Buying and Fixing a Vintage Gretsch Drum Set - 1970s Gretsch Kit!
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- Опубліковано 14 січ 2022
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Follow on IG:
- / davidraouf
Tools/Materials Used: (Affiliate Links)
Gretsch Book: (not in the vid, but this helped me date the kit)
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1" Caps:
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Pipe Cutter:
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De-Burring Tool:
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Tap & Die Set:
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Microfiber Clothes:
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Q-Tips:
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Blacklight:
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Gear Used: (Affiliate Links)
Earthworks DK7 Drum Mic Kit:
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Lewitt DTP 640 REX Bass Drum Mic
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22” Zildjian K Constantinople Renaissance Ride:
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20” K Cluster Crash:
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Vic Firth Freestyle 5b:
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Roc n’ Soc Drum Throne:
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Tama Road Pro/ Iron Cobra Hardware:
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Remo Pinstripes:
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Remo CS Dot:
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Thats right, I finally found a vintage Gretsch drum set worth buying! I don't see them for sale locally too much and the 2 Round Badges I have bought aren't in the best shape (my progressive jazz kit was spray painted black lol) or aren't complete drum kits.
This one is a Stop Sign Badge version 2, or SSB2, dating it from 1978-1979. 12"x8" 13"x9" 16"x16" 22"x14" in a natural finish.
Work Done to the kit:
The kit was missing the tom arms, floor tom legs, and wingnuts. I took the wingnuts from the Round Badge I have, but the mounts weren't the cleanest so I ran a tap though them to clean out the threads. I also took the floor tom legs from the RB, but have since replaced them with legs from an old Pearl Export. The Pearl legs better match the style of legs Gretsch used in the 70's. The RB legs are straighter and honestly less stable lol. To keep the tom mount from rattling around on the bass drum I cut some scrap tube from a cymbal stand and installed them in the mount to keep everything tight and secure. There was also a decent amount of Silver Sealer on the bearing edge so I went ahead and lightly scraped off the excess. Last thing I did was cut out a decal for the bass drum head. I tuned this kit to that 70s sound!
The snare used at end of the video is a 14"x5" Gracy (MIJ) that I got it in a trade awhile ago. I got it because I had just got the RB that was spray painted, so I needed a Gretsch snare to go with it. Well, Gretsch snares are too expensive for me, so a cheap MIJ snare with Grestch style lugs was close enough lol. Still sounds great, though!
I Finally Bought a Vintage Gretsch Drum Set - 1970s Gretsch Kit
Finally cool kid and have a Gretsch 😎
To get $5 off your Magic Spoon variety pack and get a head start on your health and fitness resolutions, click this link: magicspoon.thld.co/RDAVIDR_0122 and use code RDAVIDR at checkout!
Plis make videos on entry level drum set pliss 😀
Sick video dude
Also sick set
love your channel. i live here in Africa, and the quality of product we get is pretty terrible. Can you do a tutorial on drum head tuning for shitty quality drum heads? thanks
Pro tip, use a sink plug cover to cover the bass drum mount bracket 👌🏻
Hey David, thanks so much for the shout out! Most of the drummers on our staff have been watching your videos for years and always love seeing what you have on the workbench!
Enjoy your new (old) Gretsch, and let us know if you need some new heads (with or without our logo)!
I definitely need to take a trip to your store!
@@rdavidr we would love to have you!
damn this was unexpected
I love that 70s tuning actually something about it is kind of special
I actually preferred it as well.
Oh hey! Your bass drum patch is off center 😠.
@@polyduckwanaland Who are you even talking to
@@eboone the original commenter’s bass drum patch is off center
That Vintage Gretsch "oomph" bass drum sound is sexy AF.
I just realized that after many years of watching this guy, I'm more looking forward to the playing than the actual sound. Very tasteful, juicy drumming without being a showoff, that I could honestly listen to for hours on end.
He's a bit of a "go-to" drummer. Can't go wrong with the style 👍
rDavidr is a great drummer and he really inspires a lot of other drummers to try something new or tinker with your gear in a way that may have been too scary without seeing how easy it can be. Seems like a legit nice guy too
This kit sounds absolutely insane. Looks beautiful aswell
T H E R E I S N O P L A N E T B !¡!
@@boscodogable O P E N Y O U R E Y E S A N D L I G H T T H E F L U I D
Now i understand why Gretsch uses that motto: "That Gretsch Sound". Because it's really characteristic of them.
Something about Gretsch kicks that I love.
This kit sounds fantastic.
Wheaton, MD or Silver Spring, MD is where Chuck Levin's Washington Music Center is. I grew up in Northern Virginia and also spent a few of my young adult years living and working very close to this music store.
I live in Hagerstown Md it’s right next to Frederick. Small world.
Fredericker reporting in 👋
Now I live in Seattle, WA (second time, actually) and only miss Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. every once in a while.
It's funny how most high end kits can sound alike and whatever you want them to, but Gretsches just sound exactly like yours! I think Gretsch Jaspers will always be the one drum that I can point out in a blind fold test. I will NEVER part with mine :)
I used to think using pinstripes as resources heads was a mortal sin until I bought a used Ludwig keystone kit from a guy who really knew what he was doing. It really is amazing.
