Beautiful 60s RB Gretsch set in rare Burgundy Sparkle. This wrap in
original and completely unfaded. One of the best examples of this color
I've ever seen. 9X13 tom, 16X16 floor tom, 14X20 bass drum, and 5X14
snare.
The toms and bass were purchased in 2000 as a matching kit from a vintage dealer in Maine. The snare was added 2 years later, and was not part of the original kit. It's color is slightly faded compared to the rest of the kit, but from a distance looks great. Normal seam lifting on the drums for this age. I never tried to reglue them or mess with them. The only thing that was done was some light sanding on the batter side bearing edges with 220 grit to smooth them out. Heads fit quite well on toms and snare. The heads fit tightest on the bass drum. I have found over the years that Evans heads fit slightly better than Remo, although I've never tried the Aquarian vintage series, which I've been told fit great.
It's very tough for me to part with this kit, but my current musical projects require larger sized drums. For those of you familiar with RB Gretschs, nothing sounds like these drums, particularly for medium to high tunings. These toms just sing, and the bass drum can be tuned high for a bebop sound, or down low for that nice Joey Baron / Jim Black rumble.
This kit was used on a handful of live gigs over the past 15 years, quite a few recording sessions, but mainly set up in my living room (non-smoking), and not subjected to any direct sunlight.
OK, drum by drum:
9X13 tom: model 4416, serial 101737 -- great shape, tight seam, both internal mufflers intact and work great
16X16 floor tom: model 4418, serial 99297 -- some seam lifting and small piece of wrap missing on seam at batter edge, non-original legs, both internal mufflers intact and work great
14X20 bass drum: model 4249, serial 95514 -- some seam lifting, missing Pratt muffler, original spurs (to my knowledge), rail consolette was on this drum when I purchased it -- I don't know if this is a factory original or not, non-original hoops, diamond-shaped cymbal mount has been stripped for years, I always used a cymbal stand instead. I've been told they make a heavier-duty version of this now with the same hole pattern. Of course, vintage versions are pretty easy to find too.
5X14 snare drum: model 4157, serial 44307 -- not part of the original kit, originally had a Microsensitive strainer on it which had a broken throw-off arm, I put a vintage Lightning strainer on it so it has extra holes, I will include the original Microsensitive as I understand you can get new arms for these now.
I am not a Gretsch expert by any means. This description is based on my knowledge. I'm not a collector either. I prefer functionality over factory stock when possible. With a couple alterations, these drums could be brought back to original, or just played and enjoyed as is.
For any serious buyers, I have many more pictures of these drums (interiors, edges, etc.) I'd be happy to send you.
Thanks for looking!!!
Flat shipping rate will be $150. No international shipping. I live in rural Vermont, so I will take these drums to the closest UPS store to have them professionally packed and shipped. For buyers in the Northeast area, I'm 2 1/2 hours from Albany, NY and 2 1/2 hours from Boston, MA, so local pickup is possible too.
The toms and bass were purchased in 2000 as a matching kit from a vintage dealer in Maine. The snare was added 2 years later, and was not part of the original kit. It's color is slightly faded compared to the rest of the kit, but from a distance looks great. Normal seam lifting on the drums for this age. I never tried to reglue them or mess with them. The only thing that was done was some light sanding on the batter side bearing edges with 220 grit to smooth them out. Heads fit quite well on toms and snare. The heads fit tightest on the bass drum. I have found over the years that Evans heads fit slightly better than Remo, although I've never tried the Aquarian vintage series, which I've been told fit great.
It's very tough for me to part with this kit, but my current musical projects require larger sized drums. For those of you familiar with RB Gretschs, nothing sounds like these drums, particularly for medium to high tunings. These toms just sing, and the bass drum can be tuned high for a bebop sound, or down low for that nice Joey Baron / Jim Black rumble.
This kit was used on a handful of live gigs over the past 15 years, quite a few recording sessions, but mainly set up in my living room (non-smoking), and not subjected to any direct sunlight.
OK, drum by drum:
9X13 tom: model 4416, serial 101737 -- great shape, tight seam, both internal mufflers intact and work great
16X16 floor tom: model 4418, serial 99297 -- some seam lifting and small piece of wrap missing on seam at batter edge, non-original legs, both internal mufflers intact and work great
14X20 bass drum: model 4249, serial 95514 -- some seam lifting, missing Pratt muffler, original spurs (to my knowledge), rail consolette was on this drum when I purchased it -- I don't know if this is a factory original or not, non-original hoops, diamond-shaped cymbal mount has been stripped for years, I always used a cymbal stand instead. I've been told they make a heavier-duty version of this now with the same hole pattern. Of course, vintage versions are pretty easy to find too.
5X14 snare drum: model 4157, serial 44307 -- not part of the original kit, originally had a Microsensitive strainer on it which had a broken throw-off arm, I put a vintage Lightning strainer on it so it has extra holes, I will include the original Microsensitive as I understand you can get new arms for these now.
I am not a Gretsch expert by any means. This description is based on my knowledge. I'm not a collector either. I prefer functionality over factory stock when possible. With a couple alterations, these drums could be brought back to original, or just played and enjoyed as is.
For any serious buyers, I have many more pictures of these drums (interiors, edges, etc.) I'd be happy to send you.
Thanks for looking!!!
Flat shipping rate will be $150. No international shipping. I live in rural Vermont, so I will take these drums to the closest UPS store to have them professionally packed and shipped. For buyers in the Northeast area, I'm 2 1/2 hours from Albany, NY and 2 1/2 hours from Boston, MA, so local pickup is possible too.
Reverb Buyer Protection
Reverb has your back if your item is lost, damaged, or doesn't match its description. Simply report any issues within 7 days and we'll help you get a full refund.Learn more about Reverb Buyer Protection.
Listed | 9 years ago |
Condition | Very Good (Used) Very Good items may show a few slight marks or scratches but are fully functional and in overall great shape.Learn more |
Brand | |
Model |
|
Finish |
|
Categories | |
Year |
|
Made In |
|