Gretsch Renown 5.5x14 Snare (1962) Blue Sparkle

The Shop’s Take
Here is an early-1960s Gretsch Renown 5.5x14 snare drum in Blue Sparkle, featuring a Round Badge, serial #5151, Silver Sealer interior, eight double-ended lugs, die-cast hoops, and the period Renown strainer. The Blue Sparkle wrap has aged evenly from a deeper blue toward a softer medium-blue tone, giving the drum an attractive, consistent vintage appearance rather than the patchy fading sometimes seen on older wrapped drums. The chrome hardware also presents very well for its age. For the player or collector looking for an honest Round Badge Gretsch with strong original character, this is a particularly appealing example.

Full Description
This Gretsch Renown is a 5.5x14 wood-shell snare from the early Round Badge era, finished in Blue Sparkle.
The drum carries Round Badge serial #5151 and features the Silver Sealer interior associated with Gretsch production of the period.
The shell is fitted with eight double-ended Gretsch lugs, die-cast chrome hoops, and the Renown-style strainer.
The Blue Sparkle wrap has developed a noticeable but very uniform fade over the years, shifting from its original darker blue toward a medium-blue appearance. Importantly, the color change is consistent around the shell rather than heavily localized, giving the drum a cohesive vintage look.
The chrome hardware cleans up very well and retains a strong shine, with normal age-related wear visible on close inspection.
The combination of the Round Badge, Silver Sealer interior, die-cast hoops, compact 5.5x14 dimensions, and classic Gretsch hardware gives this drum the unmistakable character of an early-1960s Brooklyn-built snare.
This is best viewed as a well-preserved vintage player and collector drum rather than an untouched museum piece.

Condition
Very Good to Excellent vintage condition.
The Blue Sparkle wrap shows uniform age-related fading from dark blue toward medium blue.
The chrome hardware remains very clean overall and shines up well, with only normal age-related wear.
The shell, Round Badge, Silver Sealer interior, hoops, and hardware all present strongly for their age.
Please review all photographs carefully, as they show the actual drum being offered and are an important part of the condition description.

Details

• Manufacturer: Gretsch
• Model: Renown
• Era: Circa 1962
• Size: 5.5x14"
• Finish: Blue Sparkle
• Badge: Round Badge
• Serial Number: 5151
• Interior: Silver Sealer
• Lugs: Eight Gretsch double-ended lugs
• Hoops: Die-cast chrome
• Strainer: Gretsch Renown-style
• Hardware Finish: Chrome
• Made in Brooklyn, New York, USA

📦 Ships UPS within the continental US only (and possibly Hawaii)
🌎 Please message me directly for international shipping
🏘 Local pickup in Los Gatos, CA is also welcome

          *Please note: This vintage/used item is sold 'As-Described' with no returns. Images are of the actual item(s) sometimes with AI-generated backgrounds for illustrative purposes only.*