Buying and Fixing a Vintage Gretsch Drum Set - 1970s Gretsch Kit!

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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:
imp.i114863.ne...
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:
imp.i114863.ne...
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

[@rdavidr]

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!

[@dadina_zote]

Plis make videos on entry level drum set pliss 😀

[@letsgobrandon6969]

Sick video dude

[@letsgobrandon6969]

Also sick set

[@Augfordpdoggie]

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

[@Johnnodonoughue]

Pro tip, use a sink plug cover to cover the bass drum mount bracket 👌🏻

[@ChuckLevins]

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)!

[@rdavidr]

I definitely need to take a trip to your store!

[@ChuckLevins]

@@rdavidr we would love to have you!

[@0xmusou]

damn this was unexpected

[@TessaAnderson]

I love that 70s tuning actually something about it is kind of special

[@patrickduclos-knott1864]

I actually preferred it as well.

[@polyduckwanaland]

Oh hey! Your bass drum patch is off center 😠.

[@eboone]

@@polyduckwanaland Who are you even talking to

[@polyduckwanaland]

@@eboone the original commenter’s bass drum patch is off center

[@giullianomartini]

That Vintage Gretsch "oomph" bass drum sound is sexy AF.

[@Boston84]

This kit sounds absolutely insane. Looks beautiful aswell

[@boscodogable]

T H E R E I S N O P L A N E T B !¡!

[@pompouskatfish5402]

@@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

[@giullianomartini]

Now i understand why Gretsch uses that motto: "That Gretsch Sound". Because it's really characteristic of them.

[@BeastOfSoda]

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.

[@danlozza]

He's a bit of a "go-to" drummer. Can't go wrong with the style 👍

[@tjreyna1]

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

[@Officialshayne]

CHARLIE WATTS!

[@SmokeBreakStudios]

This kit sounds fantastic.

[@barny15]

Great vid! This kit sounds and looks incredible. Nothing like an old Gretsch.

[@PublicSchoolFinance]

Agreed

[@chrish7336]

@@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.

[@melsanchez05]

There’s not like any gretsch to quite honest…. There’s no other drum brand in the world better to me

[@DrummerGrrrl]

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.

[@cdawg-switchhitter2473]

I live in Hagerstown Md it’s right next to Frederick. Small world.

[@ranielyfire]

Fredericker reporting in 👋

[@DrummerGrrrl]

Now I live in Seattle, WA (second time, actually) and only miss Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. every once in a while.

[@TM_Stone]

Where's the drum husband, Stephen? He out shopping?

[@recksroller2220]

3:32 That has to be one of the cleanest, most natural ad transitions ever, if not the best.

[@Leotardoification]

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 :)

[@percusswords]

Feels like it's been a while since you've done a video where you clean or restore drums! Missed this stuff man

[@samcook1545]

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.

[@hockeyfreak896890]

Dude this is the best sounding kit I've heard to date on your channel.

[@kingfresh3495]

The Drum set really sounds good. Can you pls tell me what mic you used for the kick drum?

[@rdavidr]

lewitt 640 rex. Its actually 2 mics in one

[@kingfresh3495]

@@rdavidr Okay Thanks ✌

[@Rhythmic1]

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. 😹

[@Dzwonek05]

If you got a grestch Then buy a sonor or DDrum

[@rdavidr]

A Sonors been on the list for awhile... one day

[@marscounty]

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!

[@rdavidr]

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

[@ryanhutchinson9657]

@@rdavidr that Gretsch drum set sounds so good I have a DW drum set

[@manysnakes]

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

[@TomSmith-hq1ok]

I've heard the legends of people using pinstripes on the bottom, never actually seen someone do it- so nice to know it sounds amazing. Really strange to have a heavier bottom head than top. How did you tune the pinstripes and cs dots?

[@rdavidr]

Just tight enough so the resos have tone. The the batters are pretty loose. Probably a turn past finger tight

[@Stratman78]

@Tom Smith That's interesting you said that. I read that when Chad Wackerman was with Frank Zappa, Chad's drum tech convinced him to use Remo Pinstripes as resonant heads & Remo Ambassadors as batter heads. Who was the drum tech? John Good, who I do believe was working with DW Drums at that time.

