Gretsch began placing paper labels inside their drums in about 1962. The paper labels possessed both model numbers and serial numbers. The focus of this article is on how model numbers were presented on the paper labels.[i] Knowledge of how Gretsch expressed model number is another useful dating tool.[ii]
Stamped Model Numbers - Different Sizes:
The first 158,500 or so drums which received paper labels had model numbers stamped onto them. The initial labels (serial numbers from about 1000 to 1502) had stamped model numbers which used digits that were about one-half of an inch tall (“Large Digit”). All 18 of the drums documented with serial numbers from 1019 through 1502 have Large Digit model numbers. The next documented drum, serial number 1533, and all which followed for the remaining seven years of the round badge era, have model numbers stamped with digits that are about one-quarter of an inch tall (“Regular Digit”). It is not clear why this change in numeral size happened, but for the Round Badge era, Large Digits only appear on the 500 paper labels with the lowest serial numbers.
Large Digit Model Number, circa 1962 - Photo by David Dudley, Dave’s Drum Shop
Regular Digit Model Number, circa 1965 - Photo by Gier
Apparently Gretsch did not discard the Large Digit stamps, as Large Digit model numbers reappear briefly early in the Stop Sign badge era. About 600 drums with serial numbers 118101-118702 received model numbers stamped with Large Digits. Interestingly, these were not the Stop Sign Badge drums with the lowest serial numbers, as the badge switch occurred at about serial number 117000. Once again, it is not clear why Gretsch briefly switched back to the Large Digit stamps or why this block of 600 drums was selected to receive them.
After serial number 118719, the remainder of the first sequence of serial numbers (up through about 136500) have Regular Digit model number stamps. When Gretsch restarts serial numbers at 00001 in about 1971 (“The Second Sequence”) it continues to use model numbers with Regular Digits. This continues to the end of stamped serial numbers in about 1973 at about serial number 22000.
Stamped Model Numbers - Different Fonts:
All of the model numbers used on round badge drums (both Large and Regular Digit) use a font with a closed four, where the vertical and angled parts of the numeral connect at the top. This closed font continues when the Stop Sign badge is introduced and when the Second Sequence of serial numbers starts. Then, at about serial number 03000 in the Second Sequence, a different font was introduced for the model number. All of the digits are changed, but the difference is most easily seen on the digit 4, which appears as the first digit in every drum model number. The new style is open rather than closed at the top, so the vertical and angled portions of the numeral four do not connect. All drums with the open four font have the first version of the Stop Sign badge and were made in the 1971-1973 time period. Their serial numbers span from 03000 through about 22000 for a total of about 19,000 drums.
Model Number with Open Four Font – Photo by Michael Raskovsky, Mikey's Gear Garage Reverb ShopRegular Digit Model Number, circa 1965 - Photo by Gier
Stamped Model Numbers – Black and Blue Ink:
Initially, black ink was used for stamped model numbers. Later, blue ink appears. Some of the stamps were either lightly applied or have faded, so color is sometimes difficult to determine. Many drums produced in the late 1960s and early 1970s do not have model numbers on their labels at all. Some appear to have never received them, while others may have completely faded in the intervening years.
Modified Stamped Model Numbers:
Infrequently the stamped model numbers are changed, usually by handwriting a digit or two over the stamped numbers. Sixteen instances of model numbers changed in this manner are recorded.
Modified Model Number - Photo by Bill Maley
Handwritten Model Numbers:
In about 1973, Gretsch discontinues the use of the stamp for model numbers at about Second Sequence serial number 22000 and begins handwriting the four-digit model numbers. For several years, the writing instrument of choice is a green colored marker. Blue and black markers are also used during the 1970s. Fading of the markers occurs, so sometimes ink color is difficult to determine. The handwritten model number continued through multiple changes in the label style through the 1970s.
Model Number in Faded Marker, circa 1974 - Photo by Kurt Ekstrom
Model Number in Faint Marker, circa 1978 - Photo by Gier
By the time when Gretsch switched to the first version of the grey/white label in about 1979, red was added to the black/blue/green palette and ink pens largely replaced markers. With the second style of gray/white label, markers and pens are both used, with colors including black, blue, red, green and the occasional orange.
Model Number in Red Marker, circa 1981 - Photo by Jim Beebe
Non-Model Numbers:
At various times in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, Gretsch put something else in the space on the label reserved for model number. I have a dozen reports of the word “Special,” non-standard drum dimensions or both written in place of the model number. I also have documented two instances where the word “Graded” was typed onto the label.
“Special” Model - Photo by Three On The Floor
Understanding the Differences in Model Numbers:
Although this article does not contain an exhaustive list, Gretsch vintage drums possess a number of interesting variations in their model numbers.The model numbers on the vast majority of vintage Gretsch drums fit well established criteria.The few that do not represent notable, but likely not valuable, twists to the norm.Knowing which groups of Gretsch drums display each different model number variation can help to answer questions about their likely manufacture dates.This is especially helpful when drums have been altered, rewrapped or are missing badges.
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[i] More information on vintage Gretsch serial numbers available at Richard E. Gier, Dating of Vintage Gretsch Drums Based Upon Serial Numbers – Challenging the Legend, Lore and Lies, Rebeats Publications, Alma, MI, 2011.
[ii] Although I have been documenting information from Gretsch drums since 2006, I did not initially record details like ink color or font style. In some reports, labels are not pictured or are torn or water damaged, so certain details are not available. Therefore, not every bit of information is available for every drum in the list. Nonetheless, there is enough data to support the observations and conclusions made in this article.
Richard E. Gier
February 22, 2022
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