Old drum surprise

[MDK]

While at a friends house last week he gave me an old marching snare drum that was given to him by someone who's house he was inspecting. It was in their trash can and he knew I played drums so figured I may have a use for it.

I looked at it and said eh, there is no badge or other identifying marks on it so I figured it was just an old 60's or 70's japanese pre-pearl drum.

Still I figured hey I bet I can restore it and find a spot for it somewhere on my kit.

I took the snare head off yesterday and lo and behold it is a Gretsch with a model #, serial # and the old familiar silver sealer inside. I am gonna have to cut it down to get it to work due to the bearing egdes being ridiculously bad but the shell seems sturdy and round. I sent an email to vintage drums to make sure it's not some rare drum I should not cut but I doubt it. It is 14x10 and I am thinking of cutting it down to a 6, 7 or 8. I will post updates as I progress in the restoration, I am in no hurry and will probably take a few months.

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[SpazApproved]

that's awesome! Will be really nice with a clean up

[MDK]

Few more pics,



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[SpazApproved]

oh yeah that edge is gone

[Olimpass]

oh yeah that edge is gone

The edge is not gone....that's the snare bed for the wires!
Nice drum, hope she cleans up nice!

[Olimpass]

[MDK]

The edge is not gone....that's the snare bed for the wires!
Nice drum, hope she cleans up nice!

Hmmmm I never knew that. Now I gotta look at one of my other snares and see why they do not have that?

[quikstang2]

A very cool drum indeed. Looks quite a bit out of round in that one picture. Hopefully you can save it, or at least make a cool display drum out of it.

[8beat]

It's guaranteed for life. Maybe Gretsch will fix it.

[Nechre]

yeah, uh, don't cut that drum down. Snare beds. Vintage drums lose their value if you cut new bearing edges too.

[xsabers]

Hmmmm I never knew that. Now I gotta look at one of my other snares and see why they do not have that?

I'm betting they do. Hard to get a good controlled snare response without snare beds. Some are wider and most or not as severe as these, but even most metal snares have them. That is why 42-strand wires may not work well on drums with narrow beds.

[Olimpass]

Hmmmm I never knew that. Now I gotta look at one of my other snares and see why they do not have that?

Not all snare drums have snare beds. They are put there so the wires contact the snare wire side head better. Great point about the 42 stranders xsabers!
The bearing edge was probably the most protected part of that drum except for the dust globs on them now.
This should be a very nice drum cleaned up!

[Olimpass]

A very cool drum indeed. Looks quite a bit out of round in that one picture. Hopefully you can save it, or at least make a cool display drum out of it.

Not out of round...snare bed dip illusion on the left side there

[late8]

I'm not a vintage Gretsch drum expert by any means but during a quick search on the serial number I found this:

Quote from vintage site:

Gretsch Tournament Parade Drums, which were equipped with WIDE-42 power snares, but these had metal counter hoops.

Mahogany or Lacquer & Chrome

#4580 - 14" x 10"

#4582 - 15" x 12"

#4584 - 16" x 12"

Pearl & Chrome {available in Tri-Tone Pearl Finish}

#4581 - 14" x 10"

#4580 - 15" x 12"

#4585 - 16" x 12"

'70s #4581:





'60s #4581:

[MDK]

Thanks for the info Late, Odd things is this drum has no badge on outside unless it fell off, I am not sure how they are attached.

BTW whats the best stuff to use to clean up the lugs and other metal parts?

[late8]

Thanks for the info Late, Odd things is this drum has no badge on outside unless it fell off, I am not sure how they are attached.

BTW whats the best stuff to use to clean up the lugs and other metal parts?

You're welcome MDK. I heard soaking the rusty parts with a can of diet Coke does the job pretty good.



Here's a the insides of a #4581 Gretsch Tournament snare. Note the location and size of the damper. It looks similar to yours:



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[longgun]

It's guaranteed for life. Maybe Gretsch will fix it.

Can't hurt to call Gretsch....................that would be cool if they took care of it.

You're welcome MDK. I heard soaking the rusty parts with a can of diet Coke does the job pretty good.

I've heard to soak it in coke and scrub with aluminum foil......................I've never used that technique personally, but read about it before.

Good Luck

[quikstang2]

Not out of round...snare bed dip illusion on the left side there

I saw that. I'm looking at the area between 8 and 7 o'clock. It could be just the way it's angled, but there appears to be a flat spot.

[slinky]

Just came across a place that sells the Gretsch internal muffling attachment like the one in that drum brand new if you need one.

[MDK]

Took the batter off yesterday, put a new head on and it fits easily and spins by hand, the snare side is out of round though. I have to force the head on and there is no way you can spin it. Looks to be about 1/4" - 3/8" out of round. Not sure how this will affect sound.

I wonder if cutting an inch or so off that side would fix it? Any good websites or video's on cutting down a drum?

[Ricardo]

Here's a the insides of a #4581 Gretsch Tournament snare. Note the location and size of the damper. It looks similar to yours:

Every Gretsch drum with dampers looks like that from the 60s & 70s.
My 1977 tom shells have exactly the same damper except there two in each shell, one for each head.............I tried using them the first few weeks and have ignored them ever since............when I change heads I check to see if the screws are tight so there is no rattle...........no problem.
I don't know about snare drums from that period -- especially marching drums -- but my 1954 Gretsch snare has a damper that is different than the one shown here.

Took the batter off yesterday, put a new head on and it fits easily and spins by hand, the snare side is out of round though. I have to force the head on and there is no way you can spin it. Looks to be about 1/4" - 3/8" out of round. Not sure how this will affect sound.

I wonder if cutting an inch or so off that side would fix it? Any good websites or video's on cutting down a drum?

I would cut that snare side down until you find the round............maybe start at 2 inches and then a half-inch at a time if more is needed.
That might determine your new snare shell depth.
What a cool project and a great find !

[MDK]

Every Gretsch drum with dampers looks like that from the 60s & 70s.
My 1977 tom shells have exactly the same damper except there two in each shell, one for each head.............I tried using them the first few weeks and have ignored them ever since............when I change heads I check to see if the screws are tight so there is no rattle...........no problem.
I don't know about snare drums from that period -- especially marching drums -- but my 1954 Gretsch snare has a damper that is different than the one shown here.




I would cut that snare side down until you find the round............maybe start at 2 inches and then a half-inch at a time if more is needed.
That might determine your new snare shell depth.
What a cool project and a great find !

Cool, if I cut it down 2" I will have to move the lugs (drill new holes) as the top of the lugs are 2-1/2 down from the bearing edge.

[Olimpass]

I saw that. I'm looking at the area between 8 and 7 o'clock. It could be just the way it's angled, but there appears to be a flat spot.

Guess you were right. Good eye! Guess I was getting a little too excited about this nice drum. I'd still hate to see it cut down.

[Johnny G]

I say go for it. Out of round is useless anyway, so if this drum is gonna get played, it kinda has to be cut down.
Can't wait for updates.

[Ricardo]

Cool, if I cut it down 2" I will have to move the lugs (drill new holes) as the top of the lugs are 2-1/2 down from the bearing edge.

For symmetry, any cut will force you to move those lugs.
With a new wrap, you will be the only person that knows.
Maybe you will have something unique, for example 6 3/4 X 14.

Since you say the batter side edge is round, I wouldn't touch it...........just work the snare side.............new edges and new beds.
I have experience in calling Gretsch for certain repair guidance and they sent me to Forks in Nashville.............they will tell you nobody knows more about Gretsch in the USA.

Not related in any way but here is a photo of my '54 Gretsch snare drum.............one of the historic 3-ply shells................