matches my WMP name band snare so that was my internal justification.
E4E32552-84AA-4DB6-A968-41B8A6B29DB3.jpeg
 
(I suggested it also SaranacJack)..

"...See with there CW ; ) you have the Dennis Wilson Beach Boys (the aquamarine) the Blonde Hoops...is THE SAND..."

I suggested the cheaper way -no inlay straight satin blonde hoops....errr Sand..
Glad to see that picture.
 
TAMA: These are the trials and tribulations of old Drum Restoring!!

For the inlays, I think Silver Sparkle is your best bet. Try EBAY, you may get a repro set for 20$.

But I will say...the blonde hoops w/ the WMP inlay looks nice....for me, a bit too modern...but nice!
 
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Definitely going to go the route of original Gretsch black hoops with 13/16" channels. At some point I'll figure out what current inlays I'll settle with..... turquoise or white flame, silver sparkle, etc. If the match were close enough I'd
even go with vinyl, or a printed medium as a temp solution. And most any reflective tape or strips in light blue, green, or silver in that channel is better than plain black hoops.

I was checking out chrome holographic vinyl and some of these have a very close match to the light blue, silver, and greens on my bass drum. The problem is the ones I like the best are in China. And some of these have too many
rainbow colors in them. Just need silver/green/blue.
 
The modern aqua flame, although not a match for the original, could still work for the inlays if you do both. It looked funky with just one, but if you do both it might look nice. White satin flame might work too.
 
Ran into a problem with new DFD lug inserts (swivel nuts) for 8 round badge large tom lugs. Supposed to be a perfect dimensional fit.....they were. But they were not 12-24 thread because my OEM Gretsch tension rods would not
thread in. I suspect they made them metric. Bought 8 lugs just to get the inserts. Would like to fix the 8 damaged lugs I have with proper inserts. Waiting on word from DFD if they can determine what thread size they sent me....so I can get ones that will fit.
In any case the Gretsch lugs I bought had the proper inserts and the tension rods fit. The 16 floor tom is now back together. Just need to find one leg mount wing bolt "T" to complete.

I put my Slingerland 1966 14x14 next to the Gretsch RB 1967 14x14. I like the Slingerland sound better....but to me they are 95% the same.....though I am running a remo clear diplomat reso on the Gretsch....coated ambs in the other positions.
I don't yet hear the Great Great Sound that is so prevalent on jazz videos and recordings. I'll know it when I hear it. But I don't hear it yet. Hopefully, it's not something you hear only when you record via microphones and EQing.
I thought it would just jump out at me. The 16 floor tom the same thing. It sounds good but I couldn't say it has "that distinctive GGS". To make it more interesting I put together the Stewart 16" 1960's Floor tom that came with the group of
drums (though missing 2 reso tension rods and a the worst 60's junker reso head you could imagine ! ). Yet, it sounds almost identical to the Gretsch RB 16. I had my wife listen to the two and she didn't hear really any difference either.
And the MIJ Stewart will sound a lot better with those 2 missing M5 tension rods installed - as the reso head is sort of deadish right now.

Shout Out to forum member Galaxy08 for getting me the 8 lugs and a pair of Gretsch RB bass drum legs.
 
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Switch heads and put a coated Amb on the GRETSCH and you will probably be happier with the tone.
 
Pink69 said:
Switch heads and put a coated Amb on the GRETSCH and you will probably be happier with the tone.
Click to expand...

The 16 FT already has coated ambs both sides. But I'll probably changed to coated amb on the 14 FT reso. Thought I'd give that head a try first. I initially tried a coated ambassador X on the 16 FT....didn't sound quite right.
Are the Gretsch Permatone vintage heads anything special that will change the tone?
 
Tama: in my experience of 47 years playing Gretsch, I'd have to say honestly, the old "Permatone" single ply heads are nothing to write home about.
 
Just asking. I've had good luck with moderately used Sllingerland, Ludwig, Yamaha, and Tama heads from the 60's tbrough mid-80's.

Right now I'm using an NOS Yamaha 80's Remo coated amb on the 16 FT top and the Stewart FT top. That makes it easier to compare them.

============

Did a little clean up on the Stewart floor tom. I really like the creamy yellowed WMP on 3/4 of the shell. Too bad the other 1/4 has some tears and wrap chunks missing. It's going to be a killer sounding drum. Perfect rounded bearing edges + no re-rings.
Built similarly to the Gretsch of that era other than different woods. If only Kent had made their drums this solid and complete.

The Stewart is not worthy of a re-wrap to me. But if I had a Stewart kit needing this drum, I'd rewrap it in aged WMP. It should sound at home in any 60's USA made kit. We'll see though. Getting some Gibraltar $22 legs to finish it off. Short 2 tension rods on reso.

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I'm sure they're looking for a really white and all original Stewart floor tom. Shipping plus re-wrap would make it the world's most expensive Stewart floor tom.

Got the Flames set up today for a trial run. Still waiting on the bass drum hoop which is slow walking it in USPS-limbo. The drums do sound nice. I might be closer to the GGSound. And my 14" FT is pretty close to JDA's video above.
One thing I recognize now is that the 13,16 is a great combo. And the 14 is sort of a tough fit between them with how close the 13/14 sound. Raising the pitch on the 13 takes away a lot of the resonance I like. It sounds a bit choked up there.
Best solution would be a 12 in rack tom in Aqua Satin Flame.

My '48 Radio King is doing snare duty here and fits in well. Trans stamp cymbal set....14 hats, 21 sizzle ride med thin, 20 thin, and 19 medium. They sound great with the Gretsch.

IMG_2844.JPG
 
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Tama: those look Awesome!! Keep looking for the 12 inch Satin flame tom...you WILL find one.
 
I've been looking Retrosonic. A couple good leads....didn't work out though. There's a mint one for $1,000 out of Milford, CT. Not in this lifetime....lol.

Played them for an hour tonight. OK......these do have something special.....some of that GGS. They sing and ring, with lots of resonance. Had trouble putting my sticks down they sounded so nice. Where were these when
I was looking in the 1980's? I did briefly have a Gretsch SSB natural "blonde" kit in 1984 but it didn't sound like anything special to me. It was out the door within 3 months (12,13,16,24).

I still have a couple odd ball heads in there....like a CS dot on the bottom of the 13 and a clear diplomat on the 14 reso. Will get to them soon enough. They were the only "decent" heads I had in those sizes. The new remo classic fit
20" ambassador went on reasonably well on the BD batter side.

A fellow forum member hooked me up with a lead for some original aqua satin flame wrap from someone they know who ermoved them from distressed 12/13 toms. Should be enough there to do the BD inlays if they are in good shape and the
price isn't killer. Waiting on more information.
 
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