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

[@SmokeBreakStudios]

This kit sounds fantastic.

[@recksroller2220]

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

[@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.

[@percusswords]

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

[@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..

[@garrettguadiana1327]

Something about Gretsch kicks that I love.

[@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.

[@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

[@stevelinwood8362]

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

[@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 :)

[@hockeyfreak896890]

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

[@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]

🤘

[@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!

[@Nariji197]

I really dig the snare sound oh my!

[@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

[@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.

[@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!

[@BrianStephensOfficial]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@DimitriFantini]

the most vintage drums and most modern cereal ... the perfect combo

[@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)

[@user-yk7hj7nd4d]

I really like how this kit sounds

[@slavicharrystyles6914]

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

[@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)!

[@artcorvolet]

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

[@claysmell]

pipe caps, brilliant!!!!

[@jacpinky]

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..!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@DrummerPayne1979]

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

[@brendanerazo]

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.

[@benkitay9015]

Wow...love the sound of this kit.

[@rol_saave]

Gretsch is one of my favorite and that kit explains why..

[@Danielhofjr]

Gosh dernit that kit sounds heckn sweet 🧁

[@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. 😹

[@edlove3452]

Always love the way kick sounds

[@tomtomtama]

Got a 73 Gretsch kit, Black Hawk, bought from a music and fish store in North of Norway. It has gone to many changes. Still sounds great. love it

[@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!

[@footlongrat2755]

such a beautiful kit, both in sound and looks

[@XoseGuitar]

Chuck's is my go-to local music store. Still family owned and awesome!

[@ronaldzeoli7528]

I have a similar gretsch kit same color but it is a drop g error, came with a 10 and 12 concert toms and a 16 floor tom doubleheaded . I converted the 12 to a double headed Tom and now it's 12,16,22 . Different tom mount system. I bought it off of the Guitar Center used website about three years ago I love it. You have a righteous kit there, Enjoy it

[@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.

[@earldrum]

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

[@lodougherty]

Good lord those drums sound incredible.

[@michaeldeloach838]

Correct me if I'm wrong but that looks like a Tama snare drum with Ludwig lugs on it. It sounds very nice. Well tuned. I have a Wm. F Ludwig Jr. Signature series maple snare drum (6.5"×14") with those same lugs. It also sounds amazing. I just picked up a Gretsch Catalina Club rock kit (square badge, maybe 10 years old) in gold and silver sparkle finish. 26" bass, 13" rack, 16" & 18" floor toms and matching 6.5"×14" wood snare. It came with Evans level 360 hydraulic heads that sound amazing. It's actually a pretty rare kit with the 26" bass drum. Most were 22" and 24". I got extremely lucky finding this kit for a mere $250 with no hardware, just drums, and it's in excellent like new condition. I never played Gretsch drums before, I'm a Ludwig and Tama guy. But I have to say this Gretsch is my new favorite kit now and I even have a Ludwig clear Vistalite Bonham kit that I got for a steal also.

[@tylerjass5804]

Kit sounds amazing. I picked up a new Gretsch Renown recently. Super excited about it.

[@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.

[@brettbiggs669]

The holes in the front bass drum hoops were indeed for a factory fitted anchor for stabilising the drum. I have the same kit and the anchor still fitted. It has (as you will have guessed) two bolts that pass through those drill holes to secure it.

[@wenosaracheno3942]

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

[@rdavidr]

thats what everyone is saying. I gotta go now haha

[@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!

[@IndigoMusicStudios]

kit sounds amazing!

[@doremind1]

probably the best drum sound i've ever heard, wow!

[@benlammers4612]

Just wanted to say Chuck Levin's is my go to spot for any new stuff I buy. Fantastic store and drum department.

[@brandonio_granger]

Amazing job on this restoration project 👏

[@williamperri3437]

That opening of it not being tuned since the 70's would record very well.

[@kevincallanan2584]

They sound great

[@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. 😎

[@amwitty_]

That's the exact setup of batter/reso heads I use. I wasn't happy with the pinstripes as batters so I used them to replace my beatup reso heads. They honestly work pretty well

[@curtisburns]

Best sounding kit you've had on the channel.

[@tooalienforearth5638]

Sounds BEAUTIFUL

[@roadboat9216]

I like it! Had a 1950’s slingerland. Also a sixties Ludwig.

[@alexcarrillo2132]

Love those phat tones coming from those pinstripes!

[@slayabouts]

That tom sound is phenomenal

[@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

[@brandonsimmons5605]

Thanks, I just found my new head combo. Penstripe, and black dot!!!!

[@BG_MillerPhoto]

My first kit when I was in high school (and played for years until I needed $) was a 70s Gretsch kit that came with some sweet Zildjian cymbals. I loved that kit and miss it (and ohh, that ride tone 🤤).

[@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

[@vazquez808]

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

[@FearlessCargo6]

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!

[@drewbocop]

The tuning doesn't even sound bad. Pretty comfy.

[@gracegeek4678]

Those toms sound amazing!

[@maxwellgordon9868]

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

[@codylevidrums9377]

Awwh heck yeah man! Beautiful kit

[@montearnstam6827]

I have TWO stop signs. They are truly incredible. I’ve never owned an older round badge but those are great 2. Huge fan.

[@OliverBurden-1019]

0:53 Gotta love them Lowe’s tension rods

[@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

[@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!!

[@irrsinnrainer]

Never thought that this combo of drum heads would sound good on the toms. But I love it!

[@taylorjones2553]

Great head choices. Sounds really good.

[@jediknight0914]

I'm from DC and I always use Chuck Levin's as my gear store! And now I'm even more excited to follow your channel knowing you are from MD.

[@jediknight0914]

And I own a Gretch Nighthawk

[@lockupyourdaughters]

I'm already so excited for you from the title, CONGRATULATIONS. It sounds AMAZING!!!! I've also just bought my first kit last week, the Gretsch Energy kit!

[@artcorvolet]

not a real gretsch, just saying 😂

[@lockupyourdaughters]

@@artcorvolet lmao the energy kit? :(

[@InRodWeTrust2112]

Beautiful drums

[@dextarantino9941]

i love that sound! might have to use pinstripes as my reso heads now...

[@markward3730]

They sound really nice. Matching snare would make it perfect.

[@HolaHola-tq8xx]

At first I thought "Alright, he bough another Tama". Incredible kit. Fantastic!

[@tjancijr]

I *literally* just bought one of these kits. Not even joking. SO STOKED.

[@mightyV444]

Pin Stripes on the *reso* side? Interesting! The only other time I'd ever seen that was in '83 when the then brandnew Tama Artstar kits came stock from the factory with Pin Stripes on both sides! 😀

[@matthewmanes]

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

[@kevinwood3527]

Oh baby. Lovely kit.

[@kevinseverance120]

The the old heads already sounded so phatt and round (if not just a taaadd dull), but then you re-skinned and WHOA… still so much beefy rotundity just livened and thickened up. Ace kit and video!!!

[@charliepreidis3004]

Love this kit. Juicy, solid playing as always.

[@anthonythornton8478]

Was tempted to buy a vintage Gretsch but went with a brand new Brooklyn instead but this kit sounds incredible, especially that kick! Nice find.

[@chrisfranklin4061]

Awesome video sir! Love the Chuck Levins shout-out. I still shop there (live in MD) over all the "big" guys.

[@StacyODell]

Kit sounds good, but that K. Con ride sounds amazing!