Gretsch New Classic

[Chapiro]

Ive been looking at these drums and doing some research on them and i wonder if anyone here owns them or has played them, what are your thoughts? are they worth the investment or should i go with the usa customs or another brand.

[themikesonata]

I personally am not a drummer; however I have heard these kits so often as a live engineer. I can honestly say that if the drummer has even the slightest idea of how to tune them they sound great! nice fat punchy kicks!
I really dig these drums. they have they look great and the sound to back them up!

[RoundBadge]

I'm a vintage freak..not a huge fan of the lug design but these are quite good.
Way cheaper than the customs and to my ears sound just as good
The new Ludwig Legacy[3 ply] series sound good too.


..

[dudeitsree]

I have played these drums before and there not bad at all, I really like the suspension mount integrated with the tube lugs I think thats nifty. As far as USA maples, for what they cost you can get a WAY better sounding Tama, Pearl or Yamaha kit, I just ordered a $6000.00 custom kit for this guy and it really doesn't impress me one bit. Kaman owns them along with Gibraltar and Latin Percussion and honestly Kaman is a great company but the Gretsch drums I love are not being produced anymore but prices are higher than ever. So new classic just as good sound better value.

[Jax]

The kick sizes aren't what I'd be looking for, except the 20x16 kick might be cool. I'd want 22x16. Does Gretsch do custom on these?

That said, I haven't heard the new classics yet.

[Chapiro]

Thanx guys for the replys. Is there a kit from a different brand within this price range that might be better than the classics. I need them to be versatile cause they will be primordially used in tracking sessions. I have a set of pacifics lx (20,10,12,14) that sound really good and they will become my live kit. Thanx for the help.

Chapiro

[dudeitsree]

Look For a Pearl Session Custom, they are a 6ply shell that is the same as their Masters shell but with steel flanged hoops. I had one for 6 years and loved the sound, it was a great all around kit. I think they were probably cheaper new than the new classic but they don't make them anymore. Or a 4ply Masters maple, always a good choice.

[TTA1326]

Originally Posted by dudeitsree

As far as USA maples, for what they cost you can get a WAY better sounding Tama, Pearl or Yamaha kit, I just ordered a $6000.00 custom kit for this guy and it really doesn't impress me one bit. Kaman owns them along with Gibraltar and Latin Percussion and honestly Kaman is a great company but the Gretsch drums I love are not being produced anymore but prices are higher than ever. So new classic just as good sound better value.

I'm not trying to be confrontational here, but I simply don't understand this. I am the original owner of an '84 Gretsch custom ordered kit and they are fantastic sounding drums. A friend of mine is a huge collector and has put brand new Gretsch drums along side his vintage stuff from the 80s and 90s and you can't tell the difference. Care to explain some more?

[Randall]

I just picked up a Gretsch Catalina maple 6 piece kit for $899.00 (Wine Red) Love it Love it Love it

[dudeitsree]

TTA1326, The Gretsch drums you own are defiantly not made by a Kaman owned Gretsch. I'm not sure what they changed but they just don't have the resonant qualities I personally like and they don't tune up as easily as most high end kits now days do. They don't sound bad they are WAY over-priced for what you get. The sparkles are not lacquer finishes but the renown maples are, I don't get that... The wood is good, the design is good, the looks are good, the quality control is descent but I just can't justify the 3-4 grand for a stupid shell pack. Its sorta like Ludwig when they were bought out by Conn-Selmmer, they made everything the same way but when they moved the factories they just weren't the same. They are getting better tho, and same with the newer Gretsch drums. Please understand I am not a Gretsch hater, I really like dealing with there people they will take care of there stuff. Did that even clarify anything TTA1326? haha

[studio freak]

I believe sigur rós drummer is playing with New Classics.
There´s a lot of positive reviews on these kits,
I´ve been recording a Gretsch Renown Maple, (same price i believe) you can get a fairly good sound, but i´m not really impressed... the snare drums on these suck big time
but i´m used to my DW collectors... so i guess i´m spoiled!

On the New Classics i think they should have more sizes available and more color options. Also i have some trouble understanding why they go with "free floating system´s" in a so called " Classic" model...!?

[pan60]

Originally Posted by Randall

I just picked up a Gretsch Catalina maple 6 piece kit for $899.00 (Wine Red) Love it Love it Love it

you still loving that kit?
i keep holding out for a nice vintage kit i can afford, but i am tempted to just grab a Catalina jazz kit.
rr my brain hurts! decisions decisions decisions.

[Full Clip Audio]

Originally Posted by studio freak

I´ve been recording a Gretsch Renown Maple, (same price i believe) you can get a fairly good sound, but i´m not really impressed... the snare drums on these suck big time
but i´m used to my DW collectors... so i guess i´m spoiled!

Wow. I recorded one today and it was the best sounding drum recording I have ever done. Every drum sounded HUUUUUUUUGE and perfect. Up until this point the high end DW was my favorite but somehow the kit sounds mixed with nothing on it and slams through a heavy rock mix without parallel compression or any other "tricks"! I am blown away! Now part of it is good heads, a good drummer as well as mic technique and gear but the results were superb. Maybe today was just one of those lucky days where things align and magic happens in the studio. I can definitely say that amazing results are possible without all that much effort.