Great vid! This kit sounds and looks incredible. Nothing like an old Gretsch.
Agreed
@@PublicSchoolFinance I have a set of 68 Round Badge. Unfortunately the Snare was destroyed in a bar fight (70's) so that part of it is missing.
It also needs some TLC
I am going to be creating an SF2 file for midi applications using the tuning of the classic Gretsch that I can use for accompaniment files.
There’s not like any gretsch to quite honest…. There’s no other drum brand in the world better to me
3:32 That has to be one of the cleanest, most natural ad transitions ever, if not the best.
I bought a round badge, 20, 13, 16 for $25 from a garage sale. It had kitchen shelf contact paper, covering latex house paint. After about 40 hours of sanding and another 20 hours of refinishing, it was a gem. I reluctantly sold it, then was randomly reunited with it at a drum shop about 10 years later.
Finding Nemo..
About time, GRETSCH is the only way to roll! That great great sound!!
Feels like it's been a while since you've done a video where you clean or restore drums! Missed this stuff man
the most vintage drums and most modern cereal ... the perfect combo
My god , the sound of a Gretsch bass drum never gets old
Even Phil Collins when he was using Premier Drums in conjunction with his favored USA Custom kit used the 20 kick off his Gretsch kit in most studio sessions, you can see him using it on the George Martin Beatles tribute sessions on his Premier Soundwave kit! That kick definitely has a kick to it (pun intended)!
Gretsch kits are the best. One of my dreams to own one.
Crazy to think rdavidr was just a madman drummer making his own equipment, then slowly transitioned into testing weird things, to restoring kits, who knows what'll be next maybe he will have his own drum shop. (That'd be so cool) Love ya rdavidr stay cool mate!
Dude this is the best sounding kit I've heard to date on your channel.
Love Gretsch ❤️
Fun fact: that silver paint inside the drums is galvanized fence paint!
That opening of it not being tuned since the 70's would record very well.
The tuning in the beginning of the video made for the best sounding Gretsch kit I've heard. Usually all cranked up for some jazzy guy. The tuning you used after the clean up sounds sweet!
Either a super high tuning or super low, phil collins-y, tuning is typically what I associate with Gretsch. After hearing it how it was tuned I knew I had to keep it low. I probably could have brought the toms up a bit more tho
@@rdavidr that Gretsch drum set sounds so good I have a DW drum set
High tuning is what people think of when they think Gretsch, but I once read Tony Williams' drum tech saying that Tony played with his reso heads basically finger tight and that sometimes tension rods would rattle loose during a set. After that, I dropped the tuning on my RB toms and never looked back
Just got done cleaning g up a late 60s round badge rock n roll outfit with COB snare...out of the box it just sounds like great studio ready drums
Chuck Levins is an amazing store! It’s awesome to check out!
thats what everyone is saying. I gotta go now haha
I really dig the snare sound oh my!
You may not agree but I think they still sounded good with the old heads on them . That's how great those old Jasper shells sound to me. But of course after cleaning them up and putting on new heads the sound is exponentially better. Not sure if you know this but the old Gretsch shells had a reputation for uneven bearing edges. Not sure if that adds to the sound in an accidentally cool way or not but a lot of drum smiths will sort that out.
My stop sign badge Gretsch kit is my best recording kit and that's going up against several other high end kits. I took them off the shelf last week after being up there for over decade. They still have 20 year old heads on them but they sounded incredible on the demos we did. I think they sound better then they did when they were brand new in 1984. I think there's something about old, aged wood that makes good shells sound sweeter and more refined. But maybe I should put new heads on them anyway. 😹
Good lord those drums sound incredible.
Best sounding kit you've had on the channel.
Just wanted to say Chuck Levin's is my go to spot for any new stuff I buy. Fantastic store and drum department.
A great era for Gretsch! I’ve got a 1979 kit that is one of my favs!! Enjoy!!
That tom sound is phenomenal
You know craft. Did a nice job cleaning it up, sounds great!!!!
Jedi level sponsor integration! Hilarious and creative!
Beautiful drums
FYI great video, Chuck Levin's was the go to store for touring musicians when they needed something quickly for a show in the DC area. I have shopped there over 20 plus years. Bought my first John Bonham Vistalite kit from Chuck's in 1973.
🤘
They sound great
Tama and Gretsch really are the kings of drums
Those black dot heads have a unique sound. They make a drum sound like a marimba.
A rather dull sound for a drum really. I prefer a more lively sound. What I do is mix the types : if coated heads are on top , put clears on the bottoms or vice versa. Or two plys on top and one plys on the bottom. Get a nice character out of the drums by blending the head choices.
Chuck's is my go-to local music store. Still family owned and awesome!
Awwh heck yeah man! Beautiful kit
probably the best drum sound i've ever heard, wow!
David, what a cool story about having found the person who sold the kit origiannly. That kit sounds amazing! Great video, thank you for sharing.
Gretsch is one of my favorite and that kit explains why..
