The Flat Earth Society lives...

Cool Dude

The time and effort Gretsch has always put into their lacquer shells is more costly than applying a wrap. Take a look at the process in this video starting at the three minute mark.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5jl8PGUYuk"]The Making of That Great Gretsch Sound: Part 1 - YouTube[/ame]

It's not the "flat Earth society". What it is: a group of smart people that would like to verify their hypothesis, and without a pic of the interior, Nice pics including bearing edges and surfaces, they have come up with sound reasoning as to why this particular drum is not original.

Now, if you were to simply provide the pics, then I'm sure these "flat Earthers" would either be satisfied in their conclusion - and then you would be the "Big Footer", or they are wrong, and thus "flat Earthers."

However, if you don't supply pics, which you could easily do, then you are not being forthwith in the portrayal of this drum.

Just give us interior pics. That would be an easier way to prove your point than linking to a video that is not direct evidence. The pics please.

Seriously? DOH

[QUOTE=Osahead2;352416]

I really doubt the bass drum is RB legit... for starters...

Q: Why on earth is the badge not centered? Typically that location was where Ludwig placed their Keystone badges on Jazzette bass drums. Gretsch RB was always centered on bass drums... Marchers was different story...QUOTE]

1954 Broadkaster Bop kit and 1958 Gretsch BD badges are not centred - they're closer to the resonant head. The Gold Sparkle bd shown here is how it looked when I picked it up in Sept of 2009 - after it was in storage for decades......un-cleaned, but nice view of bass drum badge location. My 1968 SSF Gretsch bass drum badge is right behind the big ugly tom holder - closer to the batter head in this case.

It looks like putting those diamond leg brackets/cymbal mounts all over the tops of these bass drums was also par for the course...?

I know I would have done it...:)

Mitch

Yes, but my 40 24" bass drum has two cymbal mounts - and they're to the side of course.

Yup. Seriously. Let's see it! Come on. Now I'm willing to bet that it isn't original. And show us the interior floor tom too. My 14x14 isn't original, but it sure looks like it is, and I won't ever say it is original. You cannot tell from the outside, and even some inside pictures will look good, but there are two ways to tell that mine is not original (besides the stain—so three ways), but every other detail is perfect. Reproductions used to be a hobby of mine.

Give me a good shot of the bearing edge at an angle from the outside, photo centered on the lug, give me one with a shot straight down through the shell showing the inner shell. And give me one shot where the lap in the plies are. If those three shots are good, I'll say that this is a true original, for the bass and the floor tom. And if it is, I will offer you money for it. If it isn't, I'll still buy it from you, it is a cool looking set.

Okay, I see and I did overlook that detail about the 1950s RB location on early Gretsch drum sets so, I admit that detail did slip my mind...

But back to natural maple finish on Gretsch RB drums...

Again, I'm not trying to start a fight here... I'm just trying to develop good RB information and to dispel rumors that Gretsch RB era produced drum sets in natural maple from 1957 to 1969.

FOR EXAMPLE this was recently taken off EBAY about a natural maple snare drum from 1969... round badge era... he writes...

"Gretsch 14x5,5" Model 4157 Snare Drum.

Awesome condition. Clear maple finish with no flaws. Lightning Strainer. Original Silver Paint interior and Label. 4 point butt.

I have another Gretsch 4157 Red Sparkle and a Tama Bell Brass in another auction.

Item is located in Brazil. Amazing snare in awesome condition.

Any questions please ask".

Well to me it's obvious the natural maple finish Gretsch RB snare drum is stripped compared to my walnut finish Gretsch RB snare and here's why, I feel it is;

According to the seller he states himself in his description his wood finish 8-lug snare is a "4157" which it says on the original paper tag with a (1969) 108xxx serial number with L1 throw-off. Basically it is a 4157... but this one has been stripped/refinished.

Boy, it looks real good and it looks correct to me BUT it's not... when in fact according to my 1969 research (catalog #44 & price list and a few others RB collectors) Gretsch never offered a wood finish 8-lug "4157" as they were all 8-lug wrapped snare... that's right they were all WRAPPED.

Why? I don't know... but here's a photo proof see below (and refer to 1969 Catalog #44 & 1969 price list) that they did not have wood finish 4157 snare drums.

The dark walnut finish snare drum you see here is a super rare (1969) "4155" 8-lug wood finish Gretsch RB snare drum with a 105xxx serial number and L1 throw-off. Most collectors will not notice this rare model number difference but it does exist... here is proof... but please somebody here tell me more about the 1969 4155 8-lug snare drum... I want to see another original walnut finish snare drum OR even a natural maple snare drum if one exist which I doubt.