Believe it or not, this was a black Mapex 10" x 10" power tom. (exactly like blue inset picture) I cut down the shell. Filled the lug holes. Re-wrapped with "White Satin Flame" from Precision Drum Co. Redrilled the holes to fit Gretsch lugs. I had an old Gretsch tom (that was in poor shape) and removed its lugs and badge to transplant onto this tom. I sold the shell on eBay as a good recycler should. It sounds great!

I didn't find 20" white Gretsch logo heads readily available. (Really--who would want a black head on this kit??)            Long Island Drum Center NY had it & shipped it fast.

cymbals For light jazzy stuff I use an Istanbul 21" Mel Lewis ride (2 rivets). It's has an unbelieveable sound---just super sweet---one of my all-time favorite cymbals. My other ride is a '83 K Zildjian. I like bigger crashes with this kit: 18" K Custum Dark 19" K Dark Thin My "jazz hats" setup: The top hi-hat is a 70's era A Zildjian, fairly thin. The bottom is a heavy Paiste top HH cymbal (Sound Formula). Both are 14". They make a very sweet set for quieter settings or for close-mic situations. Rehular 14" hats setup: K Custom Dark top Paiste Traditions bottom Regardless of brand, I find you can get great sounding hi-hats by mixing & matching. Simply use a heavier cymbal on bottom & a thinner one on top. The snare is a 70s era (stop sign badge) chrome over brass.

I use Suspenderz mounts & multi-clamps to mount the toms.

This is my prized "round badge" white satin flames Gretsch kit, most likely from the '60s---13", 16", 20". I most often use it with the 10" rack tom (I morphed a 10' Mapex power tom into this Gretsch impostor) and the 13" rack tom as a mounted floor (shown here) & leave the 16" at home.  If I'm playing rock, I will use the original setup (13" rack & 16" floor).  Special thanks to long-time friend Eric F. for hooking me up with these beauties!

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This is my prized "round badge" white satin flames Gretsch kit, most likely from the '60s---13", 16", 20". I most often use it with the 10" rack tom (I morphed a 10' Mapex power tom into this Gretsch impostor) and the 13" rack tom as a mounted floor (shown here) & leave the 16" at home.  If I'm playing rock, I will use the original setup (13" rack & 16" floor).  Special thanks to long-time friend Eric F. for hooking me up with these beauties!

I use Suspenderz mounts & multi-clamps to mount the toms.

cymbals For light jazzy stuff I use an Istanbul 21" Mel Lewis ride (2 rivets). It's has an unbelieveable sound---just super sweet---one of my all-time favorite cymbals. My other ride is a '83 K Zildjian. I like bigger crashes with this kit: 18" K Custum Dark 19" K Dark Thin My "jazz hats" setup: The top hi-hat is a 70's era A Zildjian, fairly thin. The bottom is a heavy Paiste top HH cymbal (Sound Formula). Both are 14". They make a very sweet set for quieter settings or for close-mic situations. Rehular 14" hats setup: K Custom Dark top Paiste Traditions bottom Regardless of brand, I find you can get great sounding hi-hats by mixing & matching. Simply use a heavier cymbal on bottom & a thinner one on top. The snare is a 70s era (stop sign badge) chrome over brass.

I don't just use this for jazzy gigs. It works great for any smaller-scale gig regardless of the style of music. Here it's mic'd up in a 1,200 seat auditorium for a Beatles concert. When mic'd the 10" & 13" toms sound amazing & do not sound small at all.

I didn't find 20" white Gretsch logo heads readily available. (Really--who would want a black head on this kit??)            Long Island Drum Center NY had it & shipped it fast.

Believe it or not, this was a black Mapex 10" x 10" power tom. (exactly like blue inset picture) I cut down the shell. Filled the lug holes. Re-wrapped with "White Satin Flame" from Precision Drum Co. Redrilled the holes to fit Gretsch lugs. I had an old Gretsch tom (that was in poor shape) and removed its lugs and badge to transplant onto this tom. I sold the shell on eBay as a good recycler should. It sounds great!

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