[@omegalamda3145]

Sound great.

[@TomSmith-hq1ok]

@@Stratman78 That's so cool, I wonder why everything changed to the standard 10 mil clear resolution heads

[@TomSmith-hq1ok]

@@Stratman78 I can't even find any videos of pinstripes on the bottom apart from Dave's

[@garrettguadiana1327]

Something about Gretsch kicks that I love.

[@stevenraparelli3396]

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!

[@brandoncook5186]

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!

[@akleperp]

Fun fact: that silver paint inside the drums is galvanized fence paint!

[@artcorvolet]

About time, GRETSCH is the only way to roll! That great great sound!!

[@Fl_Broccodile]

Finally

[@smalllhank]

I also have a drum set that says Chuck Levins on it, I got it from goodwill for $75. It’s a piece of shit but I love it.

[@rdavidr]

thats awesome!

[@wenosaracheno3942]

Chuck Levins is an amazing store! It’s awesome to check out!

[@rdavidr]

thats what everyone is saying. I gotta go now haha

[@scottmcfadyen293]

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.

[@hoggboyy]

That sponsor segway though....

[@rdavidr]

😏

[@peacemusic6512]

Usually Remo Clear Bottom, Coated White top is best for those beauty's! Once you go Gretsch,, there's really no going back to anything else!! Thank you for producing great videos,, Much Appreciation!! (>‿◠)✌

[@fastfrank-ca1936]

Hello Drum Master David, as I have mentioned in the past, I am so jealous of your shop. I wish I lived closer so we could play together. The T.J. marching drum rebuild was Great ! This Gretch kid was cool to watch you work your magic 🎩 Dude, how long have you been collecting stuff for all your drawers & bins ? Luv the channel & now your commerical endorsements for that Big Time look & feel. Not to mention $$$. You need to take up Chuck Levins for some drum heads. Best of Health & keep it in the Groove. 😎

[@danlozza]

Though it prob has an interesting tone, the pinstripes on the reso will destroy what's great about gretsches....the resonance of the shells. Thinner heads/one ply's will make them sing, but this is a "purist's" point of view. Nice vid.

[@rdavidr]

I debated going with the cliche Gretsch tuning, but after hearing them how they were tuned originally I knew I had to keep that sound! haha

[@theswime945]

Love your vids dude, best thing about this one is that it's sponsored by cereal. Sooooo, the 'Vintage Gretcsh' phenomenon- we're all biased towards it, but why?? Legacy (1940s/50s) marketing? Are they really any better than other shells of the same era? Every 'proper' kit you've ever posted sounds fantastic, because you have a good understanding of different head types and (the dark art of) tuning, play very well, and then record them appropriately. Does this one sound better than eg the Tama Superstar, or indeed a Pearl Export with a bit of informed modding? I reckon in a blind test I'd do better at discerning the heads and shell size rather than the brand/vintage of shell. Just my thoughts. Keep the ideas coming mate. Fab stuff. Cheers.

[@drummermomcjs]

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.

[@stevelinwood8362]

You know craft. Did a nice job cleaning it up, sounds great!!!!

[@HR2635]

@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.

[@RedDogMamaHD]

I bet that bowl of cereal was way more than one serving 😅🤣🤣

[@rdavidr]

yeah... you would need a couple boxes to fill that drum 😂

[@bryanherward4679]

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

[@Chiroman527]

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.

[@matthewsherman9765]

Chuck Levins is a family owned DC institution they are a phenomenal music shop they can find anything.

[@smoothknyte]

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.

[@acemechanical275]

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.

[@MikeBerbano]

Finding Nemo..

[@windsof]

Man, gretsch are dope! Their new broadcaster set trumps most others in sound comparison! Decent ring to them.

[@Nariji197]

I really dig the snare sound oh my!

[@timkerwin6886]

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.

