USA Custom arrived today

WhoIsTony?

Member
so some of you know I ordered a Nitron Black USA Custom from Steve Maxwell a couple months back.... well it arrived today and I just wanted to share some porn

my 5th and final Gretsch kit

14x18
8x12
14x14
5.5x14 snare with micro strainer

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So classy. Congrats, man. Play 'em proudly!
 
There is nothing like the sight of those 4 boxes, I know that feeling. Cool kit. Enjoy.
 
You're all set up now. They're classic.
 
Very nice. Classy.
Curious why you went for piano black nitron? Do some of your gigs/contracts demand a certain look?

I like black drums, but they seem to get some negative comments here on DW by some folks.
 
Oh. My. God.

You know who that finish reminds me of, my man.

You are gonna enjoy those beauties!
 
That is one badass looking strainer. Looks like a beer tap almost.
 
Beautiful kit, I love black drums.
Let us know how the Remo's fit. Some guys have reported problems with fitting Remo heads on new Round Badge kits.
 
Drums don't get more classy than that! Like a grand piano, but for cool guys. Congrats on the dream kit, play it well and enjoy!
 
.............homage if you will to Tony Williams and the black kit that hey played early on with Miles and it had the silver inlays ............

I meant to comment on those and like a moron, started typing and forgot too. I thought it was a cool touch and meant to enquire if there was any significance or if it just seemed like a cool thing to do. Given the background story, they look even better!!
 
thank you all !!!!

.... Opentune ... I love black drums ....and the silver inlay is the cherry on this sundae to me

the whole idea behind ordering this kit was that it's sort of a tip of the cap.... homage if you will to Tony Williams and the black kit that hey played early on with Miles and it had the silver inlays ..... that kit always made me drool and whenever I listen to him on any of those old records.... even though he is probably not.... in my mind he is playing that black RB kit
legend has it that it was actually Miles' kit

I can't wait to get the stock heads off it tomorrow and get some Ambassadors on it .... this kit is like a dream.... like butter ... and these Keropes sound like they were made for it

Ahhh I see. ode to TW....right! I should have known.
Now, was just looking at that pic, seems Tony used a snare with 20+ strands. Seemed uncommon for the day no?
 
When I finally get my first (!) Gretsch kit, I will have the nightmare decision to make about a finish. But I've had my eye on Black Nitron for a long time, too.
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I hear ya! The kit Tony played (or who knows, as you said) on those early Blue Notes was not the yellow monster. I love that kit, too, but the kit he was always shown with during my favorite period of his work was the black one. I think about the sound of those drums on Herbie's Maiden Voyage and I get shivers. It wasn't a really high tuning, either. It was its own sound.

I believe Tony owned a yellow in the smaller sizes before moving to the larger kit, too. Like this:
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This is probably in the lead for the finish I would go with in smaller sizes. The thing I like about the black finish is it's less obvious what you're going for. I mean, a yellow Gretsch kit is like a blonde Ludwig or WMP Slingerland, you know? Everyone knows why you chose it. I want to pay homage and all, but not seem like a hopeless fanboy (which I am). My only thinking is TW Yellow in 12/14/18 is not as obvious as the big kit with three floor toms.

I need to stop. My OCD is showing :)

Anyway, congrats, man! So jealous.
 
Congrats 8Mile! You have a dream kit! What heads will you put on them? (I bought a similar kit but with a 20" bass from Steve and after a year or so, I put on Earthtones).

Enjoy your kit!

GJS
 
Skulmoski,

The new kit belongs to WhoIsTony?, not me. Unfortunately :)
 
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