Gretsch Drums Discussion

[late8]

Stock Gretsch Permatone heads (aka Remo) on a USA Custom kit:

[late8]

New Classics vs. USA Custom (both bop kit configurated):

[incrementalg]

Is there anyone out there who owns a Marquee set? Marquee posts, reviews and videos are hard to come by. That leads me to think that no one is buying them. I played around on a set at GC the other day, but they were so screwed up tuning wise and the room was so noisy that it was impossible to get a handle on how they'd sound.

[fauxbeat]

Hey all,

Not sure if this is the spot to post but new to the forum. I played years ago and took a loooong time to get back in again. I WAS looking at Ekits but just had to get acoustic again. My Dad was a jazz drummer (hobby but super talented) and played on Gretsch. I grew up playing on his set.

Got a Catalina shellpack, Zildjian Ks and couldn't be happier. The first week I played and had the flop sweats because I was SO out of touch. Its coming back and I am tighter everytime I play. What a great drum at an affordable price.

I am a hack but really digging it!

[bdonley]

Picked these up a while ago. Used them "as is", and set them aside while gathering parts. Changed out a bunch of funky lugs, added all matching claws, and did some polishing. Pearl feet on the floor tom legs. Coated /clear Ambos. Felt strip on the bass reso. Early, raw ally Acro. Matches very well with them. Much better over all. Some new bass hoops, and I'm done. While working on them today, had the Ken Burns Jazz '50's segment playing. The drums are becoming my Art Blakey memorial set. They really have *that sound* down right. Along with looks that are just crazy. I've been doing some gigs for a guy on chemo. Tonite was a jazz septet. The Gretsch were just killin'! Perfect! If he comes back, he needs to buy this set because it fits it so well. I had a great time playing that stuff. If I keep playing with them, we've got to add "Moanin" to the set list. Talking to the promoter after, she commented I added a lot of personality to the group. Hope they thought the same! I've really liked this set, now i'm down to lovin' it. What a great, classic sound!!!

[js218]

looks good enjoy

[noreastbob]

I just played at my 45th high school reunion which had a very similar appearance to your group....but alas....no horns.
Is it me or do all drummers love the added rhythmic input of a horn section?
Wish I could find more musicians of my age and taste in the Monadnock region of NH without needing to travel to less forested and more populated realms.
Your drums are beautifully classic Bob!

[comet]

My only Gretsch is a Brooklyn series c0cktail kit. It was a nightmare to purchase, but it's a dream to play.

[late8]

My only Gretsch is a Brooklyn series c0cktail kit. It was a nightmare to purchase, but it's a dream to play.

Wow!!!! I didn't know Gretsch made them...just beautiful!!

[late8]

[Texdrumr]

Wow, that's a great shot of the 57's, Late!

[Gretsch8]

That's odd. I contacted both gretsch customer service and musiciansfriend to add an 8" Tom to my Catalina maple kit. It could be done for around $300 and take several months though.

[bdonley]

Wow!!!! I didn't know Gretsch made them...just beautiful!!

Just missed one that matched my gig set. Gotta be quick......

[late8]

Wow, that's a great shot of the 57's, Late!

Thanks Tex!

[eheller]

Hey guys, thanks for this killer forum....

I'm getting close to purchasing a Gretsch Renown RN1 Euro kit. I'm confused about that GTS Tom Mounting system.

On my past kits I've always mounted the toms right on the kick drum. In Gretsch kits, they mount off the cymbal stands. This is something I've never seen before.

So my question: Does anyone know if you can use any decent cymbal stand, or do you need a specific Gretsch stand to mount the toms?

Thanks....

Eric

[late8]

Hey guys, thanks for this killer forum....

I'm getting close to purchasing a Gretsch Renown RN1 Euro kit. I'm confused about that GTS Tom Mounting system.

On my past kits I've always mounted the toms right on the kick drum. In Gretsch kits, they mount off the cymbal stands. This is something I've never seen before.

So my question: Does anyone know if you can use any decent cymbal stand, or do you need a specific Gretsch stand to mount the toms?

Thanks....

Eric

Hi Eric welcome to the forum. The diameter of the holder is 1". Any stand that can accommodate a 1" tube will work.




I bought a Gibraltar mounting platform stand for $83 USD and only use the base of the platform and I slide the Gretsch double tom holder into the stand when I off set the rack toms.

[MDK]

New Classics vs. USA Custom (both bop kit configurated):

Nice I wish they would turn the snares off when comparing toms but other than that this was pretty cool. The Customs definitely rounded out the sound much more IMO but the classic's were decent as well.

I wish people would do more of these type of side by side comparisons

[gdmoore28]

Hey guys, thanks for this killer forum....

