Not necessarily, there are many cases of Gretsch 3ply from the early 60s. The shells were switched in the late 50s, but leftover stock was still being used through the early 60s. The pictures are not detailed enough for me to count the plies, it sort of looks like 3ply but I can't be sure. If they are indeed 3ply, I would definitely date them to the very late 50s or early 60s due to the silver sealer. The shells may have been made in the 50s, but they were probably assembled in the 60s.

My eyes aren't as good as they used to be but, if they were 3 ply, wouldn't there be a re-ring?

No re-rings on Gretsch

Yes - true - my 3ply 1958 Gretsch was bought new in 1961 (and included a 6ply floor tom which was made between 58 and 61). I was referring to 'when the drums were made.' If they were made after 58 - say in the 60's - they would be 6ply.

Tubthumper & deadhead:

The early Gretsch 3ply did have support rings in the shells.

I will have to look at my records for the date(s) when they stopped using them - I believe none in the 50's but not absoulutely sure on that.

Gary, most likely the seller is just uninformed and is going on what the previous owner told them, I believe he stated that he only owned them for a year. 3ply shells + silver sealer indicates to me that these drums were assembled late 50s early 60s. I guess the question is, do we date a set to the year that it was completely assembled and sold or the year the shells were actually constructed? When you have a warehouse full of shells, I wouldn't think it uncommon for some shells to sit there for years before being used.

Yes - thanks for the reply.

The Gretsch people I've had contact with while restoring my 58 Gretsch (bought new in 1961) tell me my drums are basically a 58 shellpack set - for two reasons:

1) the bd, snare and rack tom are all 3ply so they were made in 58 or before.

2) the 1414 floor tom is 6 ply and could have been made at the time of the switch from 3ply to 6ply in 58 or 59,60 or 61 when the kit was bought new.

There are no serial #'s or tags (tags in 62 onward as a rule) so I don't know for sure about the exact date, but I call my kit a 1958 - with an educated guess.

I would say thats a good estimate Gary, and who knows how long it was sitting in the factory and the store before it was actually purchased.