The history of Gretsch drums

PearlVSX · #11 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stringfellow1955

I bought a 4 piece shell pack of gretsch renowns in the african mahogany series. They only made 120 sets a couple of years or so ago. They're pretty sweet, especially the bass drum. 24x16, 13x9, 16x16 and 14x6.5 snare. I don't use the snare. Its to soft for my taste. I play a 14x7 steambent in its place. It'll peel the paint off the wall if you don't muffle it! Can't wait to play it outside wide open! Does anybody own one of these kits? String.

Sold my 4 pc Renown AM about 6 months ago on eBay..

Getting ready to pick up either a Gretsch cat maple or cat ash within the next 2 weeks.

Anyone have any experience with the Catalina ash set?

Infero Exicution · #12 (**permalink**) 09-03-2009, 11:00 AM

I was ready to buy the Ash,
But then saw that Pearl Vision Limited Edition set,
and I jumped on it.

I just really like the Birch/ bass wood combo's sound.
Althouygh I tried out the Ash and was suprised by the tone, and over all sound.
I never played the Maple kit, but the Ash was amazing.

PearlVSX · #13 (**permalink**) 09-03-2009, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Infero Exicution

I was ready to buy the Ash,
But then saw that Pearl Vision Limited Edition set,
and I jumped on it.

I just really like the Birch/ bass wood combo's sound.
Althouygh I tried out the Ash and was suprised by the tone, and over all sound.
I never played the Maple kit, but the Ash was amazing.

Yeah..I thought the ash Catalinas were a pretty good sounding kit.. I just wondered about how well they hold up in a real world, heavy gigging situation..

I went ahead an put a deposit on a Mapex M Birch 7pc.

Thanks for the response tho..

*note Mapex M Birch listed in my sig was sold awhile back..I haven't been around here much..

Infero Exicution · #14 (**permalink**) 09-03-2009, 02:22 PM

My recommendation is watch some youtube videos of people with
The kit.
It will give you nice view of what people think of the kit.
Also, read the comments. There could be some helpful info in there too.

jimmy · #15 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 02:40 PM

The Catalina hardware in general is not as sturdy as it could be.
The mod and rocks are the only Catalinas I'd get.

NOTE: ALL THE CATALINAS ARE NOT ONE WOOD.
Example: The catalina maple is just one outer ply of maple, the rest is "natural interior," or cheap wood.
I think you could save up for a kit beyond the Catalina series.

UPSTROKE · #16 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 03:33 PM

Hi String;
I would love to have one of those Gretsch Renowns in Honduras Mahogany. Should be a nice fat sound. I have the 2008 limited run of the 6 pc Bubinga shell pak. Good God, what a sound. LOVE 'EM. The entire Renown line is the best deal going on drums. I purchased the Catalina Ash set for my Son. I bought the Black set with the Black Nickel Hardware. Looks beautiful. but-- I bought him a 7 pc Gretsch Renown set last year. The're both in the same room. Bottom Line-- The Cat. Ash kit sounds hard and shallow compared to the Nice fat sound of the Renowns. I have also had a set of the Cat. Maple. Nice kit. The snare blew all my hair off. That sucker is LOUD. I play in a 7pc rock band and they even said they couldn't hear anything but that snare. I had to change to a different snare. My advice--Save your sheckles for a Gretsch Renown shell pak. Everything about them is 10 times better than any of the Catalina series. Not to mention that they kick butt over anyone else in the price range.