Need help IDing a Gretsch Kit

[UptownShakedown]

A dude by me is selling a vintage Gretsch kit that he is saying is 1969. Looks like a beauty and pretty clean to me but any other details/questions on this by looking at it? Going to check it out tomorrow so we will see. Appreciate any insight from the group - thanks!

 

[Redfern]

Looks promising. My only gripe would be the Slingerland tom mount on the BD. Possibly extra holes from that install but maybe not. Other than that, full on rock kit. 13,16,22 or 24?

 

[UptownShakedown]

Looks promising. My only gripe would be the Slingerland tom mount on the BD. Possibly extra holes from that install but maybe not. Other than that, full on rock kit. 13,16,22 or

12x8, 16x16, 22x14 which are great sizes for me. Yes the tom mount stood out to me as well as a mini red flag. Very clean for something that got a tom mount swap out at some point but who knows.

 

[Redfern]

12x8, 16x16, 22x14 which are great sizes for me. Yes the tom mount stood out to me as well as a mini red flag. Very clean for something that got a tom mount swap out at some point but who knows.

It could be original to the kit. At that time you could ask the store to install a non-standard mount for you, as a lot of shops simply ordered mount free, shell banks. Happened all the time.

 

[UptownShakedown]

It could be original to the kit. At that time you could ask the store to install a non-standard mount for you, as a lot of shops simply ordered mount free, shell banks. Happened all the time.

Wow, didn’t know that - thanks!

 

[Redfern]

Wow, didn’t know that - thanks!

Yeah, that’s why you’ll see Rogers mounts on lots of older kits. They were far better options than most drum companies hardware at the time. Very common thing.
Crossing my fingers for you on this one.

 

[JDA]

Looks like a nice old man's set to me : )

 

[K.O.]

Is that a stained wood finish? If so it's a very late round badge with a pretty early stained finish....but that would tie in with 1969.

The set-o-matic might be original equipment. Gretsch's options at the time weren't the best and a lot of people opted for no holder and then had their choice installed. Doesn't please the "collectors" that much but much more practical for playing. If so there wouldn't be any extra holes. Some of the bigger pro drum stores ordered all their sets that way so they could be customized to whatever the final buyer wanted, even if they went with OEM mounts the store would install them.

If I were picking a single tom mount in 1969 it would have been the SOM or a Rogers Swivo.

 

[JDA]

there popped one on reverb stained like that
and the set with the set o matic
could have had a four point or two point rail (to pick from new- good either)
still kind of a to me- vintage day gone by set-

 

[jmetatual]

FWIW, in 1969 the set-o-matic was aluminum, this appears to be the '70 and later chrome version.

 

[UptownShakedown]

there popped one on reverb stained like that
and the set with the set o matic
could have had a four point or two point rail (to pick from new- good either)
still kind of a to me- vintage day gone by set-

Damn, this is pretty.

 

[UptownShakedown]

FWIW, in 1969 the set-o-matic was aluminum, this appears to be the '70 and later chrome version.

So I think that’s a strike against the kit being born with it, huh?

 

[JDA]

So I think that’s a strike against the kit being born with it, huh?

I'd say No and you'll be able to tell.

If a Rail was Originally there you'll see an extra hole (outside to the left (from seat) of the Slingerland base plate.

Or you may see two (there) if a four pt. rail was originally on.

If you see nothing - top or inside- 'extra' good chance it's original

 

[UptownShakedown]

I'd say No and you'll be able to tell.

If a Rail was Originally there you'll see an extra hole (outside to the left (from seat) of the Slingerland base plate.

Or you may see two (there) if a four pt. rail was originally on.

If you see nothing - top or inside- good chance it's original

Makes sense - loving the tips from the DFO detective squad, haha

 

[studrum]

It could be original to the kit. At that time you could ask the store to install a non-standard mount for you, as a lot of shops simply ordered mount free, shell banks. Happened all the time.

It was good enough for Elvin Jones, so...

 

[studrum]

I'd say No and you'll be able to tell.

If a Rail was Originally there you'll see an extra hole (outside to the left (from seat) of the Slingerland base plate.

Or you may see two (there) if a four pt. rail was originally on.

If you see nothing - top or inside- good chance it's original

C'mon Joe, go get us the Elvin pic with the yellow twin tom kit, double Set-O-Matic.

Not that I'm lazy or anything

 

[UptownShakedown]

It was good enough for Elvin Jones, so...

Good point! Prob wont be nailing my front hoop to the floor though

 

[UptownShakedown]

One more question - how is this different then the classic Gretsch RB that some guy is asking $6k for on Reverb? Obviously year and sizes but same shells and edges essentially?

 

[K.O.]

but same shells and edges essentially?

yes

 

[JDA]

One more question - how is this different then the classic Gretsch RB that some guy is asking $6k for on Reverb? Obviously year and sizes but same shells and edges essentially?

yes and vintage stuff is over priced*
the old " go thru old emotions to get to new wallets"
lol (actually semi-new technique not old)
esp with Gretsch as you can spec a new identical or better USAC that's 90% if not better
-for less- than a (vintage old fashion rb) set- that's lived thru -57 years of seasons.
* and it saddens me
it inflates every-gear-thing for everybody

 

[squidart]

So I think that’s a strike against the kit being born with it, huh?

Nope. Because it was most likely born without a mount at all. From those pics I don't see any extra holes.
The owner could have bought it in 70 and misremembered. And I don't think there's a definite answer on when SOMs changed to steel.

So many possibile scenarios:

Drums ordered in Dec 69, mount put on in Feb 70 at the dealer.

Aluminum SOM replaced with the newer shiny one in the 70s.

Man that's a pretty kit whatever the case!!!