Gretsch Catalina Club Review plus Sound test

[@willbrooksy478]

I just got this kit. Best kit out there in that price range. I’m a vintage drum guy and this kit holds up to them

[@ollieboormandrums]

I agree .. to me it has a vintage feel with a bit of modern gloss on top.. totally useable

[@mattsm4292]

Thank you for posting this, been looking at the 20" version but have barely found any videos of it anywhere, sounds fantastic !!

[@ollieboormandrums]

i thought the same.. glad you enjoyed it.. they are certainly great drums

[@boomerguy9935]

I have this kit with the 18" bass drum. With the proper heads, tuning and beater, my bass drum can sound like a cannon if I want. Simply by changing the beater, I can make it sound very soft and delicate. It is perfect for playing jazz in small to medium venues. Best set I've ever owned and I've been playing since 1965.

[@woody_runs]

Loving the 70's kit. I had one in walnut 22x14, 12x8, 13x9, 16x16 with the exact same Tama fittings on it...wish I still had it and often wondered where it is now.

[@ollieboormandrums]

They are great kits and at that age. Not too expensive on the used market. Gretsch sound and plenty of attitude

[@MrDrumeasy]

I bought this with 18 inch bass drum as a second kit to my bigger Rogers kit. Given the price, I was expecting to swap out the stock heads for Evans/Remo but didn’t have to. Even with the stock heads the kit sounds incredible. I found that double ply heads and especially an Emad on the bass drum choked the sound too much.

[@russellsdrumsandeverythingelse]

Yeah speaking of the snare drum on still working on making it sound good. I’m getting closer but it’s sits on the self a lot 😎

[@GeneralEnquiries-li2iv]

slappy flapy bass drum reflections off the wall in front. I know there is foam there, but the output of the BD is so strong. Perhaps need to look into that.

[@emiliocarpino6792]

The 22" kicker has just a bit more beef than the 20" on the Catalina Club kit. Great tuning on the toms. Prefer the toms on the Catalina, but has me thinking I need to add 22" kick drum to my set up.

[@ollieboormandrums]

Owning a 22 is a good thing.. it does have that something extra about it.. 2 inches I guess ..lol But that said. A 20 is so versatile..

[@emiliocarpino6792]

@@ollieboormandrums Agree about the versatility of the 20", and like I think you said, the Catalina shells are quite light. Anyway, really enjoyed your review.

[@russellsdrumsandeverythingelse]

I also have the mahogany kit in that configuration and they sound great. Sometimes I add my 16 mahogany classic Ludwig floor tom and a 13 inch mahogany signature snare and they match up perfectly 👊The thin hoops turn me off a little compared to my high end kits but I think it helps the sound on these drums.

[@ollieboormandrums]

Totally. A serious kit at a low price point!

[@jonfinegold1512]

Sounds amazing - which heads did you use?

[@ollieboormandrums]

nice one, Evans uv2s

[@jonfinegold1512]

@@ollieboormandrums Thanks - what did you use on the reso side? I'm thinking EMAD on the bass and UV2s on the toms and then probably pair my Sonor Kompressor 14x6 Beech snare with this kit. Would love your thoughts?

[@lolope9654]

Thanks for the video! I really need help i can’t tune it got the same kit… do you have any app or way to know the hrz? So i can get an idea… im on that point where everything sounds bad

[@ollieboormandrums]

Tune-bot. I’d try floortom 125 on each lug ..rack 170 on each.. Do that with top and bottom heads to start.. Then try taking up the bottom heads a bit .. that should give you a good template to start with… Uv1s work great on these drums..

[@kimseniorb]

looking to get club rock (24x14 kick), but seems like most people suggest tama superstar classic(22 kick) which is supposed to be better made, but for me lacks character. what would you suggest? I've heard there could be issues with hardware/tuning? thanks for the great review, I'm also getting the kit for recording only! cheers

[@ollieboormandrums]

Thanks for getting touch. The hardware is not going to up there with the top line stuff but it’s always worked for me and as you are gonna be in the studio.. honestly I can’t see you having a problem. I like the Catalina because is does have a bit of character and as you say. The Tama may well lack a bit of that. Although no doubt it will sound great and be indestructible

[@GlennWilsonDrums]

Fantastic! Thanks for this 🙏

[@keithmutch8481]

What are you using to rack your tom? Bass drum mount doesn’t work for you?

[@ollieboormandrums]

just because ive been using the snare stand for the vintage kit. I left it in there. nothing wrong with the mount, every time ive used the kit live its had that mount on it

[@BadChizzle]

Sounded to me like the rack Tom was sounding out a bit too long, but that’s not a hard fix, is it. It is indeed a good investment for the reasons mentioned. Also… the maple versions are very well priced, from what I’ve seen. Great prices! Now… I’m a Guitarist, who has far too much drum gear, so I’ll not be getting anymore… still… this was a fun video, as I too have been a bit curious as to how these stack up. You know it’s only going to sound better as the wood ages, too. So good on you… and have fun. Charles

[@ollieboormandrums]

Charles.. many thanks for watching.. yes.. I’m into them.

[@jonathanbormann5077]

Interesting. You're Boorman and I'm Bormann

[@JoeMo2000]

I guess I'm just a hybrid walnut/birch guy with clear heads. Gretsch just isnt impressive. I'll keep my Saturns.

[@thearchman4133]

Be great to hear less of a studio fat sound & open up the drums so they sing Maybe slightly higher tuning & no muffling ✌️

[@aussiefarmer8741]

Lose the tape, let them ring, It will give us a true indication.

[@charlesfarran1717]

I agree with you.

[@ollieboormandrums]

Completely… I agree.. the video is designed to show real life usage. In what do.. predominantly miked up scenarios.. with lower tunings.. there is no way I would be able to have them wide open.. they came straight from a theatre gig into the studio and I made a video..

[@barrydrocknrail2231]

Toms too dead for my liking. Especially the floor toms.

[@coherence-beat]

Sorry, but your test is incorrect, because you used absolutely different drum heads on it. I use REMO Emperor Vintage on my Catalina, and it sounds amazing!

[@ollieboormandrums]

Of course.. it was more of an example of how a modern kit of the brilliant quality of the catalina can stand up against a vintage high quality set.. not a direct comparison.. maybe that is something for the future.. Thanks for chipping in and yes I agree they are awesome drums.

[@mohammedpoehlein4692]

『p』『r』『o』『m』『o』『s』『m』 ✌️