Official Gretsch Drums Thread

[hsosdrum]

Sounds to me like there's a full color, high-res pic still waiting to be taken then.

Also, those look really well done. You ever think about them as having any kind of historical or cultural value for a regional collection that displays unique pieces of American pop history?

I should dig out the three drums from my sister's garage, bring them back here and take some proper photos of all six drums, but I no longer have the legs for the floor toms or the spurs for the bass drums, so I wouldn't be able to set them up for a group photo.

One issue with displaying photos in public is that the 22" bass drum was painted by our band's first singer — a much better artist than he was a singer — who had a wicked sense of humor, and it features several X-rated tableau, including a tribute to each band member's um... member on the bottom of the drum (where it can't be seen when the drums are set up).

I dunno about any cultural value. They only had limited value to me as drums, since the Kent 2-ply maple shells couldn't compete at all with the loud amplification of the 1970s. In 1973 ditched the painted drums in favor of an 11-drum Vistalite drumset that enabled me to hear myself on stage. (And looked even cooler than the painted drumset.)

 

[hsosdrum]

You weren't a fan of Ginger Baker, by any chance? I *never* had that much hair! View attachment 605427 Very nice. Here's my 1972 pic. Slingerlands from Pro Drum, in Hollywood. 24" basses....

I was (and still am) a serious Ginger Baker fan. And as for all that hair, it's loooong gone! Nice Slingys!

 

[crash]

I was (and still am) a serious Ginger Baker fan. And as for all that hair, it's loooong gone! Nice Slingys!

I feel so lucky to have gotten to see him with Blind Faith. Hair gone here, also. Makes it easier to wear a motorcycle helmet!

 

[hsosdrum]

Since this is a Gretsch thread I'll bring things back on-topic with a pic of me on my Gretsch drumset (almost as long-gone as my hair, which was on its way out when this pic was taken 34 years ago):

 

[RyanLovesDrums]

 

[Tubwompus]

Holy muther a purl!!!
Gadd on a Gretsch kit with an open 18” BD!!!
And I never would have recognized Tony Levin!!!!Thanks for posting that!!!!

 

[RyanLovesDrums]

Holy muther a purl!!!
Gadd on a Gretsch kit with an open 18” BD!!!
And I never would have recognized Tony Levin!!!!Thanks for posting that!!!!

Yeah who knew? I didn’t notice Tony Levin either, thanks. Looks like 13” and 14” toms? That kick sounds great by the way

 

[dingaling]

Gretsch Bop

 

[dingaling]

More Gretsch Bop

 

[T_Weaves]

Here ya go. This came today. USA Bronze 14x6.5

 

[Freewill3]

Congrats T_Weaves! It's a beautiful looking, sounding drum. I've had mine for a couple years now, you'll love it!

 

[Freewill3]

 

[bigbonzo]

While Vinnie plays Gretsch now (I think) I wouldn't put much stock into anything he says as he tends change brands every few years.

"Vinnie played Yamaha Drums for more than 10 years during the 80's. Then in the early 90's, he switched to Gretsch Drums. In 2012 he switched to Ludwig Drums, and then to Heuer Drums in 2014.
On June 2016 Vinnie is returning to play Gretsch drums again...."

 

[RyanLovesDrums]

While Vinnie plays Gretsch now (I think) I wouldn't put much stock into anything he says as he tends change brands every few years.

"Vinnie played Yamaha Drums for more than 10 years during the 80's. Then in the early 90's, he switched to Gretsch Drums. In 2012 he switched to Ludwig Drums, and then to Heuer Drums in 2014.
On June 2016 Vinnie is returning to play Gretsch drums again...."

He played a yellow gretsch kit with Zappa before going to Yamaha. Then he started disguising his Gretsch drums to look like Yamaha drums so it looked like he was playing Yamaha. I’d say gretsch drums are his preference.

 

[bigbonzo]

He played a yellow gretsch kit with Zappa before going to Yamaha. Then he started disguising his Gretsch drums to look like Yamaha drums so it looked like he was playing Yamaha. I’d say gretsch drums are his preference.

How do you disguise Gretsch drums to look like Yamaha drums?

 

[RyanLovesDrums]

How do you disguise Gretsch drums to look like Yamaha drums?

I read that he was putting Yamaha hardware on his gretsch. I don’t know about the hardware but I remember seeing a video where he had a Yamaha head on his gretsch kick. I think it was when he was playing with Sting

 

[bigbonzo]

I read that he was putting Yamaha hardware on his gretsch. I don’t know about the hardware but I remember seeing a video where he had a Yamaha head on his gretsch kick. I think it was when he was playing with Sting

Hahaha!!!

 

[DrummerJustLikeDad]

How do you disguise Gretsch drums to look like Yamaha drums?

Much respect to both companies, but this feels like a set up to a punchline.

Someone please write it.

 

[TheDrummerFromAmsterdam]

I read that he was putting Yamaha hardware on his gretsch. I don’t know about the hardware but I remember seeing a video where he had a Yamaha head on his gretsch kick. I think it was when he was playing with Sting

A lot of people using Yamaha hardware on Gretsch/Craviotto. Its solid and usually works better.

Vinnie has been with Yamaha for at least two decades.

 

[Acidwash]

Switched it up recently from this:

To this:

And had enough left over for this:

Was going to go vintage Gretsch, but my initial attempt didn’t work out, and Maxwell’s had basically exactly what I would order if I ordered a new USA Custom (progressive jazz sizes, no snare, millennium maple satin finish, no mounting hardware on anything) and they gave me a sweetheart deal. Stoked!