Decolite 4-Piece Drum Set Vintage Gretsch Jasper Shells 13-16-20-5x14 60s - Red Yellow Duco

Decolite is my custom drum brand using vintage hardware from the traps and swing eras. I aim to make fully giggable drums using the best parts of vintage drum engineering. Each kit is one of a kind.

This one is a 4-piece, 9x13, 16x16, 14x20 and 5x14, using all vintage Jasper Gretsch shells from the 1960s.

9x13 rack tom: nickel tube lugs, one single flanged and one vintage solid maple hoop. Conn era nickel Ludwig tension rods with brass washers. Repro nickel rim clips.

16x16 floor tom: nickel tube lugs, one single flanged and one vintage solid maple hoop. Conn era nickel Ludwig and Walberg & Auge tension rods with brass washers. Leg brackets are 1920s Duplex cymbal mounts, legs are 5/16" diameter stainless. Repro nickel rim clips.

14x20 bass drum: nickel tube lugs, 7-ply maple hoops, Walberg & Auge tension rods and hoop claws with brass washers. Walberg & Auge clamp-on spurs.

5x14 snare drum: this drum is made from a cut down 60s Gretsch marching drum 6-ply Jasper shell. Rare and possibly unique Slingerland Radio King copper plated cigar lugs from the 1930s, Conn era Ludwig tension rods with brass washers. Strainer and butt plate are from an Epoimi drum from the 1960s. Rims are nickel over steel from a mid-1960s Ludwig Pioneer.

All drums have their original bearing edges except the snare, which has a batter edge cut to match the factory original. Painted with a dual color fade and hand lacquered. They are plenty loud enough for rock and roll but have a warm tone and tune up easily. The snare cracks, and the strainer throws the wires off and stays in place very effectively. Almost every piece of hardware is vintage, including the mounting screws and washers. Hand-stamped badges complete the vibe.

This kit utilizes a new lacquer method for me, and the snare has a few "smear" flaws in the red paint over the yellow stripe as a result. These are shown in the photos. Beyond that there are some light claw marks in the hoops and very light pedal rash on the batter bass drum hoop.