Opening your first Gretsch USA Custom - Mike Johnston

Learn more about the USA Custom - click here: goo.gl/lFPm2
Gretsch artist and renown educator Mike Johnston shared his experience of opening up his first USA Custom Kit. Check out the drums in action and watch as Mike goes through process of opening his new kit, setting them up and experiencing "That Great Gretsch Sound".

[@gretschdrumsusa]

The kit is Vintage Marine Pearl. In this video he is playing a 7x10, 14x16 and 18x22 with one of our Solid Aluminum snares.

[@johnjamesmclaughlin]

Incredible difference from playing drums and playing musically definitely understand this now

[@benblackburn2693]

the gretsch drum line in general is the greatest line in history from budget kits like the Catalina birch to the u.s.a custom they're phenomenal

[@TimBatkin]

Absolutely beautiful - the Great Gretsch Drum Sound - and played wonderfully top marks!! I have a Gretsch Rosewood Snare from 1992 and it is so fantastic - a pure work of art, hand sanded and polished, with the silver inside. I would love the rest of the kit to go with it.

[@RonnieDoesCoolStuff]

mike, you definitely live up to these drums! you earned it and you worked hard to get it!

[@trblackhawk33]

i love how gretsch takes the time and effort to put the head on the toms before sending them because it makes everything so much easier. getting my first gretsch kit wednesday. its a catalina maple and ive never been so excited to play drums

[@DrummerJay74]

I am beastin it up on some old drywall 5 gallon buckets I got at Lowes....you should of seen my face when when I got them from Lowes. I picked up some half inch dowel rods for sticks and a furniture project I have been working on. It was a win win.

[@davidwilcox9944]

Those drums sound great!

[@roybeckerman9253]

Beautiful warm sound. Nothing has a similar sound.

[@gretschdrumsusa]

That great gretsch sound!

[@thefrayedwire]

There is nothing like opening up a new set of drums. Love the vintage sound. :)

[@iplaydrums98]

That is the most inspiring drum review I ever seen

[@OurDreamingMind]

What an awesome/unique drum solo.

[@gretschdrumsusa]

Thank you!!! We appreciate it.

[@DTnorwayDT]

Just bought my first Gretsch kit today.. I never thought in a million years that I would buy a gretsch kit, because I always saw them as a 50s jazz kit or bebop kit.. but after seeing you rippin it up on your gretsch I just had to check them out, and now im a extremly proud owner of a Gretsch Catelina Club Rock Kit:D:D.. thanks for the inspiration and for being a great teacher and a great person:P.. peace out man:D

[@reidreflex]

In 1984 I bought (and still use) a Gretsch kit. At that time they were only made in the USA and they were only made one way. It was all a matter of what colour and size you want. The China made Gretsch have flange rims although it is still six ply shells. Affordable but not the USA standard for Gretsch. My kit was custom cut and made in the USA so I wonder if I can call mine USA Custom? Either way, I will never sell them. Clearly the best kit I own!

[@fernandogarros]

amazing sound, amazing video, amazing drums! congrats!

[@CaltropArt]

You know how to make a drummer jealous but at the same time inspire them... Awesome learning under you teach! All the best! Callum Thomas

[@drumz47]

I play Gretsch...WOW..Love everything about these drumz!!!!

[@stevendunton5520]

Baddest kit out there!!

[@jmdrummer7]

Very nice, drums and player.

[@Uuuuuuurrgggggghhhhh]

Love my USA Custom LE Ribbon Mahogany. Unboxing it allmost felt like a sacred moment.

[@SG-qx1fg]

Mike you’ve definitely earned your place to play with that kit. :)

[@MrDrumization]

yeah, he deserves to play that kit!!

[@freezwalm]

Opening your first Gretsch USA Custom kit, better play it with them Meinl German cymbals ;)

[@GediSpock]

They still are made in turkey. Where all good cymbals come from. They are just finished in Germany.

