We're proud to announce an exclusive for Steve Maxwell Vintage and Custom Drums. We will offer our Gretsch USA Custom sets with "Vintage Tribute" features that Gretsch does for us.

Exclusive features:

These Gretsch USA Custom drum sets will be built using our Maxwell Vintage Rail Consolette tom holder. Gretsch has also agreed to allow us to be the sole user on USA Custom drums for merlot sparkle (a wonderful burgundy sparkle replica) and the new Vintage Copper lacquer finish.

Vintage Tribute Kits:

Our Vintage Tribute kits honor the drum set configurations and colors made famous by such wonderful "round badge" era endorsers as Mel Lewis, Art Blakey, Max Roach, Tony Williams, Philly Joe Jones, Elvin, and more. Just think about it for a minute. These artists, and many more like them, created some of the finest jazz drumming ever heard. The 50s and 60s were a magical time for these players. It was also a time where they had their pick of any of the fine drums being built in the US at the time. In addition to Gretsch there was Ludwig, Slingerland, Rogers and Camco. But, ALL of these players chose Gretsch. Why would they choose Gretsch? After all, there were no big-money endorsement deals with Gretsch; just one set of drums each year, and endorsers had to turn in their old set before they got a new one. The answer is actually simple: The sound.  So, ask yourself something: Were all of these people wrong: Elvin, Tony, Max, Art, Mel, Papa Jo, Philly Joe, Don Lamond, Charli Persip, Jimmy Cobb, Louie Bellson (1946-1961), Kenny Clarke, Shelly Manne (50s), Sonny Payne, Chico Hamilton, Art Taylor.  Listen to any major jazz recording from this era and chances are that you're hearing Gretsch drums and one of these great artists. And, this list doesn't include those artists who endorsed another brand, but secretly brought out their Gretsch set when it was time to commit their sound to vinyl in the studios.

So, let's get back to the roots of great jazz drumming with our special Gretsch Vintage Tribute kits. Our Vintage Tribute Series sets will be true replicas of the great drums made famous by these artists.

Each set will be built by the Gretsch USA Custom team with true Gretsch "vintage" build features such as:

- Bass drum: Vintage disappearing spurs; "Pratt" internal muffler; vintage Ts. Gloss black hoops with matching inlay for wrap finishes. Matching hoops with no inlay for lacquer finishes. Optional diamond plate cymbal arm bracket that allows your cymbal arm to be mounted to the bass drum. Any Gretsch finish available in addition to our exclusive burgundy sparkle.

- Toms: Vintage tone controls top and bottom; vintage diamond floor tom leg brackets. Any Gretsch finish available in addition to our exclusive burgundy sparkle.

- Snare drum: Lightning throw off; internal tone control; snap in key holder. 5.5x14 or 6.5x14. 8 lug or 10 lug. Any Gretsch finish available in addition to our exclusive burgundy sparkle.

- Tom holder: Maxwell Vintage Rail Consolette with choice of diamond plate mounted tom bracket or "L" arm with RIMs-style mount.

- New stop sign "dropped G" Gretsch USA Custom badge.

- Exclusive merlot (burgundy) sparkle, as well as any other Gretsch USA Custom finishes.

- Full Gretsch warranty and of course. "That Great Gretsch Sound" is included with every set!

Some examples of available sets:

BeBop in Burgundy: This is a replica of the great burgundy sparkle 4 pc kit made famous by Art Blakey and Mel Lewis. 8x12, 14x14, 14x18 (14x20 optional), 5.5x14 snare drum (8 or 10 lug). Maxwell Vintage Rail Consolette. Exclusive merlot sparkle (burgundy) wrap finish. Vintage build out including tone controls on toms; diamond leg brackets on floor tom; snare drum with internal tone control, snap in key holder and Lightning throw off; bass drum with vintage disappearing spurs, vintage Ts and "Pratt" internal muffler.  

Classic BeBop:  This is a replica of the great natural maple 4 pc kit made famous by Philly Joe Jones. 8x12, 14x14, 14x18 (14x20 optional), 5.5x14 snare drum (8 or 10 lug). Maxwell Vintage Rail Consolette. Maple gloss lacquer finish. Vintage build out including tone controls on toms; diamond leg brackets on floor tom; snare drum with internal tone control, snap in key holder and Lightning throw off; bass drum with vintage disappearing spurs, vintage Ts and "Pratt" internal muffler. 

Silver BeBop: This is a replica of the great silver sparkle 4 pc kit made famous by Max Roach. 8x12, 14x14, 14x18 (14x20 optional), 5.5x14 snare drum (8 or 10 lug). Maxwell Vintage Rail Consolette. Silver sparkle wrap finish. Vintage build out including tone controls on toms; diamond leg brackets on floor tom; snare drum with internal tone control, snap in key holder and Lightning throw off; bass drum with vintage disappearing spurs, vintage Ts and "Pratt" internal muffler. 

T Bop in Black: This is a replica of the black 4 pc kit made famous by Tony Williams. 8x12, 14x14, 14x18 (14x20 optional), 5.5x14 snare drum (8 or 10 lug). Maxwell Vintage Rail Consolette. Black wrap finish. Vintage build out including tone controls on toms; diamond leg brackets on floor tom; snare drum with internal tone control, snap in key holder and Lightning throw off; bass drum with vintage disappearing spurs, vintage Ts and "Pratt" internal muffler. 

E Bop in Yellow: This is a replica of the yellow lacquer 4 pc kit made famous by Elvin Jones. 8x12, 14x14, 14x18 (14x20 optional and 14x16 bass drum optional as well), 5.5x14 snare drum (8 or 10 lug). Maxwell Vintage Rail Consolette. Yellow lacquer finish. Vintage build out including tone controls on toms; diamond leg brackets on floor tom; snare drum with internal tone control, snap in key holder and Lightning throw off; bass drum with vintage disappearing spurs, vintage Ts and "Pratt" internal muffler. 

Big Band Classic: This is a replica of the great white marine pearl 4 pc kit made famous by Don Lamond. Buddy Rich actually said that Don Lamond was the greatest big band drummer he ever heard!9x13, 16x16, 14x22 (14x24 optional), 5.5x14 snare drum ( 8 or 10 lug). Maxwell Vintage Rail Consolette. White marine pearl wrap finish, and yes, we can do this set in any color you want including our exclusive burgundy (merlot) sparkle. Vintage build out including tone controls on toms; diamond leg brackets on floor tom; snare drum with internal tone control, snap in key holder and Lightning throw off; bass drum with vintage disappearing spurs, vintage Ts and "Pratt" internal muffler. 

SEE WHAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE IN STOCK: http://www.maxwelldrums.com/gretsch-vintage-drum-sets-gretsch-sets-c-188_21_76.html