Can you tell me about about the sound from a 80´s Square badge kit. It has what I recall a reverse roundover. How does it affect the sound, especially higher tunings? I´m looking at this bopkit with 18x16, 12x8, 14x14
Is it very diference from the SSB, which I´ve heard and really like?
It would still be Jasper Shells (like the SSB and the 6ply RB drums). I'm not all that up on edge profiles but as far as I can tell (I own sets with all the badges) they didn't change any major construction details when they changed badges, they just changed badges. Of course production methods did evolve through the years but Gretsch seemed to try to stay true to their successful "recipe" as much as possible. Generally speaking the Square badge drums were built to a higher degree of quality control as the marketplace pretty well demanded that starting in the mid 80's forward (customers got fussier about fit and finish). The hardware was much better once they switched over to the Tech-ware stuff which was right around the introduction of the new badge. The hardware (hoops, lugs) was still American made, which actually means the chrome-plating wasn't the greatest (the imported parts they use today have much better plating than the stuff they used in the 70's and 80's).
The different badge designs do help to differentiate the different eras of construction, but they don't, at least in my experience, correlate to any major design changes in the way the drums were constructed. Changes were made as things evolved but those changes were gradual and not directly tied to the changes in badge design.
IMHO the sharper the bearing edge (less head to shell contact) the more sustain/resonance. The rounder/flatter edges reduce that and soften stick attack. Still get that Great Gretsch tone, which is so identifiable, with all the various bearing edges.
My favorite Gretsch kit is a 1979 Progressive Jazz. The toms have a simple round-over edge w/o a counter cut inward or outward. To my ears the perfect blend of sustain/resonance/stick attack.
FYI
Thank you for the info!
Im sure there are alot of this kind of threads, but where can I found info what bearing edges and build up was used for different periods during 60's til now?
Orangemi: do you mean simple roundover as an upside-down U?
