80's Gretsch Tony Williams yellow

[Surfkat]

I have this 80s Gretsch kit and the the drummer I bought it from in 2001 told me it was the desirable Tony Williams yellow. That didn't mean much to me, I just wanted a good kit for the studio and I liked the sound. I have 2 kics, 4 rack toms and one floor but I only use it as a single kic with one or two toms and it sounds killer. Recently another drummer told me he thought that kit was worth a lot of money becuase the color is scarce and collectable. He said "If these were mine I'd put them away and buy some beat up kit for the studio." I said "When I bought these I thought they were a beat up kit for the studio." So I thought I would throw it out to you guys for some feedback. Whadda think they might be worth. are they "collectable." Pics enclosed below.

Sizes are:
kics - 22 x 16
snare - 14 x 7
toms - 10 x 8, 12 x 10, 13 x 11, 14 x 12, 16 x 16

One kic does not have a front head. I have the original wood hoop but I don't have lugs for it. The 14 in tom has no hoops or lugs, only the shell. The finish is very good but not perfect. The toms have Rims mounts with Yamaha hardware. The snare is missing the original lugs on the bottom hoop, I am looking for those. But Tama lugs work. All the drums appear to be 6 ply and have the silver finish on the inside. I am told these are the famed Jasper shells, (drummers say "woo-who").

Thanks in advance for your input.

[Surfkat]

Here's another pic that shows the floor tom.

[ToneBender67]

I can't tell you what they're worth, but I'd install the correct parts, detail them and sell em for a small fortune to a Tony Williams nut (they're out there in hordes, I belong to a cymbal forum and Tony's cymbals get brought up about every other day). Take the money and buy a couple of cool players sets (60's Ludwigs, Slingerland, Rogers, etc). You'll probably never look back as you'll have better sounding drums.

The Jasper shells are nice, but I prefer Ludwig 3-ply shells. Way more tone with 3-plies. Slingerland also made some great sounding 3-ply drums, which get overlooked and are still somewhat of a bargin.

I was endorsed for a while by Fibes, who used Jasper (Gretsch) shells, and although they sounded better then most shells lacking reinforcing rings, I never took them into the studio. I always went for a Ludwig kit, or ocasionally my Slingerland Radio King kit.

If you're looking for something more usable and classic, I'd dump them and reinvest. If you plan to hang onto them as part of your retirement fund, they'll never be worth as much as a set of 60's Black Oyster Pearl Ludwigs, but they are collectable in a 'niche' market (TW fans).

[Jax]

wtf's a "kic"?

[cajonezzz]

Originally Posted by ToneBender67

I can't tell you what they're worth, but I'd install the correct parts, detail them and sell em for a small fortune to a Tony Williams nut (they're out there in hordes, I belong to a cymbal forum and Tony's cymbals get brought up about every other day). Take the money and buy a couple of cool players sets (60's Ludwigs, Slingerland, Rogers, etc). You'll probably never look back as you'll have better sounding drums.

The Jasper shells are nice, but I prefer Ludwig 3-ply shells. Way more tone with 3-plies. Slingerland also made some great sounding 3-ply drums, which get overlooked and are still somewhat of a bargin.

I was endorsed for a while by Fibes, who used Jasper (Gretsch) shells, and although they sounded better then most shells lacking reinforcing rings, I never took them into the studio. I always went for a Ludwig kit, or ocasionally my Slingerland Radio King kit.

If you're looking for something more usable and classic, I'd dump them and reinvest. If you plan to hang onto them as part of your retirement fund, they'll never be worth as much as a set of 60's Black Oyster Pearl Ludwigs, but they are collectable in a 'niche' market (TW fans).

this is great advice-- and that's coming from a guy who owns the same vintage Gretsch kit ( all the sizes)

I'd off the thing, buy a current Yam/DW "rider friendly" newish sounding shell pack..then go on the hunt for some old luddy's/rogers etc for vibe and older tones.
( if i was outfitting a studio specifically)

I'm not a fan of the Gretsch toms... super narrow/finicky tuning range.

the kiks are good generally. snares are underwhelming.

[Drumsound]

Originally Posted by cajonezzz

I'm not a fan of the Gretsch toms... super narrow/finicky tuning range.

.

Really? my Gretsch toms KILL!