Gosh dernit that kit sounds heckn sweet 🧁
Nice buy! I have one same color and year (70s) that my uncle gave me. It’s a 7 piece beast. 10,12,13,14 toms with a 18in floor tom and 24in kick. The snare is a brass snare so doesn’t match the color but sounds great. Tasty playing!
Wow...love the sound of this kit.
Amazing job on this restoration project 👏
rdavidr, I can't believe how you hit the Toms and get that great sought after sound with no overtoning ringing. This sound escapes me and drives me crazy. I'm no Gog player, I'm 70 YO, and play for recreation to MY Music. But my OCD drives me to attain that "nice" Tom sound that evades me so. I have a PDP Concept Maple 6 drum kit. Bought it used at 50% of it's new price in excellent condition[ Kudos to Guitar Center for making good on a new Bass drum front wood Flange (?) which was damaged in shipping ] replaced the batter heads with Evans G2s Coated, leaving the Clear Reso heads that came standard (stamped as Remo). I've watched many Tuning Videos (Jared on Drumeo, Cody on Sounds Like A Drum, Rob Brown (one of the funnier people on the Interweb especially about his approach to Drumming), and more, and I just can't get to That SWEET Spot that I am to get. I am using Evans e-Rings which help, but I am unable to get to that Sound without aids. Thanks to All, appreciate any other tips!! FTR, My Music consists of: Petty, Beatles, Stones, Clapton, Mellencamp, Doobie Bros, Fleetwood Mac, Cars, Talking Heads, Eagles, Springsteen, Etheridge, evenm, Bonnie Raitt and Linda Ronstadt, and more - basic Rock and Roll - no Metal, No Punk.
pipe caps, brilliant!!!!
such a beautiful kit, both in sound and looks
I *literally* just bought one of these kits. Not even joking. SO STOKED.
I purchased my first Gretsch snare drum a few years back and it is hands down the best snare I’ve ever owned
sweet!
Love this kit. Juicy, solid playing as always.
Pro tip, use a sink plug cover to cover the bass drum mount bracket 👌🏻
kit sounds amazing!
Chuck Levins is a family owned DC institution they are a phenomenal music shop they can find anything.
This one hundred percent. It was like nirvana for us drummers in high school back in the 90s. It became mythical. "you can find Noble and Cooley Marching Snares there!" When we finally got our parents to take us up there, I was absolutely blown away from how much STUFF they stuffed into that store. It was amazing.
Great job on a great kit!
Very cool sounding and looking! 😊💖💖💖
I’ve had a gretsch drum kit for 5 years it’s aweshum
Sounds BEAUTIFUL
Sounds amazing 🥁
this kit is just fantastic....no more words...great david..go on:)
David, that Gretsch sounds amazing! The Tama snare you played with it also was crispy, but I think you have to find a Gretsch snare to accompany that kit. Sweet!
Those toms sound amazing!
The tuning doesn't even sound bad. Pretty comfy.
Always love the way kick sounds
That kit sounds killer. I really need to get a Gretsch kit. Thanks for sharing the video.
Amazing job! It sounds insane 🔥
Awesome!!! I just got my first round badge set too.
Oh baby. Lovely kit.
I like it! Had a 1950’s slingerland. Also a sixties Ludwig.
Watched this video the other night on my tablet, and because my phone was eavesdropping an ad for Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center just popped up on FB
Sounds really good!
Love those phat tones coming from those pinstripes!
Kit sounds amazing. I picked up a new Gretsch Renown recently. Super excited about it.
Gretsch make some of the best drums. I might be a little biased because I’ve played a renowned maple for 15+ years 😂
Such a great video!
Sounds Fantastic!
Finallyyyyyy 🙌🏻🙌🏻 gretsch kits are 100% my all time favorite
The early Gretsch sounds so nice. Good score on this one!
@rdavidr Man you truly deserve all the subs... you make it fun and relaxing. After following you for years I would also like to mention that your drumming skills have improved to a level that is REALLY admirable! Respect from a fellow drummer.
Oh, that great Gretsch sound!!
Good stuff David Gretsch makes some of the best equipment in the business!
I have my original set of 1979 Gretsch! Those drum sound awesome! Enjoy David!
I have TWO stop signs. They are truly incredible. I’ve never owned an older round badge but those are great 2. Huge fan.
Very Nice ! Mine is a stop badge 1974 ! So long !
Never thought that this combo of drum heads would sound good on the toms. But I love it!
Great video, love the new look and sounds great! The background play along music was cool too,loved it as well. I play Gretsch as well, thanks!
Sweet sounding kit
That Great Gretsch Sound!
Sounds amazing
Love the kit! I have a cymbal stand offcut that I'm using as a guitar finger slide
Yes Sir, these do sound amazing !
That progressive jazz kit is just my style
What an amazing kit..!!! You sure know how to fix these, love all your tools and the way you recycle other parts, really smart, quick and simple solutions, kit looks and sounds amazing..!! Loved this video man..!!! Great work..!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I love Gretsch kits! The renown series is excellent for the cost. One of the best parts about these older Gretsch kits are the die-cast hoops.
Your best sounding kit!
Nothing like a gretsch for my money no better sounding drum on the planet and that's a bold statement I stand by
It's that Great Gretsch Sound!!