How is Gretsch?

**Tainojim** · #11 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 02:03 PM

History of That Great Gretsch Sound!

YouTube - History of That Great Gretsch Sound!

**Tainojim** · #12 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 02:06 PM

Bart Robley and Gretsch Drums & Gibraltar Hardware

YouTube - Bart Robley and Gretsch Drums &...

Now choose your kit:

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butter · #13 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 05:05 PM

wow thats some list! definitely includes every kind of music id ever want to play, i think... haha well when i find a kit i like ill post about it.

tomswift · #14 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chezm

thanks for posting the endless genre list lol

of course the brand can be used for any genre style...but i was under the impression the softer tone would be more catered to jazz/funk

I wouldn't say they're so much "softer" as much as possibly "warmer". Kind of a fatness in the fundamental frequencies. Of course head selection plays a vital role in that as well. Loudness is dictated by how hard you hit 'em. ;-)

**Der Trommler** · #15 (**permalink**) 05-06-2009, 01:41 AM

"Warmer" is a better adjective than "mellower".

**Tainojim** · #16 (**permalink**) 05-06-2009, 12:31 PM

You guys are all correct!

I chose Gretsch due to the fact that it has versatility. Skins on any brand of drums makes a huge difference. Acoustics like resonance and using mufflers is another factor in the Gretsch line. Low end drums no matter what brand limit the tonality. High end drums give you more room to achieve a higher spectrum.

Another factor is the type of beaters on the kicks. For example, I use the round mallet type beaters for that mellow sound, while my son prefers the hammer type beaters for that hard sound.

Now I'm talking about two different drummers playing on the same kit and no retuning involved and still achieving a completely different result on the sound.

It sounds completely different altogether when I play free style and my son plays industrial style.

Sticks is another factor on the Gretsch sound. Mellow, Rich, Robust and Attack should be a more meaning than just mellow.

I'm talking from experience, you just can't go wrong with Gretsch and the hardware is good, so don't believe the rumors. No drum company would sacrifice cutting corners on the hardware after putting all the effort on building a good drum.

I still miss my old 1959 Ludwig birch rock kit, it had built in internal adjustable mufflers. Something that I've not seen in any other kits, but I still love my Gretsch kit.

P.S Polka was left out of that list. Ha-Ha

drumlug · #17 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 12:09 PM

I have Gretsch Renown Maple and I love the sound. I love the autumn burst wood finish. I think it is real wood. I bought the shell pack with snare for 1100.00. I thought it would be a problem having a 14x14 floor tom but it sounds almost as low as a 16x16. I tune the toms to 75 on my drum dial and fine tune by ear. John.

**Tainojim** · #18 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 02:26 PM

I tune mine at 72 for Blues, Jazz, Classical. 75 to 80 for Rock and Hard Rock.

Due to that 30 degree bearing edge, the resonance comes out long and clear which is needed for Blues and Jazz, without resonator rings or gel.

I use res ring or gel for all other types of music.

Another thing is that you can use mufflers and adjust them to your needs.
I'll be posting some vids real soon. I just hope that the audio is good.

KONA · #19 (**permalink**) 03-10-2010, 11:45 PM

My long answer with some hardware advice:
just my thoughts here..........

I have a Gretsch Renown Purewood shellpack and I love it - "killer" as they say these days. This kit was to be my end-all kit.....for my retirement - so I spent tons of time looking at every drum kit emaginable - even Custom USA Gretsch. I settled on the the Purewood Mahogany because they sounded the best to me. Trouble is they only made 60 shellpacks.

THE HARDWARE: Second to none in most cases - for me at least.
I have a rack system that I would NOT want to gig with! The freakin thing weighs a ton! - the Gibraltar GRS-850DBL CURVED DBL BASS and 2 hybrid tri-pods. I'll bet all the hardware I have for this little 6pc shellpack (single bass of course) weighs >400lbs. YES it is solid and very functional - if left in one place. I would not want to pack it around.

I have some Pearl & DW cymbal arms that mount to the rack as well. In my view the Pearl & DW cymbal stands are as good or better in some ways than the Gibraltar - depending on what pieces you get. For instance Gibraltar does not make cymbal arms that fit into their hybrid tripod stands - I spoke to them about that and was not impressed because I bought two of those very NICE stands - they ARE solid! They may have corrected that now - but maybe not. At the time (2007) only DW made cymbal arms that would fit into the Gibraltar SC-BJEA (balljoint extention arm mount) and i think some old Premier hardware (Gretsch Rep said) if you could find it.

So - my advise is: If you're going to be packing stuff up and down at all think seriously about some nice mid-weight tri-pod type cymbal/assessory/tom stands. They're quick and easy. Gibraltar makes a variety of weighted (Series) stands. You can't go wrong with Pearl as well. I think overall Pearl makes the best stands but I think Gibraltar is close and they have more of a variety - Gibraltar eCatalog - here: Untitled

As an aside:
Some Hardware Info Here Too:
Totally was not looking to buy these........if was just ment to be I think:
I recently bought my "Holy Grail" shellpack and restored it (first kit restoration): A GRETSCH 1958 3ply. THESE DRUMS SING! Gold Sparkle too = very easy on the eyes! Hands down the best kit 'vibe-wise' (the history) I've ever played. My Purewood African Mahogany drums are a close second - haha. I'm mentioning this too because the hardware that came with the kit.......Speed King bd pedal, Ludwig cymbal stand & Walberg&Auge/Ludwig hi-hat (W&A made some hi-hats for Ludwig & used the Speed King footplate) - yes - that's right. All this hardware is simple but is out of this world smooth. I'm using the pedal over my Gibraltar 9611 - which I thought was the best fit for my size 15's. The hi-hat stand is a beauty. I have a Pearl H-2000 which is the best hi-hat I've ever played, but the W&A/Luddi is simple and very functional and I love it.

Let us know how this turns out for you.

Cheers,

Gary

**Tainojim** · #20 (**permalink**) 03-12-2010, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Der Trommler

I think you left one or two out tom.

The only thing different about a Gretsch is the bearing edges. They are 30 degree instead of 45 degree which gives you a slightly mellower tone. As pointed out by tomswift, they are great for anything you want to play.

You're right Der. I didn't see Industrial Rock on that list.