My NEW Gretsch Cat. Maples!!!!!! (PICS!)

[Warren Wright]

Another head option you might explore: Aquarian Focus-X Coated....I put them on my new Yamaha Oak Customs and when it came time for a head change...I picked up a new set of them...I play 125 gigs a year so they got a pretty good work out and I record every set we play...every nite and those heads give me a perfect amount of sustain...without harmonic ring..they still sound open ..just not ringing open. Just a suggestion and by the way...You have a really killer looking kit and maple is a premium wood for drums. Congrats ...enjoy em~!l

[rritter]

I have the same kit color and sizes. I use Remo Vintage Emperors on my kit. Keeps the coated head look and allows the drums to sing with tone. As for the 8 inch drum you will learn to love it. I have been playing since the 60’s (yep I’m old) and this kit is one of the best I’ve played. FYI I leave the 16 tom at home and play it as a 6 piece. The 14 with the emps is just that good sounding.

[yohin]

Beautiful kit! Congrats man

[SpatzST]

I have the same kit color and sizes. I use Remo Vintage Emperors on my kit. Keeps the coated head look and allows the drums to sing with tone. As for the 8 inch drum you will learn to love it. I have been playing since the 60’s (yep I’m old) and this kit is one of the best I’ve played. FYI I leave the 16 tom at home and play it as a 6 piece. The 14 with the emps is just that good sounding.

Vintage Emperors are aweeeesome. Friend put it on his brass snare, sounded really great.

[FlipDWfan4lyfe]

what's the attack like on those beauties?? congrats on those im really wanting one...i love their tone but from vids ive seen they sound really mellow...is this true to life?

[Northern Redneck]

Nice kit.

[Frazzetto]

what's the attack like on those beauties?? congrats on those im really wanting one...i love their tone but from vids ive seen they sound really mellow...is this true to life?

The attacks pretty nice. The initial stick hit alone is sweet. I'm using the stock 1-ply Evans and its pretty open without really any ring. I put Remo Rings on em (getting more moongels soon, im low on them...)

[Digital]

Very nice kit. Congrats man

[inthpktplayer]

Beautiful looking kit. Can't miss those badges though. Seems to be the trend.

[Linchpin]

Congrats on the new kit. I do love that Gretsch sound.

[Russ]

That's the color I would have gotten for that line as well, i'm a sucker for reds. Great addition to the family.

[MartyM]

Very Nic Frazz, worth the wait..nothing like breaking in a new set owned by no one else but you. happy playing.

[late8]

Nice kit Frazz! Congrats on finally getting them.

[rritter]

I have the same kit color and sizes. I use Remo Vintage Emperors on my kit. Keeps the coated head look and allows the drums to sing with tone. As for the 8 inch drum you will learn to love it. I have been playing since the 60’s (yep I’m old) and this kit is one of the best I’ve played. FYI I leave the 16 tom at home and play it as a 6 piece. The 14 with the emps is just that good sounding.

One more thing I did that really stepped this kit up was to replace the stock snare wires with the Puresound “Blasters”. It will be the best $18 you will spend on this kit. Makes a nice sounding snare drum sound awesome.

Enjoy your new kit.

[druski_2k5]

The attacks pretty nice. The initial stick hit alone is sweet....getting more moongels soon, im low on them...

The attack is solid and deep and resonates a little bit with the ring, but it is a nice rich/warm sound.

However, I must offer an opinion on the moongels.

When I got my drum set at first, I too, thought they rang way way way too much, and I needed to replace the heads to stop the ringing.

Well, as a quick fix, I decided to go to the moongel route. I put a lot of them on the heads, stupidly, and thought they sounded great behind the set. But....

When we did recording on video, the heads sounded extremely suppressed, dull and dead. I was upset at how bad the drums sounded. Once I took all the moongels off, I was worried of ever lasting ringing drums, but with no moongels, they sounded 100X better. The guitars and everything else covers up the ringing, just like it did for my Sweet Ride.

I don't think moongels are a bad idea, but just make sure you don't sacrifice sound for what you think sounds good behind you. I was looking forward to hearing mine and they were awful.

Now granted, we were using a PA system for guitars/vocals and a one webcam from my laptop for sound and video, just as a "let's see how we sound" sort of thing, nothing too professional or serious, and I hated how my drums sounded.

It could be due to the equipment we used to record, but I'm guessing the moongels dampened the drums. So make sure you watch out for that.

Once I buy some new batter and reso heads, then I'll decide if I'll need moongels at that point. Right now though, I'm not using any and I think they sound decent for stock heads.

[Frazzetto]

The attack is solid and deep and resonates a little bit with the ring, but it is a nice rich/warm sound.

However, I must offer an opinion on the moongels.

When I got my drum set at first, I too, thought they rang way way way too much, and I needed to replace the heads to stop the ringing.

Well, as a quick fix, I decided to go to the moongel route. I put a lot of them on the heads, stupidly, and thought they sounded great behind the set. But....

When we did recording on video, the heads sounded extremely suppressed, dull and dead. I was upset at how bad the drums sounded. Once I took all the moongels off, I was worried of ever lasting ringing drums, but with no moongels, they sounded 100X better. The guitars and everything else covers up the ringing, just like it did for my Sweet Ride.

I don't think moongels are a bad idea, but just make sure you don't sacrifice sound for what you think sounds good behind you. I was looking forward to hearing mine and they were awful.

Now granted, we were using a PA system for guitars/vocals and a one webcam from my laptop for sound and video, just as a "let's see how we sound" sort of thing, nothing too professional or serious, and I hated how my drums sounded.

It could be due to the equipment we used to record, but I'm guessing the moongels dampened the drums. So make sure you watch out for that.

Once I buy some new batter and reso heads, then I'll decide if I'll need moongels at that point. Right now though, I'm not using any and I think they sound decent for stock heads.

I know, I don't use them live. Just for when im alone playing, or when im close-micing while recording. Don't want to kill my families' ears XD teehee

[druski_2k5]

Using them for practice is good idea. And yes, it does save ears for everyone else, something I'm trying to do too, lol!

Happy drumming

[Ricardo]

Those are great -- congratulations.
What were you playing before you bought these ?
When I bought my new kit in February, Gretsch maple-cats were definitely in contention among my choices..........I've owned USA Customs since 1977.........Gretsch makes some great products.

[kay-gee]

Beautiful drums!

all the best...

[1DrumBum]

Excellent choice Frazzetto! I have been playing that exact kit in the studio and they sound as beautiful as they look!

[xweasel]

Lookin' good!

[Frazzetto]

UPDATE!: Got Pinstripes over Ambassadors! :P sounds perfect! (Emad2 Bass)

[s_tic_k]

very nice indeed they would sound sweet but you should mount the smallest tom up near the others its too small too be a floor

[jazzkat]

they look great! you have a lot of drums to have fun with

[Frazzetto]

very nice indeed they would sound sweet but you should mount the smallest tom up near the others its too small too be a floor

yeah, it's honestly there for fun. I'd never use it live. I have it for kind of a side snare almost. xD