Maxwell Drums Podcast #22 - Steve Sr. and Steve Jr. Talk GRETSCH
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- Опубліковано 17 бер 2022
- This podcast is long overdue. We finally have arrived at Gretsch, the company we have worked with for many years. We hope you enjoy this!!
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Steve Maxwell's new web series takes you behind the scenes at the hippest drum shop in Chicago. With interviews, informational clips, special performances, and updates on the coolest gear in town, you can't afford to miss it!
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Nice. You two have spoken more to each other in this episode, than I ever spoke with my dad.
It’s common for a lot of dads to not have relationships with their kids
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You're both good drummers. I dig it. Excellent shows.
Hey,love you guys. It's people like you I like . Haa well done. Gretsch rules. appreciate you 2.
Love my Gretsch Catalina maple kit
I love my 70’s Gretsch set
Gretsch is top quality
I bought a (new) Gretsch wood snare drum in 1976 from a shop in Namur (Belgium). I was twenty, did not know much about how drums were made but was very disappointed as I could not seem to get a good sound out of it. Fast forward to four/five years later, I am now living in California, and still having the same problem with thata drum when someone suggested that I checked the bearing edges. As it turned-out, the edges were fine but the lugs had been fitted in such a way that the snare bed was completely off from where the snare wires were positioned.
One call to Gretsch and they sent me a new one immediately after receiving mine; this one sounded great!
The Brooklyns also have a 30 degree edge not a 45 .
I purchased the Gretsch USA custom in Mardi Gra 24,13,16 and then Maxwell/Gretsch made a 18" and a Matching Snare.
Then Sr. offered to use a solid shell from Craviotto and let Gretsch build it out, I have 12 snares..nothing touches the Craviotto shell with Gretsch hardware.. So happy with this kit. If you have never visited the shop, I suggest it. It is like a museum.
Very enjoyable, thanks! Hey, next time you get one of those horrible putrid olive satin flame kits in, gimme a call. I'll take it off your hands for you, no charge!
This is great! I always wanted a Gretsch kit. I started playing in the 50's (Yes, I'm quite old) in middle school, thru high school, college, etc., while doing some gigs on weekends - you know the story. I had and played Slingerland and some Ludwig, but always wanted Gretsch. I and others around me generally thought Gretsch was THE best. I felt I was not good enough to make a career of it, so (regretfully) went another direction. Years later (mid-life crisis in late 80's) I stumbled across a good deal on a set of USA Customs in a shop in LA - the owner let me have a good deal on them because (his words) "all the kids today want the Japanese stuff, Pearl, Yamaha, Tama, etc. and the Gretsch just sits here". He'd had them in inventory for about 10 years. They've been sitting in a spare bedroom for over 30 years now - gotta love that Gretsch sound.
Yamaha, Tama, etc… are great . But it seems like Gretsch is more in style now
I’m new to drumming and have done a deep dive at what kit would be best for my needs
I’m going with the Gretsch Catalina Club 4 piece jazz kit.
What really surprises me is the overwhelming positive comments and reviews it receives online.
Online communication can be brutal but nearly everyone who comments online says very positive things.
That’s rare and speaks volumes.
I think the Catalina Jazz drums are sort of a clone of the 50s and 60s drums so a lot of the tones will sound familiar especially if you listen to 60s pop music…. But at the same time you can also use the kit to play modern music too depending on how you dampen the drums or manipulate them
I've had my Gretsch Catalina Club Jazz kit for over 10 years and I keep loving it more every single day. I've done a few mods to make them "mine", but you could do what you want.
I've upgraded:
-the snare wires
-the metal hoops on the snare drum and toms (from 1.6mm to 2.3mm steel triple-flange) which are thicker and truer, but not stifling like cast -hoops would be
-bass drum 2.5" riser to allow the sound to travel - along with extending the spurs to keep the shell level
-Ludwig A.T.L.A.S. rack tom suspension holder to allow the shell to be more free to vibrate and lessen the weight and size when packing into the soft case
This kit can be as loud or as soft as you want. I've owned many brands, models, and sizes since the 1960's and none of them have sounded as good as this small economy (definitely NOT CHEAP) kit.
I have a 2010 Brooklyn kit 10/12/14/20 and it's my favorite
Just saw that "Elvis" Gretsch kit at Memphis Drum Shop!
Really interesting history lesson on Gretsch....thanks!
Great info thanks Steve
The best drum in history 🤌🏻
Vinnie plays Gretsch
I have a USA Custom I bought in the early 90s, like 92 or so. It's Rosewood and was the prettiest kit I'd ever seen (it's a bit worn by now) and my main kit until I bought a DW Performance Series kit three years ago. I also have a Gretsch Catalina Custom Elite with a wee 18" bass drum, all mahogany, that I use as a practice kit. I've recorded with all three sets and they all have a different character. Love Gretsch. If I can find a Broadcaster set used (and relatively cheap) I'm gonna buy it.
