...I bought my first Gretsch kit in 1967 and I still have it along with all the other Gretsch drums I purchased after that - they served me extremely well for a 50 year professional career "at the top of my game" - nothing more to say!
From Keith Jones Christian session drummer North Devon now retired to Bude Cornwall. I used Gretsch drums for many years for live and recorded work. Always a great sound with these drums, in fact I own 4 of your Gretsch kits ranging from 18,20,22 and 24 bass drum. You can read about when I met up with Mitch Mitchell at his house with my group Flying Fortress when I played on his Gretsch drums. You can read this in the book The Grail Guitar by Chris Adams. God Bless all your work you have done for all us drummers. Take Care (K.J.) Psalm 23.
Nice to see the history laid out, but especially being narrated by a member of the family. True story: Tonight, I attended an outdoor concert and, as the Buddy Holly tribute band began playing, I could tell the drummer was using a Gretsch kit from my seat 60-feet away -- not by sight but by the sound. Sure enough, at intermission, I walked up to the stage for a closer look and saw that I was right. You can't beat that great Gretsch sound. I love my Gretsch drums!
I can go on and on and on and on and on and on about the joy my vintage Gretsch drums bring me... the only drums you can play in an open field and you have tone for days; think about that no reflection like you would have being indoors or even downtown busking on the sidewalk and everything about the drums speak tone and tone and tone and ultimate undisturbed resonance.. no other drums I've ever played ever have the nuance and feel and tone and response at all tuning ranges (except for my canopus zelkova snare, I really want a Lang Gladstone as well).. my bandmates chuckle because I often stop to take a moment and say "it's hard to describe to all of you how happy I am with my sound and my tone everyday all the time, every room indoors outdoors etc"..very moving to say the least.. and yes a drum with no reinforcement hoops finished on the inside and outside with nice heavy diecast rims is the ultimate drum for an undisturbed responsive highly musical articulate sound... and there I went on and on... after spending so much time in music stores and at vintage drum shops and on the road gigging there is everything to say about the unique place for these instruments and this brand and how it sets itself apart immediately.. yes that silver paint does some magic with reflective almost extra Amplified sound, even as an acoustic instrument they always give more every time you want more out of them, and in many ways I find it shocking every drum in general doesn't have a diecast rim on it but don't get me started.. the only thing keeping me from Modern Gretsch drums is that they are not spring Loaded lugs anymore; the heavy duty resistance of those Springs in those older lugs has so much to do with some of the magic. Those heavy old lugs are the best and I do always wrap the springs in felt even though it's a little bit of a long process to take everything off pad them and put them back on.. no matter the situation professional or personal no one plays my drums and I never ever play anyone else's.. I've made many many managers and sound Engineers very pissed off because I refuse to play anyone else's set even if it means I setup my 18 12 14 in front of the drum riser in front of the other drum set with just one overhead and one bass drum mic /I've screamed at people and gotten in arguments and walked off if I'm not playing my Gretsch set.. super Gretsch nerd for life/don't often get to share these kinds of details with everybody/life's short sometimes, so good to share.. thank you Gretsch family thank you thank you.. with all the history and changes and consistencies and overall missions all of you know what's up and that's great.. it's 4:45 a.m. in Chicago I just got home from four gigs in 24 hours/I'm staring at one vintage gretsch that stays at home and one vintage Gretsch that are in my pro1 bags that I gig with, and I'm eating dinner doing music homework on UA-cam breaking for Gretsch videos.. finally read the first Gretsch book and those interviews in the back or something else excited to read the book that came out somewhat recent.. always interesting to know all the details and facts we all appreciate that big time.. I promise I'm done thanks so much carry on.
I was able to appreciate the distinction of Gretsch solid tone in the mix of NYC and my life. Studio control in the professional environment live in the room ability to stand up to the microphone professional mix. As possible thanks for the preference and Craftmade instruments I have been able to appreciate 🙏 Good Feeling Gracious New Year ✨and ❤ 2023 ❤ !@!
What an amazing and powerful history of this iconic great sounding drums. I recently owned a Gretsch drums and i will like to know what model and year is, can you provide an email to provide info and picture. Thank you for these amazing sounding drums
Right now, I have 4 Gretsch kits. '73, '79, '04 and '18. Two things on my short bucket list. Visit the Chicago Drum show and, the big one, visit the Ridgeland factory. Maybe to pick up a new drum.
