This is a video of a 1964 Gretsch jazz drum kit restoration. I repair the pealing laminate covering, buff and clean the hardware, re-head and make this kit like new. jhuwe@ward-brodt.com www.wardbrodt.com
I have a 1963 Broadkaster red sparkle set 14 snare, 12 & 14 toms and 20" bass purchased new by me. Still my one and only set. Never was happy with the snare response so use Ludwigs, either a 5 x14 Supraphonic or a 6.5 x14 BB. What I find surprising is that you had no trouble fitting new heads to the Gretsch's. I had to find heads that were purposely over size to easily slip on, i.e., "vintage" grades.
@ericbrunner4140 and today Remo make Vintage head to fit these slightly oversize shells. Yep Gretsch snares have never been classics. Ludwigs are. Gretsch snares are just raspy. I had a 6 1/2 blue sparkle round badge. I wanted to love it. I could never get it to sound good, so I sold it for $50.00 to a Gretsch freak in Ohio...like 1988. I'm sure he was happy.
If you care to check out my short restoration video on a vintage "Majestic DeLuxe" kit, It's on my channel. I made it for my middle school students and I share the story of finding my childhood drum set and restoring it. I also share the importance of keeping a few things from your childhood when you move a lot as a kid. Great job on this Gretsch restoration. Love the color and your in-depth work. I have a newer Gretsch kit that I used for recording in my home studio.
Great work, I’ve used several of your videos to help me repair and restore vintage drums. Do you have any video of your ironing the lifted seams? Was looking forward to that part! Thank you for sharing.
I do believe I had a clip that somehow got deleted in the Grestch restoration. I was bummed, because that was a good thing to see. You see the results, but that clip....poof.
Can you clarify the steps you took around min 10 of the video. You show the pressing cloth on where you previously heated with iron…then clamped. My question is when in that process did you brush on the contact cement? I’m guessing you brushed on contact cement first, waited a few min to cure, then put on the pressing cloth and heated (which accelerates cure a bit), then clamp? Thanks!
Why is there grey paint on the inside it’s the same as my 1960s Stewart floor Tom also the lugs match my Stewart aswell any way to remove the paint without destroying the drum? Great restoration!
Thanks for the compliment. Gretsch used what they now call their "secret silver sealer." In reality, I think it was Fred Gretsch, who simply went to a hardware store or farm store and got something cheap to cover the inside of the drums to seal the wood. nothing fancy. in fact it probably was just a thin wash of aluminum paint. It looks the same as Rustolem's aluminum colored enamel that you can get in quarts etc. Basically a sliver looking paint. Stewart may have also done this or someone wanted it to look like a Gretsch. Rogers also used a grey speckled paint inside their drums and some drums are painted white or clear finish. Not too unusual. I sealed the insides of my Gretsch Catalina Club set with clear shellac to seal those Mahogany shells. Super cheap, incredibly fast and no heavy build. Just a thin coat to seal the pours of the wood, which it did not have. Took maybe an hour and they were dry to rehead inside of 30 minutes.
I think you are describing what was known as the Satin Flame finishes that were available in different colors. They have a texture. If it is a smooth finish, then using Novus or similar polish for plastics is the way to go. The only way to clean Satin Flame finishes is scrub them is with a toothbrush and Dawn soap and water or Simple Green or 409 etc. Blot up the scrubbage with absorbent towels. Repeat until this dirt holding finish looks good.
Sir I have a 1964 Gretsch drum kit. With a silver satin flame finish. The finish is totally destroyed. Are there such finishes on the market or any replacement finish on the market for such drums?
Wow! This is awesome. By any chance, do you have any idea what the potential resale value of this would be? Not saying you should, but if you were to do so?
This was a customer set. He wanted to keep it, but asked the same thing. I would have to go on line to kind of check out that market, but it seems to me I was suggesting something like $2500 or more. Lots of people are just considering the the drum cost. This one was in really nice shape. Not abused or drilled etc.
Camco came out with it and licensed it to Gretsch. Then Camco marketed it with their drum kits in the 1960's and into mid 1970's and in the mid 1970's both Tama and DW got permission rights for it. All essentially the same great, smooth pedal. I have played them all. Same pedal with slightly different foot board design to put the maker's brand name on it.
Tangerine sparkle/glass is my all-time favorite drum finish 👌
Fantastic job bringing those beauties back to life!
I’m glad you keeped it all original 👍🥁
Well done sir,you preserved a little history there.Nice you could keep everything original except the heads.Enjoy.!!!
I have a 1963 Broadkaster red sparkle set 14 snare, 12 & 14 toms and 20" bass purchased new by me. Still my one and only set. Never was happy with the snare response so use Ludwigs, either a 5 x14 Supraphonic or a 6.5 x14 BB. What I find surprising is that you had no trouble fitting new heads to the Gretsch's. I had to find heads that were purposely over size to easily slip on, i.e., "vintage" grades.