[@ChuckLevins]

🤘

[@andycamp3]

I thought the Magic Spoon bit was a joke at first

[@drumsNstuff79]

You are going to love those! A nice addition indeed! I hear so many stories about vintage Gretsch drums being a secret weapon in the studio for many drummers. Ross Garfield, The Drum Doctor, rents many out. It's a thing that a famous drummer will endorse brand A drums but secretly use a vintage Gretsch round badge to record with. It got Chad Smith in a fight with Pearl drums right before he left to join DW. They had photographed him with a arm load of Grammy awards for an ad. But in the ad they stated he used a recent series of Pearl drums to record the record that won all those awards. He did have those drums in the studio but he actually ended up using an old Gretsch round badge kit and was not too happy Pearl said other wise in the ad that ran in the front of Modern Drummer magazine. He felt like a liar a bit.

[@diverdave4056]

its always nice to clean the rims and put some car wax on them to help keep them shiny

[@smkwhatsnext3411]

Nothing like a gretsch for my money no better sounding drum on the planet and that's a bold statement I stand by

[@niteshades_promise]

sploosh💦 sounds soo good. interesting head combo.🤔🍻

[@DrummerPayne1979]

That kit sounds killer. I really need to get a Gretsch kit. Thanks for sharing the video.

[@matthewmanes]

Why has it taken me so long to find you?!! haha. Great stuff man!

[@codylevidrums9377]

Awwh heck yeah man! Beautiful kit

[@franktatom1837]

Nice video! However . . . the Jasper shells used for Gretsch drums, which yours should have (and which are not made anymore), combined with the Gretsch edge and sealer, are tone monsters. Try them with heads that resonate a bit more and see how you like the sound.

[@MartinBellamyMBDrums]

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!

[@squidud]

Woweeee those toms are the definition of *phat*

[@rdavidr]

😏

[@InRodWeTrust2112]

Beautiful drums

[@lodougherty]

Good lord those drums sound incredible.

[@paraparadiddel]

Nice Video, and of course nice Gretsch! I also recently bought one, a little bit younger than yours, different Sizes (24,14,15,16), but same finish, and I LOVE IT. Have fun with it!

[@thomasmcmasters9915]

That kit missing the floor tom may not be missing the floor tom. It was a trend to offer cheaper kits with just a snare, kick and rack tom in the 60s.

[@jamesnortonofficial1566]

No wonder Charlie Watts loved his kit

[@ImSueeb]

anyone else in a rut with drums?

[@joebrooks7487]

Just like a stitch while on a run… keep on going!

[@Seabree]

1:19 still sounds better than my drums 🤣

[@curtisburns]

Best sounding kit you've had on the channel.

[@Danielhofjr]

Gosh dernit that kit sounds heckn sweet 🧁

[@hillie47]

What do you use to get the print off the heads?

[@noahreasoner]

Finallyyyyyy 🙌🏻🙌🏻 gretsch kits are 100% my all time favorite

[@cymbalism1]

welcome to the Gretsch owners family!!! I have a RB kit ('69?). The good news about your kit is the shells look in very decent shape; no checking of the lacquer, and they seem in-round too!! The hoops look quite nice as well. No rusting and couldn't see any pitting either!! The bad news is that era, the hardware was a disaster. I know you've figured that out already. The mounts on toms, and bass drums were wretched, and the bass spurs were silly too!! If you hear any buzzing from the drums, the springs inside the lugs are vibrating (common in that series). Not sure why you didn't do (or show) a serious cleaning of the hardware and badges?Make those babies pristine!!! They're totally worth it!! And enjoy that Great Gretsch Sound as there's nothing like it tbh!!

[@Constable_Bob]

Man, that’s cool. That’s all I have to say.

[@Gretsch0997]

My god , the sound of a Gretsch bass drum never gets old

[@IAmInfinitus208]

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)!

[@vazquez808]

Awesome!!! I just got my first round badge set too.

[@ericvanderbeek9378]

love it!

[@slavicharrystyles6914]

Gretsch kits are the best. One of my dreams to own one.