[RoundBadge]

Gretsch still does a Yellow finish.
it's a wrap.
are youre's a lacquer finish?


i love my old roundbadge kit for recording,redid the edges.thumbsup
just got a 1984 kit that sounds great.
love all my 3 ply luddies and old rodgers.
Sold my second DW kit this year..just not my thang
but I found a real sleeper kit for recording: an old premier set from the sixties..
amazing

maybe sell off the other kick and maybe a couple toms to a cllector.then buy some other stuff for variety

[Surfkat]

These are a wrap finish. If they were lacquer they would be unbelievable.

Damn Roundbadge, sounds like you have quite a collection of tubs.

[RoundBadge]

Originally Posted by Surfkat

Damn Roundbadge, sounds like you have quite a collection of tubs.

Bro you have no idea. .
three more big kits arrived last week.
the sad part is,these days,i engineer more than I play.thats gotta change.tutt
all my stuff is going into inventory at a new gear rental company I'm involved with.
..and of course , drummers are very happy when they come to the studio and have all the choices,thumbsup

[Surfkat]

I appreciate the words of advice to sell all or part of the kit. That's what I am thinking of doing. The real question is, what is it worth? Anyone care to venture a guess? I really don't know the used drum market.

[spitfire8898]

This kit looks killer! Bet it gets all kinds of panties thrown on stage....

[chrisso]

I don't think the colour is going to add a lot to the value.
Quite a few of the big studio names in LA and Nashville use 70's and 80's Gretsch (Jasper shells), so I'm surprised at the advice to sell them and get something 'better sounding'.
You have 'it' in my opinion.

[Blueflame]

You bought them for the studio and that's where I'd keep them. You have the right sizes in varying combinations to make them useful on a lot of different things. And most studio drummers DO use gretsch from different periods - not so much round badge as you'd think, either. The Tony guys who'd be interested are often fanatics who'd want them in Tony's sizes, mint finish & chrome, etc. Otherwise, you might get $1500 or something. But use them - they're great drums and if you know how to tune they can do anything.

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by ToneBender67

I was endorsed for a while by Fibes, who used Jasper (Gretsch) shells

I thought Fibes only ever sold fiberglass shells?

[chetatkinsdiet]

The new Fibes company in Austin was making Jasper shelled kits in the 90s. As for the comments so far here....I'd agree that you can sell these for probably in the range of $2500 or so if you get lucky and get the right buyer. If you could only get $1500, then why sell? Unless you just absolutely need the money....you can just put $300-400 up and usually find a nice Rogers kit. Maybe not a mid 60s, but definitely an early 70s swivo kit with the same shells as the earlier kits and in better sizes. There's a great set in black right now at musicgoround.com. From the pic, it appears to be 22 or 24" kick, 13" rack tom and 16" & 18" fl tom. $399. If I didn't have the exact kit in white, I'd grab it.

Ludwig or Slingerland kits from the 60s pop up all the time for cheap as well.

I've never been a fan of Gretsch snares...love their kicks....toms are hit or miss. Their hardware was a joke in the 70s. Much worse than anyone elses.

Agree with RB as you can find some great old Premier or Sonor kits for cheap too.

later,

m

[chrisso]

The question is not what vintage kits you can buy cheap IMO.
The original post was about selling a Gretsch kit used in the studio.
1) This era of Gretsch is one loved by many studio drummers.
2) To replace the kit with something that has an equal pedigree would be hard or expensive.
3) The colour doesn't add a great deal to the value IMO.

70's and 80's Gretsch kits are sought after.........but for their recording pedigree (and sound of course).
A good alternative would be to buy a new kit by one of the many mainstream manufacturers. I'd rather have the Gretsch.
I'm neither a Gretsch fanatic or own a similar kit by the way.

[ToneBender67]

Originally Posted by chetatkinsdiet

The new Fibes company in Austin was making Jasper shelled kits in the 90s.

Actually, they were using Jasper shells up until a few years ago.

[chetatkinsdiet]

Yeah, you're right, it was sometime in early 03 or so. That seems like so long ago.

later,

m

[Bob Ross]

Had no idea Fibes was even still in business. Am I at least correct in presuming that this is a very different company (ownership-wise, if not product-wise) than the Fibes of the 1970's?