[@MrFuck1006]

It's not exactly like the biggest American cymbal maker, Zildjian, can measure up to true Turkish cymbals. But Canadian Sabian gets pretty close in sound quality 😉

[@aaronhiller]

nah bro istanbul agop ;)

[@markomarkovic5729]

@@MrFuck1006 Founder of Zildjian - Avedis Zildjian, was born and lived in Istanbul all his life, and his descendants emigrated to the USA in the 1920s, so Zildjian was Turkish company for the first 300 years. When it comes to Sabian, I guess you know that it was founded by Robert Zildjian, after he had a conflict with his brother Armand. The entire Meinl Byzance series are hand hammered in Turkey.

[@markomarkovic5729]

@@aaronhiller Istanbul Agop, Istanbul Mehmet, Anatolian, Diril, Murat Diril, Bosphorus, Amedia, Impression, Turkish, Symrna, etc... > any Zildjian/Meinl/Sabian/Paiste

[@derekchamberlin]

sick looking setup! i felt the same way when i got my new Savior Custom Drums.

[@ronniesbathtub44]

Great company, great kit. Can't beat Gretsch.

[@ldcsam1]

You can beat it with a stick. Or a pair of sticks for that matter.

[@bulletshoxz]

love this kit...i would kill to have this kit

[@ShawnxEdge]

I'm now an owner of a USA Custom but sadly I didn't experience it through unboxing, it was used and a Steve Ferrone Cadillac green signature USA custom none the less.

[@artcorvolet]

Sick!! You get it from Maxwell?

[@gretschdrumsusa]

Hi - You are correct on the sizes. 18x22, 8x10 and 14x16. The black satin hoops are one of our many custom hoop options available to everyone. The hoops don't have to match the kit! It's a nice personal touch that can set your kit apart from everything else out there!

[@awsomethingsmax2]

been saving up for three years to get myself a gretsch usa custom! The drums in this video show why!!!

[@TheSummerCoast]

I am crazy about drums, and one of my biggest obsessions is to have a USA custom, more than a DW Collector, or a Tama Starclassic, or even ANY other Gretsch kit

[@DrummerDelight]

I own a catalina jazz set and it has great tone. However a great drummer can make any drum set sound amazing.

[@jameshardman6727]

awesome playing man!

[@akshitdas2012]

I too wish to own a very beautiful Gretsch USA Custom with Zildjian A cymbals... By the way... what's the name of that background sound track which is being played while Mike shares his experience??

[@DeathswingKettlebell]

These would look great laying around in my place.

[@bmfdan5715]

I want one !!! For a high end drum kit these are actually resonably priced compared to some other brands

[@adzug]

ya know thats the best ad for a kit ive ever heard. clean up and rock on.

[@tdrum21]

What is that you used to cut the bass drum hole with? How did it sound right out of the box? Did you test before changing heads? What kind of throw off is that? Don't know much about the differences and I'm looking at getting a USA custom. What's the finish on the kit--satin or nitron?

[@ValerianKapeller]

pure Awesomeness!!

[@90FirstGenPGT]

I want that drum set!

[@hannahstansfield4034]

Nice thanks for presentation

[@Cloyd1]

amazing

[@nama.stephh]

This is my favourite video!

[@leroyatleroys]

When he was talking about living up to the drums, he meant was talking about Gretsch's prestigious history in the drumming world. Before the 60's, Gretsch was the top drum manufacturer for many decades. Then, people were going for different sounds and different types of drums. But he was refering to the great history of Gretsch drums, which is still strong today and actually becoming popular again. Which is more than we can say for Slingerland drums and Premier drums.

[@davidsuprenant893]

Did you hear,Rogers and slingerland are being resurrected. Unbelievable but true.

[@leroyatleroys]

@@davidsuprenant893 I certainly hope that they have a good team and don't just use the name to make quick sales. It is pretty incredible to hear!

[@enasksenos]

Great playing.Greetings from greece

[@TrebbleMovement]

How can ya'll not understand where he his coming from in this, he's talking about unboxing something that is part if his passion, and if you don't have a passion for your craft then you shouldn't be doing it, and it's great to feel like you should live up to this kit, it's not the kit itself it's all the amazing artists that have played this kit, thinking that way will only make you want to be better and push you forward in your playing

[@roybeckerman9253]

A much warmer sound , than a lot of USA Custom sets on KZbin. I wonder if these are tuned down more, or just the recording.