I hope that someday that Gretsch will move back to Brooklyn someday but in a new facility. We can hopefully bring back musical instrument manufacturing and building to my home New York City. #MAKEBROOKLYNGRETSCHAGAIN
I just acquired a real barn find gretsch bass drum.22" diameter x 12" deep.has round badge,silver sealer inside.the finish was blue with a narrow silver stripe in the middle. The hardware appears to be nickel.the tunning rods have t rods on one end with threads on the other end with a very small center lug.the drum tunes both heads at the same time.it came with small clamp on bass spurs.please help me with the year of the drum.after watching your video it resembles something from the 20s_ the 30s.please send me a reply,thank you sincerely david.
Got my first kit in 74 , not because the were the best because by that time I knew what getting ,, 50 bucks superior music downtown Cleveland, they were a mess ,, I rebuild my kit on 23 st carpentry shop , ,, I wish I could afford a new kit , but I Owen a gold swirl kik and a black kit , and I'm thinking of ripping off all the plastic , and painting my black kit ,, that said like an LP you have to start with a top quality product , then you can mod it your self ,,,,
What beautiful Gretsch Family history! I'm not sure how I'll do it, but I am going to get me a Gretsch kit again..... I must! Thanks and Blessings!!!
...I bought my first Gretsch kit in 1967 and I still have it along with all the other Gretsch drums I purchased after that - they served me extremely well for a 50 year professional career "at the top of my game" - nothing more to say!
🙏
From Keith Jones Christian session drummer North Devon now retired to Bude Cornwall. I used Gretsch drums for many years for live and recorded work. Always a great sound with these drums, in fact I own 4 of your Gretsch kits ranging from 18,20,22 and 24 bass drum. You can read about when I met up with Mitch Mitchell at his house with my group Flying Fortress when I played on his Gretsch drums. You can read this in the book The Grail Guitar by Chris Adams. God Bless all your work you have done for all us drummers. Take Care (K.J.) Psalm 23.
Nice to see the history laid out, but especially being narrated by a member of the family. True story: Tonight, I attended an outdoor concert and, as the Buddy Holly tribute band began playing, I could tell the drummer was using a Gretsch kit from my seat 60-feet away -- not by sight but by the sound. Sure enough, at intermission, I walked up to the stage for a closer look and saw that I was right. You can't beat that great Gretsch sound. I love my Gretsch drums!
That great gretsch sound.
I can go on and on and on and on and on and on about the joy my vintage Gretsch drums bring me... the only drums you can play in an open field and you have tone for days; think about that no reflection like you would have being indoors or even downtown busking on the sidewalk and everything about the drums speak tone and tone and tone and ultimate undisturbed resonance.. no other drums I've ever played ever have the nuance and feel and tone and response at all tuning ranges (except for my canopus zelkova snare, I really want a Lang Gladstone as well).. my bandmates chuckle because I often stop to take a moment and say "it's hard to describe to all of you how happy I am with my sound and my tone everyday all the time, every room indoors outdoors etc"..very moving to say the least.. and yes a drum with no reinforcement hoops finished on the inside and outside with nice heavy diecast rims is the ultimate drum for an undisturbed responsive highly musical articulate sound... and there I went on and on... after spending so much time in music stores and at vintage drum shops and on the road gigging there is everything to say about the unique place for these instruments and this brand and how it sets itself apart immediately.. yes that silver paint does some magic with reflective almost extra Amplified sound, even as an acoustic instrument they always give more every time you want more out of them, and in many ways I find it shocking every drum in general doesn't have a diecast rim on it but don't get me started.. the only thing keeping me from Modern Gretsch drums is that they are not spring Loaded lugs anymore; the heavy duty resistance of those Springs in those older lugs has so much to do with some of the magic. Those heavy old lugs are the best and I do always wrap the springs in felt even though it's a little bit of a long process to take everything off pad them and put them back on.. no matter the situation professional or personal no one plays my drums and I never ever play anyone else's.. I've made many many managers and sound Engineers very pissed off because I refuse to play anyone else's set even if it means I setup my 18 12 14 in front of the drum riser in front of the other drum set with just one overhead and one bass drum mic /I've screamed at people and gotten in arguments and walked off if I'm not playing my Gretsch set.. super Gretsch nerd for life/don't often get to share these kinds of details with everybody/life's short sometimes, so good to share.. thank you Gretsch family thank you thank you.. with all the history and changes and consistencies and overall missions all of you know what's up and that's great.. it's 4:45 a.m. in Chicago I just got home from four gigs in 24 hours/I'm staring at one vintage gretsch that stays at home and one vintage Gretsch that are in my pro1 bags that I gig with, and I'm eating dinner doing music homework on UA-cam breaking for Gretsch videos.. finally read the first Gretsch book and those interviews in the back or something else excited to read the book that came out somewhat recent.. always interesting to know all the details and facts we all appreciate that big time.. I promise I'm done thanks so much carry on.
