Gretsch Drums Discussion

[Groove Dude]

Originally Posted by Scottie_Guns

I have a set of USA Customs on the way... and I'm having a hard time focusing at work!

My first Gretsch kit... and I'm prancing around like a kid in a candy store.

9x13
16x16
18x24

Scottie,

I would be, too! I'm paying off a Gretsch Renown Maple kit(transparent ebony) and will have to patiently wait until those summer gigs start happening!

[mkennedy]

Careful with that 18x24 bass drum. It might take somebody's head off! I bet that kit is going to be monster.

[kay-gee]

Nice. I have a Gretsch 8x14 snare in that finish.

all the best...

[Scottie_Guns]

Thanks for the encouragement. I will keep you all posted on its performance both in and out of the house


This is only my third kit in 20 years of drumming...
'89-'08 Pearl Exports
'99-'08 GMS Grand Master Series
'09-??? Scott's Gretsch era?

Either I like to master what I got, or I'm afraid of change!

[fiacovaz]

It's interesting to note the discusssion regarding the correlation between tuning and the number of tension lugs. I have noticed this with my Ludwigs as follows:

The 13" tom has 6 lugs and retains its tuning quite well. It has a very mellow tone when tuned just beyond finger tightening. The 16" floor tom has 8 lugs and seems to need retuning fairly often. One lug is always looser than all the others and I attribute that to their being 8 lugs to tune with. Even though I will tune that drum one lug directly across from the other, it still ends up with one lug being looser.

So, what do we learn by this? Fewer lugs may hold tuning more consistently when higher pitch is not the issue. The Ludwig "Pioneer" snare drum comes with 6 tuning lugs whereas the "Jazz Festival" comes with 8. Both drums have a warm and mellower tone than does the 10 lug SupraPhonic. Seems to me that there is more to the number of tuning lugs than we might have suspected.

[Grissom]

Some great observations Frank!

How about some other factors to consider as well?
The obvious stuff like head selection (Mylar/kevlar/skin) and shell material (woods/metals) immediately come to mind, but I also have seen different sonic properties (or at least different levels of consistency from drum to drum) depending upon where a particular drum resides with the manufacturer's line (entry-level vs Pro).

To me, this has always been part of the fun to try and find the natural voice that a drum wants to speak!

The point of the Gretsch marketing slick was that an odd number gave a larger sweet spot, not necessarily fewer lugs... but with the other variables involved, I am not convinced that it has a huge impact. This is an intriguing concept, but I am in no position to debate the physics...

Your comments about your 16" floor tom sound very similar to my experience with my round badge 14", 8 lug tom. I haven't played with my new drums enough to get a good feel for them yet...
I had never really considered the number of lugs an issue (since I had die-cast hoops) but more of an issue with the relative pitch I was going for... I find myself always wanting to my biggest drum speak as deep/low as it can, which is typically just above finger tight. For my up tom(s), the head tension the smaller drums is generally well above finger tight to get the pitch intervals I am looking for. My preference is to tune my toms from largest to smallest sice that has always been the harder drum for my to get a good sound out of...

To audio-tech's initial question above, I want to clarify that my comment about not having tuning issues was based upon my 12", 5 lug 1963 round badge tom.

Good stuff!

[kay-gee]

My 8x26 bass drum has 12 lugs...Go figure!

all the best...

[Bish]

Les, that natural finish kit is something to behold. Didn't you use that last summer? Or was it before that?

[livewire80]

Very nice Les, love the natural finish.

And Scottie, they would sound amazing

[Bish]

Originally Posted by Lesizmor

Twas last summer. If I could only have one kit to do it all. This might be "it"
I have recorded 2 tracks on our upcoming (March '09) CD "Longing for More"
playing these Gretsch Cat Jazzers. Amazing. !! -Les

I know this is going to sound crazy and I'm sure this will disappoint you but I'm becoming very confused.

How many kits do you have now and what are they? I need pictures.

[rritter]

New Renowns from Gretsch

9 x 13 Tom Tom;
16 x 16 Floor Tom;
16 x 24 Bass Drum;
Single Tom Arm with Clamp;
(shown with RN-6514S-CB 6.5” x 14” snare drum)

[livewire80]

^^^^^^^^

Stunning. THat orange sparkle is beautiful

[dblKick]

I own a set of Catalina brich, i think....I haven't seen them yet. My buddy picked them up for me a while ago I just hadn't had a chance to pick them up. I bought my son a Catalina Maple Snare, & if that is any sign of what I am picking up....It will be great! I love his snare!!!

[rritter]

Originally Posted by dblKick

I own a set of Catalina brich, i think....I haven't seen them yet. My buddy picked them up for me a while ago I just hadn't had a chance to pick them up. I bought my son a Catalina Maple Snare, & if that is any sign of what I am picking up....It will be great! I love his snare!!!

I have a 6 piece set of the Catalina Birch drums and you will love them. Mine are great.

[livewire80]

Originally Posted by Lesizmor

The Inca Gold sparkle is even more stunning in person!

Yeah PB, its Gold, not orange! sheesh

[Grissom]

There is some great looking stuff in here guys!

And on that note, hre is some more! I finally got some pics of my gear put together.

I just stumbled across a small Renown kit on Craig's List before Christmas...
8/12/14/14/18, 3 boom stands, DW5000 hi-hat stand, Roc-n-Soc throne, and soft bags for everything. So far this little kits is GREAT!!


Here is probably the last picture that will be taken of this kit in it's current form - she is destined to be restored back to original condition

[Lesizmor]

Originally Posted by Grissom

There is some great looking stuff in here guys!

And on that note, hre is some more! I finally got some pics of my gear put together.

I just stumbled across a small Renown kit on Craig's List before Christmas...
8/12/14/14/18, 3 boom stands, DW5000 hi-hat stand, Roc-n-Soc throne, and soft bags for everything. So far this little kits is GREAT!!


Here is probably the last picture that will be taken of this kit in it's current form - she is destined to be restored back to original condition

WOWEE-wow-wow! I love the renouns with the 20" kick!
Dude..even in it's altered state..that Roundie blue sparkle is..is..is.. -Les

[pastor_bob]

Originally Posted by livewire80

Yeah PB, its Gold, not orange! sheesh

I have absolutely no idea what I was thinking! Must be the 53 year old eyes!!

[ohmthis]

I'm new with the gretsches, a new cat maple. Just posted a review on them, let me know what you guys think, thanks!!!

[Bish]

Hahahahaahah

That's okay, catch up any time. I'm on hold.

[pastor_bob]

Les, I think that Natural satin Gretsch kit is absolutely stunning!

[pastor_bob]

I agree LW. Of the 2, I really like that orange sparkle!

[Bish]

You have some nice kits, man!!

[Grissom]

Thanks Bish - now if my playing was just up to their level... The never ending quest....!

[Bish]

Originally Posted by Grissom

Thanks Bish - now if my playing was just up to their level... The never ending quest....!

Me, too!!!