@ericbrunner4140 and today Remo make Vintage head to fit these slightly oversize shells. Yep Gretsch snares have never been classics. Ludwigs are. Gretsch snares are just raspy. I had a 6 1/2 blue sparkle round badge. I wanted to love it. I could never get it to sound good, so I sold it for $50.00 to a Gretsch freak in Ohio...like 1988. I'm sure he was happy.
The finish first came out in the 1963 Gretsch catalogue
Magnificent
I have a friend who has the same set in primo condition.
If you care to check out my short restoration video on a vintage "Majestic DeLuxe" kit, It's on my channel. I made it for my middle school students and I share the story of finding my childhood drum set and restoring it. I also share the importance of keeping a few things from your childhood when you move a lot as a kid. Great job on this Gretsch restoration. Love the color and your in-depth work. I have a newer Gretsch kit that I used for recording in my home studio.
Is there anyone in Southern California you can recommend for restoring my grandpa's old Gretsch set?
Great work, I’ve used several of your videos to help me repair and restore vintage drums. Do you have any video of your ironing the lifted seams? Was looking forward to that part! Thank you for sharing.
I do believe I had a clip that somehow got deleted in the Grestch restoration. I was bummed, because that was a good thing to see. You see the results, but that clip....poof.
Can you clarify the steps you took around min 10 of the video. You show the pressing cloth on where you previously heated with iron…then clamped. My question is when in that process did you brush on the contact cement? I’m guessing you brushed on contact cement first, waited a few min to cure, then put on the pressing cloth and heated (which accelerates cure a bit), then clamp? Thanks!
Why is there grey paint on the inside it’s the same as my 1960s Stewart floor Tom also the lugs match my Stewart aswell any way to remove the paint without destroying the drum? Great restoration!
Thanks for the compliment. Gretsch used what they now call their "secret silver sealer." In reality, I think it was Fred Gretsch, who simply went to a hardware store or farm store and got something cheap to cover the inside of the drums to seal the wood. nothing fancy. in fact it probably was just a thin wash of aluminum paint. It looks the same as Rustolem's aluminum colored enamel that you can get in quarts etc. Basically a sliver looking paint. Stewart may have also done this or someone wanted it to look like a Gretsch. Rogers also used a grey speckled paint inside their drums and some drums are painted white or clear finish. Not too unusual. I sealed the insides of my Gretsch Catalina Club set with clear shellac to seal those Mahogany shells. Super cheap, incredibly fast and no heavy build. Just a thin coat to seal the pours of the wood, which it did not have. Took maybe an hour and they were dry to rehead inside of 30 minutes.
@@jimflys2 awesome dude you’re welcome new sub here you rock thanks for the feedback have a great day I love your videos dude!!!!
@@jimflys2 my Catalina is awesome it’s a 22-22 12-8 16-16
@@jimflys2 I have a Rogers xp8 as well and a few Ludwigs
Don’t remove the grey paint in your Gretsch drums! That’s 100 percent original! Good luck
I have a similar vintage set with the ",aqua" greenish blurry swirl wrap. Any way to return this? Jim
I think you are describing what was known as the Satin Flame finishes that were available in different colors. They have a texture. If it is a smooth finish, then using Novus or similar polish for plastics is the way to go. The only way to clean Satin Flame finishes is scrub them is with a toothbrush and Dawn soap and water or Simple Green or 409 etc. Blot up the scrubbage with absorbent towels. Repeat until this dirt holding finish looks good.
Sir I have a 1964 Gretsch drum kit. With a silver satin flame finish. The finish is totally destroyed. Are there such finishes on the market or any replacement finish on the market for such drums?
Absolutely. The satin flame colors are available from Precision Drum Company. Find them on line. Best of luck.
Wow! This is awesome. By any chance, do you have any idea what the potential resale value of this would be? Not saying you should, but if you were to do so?
This was a customer set. He wanted to keep it, but asked the same thing. I would have to go on line to kind of check out that market, but it seems to me I was suggesting something like $2500 or more. Lots of people are just considering the the drum cost. This one was in really nice shape. Not abused or drilled etc.
@@jimflys2I've heard 60's era round badge kits commanding upwards of $8000. These kits are very sought-after especially in "bop" sizes.
So who's design is that bass drum pedal?
Camco came out with it and licensed it to Gretsch. Then Camco marketed it with their drum kits in the 1960's and into mid 1970's and in the mid 1970's both Tama and DW got permission rights for it. All essentially the same great, smooth pedal. I have played them all. Same pedal with slightly different foot board design to put the maker's brand name on it.
If you ever wanted to sell that set let me know. Beautiful!
Sorry but the Vidioquality is terrible.
Need a 4k for sure.
@@jimflys2
First of all you need a camera tripod