[@russellsdrumsandeverythingelse]

Ok so many years have gone by and my question is. Do you still play that kit and more importantly for me is the sizes. I’m always torn between 10 inch or 12 for my tom and I do like the sallower depth’s on the floor tom and 20 or 22 by 14 bass drum ?

[@roybeckerman9253]

How is the projection with these, in a large room and unmiced.

[@annielandry4567]

Mike: what sizes are you playing in this video ? Great set and great playing. Thank you.

[@adzug]

just got the catalina in marine pearl white. looks great on stage because it reflects alotta light. nice and small so when i need to get through a crowd to pack em up i dont hafta struggle. lot to be said for that when trying to get through a crowd in a small nyc club where youre parked 3 blocks away because you couldnt get closer. the sounds good not as good as a bigger set for playing rock but its more than adequate.

[@JaMzMedia]

PARAMORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@fuagrase]

no tengo una USA custom pero si una catalina club rock y aun esa linea suena increible los mejores drum kits ever

[@PintSizedJacob]

How did you cut that port hole in the bass drum?

[@chuckondrums]

Mike im a huge fan, i was wondering where you get your loops from?

[@manuelgchapajr4472]

LOVE MY GRETCH DRUMSET

[@gretschdrumsusa]

😀

[@steeg_e]

I really like the color and finish, but I do like different sizes. How did you order it? And where?

[@gretschdrumsusa]

Tyler Steege any of our dealers can get ordering/pricing information for you. www.gretschdrums.com/?fa=dealersub

[@richardscally694]

The great Charlie Watts plays Gretsch, and boy does he rock out a Beat.

[@redprince1000]

I got the Grestch 125th Rocklegend anniversary drumset which is a nod to Charlie's '56/'57 roundbadge set.I even got his UFIP Natural series China crash!Charlies is the man for me.

[@grumble022]

How many times did you say live up?

[@Drums4Life762]

What kind of cymbals are those? They look & sound great!

[@hawkrider88]

Even if these drums sounded like crap...from a marketing standpoint this is really well done. Thumbs up to the Gretsch marketing and PR dept.

[@baedohyub]

Did anyone know the name of the backing track?thanks

[@AndrewBevilacqua]

Mike, great kit man what are the sizes?

[@Macpee18]

You've earned it

[@nathancristurean3010]

how can you get that drum set?

[@casperdrums9831]

Can anyone tell me 1. where ca i by this drum set? and 2. were can i find this song without drums? :D

[@gretschdrumsusa]

Casper Drums Hi, any of our dealers can order these for you. 😀

[@casperdrums9831]

thanks is there a place i can find this song drum less?

[@MatthewParsonsDrumsAndAudio]

Casper Drums It's a tune Dave Mackay made for Mike. I'm not sure if it's been released to the public or not.

[@roybeckerman9253]

Mike plays with the same feel, Gene Krupa used to, except Gene played Slingerland.

[@fidanDrums]

really nice look and sound too can u tell mee the sizes of drums pls i whant one like this.....

[@CLoi8]

what dimensions are they?? guessing.... 22x18 (or maybe 19, not sure) 10x8 16x14 and is that specially custom for mike with the black satin hoops for the kick? thanks

[@tonytot126]

how its cold this awesome snaredrum at 0:20??

[@musiqsoundsproductions]

What years did they used these badges on the us and broadcaster?

[@magicD53]

What is that thing called that cuts the bass drum head???

[@Blackbirdproductionz]

Is there any way I would be able to get a copy of this sound track/play along?

[@victorweslley1992]

which you use to play along in this video?

[@gabeearle6660]

What cymbals are those!!! They all sound so good! Mainly the ride does anyone know?

[@TempoDrift1480]

Gabe Earle It's a stupid fucking trend of trash crashes and junk splashes stacked on top of junk ozone crashes. I guess people don't use chinas and hi-hats anymore but to answer your question I think they're probably Byzance dry or extra dry series.

[@toynazi]

Yes people do use chinas and hi hats still. WTF Stacks and Ozone crashes are good. It's called modern. Stacks are cool if used right.

[@cpu554]

Great drums,but a year from order to delivery?

