Gretsch: the difference between round and square badge?

[Cell557107]

Hello- What exactly is the difference between the round and square badge types
of Gretsch drums. Are there any informative sites on this? The Gretsch site
is pretty useless. Also, do the all have the same construction? I mean if I
were to get an orphan bass drum from, say the 70s and use it with a late 80's
kit would it's tone match? Thanks in advance.

-Harish

[Dan Radin]

The infamous "round badge" drums are nearly worthless. I'll be willing to
take them off your hands at no charge.

Cell557107 <cell5...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20011128235844...@mb-mr.aol.com...

[Stephen Mulholland]

"Dan Radin" <dra...@rcn.com> wrote in message
news:9u4gh6$sk0$1...@bob.news.rcn.net...

> The infamous "round badge" drums are nearly worthless. I'll be willing to
> take them off your hands at no charge.

NAUGHTY Dan.

Stephen

[Mark Polis]

Round badge Gretsches were first made of three-ply maple shells and then in
the late 50's Gretsch began using thinner Jasper six ply shells
(maple/gumwood). They have no vent hole in the badge (I'm speaking here of
the toms) - the badge was held on by a furniture tack. The wraps in those
days was also somewhat thicker and Gretsch applied them with overlap at the
seam, so that getting a contemporary drum head on and off can be difficult,
except on the thinner satin flame wrap finishes. Aquarian makes special
slightly oversized heads specifically to address this problem (American
Vintage model). Others use a rubber mallet to get Remo coated Ambassadors
on and off!!
You should get a copy of the book by Chet Falzerano which goes through
Gretsch's evolution.
Sound wise, mixing six ply Gretsch drums from different eras would present
no problems I can think of.
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o-----´ç Mark Polis ç b.d...@home.com çª-----o
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"Cell557107" <cell5...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20011128235844...@mb-mr.aol.com...

[Jim Fleck]

In the article on Gretsch in John Aldridge's book (which I think is
written by Chet Falzerano), mention is made of Gretsch "experimenting
with" 4-ply shells during the transition from 3-ply to 6-ply in the
late 50's/early 60's.

Did they ever produce 4-ply shells -- or have Jasper produce them? Has
anyone ever had a 4-ply Gretsh tom or bass?

[Mark Polis]

I never heard of that, Jim, but of course that doesn't mean it didn't
happen! In any case, I really don't know the answer to your question - I'll
have to check with some friends of mine (who WILL know) about that.
--
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o-----« Mark Polis b.d...@home.com »-----o

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"Jim Fleck" <jfl...@darkwing.uoregon.edu> wrote in message
news:3c06273b....@news.uoregon.edu...

> >o-----« Mark Polis b.d...@home.com »-----o
>

[Rob Schuh]

Mark Polis wrote:

MArk,
They also made 3 ply shells that were as thin as the 6 ply. The kit I just
picked up has a 3 ply 12x8 and a 6 ply 20 and 14x14. These are VERY early 60s
drums and the 3 ply shell is every bit as thin as the 6. I got lucky too in
that plain old coated Ambassadors go on and off EASILY. THis kit REALLY is
special! :)

--
Robert Schuh
"Everything that elevates an individual above the herd and
intimidates the neighbour is henceforth called evil; and
the fair, modest, submissive and conforming mentality,
the mediocrity of desires attains moral designations and honors"
- Nietzsche

"The meek shall inherit nothing" - Zappa