IBitePrettyHard
Senior Member
I found this "Gretsch Renown 14x6.5" for sale by Sam Ash for only $99. The pictures looked good so I snatched it up without hesitation. I've been wanting a matching snare for my Renown kit, and this was close enough.
What a deal! Right? Right??
I assumed it was a first generation Renown from the badge and the die-cast hoops. Having received it I can confirm that it is not a Renown.
The shell appears to be made of Mahogany, like a Gretsch Catalina Club. (I should've seen the interior didn't have Silver Sealer, but I was thrown off by the DC hoops and badge.)
So, I assume the die-cast hoops were an upgrade? But did Catalinas ever use this particular badge? I haven't been able to find any evidence that they did. Was this badge added later as well?
The butt plate was also upgraded. Two extra holes were drilled into the shell. The holes are ugly, but luckily they're mostly hidden by the butt plate itself.
In addition, the condition of the snare is worse than what appeared in the photos. There is crud and epoxy residue on the wrap, rusted tension rods, scratches all over the chrome hardware, and worst of all, the bearing edges have 3-4 small divots on the snare side. (like someone hit them with a stick)
But on the bright side, I've always wanted to try out a Gretsch Catalina Club (if that's what this is). And, it came with a Road Runner 14x4 (wtf, this 14x6.5 fits?!) bag, that was NOT listed in the ad, so that's nice. I guess.
So yeah, pretty disappointing. I'm sure it was an honest mistake by the guitar player at Sam Ash who listed it.
What do you guys think it is?
The back side of the badge grommet. Does this look stock? I don't recall seeing that black ring before, but who knows.
What a deal! Right? Right??
I assumed it was a first generation Renown from the badge and the die-cast hoops. Having received it I can confirm that it is not a Renown.
The shell appears to be made of Mahogany, like a Gretsch Catalina Club. (I should've seen the interior didn't have Silver Sealer, but I was thrown off by the DC hoops and badge.)
So, I assume the die-cast hoops were an upgrade? But did Catalinas ever use this particular badge? I haven't been able to find any evidence that they did. Was this badge added later as well?
The butt plate was also upgraded. Two extra holes were drilled into the shell. The holes are ugly, but luckily they're mostly hidden by the butt plate itself.
In addition, the condition of the snare is worse than what appeared in the photos. There is crud and epoxy residue on the wrap, rusted tension rods, scratches all over the chrome hardware, and worst of all, the bearing edges have 3-4 small divots on the snare side. (like someone hit them with a stick)
But on the bright side, I've always wanted to try out a Gretsch Catalina Club (if that's what this is). And, it came with a Road Runner 14x4 (wtf, this 14x6.5 fits?!) bag, that was NOT listed in the ad, so that's nice. I guess.
So yeah, pretty disappointing. I'm sure it was an honest mistake by the guitar player at Sam Ash who listed it.
What do you guys think it is?
The back side of the badge grommet. Does this look stock? I don't recall seeing that black ring before, but who knows.
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