[@andresmarin5328]

But it´s not the same snare at 1:32 and 9:09

[@mancuniancandidatem]

Beautiful! Lucky for me I own the exact same kit. Same Stop Sign era, same sizes, same finish. Best sounding drums I ever owned. I found a matching 10x8 in the same finish but with a square badge. (80s era)

[@Philtoid]

How did you sound proof your room ?

[@kevincallanan2584]

They sound great

[@Johnnodonoughue]

Pro tip, use a sink plug cover to cover the bass drum mount bracket 👌🏻

[@M4RCM0NT31R0]

Ooooh! Let's see you bust out some Tony Williams!

[@claysmell]

pipe caps, brilliant!!!!

[@williamperri3437]

Very smart move. Catalina club is arguably the best bang-for-the-buck out there. If you haven't played a Catalina Club I would suggest doing it immediately, especially an 18in Kick Drum

[@enzojacobsen4349]

The snare and kick are so fucking good it’s insane.

[@1thess523]

MIJ kits usually have a nice deep tone especially their kick drums, I have a MIJ Pearl Challenger Mahogany kit from the 60's in blue sparkle and then I was using my brother's little MIJ 20 in Maxitone and they are beefy for 20in

[@tbtdylarn8611]

So nobody’s gonna talk about that amazing sponsor segue

[@rdavidr]

😎

[@erikondrums]

Your best sounding kit!

[@bartomiejmanko1188]

Hi David Did You considered to try Yamaha Hex Holder to fit in this tom hole? I be been watching one local set like this ssb but in black nitron and finaly on september 2021 i got it. It's 22x14bd, 13x9 14x10 rack toms and 16x16ft (for me very strange and rare configuration) From time to time I make something with it. I still have missing bottom die cast hoops to 14 and 16 and bass drum spurs and these tomholders. I thought about newer spurs and gts for toms but i dont wanna drill extra holes in bass drum shell. Then I thought about Yamaha holders to use these strange brackets and save money of course. Please let me know if you have Yamaha holders in your great workshop and when you check if it fits in. All best for you :)

[@porklavich]

I purchased my first Gretsch snare drum a few years back and it is hands down the best snare I’ve ever owned

[@rdavidr]

sweet!

[@RickyBellMusic]

I have the same kit. 1978 USA Maple. 24, 12, 13, 16, with a matching snare. Added a 10 and 15 that are 1985 square badge. See it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZPEZH5_jpWpaac

[@bowmoneydrums]

CHUCK LEVINS!!!!!!

[@klojke]

A Charlie Watts kit

[@IndigoMusicStudios]

kit sounds amazing!

[@maxwellgordon9868]

Good stuff David Gretsch makes some of the best equipment in the business!

[@PostalDude667]

I've been working on restoring an early to mid-70's Ludwig kit and your videos have been super helpful, although it definitely looks like a lot less work when it's condensed into a 10 minute video. I'm almost ready to start playing!

[@BrianStephensOfficial]

A great era for Gretsch! I’ve got a 1979 kit that is one of my favs!! Enjoy!!

[@IGIVRUP]

well played sir!!

[@earldrum]

I have my original set of 1979 Gretsch! Those drum sound awesome! Enjoy David!

[@tadbarnes1499]

Personally I would put the other rack Tom on

[@rdavidr]

I would’ve used it as a 5 piece but I really didn’t have a way to mount the 2nd tom…

[@1thess523]

Man that kick sounds sweet especially that kick 😍, I have some old Pinstripes i think I'll try them as reso's 👍

[@noneofyourbusiness2386]

I’ve had a gretsch drum kit for 5 years it’s aweshum

[@SOLDbyYOU]

Chuck Levins is ( was)…. THE…. music store in the 70’s and 80’s….. I met Chuck back then…. I do still have a Chuck Levins head w a Chuck Stamp on it…. There were TWO “ Chucks” back then… one were THE tennis shoe… and the other.. “ Het where are you going?… I’m going to Chucks”… And your cereal is Speedo Friendly ?… hum… for a drummer…. Hmmmm.I hope you’re talking about the old Ludwig Bass Drum pedal.