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I have a legitimate Gretsch question about lacquer kits… Last viewed: 26 minutes ago

Posts: 334 Threads: 39

For nearly 20 years now, I have owned this 1966 Round Badge Gretsch Jazz Progressive drum set with matching snare and I have always questioned if this set was a real original natural maple lacquer kit or was it stripped years ago of it wrap?

My attached pictures are not high quality but for a quick color reference, I attached another true natural maple Gretsch kit of mine… a 1972 Stop Sign Badge 18/12/14 with matching snare… and as you can see they are ALMOST the same shade… which makes me feel about 90% that my 1966 Progressive set is a real blonde??? But that leaves 10% of uncertainly. I can put better quality photos on my photobucket page if need be…

Anyway my 1966 kit has no extra holes and no modifications. Each drum is painted inside silver with their original paper tags affixed.

So my question is; did Gretsch actually produce a Round Badge drums in natural maple? Also what clues can a collector see if they feel their shell was stripped?

Since, I have never stripped a wrapped Gretsch shell before, I have no idea what a real RB shell looks like underneath i.e. is it dark in color or is it a nearly clean raw maple finish just waiting on some polish?

And if the shells are so clean underneath then how come we don't see more stripped Gretsch kits running around some 40 years later? And I ones, I have seen are horrible looking...

So back to my original question... I have seen tons of 70’s & 80’s natural maple Gretsch kits and that’s not my question… my question is can somebody please give me the scoop on the history of Gretsch natural maple drum sets of the 1960” Round Badge era!

/// HELP ///

~ A true Gretsch & Camco fanatic ~
Posted on 12 years ago
#1
Posts: 766 Threads: 68

It's really hard to tell with those pics of the RB set, the photos are over-exposed and a bit washed-out.

Original Gretsch RB in natural maple is phenomenally rare. I'm sure there are some out there, but the vast majority are drums that were stripped. If it were original, it would have been lacquered with nitro-cellulose, and by now would be a honey-amber shade. The color under the lugs will be much lighter. Also, it was standard then for Gretsch to use a black inlay strip on all natural wood hoops.

The best way to tell is to look at the badge tacks on the interior. They are almost impossible to remove without making some scratches/dings. You'll know if they're untouched or have been pulled.

If you're uploading any more pics, try to include some of the interiors where the badges are.

http://www.classicvintagedrums.com
Posted on 12 years ago
#2
Posts: 229 Threads: 15

I'm not sure what kind of wood this is, but this is what was under some bad WMP on a late 50s/ early 60s Max Roach Be bop snare.

http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=49411&d=1350744146

Posted on 12 years ago
#3
Posts: 334 Threads: 39

From mlvibes

It's really hard to tell with those pics of the RB set, the photos are over-exposed and a bit washed-out.If you're uploading any more pics, try to include some of the interiors where the badges are.

Here are some BETTER pic's and I will take some of the inside the shells ASAP. ENJOY!

http://s1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag142/Osahead2/Round%20Badge%20Gretsch%2020x12x14%20Natural%20Maple%20kit/

~ A true Gretsch & Camco fanatic ~
Posted on 12 years ago
#4
Posts: 334 Threads: 39

From hardbopman

I'm not sure what kind of wood this is, but this is what was under some bad WMP on a late 50s/ early 60s Max Roach Be bop snare.http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=49411&d=1350744146

Wow, that is very beautiful indeed!

~ A true Gretsch & Camco fanatic ~
Posted on 12 years ago
#5
Posts: 1142 Threads: 134

Great looking kits!

I agree with mlvibes. Check the badges on the toms and the grommet that holds the badge on the bass drum. If they're tight and the shells look unscratched around those area, then they're probably originally natural.

Thanks,

Tim

Posted on 12 years ago
#6
Posts: 334 Threads: 39

From thornbeck

Great looking kits!I agree with Osahead2. Check the badges on the toms and the grommet that holds the badge on the bass drum. If they're tight and the shells look unscratched around those area, then they're probably originally natural.Thanks,Tim

I'm taking the heads off tonight! Oh, did you see my photo site link the pic are 100% better there!

~ A true Gretsch & Camco fanatic ~
Posted on 12 years ago
#7
Posts: 1296 Threads: 208

[QUOTE=mlvibes;215398] If it were original, it would have been lacquered with nitro-cellulose, it was standard then for Gretsch to use a black inlay strip on all natural wood hoops.QUOTE]

Should also have checking/cracks in the lacquer. Based on your pics I'd say it's not a factory finish kit.

Never play it the same way once.
Posted on 12 years ago
#8
Posts: 334 Threads: 39

From Osahead2

I'm taking the heads off tonight! Oh, did you see my photo site link the pic are 100% better there!

Okay, I took the heads off all the drums last night and noticed NO signs of tampering. So, I guess that answered the question. However, I did see where someone did try to polish out scratches on all shells at some point especially on the 12x8 to remove snare rash off the backside near the tone knobs. Nonetheless, I still love the natural maple look...

~ A true Gretsch & Camco fanatic ~
Posted on 12 years ago
#9
Posts: 6583 Threads: 644

Jaimoe from the Allman Bros called me 20 + years ago looking for a RB Gretsch 18,12,14 in a factory maple!

I told him I had never heard of one,and that it would be $3,000 if I could find one..

My,how times have changed!

That would be what...a $10,000 kit now?

"Always make sure your front bottom BD lugs clear the ground!"
Posted on 12 years ago
#10
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