Mansplaining at it's best! I love these podcasts, so much great info here guys, and I love seeing the passion you guys have for drums and drumming. This is really great stuff for people who want to really research vintage and current drum companies and their instruments. Keep up the great work, long live Maxwell Drums!!!!
A great podcast guys ..
On a snowy colorado am
It's a coffee and off to my 1959 Gretsch RB ...
Who else would put a drum key in the snare..Brilliant
And Steve hit a great point on tuning..I'm from.the same school as not going for a note as much as going for complimentary intervals..and of course the skins ..read the books..but to play one ..you listen and learn how musical these vintage sets are
I really enjoy your podcast and Steve he's a wealth and knowledge I'm 62 years old and started playing gretch in the late 70s I had a 10-piece kit of cherry wine I wish I had never sold it I had double bass 12 13 16 6 8 10 12 concert 24 -22 and a six and a half by 14 snare drum sold it two different times through my store over 14 years and I wish I had it back the guy originally sold it to was trying to call me the other day to see if I could find it and I cannot find where we sold the last time but man I'm going to have to buy that book on gretch thank you so much for your podcast and for your brilliance and knowledge of the drumming industry
When Fred bought the company, they had been in Arkansas, the Charley Roy period,
Gretsch had a sattilite office in Chicago during the 40s.
fantastic, I didn't want this to end
Wow talking about Mark Crane one of the most influential drummer for me on Vanelli’s albums. Thank you 💕
"Craney" & "Vannelli"
Fantastic! Thank you, guys. Awesome show!
Mel Lewis had a green sparkle kit when came over with Stan Kenton in 1956. Bel Vue in Manchester.
And I thought I knew all about Gretsch drums. Thank you guys a fascinating talk.
This was Great!!
Awesome guys! I have learned so much from you over the years.I too was a Ludwig fan growing up but scored my 66 kit 10 years ago and they have been awesome! I was born in queens in 1966 so this kit is very special to me.
I was 100% Die hard Ludwig for 40 plus years until I bought and discovered Gretsch. Way better drums imho . After buying 3 recent different classic maple kits 2012,2016 and 2018, quality control SUCKS ! Waves in wraps, not perfect bearing edges, scratches from factory, glue oozing out from wrap etc I’d had enough. I own a brooklyn series and a renown maple , and the renown ALONE kills the classic maples. Never going back. Gretsch thanks for the amazing instruments you build including the Catalina club jazz kits. Your second to none. Aly
Your not the first to change over to that great gretsch sound.Brooklyn !
Very educational stuff. I love the history behind Gretch. As much as id adore having a american made drum kit the money involved with it can be hard to part with. USA,Broadkasters,Brooklyn series sound fantastic. I feel like probably all their drums like Catalina and Energy series sound great at their price point. But one thing is for sure.. The Maple Renown kits are amazing. The sound/tone, the hardware, the over all build is just solid. They are a pure joy to play. It would be hard to convince me there is a better kit out there. I bought a Gretch RN2 kit last year and like I said its fantastic!
Great to watch and listen to , so interesting!
Fellas, I really enjoy your podcasts. My favorite kit is my Gretsch 135th Anniversary Dark Emerald 22/16/12/14...... I replaced the 301 Hoops with Gretsch die cast hoops and went with 24 strand snare wires, and the changes really improved the sound for me. Thanks and Blessings!
Excellent Podcast!!
Great and Informative show..was especially interested in the discussion of Louie's dual 20 by 20 Bass drum set..I knew Louie for many years and he spoke highly about how this set sounded.."They were like Cannons"Louie said!
Dr.Detroit may I humbly suggest u check out Mike Dimeco who owns Brooks Drum Company in Brentwood California..I fortunately(or unfortunately according to my wife)Have amassed a significant amount of wonderful drums including a one off Arnie Lang GLADSTONE and other Great Snare Drums(An early Craviotto Maple)and an authenticated BY ARNIE! Birdeye GLADSTONE SNARE..BUT none of these outstanding drums sound as good as one of the Brooks snare drums I have been PLANTING!!!!Check him out!!!Mike is a brilliant man...Truely Gifted and he spends hours making the greatest drums I have ever played!!
When Louie started I don't think there were any pa systems as we know them today capable of amplifying low end effectively to a large audience. He was cutting edge in his way of playing technique and his setup.
So cool! I absolutely love the podcast!!!!
Though I don’t have a vintage Gretsch kit, I do have a modern Gretsch Energy kit. 10, 12, 16, 22 virgin bass drum. The snare that came with the kit was very boxy, like you stated during this podcast. I know it is an entry level kit, but with enough time tuning and training the ear to tune to the shells sweet spots, the kit sounds fantastic! I don’t know that I will ever need to upgrade the kit.
Love this episode.
I thoroughly enjoyed this podcast and have noted the book to buy. Well done from me here in the UK.
These guys know a lot more about drums, than the the guys at GC.
Would you guys know what Gretsch drum kit John Densmore played on The Doors’ early albums?
Nice job gents, great stuff!
