Gretsch Drums
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"That Great Gretsch Sound!"
Contents |
[edit] History
In 1872, Friedrich Gretsch immigrated from Germany, and came to USA. In 1883, he set up his musical instrument business. When he died, his son, Fred Gretsch Sr., took over. He was still a teenager when he took over the business. Fred Gretsch Sr. set up the Fred Gretsch Company in Brooklyn, New York. Fred Gretsch Sr. handed over business to his son, Fred Gretsch Jr., in 1942. Soon after taking over, he had to leave and command in WWII. His younger brother, Bill Gretsch, took over the company and led the company until 1985. In 1985, Bill Gretsch's son, Fred Gretsch, took over the business. Today, the drums are manufactured in Ridgeland, South Carolina.
[edit] Drumsets
USA Custom, Renown Maple, Catalina Birch, Catalina Club Jazz, Catalina Club Mod, Catalina Club Rock, Black Hawk EX, Black Hawk SX
USA Custom drums are an 6-ply maple shell.
Renown Maple drums are an 6-ply maple shell.
Catalina Birch drums are an 8-ply birch shell.
Catalina Club Jazz drums are all mahogany shells.
Catalina Club Mod drums are mahogany-shelled.
Catalina Club Rock drums are mahogany-shelled.
Blackhawk EX drums are 9-ply shells.
Blackhawk SX drums are 9-ply mahogany shells.
[edit] Badge History
BADGE #1 1883 to 1971 The original Gretsch Round Badge design. This was the first badge used on Gretsch drums going all the way back to 1883. The badge was round with GRETSCH written across the top and DRUM MAKERS SINCE 1883 along the bottom. The older version of the Round Badge used a carpenter's tack to attach the badge to the shells while a later version used the standard brass grommet to affix the badge. Final production of Gretsch drums with the Round Badge was in 1971
BADGE #2 1972 to 1979 The next badge design for Gretsch was an octagon-shaped badge. This brass badge had the GRETSCH logo written in block type with an elongated letter "T" in the middle of the Gretsch name. On the right side of the brass grommet, the word DRUMS appears in block letters. To the left, the initials U.S.A. appear in block letters. The bottom section of the badge reads "THAT GREAT GRETSCH SOUND". Final production of Gretsch Drums with this badge was in mid-1979. This is the only badge to carry the famous "Great Gretsch Sound" tag line.
BADGE # 3 1979 to 1980 The second version of the octagon badge went into production in late 1979. This badge is very similar to the previous badge but the tag line on the bottom was changed back to "DRUM MAKERS SINCE 1883" in block letters.
BADGE # 4 1980 A brief glimpse into the modern day drum badge. In 1980, due to the popularity of multiple-tom outfits, the badge was changed to a square shape with the corners cropped. This would allow the badge to look the same no matter which way the tom was mounted. The brass badge had the GRETSCH logo in block letters above the grommet. The GRETSCH logo below the grommet was placed upside down to allow for the varied positioning of the toms. U.S.A. was on the left and right side of the grommet with the left U.S.A. letters upside down. This badge would be used in 1980 and then shelved for a brief period of time before it was brought back into production.
BADGE # 5 Early 1981 A short return to the octagon badge. This time the brass badge was redesigned with the GRETSCH logo in the drop "G" font above the grommet. U.S.A. appeared to the right of the grommet and DRUM MAKERS SINCE 1983 was at the bottom of this badge in block letters.
BADGE # 6 Late 1981 to Modern Day. Back to the square badge design. By late 1981, the brass square badge had returned and is still being used on Gretsch Custom Drums today.
OTHER SPECIAL GRETSCH BADGES BROADKASTER and USA MAPLE SERIES The BROADKASTER series and the USA MAPLE series use the modern-day square badge design but in antiqued pewter finish instead of the traditional brass material that has been used on all previous series of Gretsch drums. The modern BROADKASTER series was reintroduced in 1998 and features gunmetal plated die cast hoops and lugs and satin lacquer wood-grain finishes. The USA MAPLE series was introduced in mid-2001 and features chrome-plated hardware and satin wood-grain finishes.
100th ANNIVERSARY BADGE This special badge was used in 1983 on a limited production of exotic wood grain kits with all gold hardware. Only 100 sets in these special finishes were produced. The badge was a large upright rectangle with the corners cropped. The Gretsch logo features the drop "G" logo style and the badge reads "THE CENTENNIAL 1883-1983" along the top in block letters.
120th ANNIVERSARY ROUND BADGE
[edit] Hardware
Gretsch Drums Mostly come in shell packs. The only time they wouldn't come in shell packs is if you buy from a store that includes the hardware.
Artists who use Gretsch:
http://www.gretschdrums.com/?fa=artists
Rob Bourdon of Linkin Park Stan Frazier of Sugar Ray Chris Cester of Jet Phil Collins Makoto Izumitani who plays for Gwen Stefani Pete Alexander of El pus Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones Cindy Blackman D.J Fontana who played for Elvis or 14 years. D.J. has also played for such great artist as: Paul McCartney, Ron Wood, Keith Richards, Carl Perkins Jeff Beck, Ringo Starr, The Tractors, Lee Rocker and many others. Paul Alexander who played for Chaka Kahn, Nelly Furtado, Richi Kotzen, Dave Samuels, Joy Enriquez, Cherie, Clay Aiken.etc. Paul John who played for Christina Aguilera, and Alicia Keys and many more. Rick Woolstenhulme Jr. with Lifehouse. Brad wilk with Audioslave