[chetatkinsdiet]

Yeah they are different. The name was purchased by Tommy's Drum Shop in Austin about 15 or so years ago. They were making acrylic and jasper shelled kits. Very high quality, but didn't get too much distribution. A shame as they're great drums. I think about a year ago the company was for sale. Not sure if it sold or if Tommy is still making them.

m

[ToneBender67]

Originally Posted by chrisso

The question is not what vintage kits you can buy cheap IMO.
The original post was about selling a Gretsch kit used in the studio.
1) This era of Gretsch is one loved by many studio drummers.
2) To replace the kit with something that has an equal pedigree would be hard or expensive.
3) The colour doesn't add a great deal to the value IMO.

70's and 80's Gretsch kits are sought after.........but for their recording pedigree (and sound of course).
A good alternative would be to buy a new kit by one of the many mainstream manufacturers. I'd rather have the Gretsch.
I'm neither a Gretsch fanatic or own a similar kit by the way.

I disagree, mainly with the second point: "To replace the kit with something that has an equal pedigree would be hard or expensive."

Recorded music probably features more Ludwig, Slingerland, Rogers, Pearl, Tama and Yamaha drums then Gretsch by a long shot. Look at popular studio and group drummers in all genres (past and present) and what drums they endorse/endorsed. Gretsch is very much in the minority (albeit some great drummers played Gretsch). Gretsch was and always will be a guitar manufacturer first and foremost. You want to talk about a rock solid pedigree? First place goes to the Ludwig Supraphonic snare by a long shot. The most recorded snare drum in history (and can bought used for around $150). I maintain, dump those things on a Tony Williams fanatic. Get yourself a few older "player" kits. A three ply shell with good edges sounds great tuned up, low, in the middle, muffled, open or with just about any head combo (even without bottom heads as much as I hate to admit it). Jasper shells have their place, but they are very much a one trick pony.

[Drumsound]

A lot of endorsed drummers are playing rented Gretsch drums on records... Just ask Drum Doctors.

[Rhythm_Dog]

The Yellow Nitron (wrap) finish is probably the LEAST desirable. The Lacquer (Rosewood, Walnut, Burnt Orange, Natural) are the most sought after and command the highest prices. The DEEP SHELLS ('80's-'90's fad) are also not popular in vintage Gretsch. The standard depth shells tune easier, have better tone, record best and are what most Gretsch nuts are after. Believe me, going thru lots of Gretsch kits thru the years, this is true. Perfect example: one of my current kits is '80-'90's Gretsch square badge, Burnt Orange Lacquer, Deep Shells (9x10, 10x12, 11x13, 12x14, 16x16, 22x22 (that's right 22" dia. x 22" deep, 4-spur bass. never seen another one of these monsters. eat your heart out Orange County Drums). A gorgeous desirable lacquer finish BUT DEEP SHELLS. Paid $600 for them. If they were standard depth, they would have been $1800 easy. The Gretsch maple snare drums are also not as highly regarded as their COB 4160 snares. I use a bastardized 6.5x14 Gretsch Stop Sign Badge (older) maple snare (has Slingerland TDR extended strainer & butt, die-cast top, triple-flange bottom rims, recut edges) with this kit. No resale or collector value but sounds killer. Having all the original hardware with the drums helps too, as vintage Gretsch hardware is pricey. You could be sitting on these for quite a while if you are waiting for the 'collector value' to rise. The deep shells are a Love-Hate relationship. If you want to unload them cheap and get something easier to work with, I might be interested.

[rogerpolidori]

Originally Posted by Surfkat

Here's another pic that shows the floor tom.

hi im roger from italy im really intresting to buy a snare of your marvellous set gretsch.....tell me if it possible.......thank you and bye.

[chrisso]

Originally Posted by ToneBender67

Jasper shells have their place, but they are very much a one trick pony.

Amazing comment.

[Beefsurgeon]

Like the sound of your drums? Then keep 'em.

Don't like 'em? Sell them for as much as possible (look at completed auctions on ebay to get a good idea of their value) and move on to something else.

[drumdude]

I studied with Tony.....Sell em to me!!!

[Surfkat]

Just to update this recently revived thread from 2007, these drums were all sold on eBay 2 years ago for a fair price. They were great sounding drums IMHO but I sold them to help buy more guitar amps since I am NOT a drummer. I will say I love old Gretsch drums and guitars. A friend of mine has an old Gretsch tube amp with an original two-tone tolex that I want too. He's a blues harmonica player and won't part with it. Yet.

[Drummer.68]

I still have my set purchased at Atlanta NAMM back in early 80's