Interesting info on Gretsch. I was all Ludwig back in the 60s. then around '76 an independent shop in Westwood introduced me to those Gretsch, with the beautiful natural finishes and cast rims, and I was sold. One thing I did not like was the Gretsch hardware at the time. Then, in 79 I finally ordered a full 22 inch double base walnit finish set with, I think ALL the tom sizes: 6" concert to 18" floor tom - all with NO hardware except for Gretsch tom legs, no snare). Unfortunately RIMS were not invented yet, so I mounted all my favorite hardware. I was not crazy about the resonance of the 18" tom, so I ordered new Keller shells and made a 16" and 18" tom 14" deep, preserving the original Gretsch shells, and using all the hardware. ( I later noticed DW doing something similar sizewise) Now I want to try putting an 18" bass hoop on the Gretsch tom shell for an 18" bass ?
Anyway, around '85 I had to order a new full Natural finish Pearl maple set with the "rack". Looks beautiful, loved the hardware, BUT, I had to face that they did not sound like the Gretsch. The Gretsch bass drums in particular were so resonant (with one head). I put the Pearl away, and kept playing the Gretsch. I never appreciated how significant the shells are to the ultimate sound till then. Of course RIMS highlight the shells. (I later removed my hard shell mounts). Back in those days there was only one version of Gretsch - certainly simpler than today. Of course all the contemporary options are fun.
Dw makes Gretsch shells!!
I loved the story about Art Blakey's massive sized kit... very inspiring. I personally love the sonic option that the Brooklyn line brings to the table between the 3 USA made lines. a little more "boomy" and aggressive.
Would you happen to remember what finish the Art Blakey 9x13,10x14,16x18,14x24 kit was in??
What can you guys tell us or show us about Domino drums?
❤️🥁❤️
Has anyone tried the GRETSCH USA CUSTOM 14x5” BRONZE snare.
How have you found them, especially compared to other bronze snares..?
Are the current USA custom drums that gretsch makes now just as good as the drums they made back in the day?
Hey Steve, I noticed that late '50s gold sparkle Trixon kit the background. Any chance you'd be interested in selling?
That’s a cool set. 13,16 and a 16x20. Cool back story. Steve Jordan used to use that kit when he recorded at a specific studio in NY. He liked it a lot and when the studio closed he bought it. He hadn’t used it in a long time so I got it from him maybe 8 years ago. Cool set. By no means a collector kit and the gold sparkle has that black-spotting that happens on those older sparkles. Shells are great and would be insanely warm with calf. Email me at vintagedrums@aol.com and we can chat more.
I have a 60s era NameBand kit…
Listen to Mark Craney on Gino Vanelli's Brother to Brother.
He kills it. He was a great underrated drummer.
Fascinating and informative! Anyone know what happened to the old Jasper shell making equipment?
Didn't Fibes have it at some point? I could be wrong.
They went out of business in or around 2003 .
They probably should be in some drum museum
DW is making the shell? 🥹
Gretsch formula 6 ply shell with the 30/60 edge and die-cast hoops produce a short, semi-dry note with a quick attack (punch) and a focused mid range. The drum is not as loud and it produces a softer timbre. These drums work well for jazz especially, but are also good for other genres. Because the mid range is so strong, they lack the bottom that you get from Ludwigs (which seem to work better for rock). The edges have more shell contact so you can crank up the pitch with less choke. There you go!... save yourself an hour, no need to watch the video.
great show. could yall do one on camco at some point? I'm interested in your take on oaklawn versus gretsch round badge especially in jazz sizes
For sure! Camco will probably be next🙂
DW would be closest to Camco as they bought their equipment.
Sr is my age.
Uhh, I always thought gretch was perfect for toms and bass in any genre!! The snare drums!! Never bonded with them! I bought one brand new and never liked it!! I have a Rogers dynasonic 14/6.5 wood drum that hangs with any snare made! Just bought a Canopus 14/5.5 all maple that is my new favorite!
What a pity Buddy Rich never had a GRETSCH endorsement.
It would have been great to see.
Get over it haa.reckon.
Bloody awful shells they are too 26:57 and there NOT great !!!
Silver sealer🤷♂️????????
Quick story…
Back in 1981, I was a 17-year old little upstart drum geek and along with another one, we decided to try our first refin ever on a ratty old 60’s Gretsch 20, 12, 14. The insides were all scuffed up and in the process of figuring out what to do about it, we finally decided to just call Gretsch and see what that silvery stuff was on the insides. We were put in touch with a sweet, sweet woman who worked on the shop floor named Elaine (Jordan, I think was her last name but not positive). We told her what we were doing and with her warm southern drawl, she said, “Well honey, that’s aluminum lacquer. Tell me where ya live and I’ll send you guys a little can of it.” How nice could someone be?❤️ A few years later at summerNAMM in Chicago, I bumped into a guy named Mark Richards who was from my town and was then repping at Gretsch. I told him that story about the lacquer. He said, “I wonder if that’s why she was fired(!)”. To this day, I pray to god that she didn’t get fired for being so sweet to two little teenage punks.
Geezzzz man! Let your dad finish a sentence! Ffs