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I think I got a Gretsch Snare....I think... Last viewed: 36 minutes ago

Posts: 759 Threads: 176

So I came across this guy selling a bunch of old MIJ shells and some newer drums on Craigslist and when I got there I spotted this snare with the rest of a white painted MIJ kit. The snare hardware looked like Gretsch and so did the tone control so I gave him some cash for the snare and a pair of cool old 68' Keystone Badge Ludwig Timbales. Now I am trying to decipher what exactly I have with this snare.

Here is what I know:

Badge is Missing

8 Lugs, Strainer and Tone Control appear to Be Gretsch

Interior paint appears to be Gretsch

Strainer Butt is Ludwig

Hoops are Triple Flange Ludwig Style

I want to restore this drum and would like to know

A: If the empty holes are extra.

B: What goes in empty holes that are not extra

c: If this is indeed a Gretsch 8-lug Snare

D: What Model or Time Frame am I looking at.

I will begin scouring the forum for info but would love any expert advice/Info

Thanks,

Derek

1954 Gretsch Name Band Outfit White Marine Pearl
1964 Ludwig Downbeat Kit Champagne Sparkle
1964 Ludwig Jazz Combo Kit Gold Sparkle
1964 Gretsch Jazz Progressive Jazz Progressive Kit
1965 Ludwig Club Date Kit BDP
1971 Slingerland 13,16,22 in Black Sparkle
1979 Rogers XP-8 Super Londoner Tobacco Sunburst
1982 Rogers XP-8 Black Londoner
Numerous Snare Drums
Posted on 13 years ago
#1
Posts: 759 Threads: 176

1 more pic of the snares and the timbales that appear all original other than the Slingerland Leg Holder.

1954 Gretsch Name Band Outfit White Marine Pearl
1964 Ludwig Downbeat Kit Champagne Sparkle
1964 Ludwig Jazz Combo Kit Gold Sparkle
1964 Gretsch Jazz Progressive Jazz Progressive Kit
1965 Ludwig Club Date Kit BDP
1971 Slingerland 13,16,22 in Black Sparkle
1979 Rogers XP-8 Super Londoner Tobacco Sunburst
1982 Rogers XP-8 Black Londoner
Numerous Snare Drums
Posted on 13 years ago
#2
Posts: 747 Threads: 37

Looks like you got a Gretsch ! How many plies is the shell ? This will help date the snare.

Posted on 13 years ago
#3
Posts: 759 Threads: 176

I have never really counted plies before but I am guessing 3. It seems about the same thickness as my 1948 Broadkaster snare as well. Here are a couple more pics of the edge.

1954 Gretsch Name Band Outfit White Marine Pearl
1964 Ludwig Downbeat Kit Champagne Sparkle
1964 Ludwig Jazz Combo Kit Gold Sparkle
1964 Gretsch Jazz Progressive Jazz Progressive Kit
1965 Ludwig Club Date Kit BDP
1971 Slingerland 13,16,22 in Black Sparkle
1979 Rogers XP-8 Super Londoner Tobacco Sunburst
1982 Rogers XP-8 Black Londoner
Numerous Snare Drums
Posted on 13 years ago
#4
Posts: 2713 Threads: 555

Nice looking drum. I'd say late 50's or 60/61 Renown (3ply with silver sealer & no paper tag). Maybe the rims were switched out?

I'm just guessing by flipping through some catalogs.

Posted on 13 years ago
#5
Posts: 527 Threads: 57

The lug's Look Gretsch but can be a Japanese drum, they made many simular designs of Gretsch lugs.

Remove one lug Gretsch normally put a number or a letter inside the lugs for reference that will tell date year of manufacture.

Note on this photo of a 1950's Gretsch that I owned the ripples on the lugs I do not see them on yours as pronounced as the original Gretsch this is what leads me to believe is one of the Japanese copies.

1 attachment
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Posted on 13 years ago
#6
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

From Kona

Nice looking drum. I'd say late 50's or 60/61 Renown (3ply with silver sealer & no paper tag). Maybe the rims were switched out? I'm just guessing by flipping through some catalogs.

I'm with gary, all the hardware is Gretsch, the lugs and the inside screws the tone control, the shell is correct. to cuquito717 the lugs do have the same ridges as your drum they are just hard to see in the pic.

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 13 years ago
#7
Posts: 1190 Threads: 86

Looks like a '60s 6 ply Gretsch shell. The "strainer" is a 4 pt. butt, and above the generic butt are the holes for a Micro Sensitive stainer. Probably broke, the owner pulled it and used the original adjustable butt as a strainer. The position of the Gretsch muffler backs up this theory.

Even though I think it's a Gretsch, without the correct badge, hoops and throw off, it would probably cost as much to get it back to original condition as it would to buy more complete, correct Gretsch snare drum.

Posted on 13 years ago
#8
Posts: 1190 Threads: 86

From skapunk_edge

I have never really counted plies before but I am guessing 3. It seems about the same thickness as my 1948 Broadkaster snare as well. Here are a couple more pics of the edge.

From looking at the first picture, I think I see 4 plies. I'm sure a Gretsch expert could say what shell this is. I guessing early '60s as there is no tag on the inside and it has the 4 pt. butt.

Posted on 13 years ago
#9
Posts: 759 Threads: 176

After further inspection and comparison with my other Gretsch drums I am thinking the shell is good other than the 2 holes drilled for the Ludwig butt end.

Couple more questions

This is an 8 lug snare and I thought Renown Snares were only 6? There is no throw on the existing strainer which tells me this is a butt end. Possibly the opposite end of a Microsensitve Sensitive Strainer? Would that explain the three holes above the Ludwig butt end?

1954 Gretsch Name Band Outfit White Marine Pearl
1964 Ludwig Downbeat Kit Champagne Sparkle
1964 Ludwig Jazz Combo Kit Gold Sparkle
1964 Gretsch Jazz Progressive Jazz Progressive Kit
1965 Ludwig Club Date Kit BDP
1971 Slingerland 13,16,22 in Black Sparkle
1979 Rogers XP-8 Super Londoner Tobacco Sunburst
1982 Rogers XP-8 Black Londoner
Numerous Snare Drums
Posted on 13 years ago
#10
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