need Gretsch drum help

[mscmkr]

ive been checking out the Gretsch New Classic Series drums and it says there shells are "american blend maple." i cant seem to find anything that says exactly what that is. is this a blend of maple and some other wood? or maple and something man made? if anyone has info on this please give me the scoop. im thinking about stepping up to a more upper line drum and these look really nice.

thanks everyone and have a great one...MSCMKR

[White Riot!]

OK I will run it down for you.

The shell is made from maple and gumwood with roundover 30 or 35 degree counter cuts.

The maple/gumwood thin six ply shell has been gretsch's unique shell design since the 60's , and is a part of what makes the gretsch sound unique.

http://www.musik-schmidt.de/osc-schmidt/catalog/images/GRNCE824VG_3.jpg

The new classic series is coming with new Isolation mounts that are low mass and unintruding and put pearls optimount to shame.

These new kits rival the sound of the USA Customs in everyway.

[Drum Phil]

Those are clearly a cross between the LIFTS and Optimount systems

[White Riot!]

Indeed, and lose about 40% weight of both of those systems

[Ollie The Drumming Legend]

I don't know much about them, but aren't Gretch drums all really expensive, and also a lot of them vintage ones, like from the bebop era etc. I've never understood why you'd buy a really old kit when it's going to be both expensive and not as good quality. Obviously their new ones won't have that problem.

What does the gumwood/maple deal sound like anyway, they look damn cool.?

[White Riot!]

I've never understood why you'd buy a really old kit when it's going to be both expensive and not as good quality.

Because the shells age over time and sweeten the sound.

Gretsch Round badges are almost the most commonly requested drums for cartage companies to supply for studio sessions.......hmm I wonder why?

cause round badge drums kick major arse. The toms and bass drum sounds are just so good.

Although a major flaw is round badge snare drums which has a multitude of problems , with the snare beds , fitting head collars on the drum and throw off problems etc etc.

These days the Gretsch snares sound how they should sound , without the problems , lovely and distinct


What does the gumwood/maple deal sound like anyway

Well it does give the drum some extra warmth. The main reason Gretsch originally used gumwood is because it was excellent in absorbing glue and plys of maple together. From that reason I suspect that's why the drums have this certain vibe about them.

[Josiah]

Ya, that does look almost identical to Opti-Mounts.

Gretsch also coats their drums on the inside with some special stuff.

[Quinto]

silver sealer^