Got my first Gretsch drums in 1963. Got a new set about two years ago. Love the sound.
Very cool.
Just got a set of Brooklyn's, love that great Gretsch sound. Black oyster, beautiful and sound amazing!
Been playing Gretsch for over 40yrs.
Thank you Todd!
Great day was having a personal tour with Fred seeing all this history from my favorite Drums…..❤
I was able to appreciate the distinction of Gretsch solid tone in the mix of NYC and my life.
Studio control in the professional environment live in the room ability to stand up to the microphone professional mix.
As possible thanks for the preference and Craftmade instruments I have been able to appreciate 🙏
Good Feeling Gracious New Year ✨and ❤
2023
❤
!@!
❤️ this, the drums, the history, but most importantly, the family.
Thank you Fred and Dinah for everything!
I very much enjoyed watching this. Thank you.
Great Video. Thanks for the History Lesson. Gretsch.. the best sound in Drums.
Thank you
This is great, man.
❤️ this, the drums, the company and most of all, the family! Thanks to Fred and Dinah for everything!
Excellent story! As a New Yorker, I wish you were still in Brooklyn 👍🏾
Really enjoyed the history lesson. Thank you!
Wow!!!! What more can ya say!!!!!
One of my drums being made at 4:14 abalone nitron 👍
What an amazing and powerful history of this iconic great sounding drums. I recently owned a Gretsch drums and i will like to know what model and year is, can you provide an email to provide info and picture. Thank you for these amazing sounding drums
No Drum sounds like a Gretsch.....They're just that good !
💯
Very cool.
Right now, I have 4 Gretsch kits. '73, '79, '04 and '18. Two things on my short bucket list. Visit the Chicago Drum show and, the big one, visit the Ridgeland factory. Maybe to pick up a new drum.
🙏
I love my Gretsch Kit.
😀
I hope that someday that Gretsch will move back to Brooklyn someday but in a new facility. We can hopefully bring back musical instrument manufacturing and building to my home New York City. #MAKEBROOKLYNGRETSCHAGAIN
I should've never sold mine !! 🍺 😎 👍
I just acquired a real barn find gretsch bass drum.22" diameter x 12" deep.has round badge,silver sealer inside.the finish was blue with a narrow silver stripe in the middle. The hardware appears to be nickel.the tunning rods have t rods on one end with threads on the other end with a very small center lug.the drum tunes both heads at the same time.it came with small clamp on bass spurs.please help me with the year of the drum.after watching your video it resembles something from the 20s_ the 30s.please send me a reply,thank you sincerely david.
Got my first kit in 74 , not because the were the best because by that time I knew what getting ,, 50 bucks superior music downtown Cleveland, they were a mess ,, I rebuild my kit on 23 st carpentry shop , ,, I wish I could afford a new kit , but I Owen a gold swirl kik and a black kit , and I'm thinking of ripping off all the plastic , and painting my black kit ,, that said like an LP you have to start with a top quality product , then you can mod it your self ,,,,
I heard that DW Company owns Gretsch now, can you explain what really happening? Thank you.
Gretsch Drums was acquired by DW from Fender Guitars. Gretsch is still run independently and made at the Gretsch Drums Factory. 👍
@@gretschdrumsusa Thank you for clarity! Long life Gretsch! Another 135 years!
🙏.