Gretsch experts : What's the name and the year of this model ?

[Utilisateur1]

Sorry, my english is very bad. I've got Gretsch drums, the model number is
4415w and the serial number is 63116.
I don't know the name and the year of this model. Could you help me?
Thanks.

[Dik LeDoux]

I don't know the answer to your question, but so far your English is just
fine <g>.

Dik

[michele]

I have the same problem identifying my Gretsch's...the factory burned and
with it all their records of serial numbers. You can, however, identify the
general era by the shape and the text on the badges. Below, I'm pasting in
the email sent to me by Gretsch about this. Hope it helps!

Michele

****

Thanks for your interest in dating your Gretsch drums. Here is some basic
information on the manufacturing dates of Gretsch Drums.

With two major fires at the Gretsch factories in the past, most of the
historical records were destroyed including any documents referencing serial
number details for drum production. Since these records are no longer
available, we are unable to provide detailed production years of individual
drums based on serial numbers.

To help date you Gretsch Drums take a close look at your logo badges on your
kit. You can use the following information to give you an idea when your
Gretsch drums were manufactured:

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 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. One 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 infamous "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 the 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 the 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

In 2003 Gretsch celebrates its 120th anniversary with a limited production
of CUSTOM SERIES drums that feature the original Round Badge design. A total
of 120 bebop drum sets in Champagne Sparkle or Dark Walnut lacquer will be
produced. There will also be four individual snare drums that will only be
produced in 2003 and will also feature the Round Badge design. For
additional information concerning the 120th Anniversary products please go
to the home page of GRESTCHDRUMS.COM.

"Utilisateur1" <y.au...@wanadoo.fr> wrote in message
news:baate0$15t$1...@news-reader13.wanadoo.fr...

[Utilisateur1]

Thanks, now I know, the date of my Gretsch is 1971-1979.

"michele" <michele...@verizon.net> a écrit dans le message news:
_Qgya.30253$cK5....@nwrdny02.gnilink.net...