Greetings everyone. Any suggestions on the following Bop Kits?
(1) New Gretsch Catalina Club, white marine pearl, 12/14/18 + snare $460
(2) Used Gretsch Catalina Club, same finish and sizes as #1, kit looks slightly different
than the new kit, upgraded heads $399
(3) New Gretsch Catalina Club Limited, white marine ripple del mar, 12/14/20 + snare $499
(3) Used Mapex Pro M Bop Kit 12/14/18 + snare, excellent condition $399
Last edited by headshrinker2; 09-09-2017 at 08:43 PM.
Thanks for the reply. Do you prefer your Mapex kit over your Gretsch? If so, why? Also, what is the "mini mod" on your Catalina's?
I luv'em both! The 'Mini Mod' was in production for only a couple of years, then discontinued them.(see pics in Gretsch Thread P 119) Mine is the 'Black Widow. The other one was the 'Yellow Jacket' I think for the Gretsch, that's a good choice too. Something about that 30 deg. bearing edge Gretsch does.....has that 'Great Gretsch Sound!' I have 6 kits, can't part with any of them!LOL
Last edited by drummerMD; 09-10-2017 at 04:53 PM.
I'd go with option #2
Save some money if it's in great shape.
I also like the smaller 18" kick vs the 20 when Bop'n
#1- why? It's new...
I think that you'd be happy with any of these choices. The 20" bass drum would be the most versatile though.
Mmm... Saturns.
For similar money, any folks think the maple of the used Mapex Pro M bop kit would be a better and more resonant
sounding drum than the Catalinas?
A 20 would give the oomph BUT... A 20 is starting to get bigger and heavier and close to being back to a standard 22" kick.
If you want a smaller more compact kit for hauling around this will almost be back to the norm.
An 18 with the right heads and tuning can have just as much punch in the face as a 20 when setup properly.
Obviously the most important question is "What are your goals with this kit?"
They're all excellent kits. I guess it depends on what you're planning on doing with it. To me, a 12/14/20 kit is a jazz kit. "Bop" kit to me means 18" bass. FWIW, I use my Bop kit (10/13/18) for almost everything. I love the 18" bass...it's punchy but still has some low end. For a live gig, it actually cuts through the mix better than a 22" (un-micd). Same goes for the 10" & 13" toms. Throw some mics on the kit and it sounds like any other kit.
Maple would be awesome, but in the small sizes, the Mahogany may sound "bigger". I don't think you can lose with any of the choices.
-Brian
"Too many crappy used drum stuff to list"
Play the SONG......not the DRUMS!!!
"I think that feeling is a lot more important than technique. It's all very well doing a triple paradiddle - but who's going to know you've done it? If you play technically you sound like everybody else. It's being original that counts." ~ John Bonham
I think that you'd have to mic an 18 or 20 with a big band. 18's have lots of punch, but not as much low end or volume. As the diameter gets larger, you get more low end and volume but start to lose some of the tightness. This isn't set in stone, but is the general trend.
Mmm... Saturns.
Thanks guys. Very helpful.
Or for $300.00 you could have this shell pack only....18X14 bass; 14X14 FT; 12X8 MT; 14X5.5 snare drum.
20160324_191108 by Pigg Penn, on Flickr
Signature here
Just got in from seeing "The Dave King Trucking Co". Loved "The Bad Plus", this went to another level. He was playing Gretsch's. Sounded great, particularly the floor tom and snare. Wrote it off as being well tuned G's. Went up after to see how they were setup. They were Catalina's!!! Awesome! I'm a Gretsch snob, and they were some of the best sounding G's I've heard. Go with them. Unbelievable.....
I undoubtedly have a bias as well, but it would be the Gretsch all the way!
all the best...
I'd go with either option 1 or 3 (I know nothing about the Mapex, so I can't comment on it).
If it was to be my only drum kit then the 20" bass would be my choice - kind of a 'one size fits all' decision and I'd go for option 3. But just like others have said if you specifically want a bop kit then option 1.
I'd pass on the used sets - no manufacturer warranty and asking over 85% of the price of a new model seems excessive.
Question for you Gretsch gurus. When was the Catalina Club series last revised? Were these changes significant enough that I should consider the newer drums? I'm primarily interested if they were improved sonically. How to identify the newer drums?
Thanks!
They were Clubs. The bass was solid and slamming. I've had vintage and new Gretsch kits and I'd have to say I was very impressed. Had no idea until I went up to check them out after. They were the college's. He may have done some tuning.
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