Currently running G1 Coated (Batter) and G2 Clear (Reso) on my mid 70's Gretsch toms (13" & 16"). Running an EQ3 (Batter) and EQ2 (Reso) on my 24" BD. Love the liveliness on my toms and the thunder of my kick. What I don't consider love, is the G2 Coated Batter and Hazy 200 on my early 70's Gretsch snare. I want to throw the snare in the garbage, but it's just too pretty. Gotta do some work.B
AZBill,
What model of early 70's Gretsch snare? Wood or COB? What type of wires?
My son has a SSB#1 COB 4165 (10 lug) snare. He likes the Evans Power Center Reverse Dot for the batter, Evans Hazy 300 on the bottom and Puresound Super 30 wires. The heads are the older style (non Level 360), so they were a bit tight. Once the Level 360's become the standard stock, I'll probably pickup a new Power Center Reverse Dot and Hazy 300.
Top head is tensioned medium/high, bottom head is tensioned medium and the wires are just tight enough to have a slight sympathetic buzz. Hit the head dead-center and you get a nice crack, hit it a little off-center and you get a nice COB ping. As with any COB shell with cast hoops, rim-shots are unreal. I think the sound is very slightly dry, but not choked. The reverse dot helps control the run-away overtones you can get with a single ply batter head. If you want an even drier and less resonant sound, you can tighten up the internal Gretsch muffler to make it quick and snappy.
I also put the same heads on his 1970 Acrolite and he loves the sound too. I went with Puresound Custom Pro 20 strand wires. The design of the wire end plates actually lift the spot where the coils and end-plate meet the head. This makes them really fat sounding and also sensitive.
Wait for a GC or Musicians Friend coupon and try em out.
-Tim