I'm getting close to purchasing a Gretsch Renown RN1 Euro kit. I'm confused about that GTS Tom Mounting system.

On my past kits I've always mounted the toms right on the kick drum. In Gretsch kits, they mount off the cymbal stands. This is something I've never seen before.

So my question: Does anyone know if you can use any decent cymbal stand, or do you need a specific Gretsch stand to mount the toms?

Thanks....

Eric

Hi Eric,

You will love your Gretsch drums. The current configuration for most mid and high level drumsets usually includes a "virgin" bass drum - ie, one with no tom mounts built in. This is the case because many drummers prefer mounting their upper tom(s) on a separate stand for the supposed superior isolation this offers. You can either install a bass drum mounted tom(s) mount (in the traditional manner), or mount your tom(s) on a separate tom stand.

Since the RN1 kit has two upper toms, and you decide to stand-mount them, you will need a double tom stand such as the Gibraltar 6000 or 9000 series tom mount stand. There are a number of versions within these series (see them at. You may choose either a double mount (two toms) or a triple mount (two toms and a cymbal boom) with an array of leg systems to choose from.

If you want to mount the toms over the bass drum (in a traditional manner) you may do that, too, by using two tom mount stands. Using this method would allow you to have traditional mounting while avoiding any drilling into the bass drum shell (the resale value of a virgin drum is much higher that one that has been drilled for a double tom mount. This method (one double tom mount stand on either side of the bd) will also allow you to add a cymbal boom arm to the unused holes on the stand, thus saving you the expense of buying two cymbal stands.

Peruse the photos of members' setups on this site and you will come across the type of mounting option that will suit you.

Have fun playing, and share that joy with the audience.

GeeDeeEmm

[late8]

Hi Eric,

You will love your Gretsch drums. The current configuration for most mid and high level drumsets usually includes a "virgin" bass drum - ie, one with no tom mounts built in. This is the case because many drummers prefer mounting their upper tom(s) on a separate stand for the supposed superior isolation this offers. You can either install a bass drum mounted tom(s) mount (in the traditional manner), or mount your tom(s) on a separate tom stand.

Since the RN1 kit has two upper toms, and you decide to stand-mount them, you will need a double tom stand such as the Gibraltar 6000 or 9000 series tom mount stand. There are a number of versions within these series (see them at . You may choose either a double mount (two toms) or a triple mount (two toms and a cymbal boom) with an array of leg systems to choose from.

If you want to mount the toms over the bass drum (in a traditional manner) you may do that, too, by using two tom mount stands. Using this method would allow you to have traditional mounting while avoiding any drilling into the bass drum shell (the resale value of a virgin drum is much higher that one that has been drilled for a double tom mount. This method (one double tom mount stand on either side of the bd) will also allow you to add a cymbal boom arm to the unused holes on the stand, thus saving you the expense of buying two cymbal stands.

Peruse the photos of members' setups on this site and you will come across the type of mounting option that will suit you.

Have fun playing, and share that joy with the audience.

GeeDeeEmm

Great post GeeDeeEmm. If you care to have the rack toms placed over the kit as GeeDeeEmm mentioned without drilling into the bass drum shell, use two cymbal stands and two single tom mounts:

[EyePea]

Great post GeeDeeEmm. If you care to have the rack toms placed over the kit as GeeDeeEmm mentioned without drilling into the bass drum shell, use two cymbal stands and two single tom mounts:

OMG that is gorgeous.

[Ricardo]

OMG that is gorgeous.

Even after 38 years, the sight of the ebony USA shells still opens my eyes.

[late8]

OMG that is gorgeous.

Thanks EyePea!

[late8]

Even after 38 years, the sight of the ebony USA shells still opens my eyes.

Thanks again Ricardo for "opening" mine with your Jaspers! I don't think I would be in possession of these beautifully sounding drums if it wasn't for your participation on this forum.

[eheller]

This is great info and really appreciated. That kit looks awesome in black.....

Thanks much. (I hope I'm replying the right way here....)

Eric

Hi Eric welcome to the forum. The diameter of the holder is 1". Any stand that can accommodate a 1" tube will work.




I bought a Gibraltar mounting platform stand for $83 USD and only use the base of the platform and I slide the Gretsch double tom holder into the stand when I off set the rack toms.

[Ricardo]

Thanks again Ricardo for "opening" mine with your Jaspers! I don't think I would be in possession of these beautifully sounding drums if it wasn't for your participation on this forum.

Thank you for the kind words.
I did not realize that until you bought them and when they were delivered "less-than-perfect" I was shocked.
I am very happy everything has been worked out

That kit looks awesome in black.....

Upon close inspection you would see that they are a natural maple shell with ebony stain............you can still see the grain of the wood and they are absolutely beautiful.
Gretsch has offered that same finish on USA for decades............literally.