Good one Mark
This is what I'm talking about - things get sorted out by talking and people getting involved.....like I said above....."it's all good."
MAYBE THE DRUM WILL GO TO $1K....:)
My response It was a little harsh I admit, but this drum has been well discussed on the DFO,the drum is 100% original, look at the auction, the price that is bid on it speaks volumes. Then the seller had to come on here to defend his drum to all the misinformation that was starting to mount.
I don't know....the hardware looks painted to me, not plated. I mean, if it were plated, it have a sheen to it, this looks like someone took a rattler and sprayed flat gold on the hardware. It may have been someone with a C/G tom with chrome or nickel and needed gold to match a kit,.... This just don't look right to my eyes. Now, I'm no Gretsch expert, but I certainly know what plated vs painted looks like, and that looks like flat gold paint to me.
I second that opinion. Ron
I re-read all the posts here........and in the end....I am very happy to have won this drum. It probably does have Gold hardware but if it does not it still is a drum that I am please to have paid $535 (I'm into it $602cdn with the shipping & more when I get nailed for the taxes and may even a Customs 'looking-at-the-package fee). There probably is some cool history around this drum. Too bad it came from a Pennsylvanian estate auction. It will be difficult to track the history down.
I already got a tip on how to clean the drum and I will be looking for more advice on that from this Forum after I get the drum.
Thanks all for your input here.
Me third.........
I even had a early 50's Caddy Green 20,13 and snare once upon a time 22+ years ago.
No FT..was stolen years ago I heard.
The story I got was:
all the gold was flaking or nearly missing on the drums,so a guy took everything off,and sandblasted them down to pot metal!
So,I tracked down some clean chrome G.hardware,and found some fake 24k paint,and painted all the hardware.......didn't look too bad,but WOULD have been cool to see it all it's glory with REAL 24" plating!
Blair
I'm looking at this mostly as a rare 54/55? Cadi Green 3ply tom. That in itself is worth what I paid for it.
I'll let the Forum folks here know what I have when I get it in my hands - maybe it's yer old 13" gold painted tom.
Got the drum via FedEx today.
IT'S GOLD PLATED
The hardware really looks like there is chrome under it and the mutes dials and the rods look like they've been sprayed.....It's just very shiny under the paint....
I took it to a goldsmith - gold-buyer/J e w e lery store person today for examination.
His verdict:
The hardware has been painted gold over the original gold plating.
I may leave the drum as it is if I can't find a way to very carefully remove the gold paint and leave the original gold plating undisturbed.
It's one very nice drum though.
:Santa: arrive early this year.........x-mas2
Gary, I'm still very happy your the owner of this tom, it's got a great home now, and thanks for the clarifaction on the hardware.
I am no alchemist but I would have to think that paint thinner and a microfiber cloth would take off gold paint and leave the gold plating undisturbed. Heck, even some form of J.ewelry cleaner, that is used to clean gold all the time, would probably take off the paint.
toodles
drumhack Guitar Dude ManViolinsingerDOHWalking
edit- had to doctor up ***elry............
Vintagemore2000Thanks for that Mark. I will do my best to make it a very good home. it will be interesting to see if I can clean it up without removing the gold.
DrumhackI will check further on this. The J.eweler (funny we have to type like this but I understand why I guess) said not to use paint thinner - but that was just off the top of his head. If it turns out I won't be able to 'float' the paint off the gold leaving the gold untouched I will leave it as - knowing the drum IS the real deal is a big part of having it. Who knows - there may be a Federal Law (Criminal) that's in affect that makes it an offence to paint over gold hardware haha.
I'm just thrilled to bits having this drum here before Christmas - it is amazing. Probably not amazing to someone that doesn't like or know about the history of Gretsch drums - but to me....it is one special drum.
Sorry - I was going to post this up-date for this thread a while ago and forgot.
The drum is wiped off - cleaned gently as best I can. I think it looks fine...used and old like me. The hardware as you can see has rubbed off in places but the drums' gold still shines beautifully. It looks a lot better in person believe me.
No Re-Plating:
I've taken some good educated advice and decided NOT to re-plate the drum. It may be okay is some cases to re-plate chrome hardware and not ruin the historic and vintage value of a drum. But, this is a rare drum and to have the original gold hardware is even rarer - so I've been told.
I will tuck a couple calfhide heads on custom fitted wood flesh-hoops when they arrive.
