Found on Reverb this week is a super clean and highly sought-after 1958 Gretsch Birdland, which was specially built for New York City's legendary Birdland Club. This all-original Round Badge Gretsch is finished in a striking Cadillac Green, and it's estimated that fewer than 12 kits were ever made in this exact finish.
"We know that two reside as part of Steve Maxwell's personal collection," the listing reads. "During the period, there were some variances in the specifications—some were wrapped, others painted, some were 3-ply, others 6-ply. ... The kit we have here, however, is all finished in the Cadillac Green Nitron wrap. The bass drum and the toms are all 6-ply with silver sealer interiors, the snare drum is earlier with a reinforced 3-ply maple shell and clear maple interior."
The listing goes on to say that nearly all of the kit (aside from the bass drum hoops) is entirely original and hasn't been modified in any way. It was imported from the US in the early 2000s and has been a part of a UK-based private collection before Drumazon took it in.
Check out the kit's specs as follows, and click here to check out the listing for yourself and perhaps add this beauty to your own collection.
- 22 x 14 Bass Drum 6 ply, Silver Interior
- 13 x 9 Tom 6 ply, Silver Interior
- 16 x 16 Floor Tom 6 ply, Silver Interior
- 14 x 5 Three Ply Snare Drum, Clear Interior, Microsensitive Throw-off
- Diecast Rolled over Hoops on the Tom and Floor Tom
- Stick Chopper Hoops on the Snare Drum
- Cadillac Green Nitron Wrap finish throughout all drums
- Gold Plated Hardware throughout all drums with the exception of the bass drum spurs and snare strainer
- 2 Cymbal L-Arms with diamond plates fitted to the bass drum
- Original Consollette Bass Drum Rail and Diamond Tom bracket
- Original Floor Tom Legs with Diamond Brackets
- Original T-Rods, Claws, Spurs and Tone Controls all present and correct
- Tom, Floor Tom and Bass Drum made in 1958, snare drum made at an earlier date
- A desirable, highly collectable and incredible piece of American drum history