That's a very nice looking set. Stop Sign Badge #1 (SSB1) kits are the exact same as the Round Badge (RB) kits, except the badge. For some reason, they are not as collectible/in demand as the RB. Good for drummers that want that Gretsch RB sound, but with out the RB price.

I picked up a 12/14/20 a couple months ago and just found a Gretsch 4165 snare to go along with it.

It the kit a 12/13/16/22? What Gretsch snare comes with the kit? 4160 = 8 lug or 4165 = 10 lug.

The chrome and wrap looks pretty good from the pictures you posted.

- Tim

8 lug metal snare. Saw 1 sold on ebay for 300 or so. Inlay's missing on the bd - but I don't know much more right now -

H

That's the 4160 and it's chrome over brass (COB).

See if you can get the Model and Serial Numbers from the tags inside the shells. This will tell you if it's a matched set and a rough production date.

You can get new inlay for about $20 - $30.

- Tim

Thanks for the comments Tim -

From the emails to & fro it sounds quite a bit like the kit was purchased together. Also, from w/ I've read serial #'s don't seem to indicate much other than inconsistency w/ Gretsch during the 70's; & much can be determined from hardware the kit has w/ it.

In fact I may keep this kit depending on how clean it is - but would like to know general re-sale value as I may resell it. Ballpark is fine. Other than the inlay missing, condition appears very fine indeed.

Best - H

... hoping for a little friendly advice ...

I believe the kit's from 1971. Midnight was the most popular wrap. & of course this was the era when Baldwin took over, so perhaps similar to CBS buying Fender quality went downhill to varying degrees.

Does this mean that Baldwin era Gretsch kits are overall poor? Should they be avoided? Perhaps I'm a hack sleuth but there's little to be found digging through web trashcans -

Enjoy the weekend - Chris

Chris, I owned a baldwin era kit. the shells where awesome as was the bearing edges and finish, but the hardware is a total joke, the monster tom mount Omg cheap is a complement. when you tighten the tom down on the center post it dents the post rod?? the lugs where the self tapping type,meaning the screws would cut the threads into the lugs when you screw them in for the first time, so if you remove one it would take the metal of the lug with it,, not a good idea!! but they are awesome sounding drums, no they don't have the resale value of the 60's and 50's but your not paying that price to get this kit either.

Thanks for the words, V -

So are these SOOO bad not that vintage junkies (me) won't bother with? What on god's green earth is a fair offer price - I hate even asking but there's not much out there to base anything on?

Chris

Chris, if your getting them to play or gig with you'll be one happy camper, Now the era I was speaking of was late 70's early 80's my kit was 1980. the Cob snare would set you back $300.00 alone, the color is cool. your looking at $1000.00 or so that would be a good deal.

Again, thank you -

I buy & sell - but may indeed keep this kit & let another go. I may sell it down the road. I am always looking for high quality drums rather than mickey mouse kits & will fix them up so they smoke. Essentially, the last thing I want to do is pay too much for a kit that isn't worthy. From the pics I've seen it looks amazing & am hoping for the best. By the way, I've not played Gretsch before so am super curious to see what they sound like.

I did come across a comment that noted late 70's Gretsch drums started having much better quality control. With CBS Fender there was even a little overlap in 66-67 where quality was still very high; I don't have a clue if this applies to Gretsch -

Best - Chris