First of all Hello, and welcome to the forum!
I have a drop G ''player's'' kit, I love 'em! Sound great no matter what.
Drop g's where actually made from 1980 to 1981.
From the Gretsch site: (http://www.gretschdrums.com/?fa=historybadges)
By late-1980, the fifth Gretsch badge was unveiled: Stop-Sign Badge #3. It features the same slogan as SSB#2, but has what is commonly referred to as the "drop-G" logo. It could also be called the '80s Stop-Sign, as it's the only such-shaped Gretsch badge from the decade. Like the two previous stop-sign badges, it says U.S.A. to the right of the vent hole. This is the most commonly misdated badge in the Gretsch timeline; due to its '70sshape, many think of it as '70s-era. Closely following this badge change was the new internal label, which is grey/white. The label's left side has the famous Gretsch drum logo with slogan below. The right side features a model number handwritten in black felt-tip pen; below it, a serial number stamped in large characters.