Help with 60’s Gretsch Snare Setup

[NewVintage]

I’ve got a 60’s Gretsch snare with the micro-sensitive throw-off. New heads fit fine and the reso even conforms to the beds pretty well (no wrinkle on one side/ slight on the other). Sensitivity is good but I’m having trouble getting the snare wires to disengage all the way. Doesn’t seem to be boxy. How do you set up your 60’s Gretsch snares? Heads, wires, string/strap, tensioning. Any tips? Maybe it’s just the nature of the micro-sensitive? New heads need a little break-in? Thanks!

 

[K.O.]

Are you sure the micro is working properly? There is an interior piece that often breaks off. The handle will still move but the snares may not move up or down as they should. Something to check.

 

[NewVintage]

Are you sure the micro is working properly? There is an interior piece that often breaks off. The handle will still move but the snares may not move up or down as they should. Something to check.

Thanks KO! This one has a new factory replacement with the locking feature. So I’d say yes but not sure if the new ones are also different in a way that would not work as well for disengaging the wires.

 

[K.O.]

Thanks KO! This one has a new factory replacement with the locking feature. So I’d say yes but not sure if the new ones are also different in a way that would not work as well for disengaging the wires.

Yeah, that shouldn't be an issue on one of the new ones, unless it has a defect of some sort.

 

[JDA]

but I’m having trouble getting the snare wires to disengage all the way.

sounds like a distance issue

may have to try the distance- either side or both- butt and strainer- lowering the straps as low as possible

Try. Engage. twist adj knob up.

rinse and repeat until you hit magic point ( a small town in ohio)

The distance on a New Micro might be/is/ different (looking at least) - the area where you tension the strap;
so play around

 

[NewVintage]

sounds like a distance issue

may have to try the distance- either side or both- butt and strainer- lowering the straps as low as possible

Try. Engage. twist adj knob up.

rinse and repeat until you hit magic point ( a small town in ohio)

The distance on a New Micro might be/is/ different (looking at least) - the area where you tension the strap;
so play around

Good suggestion. Thanks! I’ll play around with it a little more and see how it goes.

 

[drummerjohn333]

I recall from when I flipped one of these........

Once I tuned the bottom head tighter, it really came alive and sounded great. Snare beds at different depths call for specific tuning that makes it work.

Of course another ingredient that can not be missed is the DC hoops.

Steve Maxwell opined that 60s Gretsch snares frustrated alot of owners - did not sound good. I respectfully disagree, but it requires strategic tuning.

 

[Redfern]

On all of mine with the new micro, I do, as JDA suggested, have to back the tension dial off, in order to get complete disengagement.

 

[wflkurt]

I was having a real hard time getting my champagne snare to sound good. I took the whole thing apart and carefully put it all back together as evenly as possible also making sure the snare wires themselves were centered in the middle of the drum. I wanted to rule out any issues before I decided it was something to do with the edges. Once I carefully did all that, everything worked and sounded great. I too have newer microsensitive strainers on both of my RB snares. They should work great as it's a really great improvement over the original ones. Good luck!

 

[JazzDrumGuy]

Ambassador coated top, clear bottom. Die casts for sure. 42 strand wires (at least 20, though). Depending on the butt plate, I don't adjust the throw side knob much. You just have to get it dialed in. Open the throw and then tighten it until it sounds good. If it is not perpendicular to the snare (ie: the top of the throw is slanting inwards toward the shell), try again. When it's engaged and snare wires on, it should be perpendicular to the shell.

And for sore, the modern MS throw kicks major butt plate!