I agree with you Kona, I don't know where he got '57 from. I can't be 100% because the pictures aren't the best, but it looks like a 6ply shell to me, has silver sealer and orange and white tag. Serial numbers are not that useful in dating Gretsch, but the Gretsch site says a good estimate for a 5 digit serial number, like this one, is mid-60s.

I'm pretty sure it's a 3ply shell. If you look closely at one of the photos you can see the thicker plys. The six ply shells were the same thickness as the 3ply but the plys were thinner.

It could have been sent out with a 62 or later 6ply shellpack - sticker put on then?

For example; my 58 Gretsch drums are all 3ply (made in 58 or earlier) but my floor tom is 6ply, made anywhere from 58 when Gretsch swithced to 6ply right up until 60(or early 61) when they were shipped out as a complete set. They were bought new up here in Canada in 1961. So I'm only guessing that they were shipped out in 60 because of the time factor involved getting them out, into a retailer up here and sold. Mine all had original silver sealer and NO stickers.

Ya - I don't know where he got 57.........maybe he's thinking "Charlie Watts drum" - haha.

That's a totally standard mid 60's Gretsch snare drum, 6 ply. There's a common phenomenon where people think their drums are about 5 years older than they really are, for whatever reason. I think that's what's happening here.

Thanks,

Bill

I wonder if he's getting it from the model number on the label: 4157

Good catch skydog, I bet you're right.