[@kickit9717]

What is that cymbal he uses in the middle on the right hand side?

[@williamgudorf7288]

It's a stack; the bottom cymbal is a 16" Meinl Vintage Trash Crash and the top cymbal is a 12" Meinl Soundcaster Custom Splash

[@michi1997rohri]

how do you tune your drums ?

[@JoeKing777]

What's the tool he used to cut the hole in the front head?

[@eschirtz]

What snare is that? It looks like the Brooklyn Chrome over Brass

[@larrytate1657]

Yes it is. It's the 14 x 5.5 model, it also comes 6.5 depth. I have and it's an amazing snare. It's warm for a metal drum but still has the perfect crack if u crank it up for rock/ metal. It's versatile.

[@sindrebakkaker713]

What size's are those drums?

[@rafaelferrer1]

What sizes is this Gretsch Drums !

[@AngelGarcia-pb5nf]

Does anybody what that same finish he has is called??? It looks great!

[@ldcsam1]

It's more than likely an Antique White Marine.

[@drummerkid12w]

great

[@drumsandbmx1]

how is the gretsch energy kit?

[@angelacevedo2112]

only the best!!!

[@Clancedrums]

hey question, Why don't you use a double pedal?

[@Macpee18]

i know the feeling

[@pereirez]

What's his second stacked crash cymbals? These sounds great. :D

[@silverjag001]

can someone tell me the name of the music wich starts at 1:55? thanks:D

[@drummerboypete]

I'd give my left testicle to own this kit but I don't see the point in buying a brand new USA Custom with "that Gretsch sound" and then turning it into A N other generic sounding kit in the mix.

[@pulamoul]

I was going to say the same thing ^^ That kit sounds like a basic one, too much comp/gate...etc Let it breath !! ^^

[@jaykubaitch2059]

what cymbals are those?

[@james35856]

really live up to a four piece drum set come on get over yourself excellent drummer I will have to say

[@Jcrcreative]

Whats sizes are that drum kit? does he using some muffling on bass drum?

[@ThomasMetal75]

Not a fail at all. I use to own a Saturn kit, and it was an awesome professional set of drums. Kind of surprised it's made in China seeing how well the kit appeared to be made. Now comparing the USA Customs to the Satuns, the USA Customs is more of a warm mid range sound (full bodied). The Saturns are darker in tone and are able to be tuned to a much lower fundamental tone. It's not a traditional sounding kit, nor it is trying to be.

[@antonjamesolsson]

Actually you would know if you'd followed him for a while. He played DW for many years, and he played Paiste for a lot of years as well. It's quite recently he decided to switch companies for reasons that he explains very well. He still endorses dw hardware but as you said now plays Gretsch drums and Meinl cymbals. All the best!

[@beaglestink]

Beautiful kit, and incredible player, but, it seems to me that with the right heads, tuning, playing, and signal processing, any kit can sound like any other.?? Cymbals are where I really hear a difference. Am I wrong?

[@handidrummed]

Yes. Gretsch drums have an attack or punch you won't hear with any other. If you put the same heads on say a Ludwig floor tom and a GRetsch, you'll notice a difference.

[@6x14ludwig1992]

A great kit with old heads and poor tuning will never sound as good as an average kit with perfect tuning and fresh heads.

[@skadrumsandwich7415]

There has never been a more wrong comment....

[@romanchaikovskyi2537]

Can anyone tell me how did h cut a hole with a port-knife while the drumhead is not on a solid surface?? da hell?

[@gretschludwigdrummer209]

With great difficultly !

[@jtwunchained]

I used to take a small Folgers can and heat it on the stove and just melt the head with the can. Perfect hole.

[@TempoDrift1480]

Victor Chayks Yep, I was reading for something like that, I can guarantee that hole is fucked if he didn't take the head off and do it from the back. I don't care how good someone can play drums, if they can't work on or maintain their equipment, I don't have much respect for them. That was a stupid fucking move he pulled there.

[@6x14ludwig1992]

Wizzle Gibraltar (Gretsch) makes a tool for cutting holes out of heads perfectly.

[@colliernation96]

anyone know the sizes of these toms???

How he make the BassHole??