THEY'RE HERE! A faithful reproduction of the wonderful Gretsch 3 ply sound! You will LOVE these and I have many sets ordered and some already presold. I will be posting more info througout the day. THIS IS FABULOUS!! Made in the USA by the wonderful Gretsch team in Ridgeland. I have some cool links for you here:

Link for all of the photos from Gretsch is HERE.

Link to Steve's 3 ply vs. 6 ply analysis is HERE.    

9/23/14 UPDATE: Kits are selling like crazy. See below and also see shipping estimates and also more kits coming in. There are 12 kits below available for you. Some are here now, some arrive in less than 3 weeks. THIS IS THE PLACE TO GET YOUR BROADKASTER SET! WE HAVE MORE BROADKASTER SETS THAN ANYONE. Call me at 630-865-6849 and reserve one now:

1. (SOLD. Steve's kit)  9x13, 16x16, 14x24, 6.5x14 10 lug Micro. Color: Antique pearl. Vintage build out. (Photo shoot kit). $3750 in vintage build.

2. 9x13, 16x16, 14x22, 5.5x14 8 lug Lightning in anniversary sparkle. Standard build out. (NY). $3315 in standard build.

3. (SOLD SA. Naper) 9x13, 16x16, 14x22, 6.5x14 8lug Micro in Antique Pearl. Vintage build out.  Naperville. $3730 in vintage build.

4. 8x12, 14x14, 14x18, 5.5x14 8lug Micro. Vintage build. Satin copper. NY. $3200 in vintage build.

5. 8x12, 14x14, 14x20, 5.5x14 8 lug Lightning. Standard build. Satin maple (NY). $2700 in standard build.

6. 9x13, 16x16, 14x22, 6.5x14 8 lug Lightning. Standard build. Satin maple. (NY). $2945 in standard build.

7. 9x13, 16x16, 14x24, 6.5x14 8 lug micro. Vintage build. Color: satin copper. (Naperville). $3550 in vintage build.

Here are more kits. They are:

8. (SOLD 9/11 MA. Naper) Shipping 9/15 to Naperville. 8x12, 14x14, 14x18 anniversary sparkle standard build out. $2500  

9. In NYC. 8x12, 14x14, 14x18, 5.5x14 in Antique Pearl, vintage build out. NY. $3400. HERE.

10: In NYC:. 8x12, 14x14, 14x18 vintage build out Antique Pearl $3000. HERE.

11: In NYC: 8x12, 14x14, 14x18 Antique Pearl, standard build out.  $2500. HERE

12: In Naperville: 8x12, 14x14, 14x18 Antique Pearl, standard build out. $2500. HERE

13: (SOLD 9/20 IL. J.S). Just ordered 9/12: 9x13, 16x16, 14x24, 6.5x14 vintage build. Antique Pearl. $3750.

14. Just ordered 9/20 for Illinois: 9x13, 16x16, 14x24, 6.5x14 vintage build. Antique Pearl. $3750.

15. (SOLD 10/2 IL. S.H.) Due in Oct 15 for Illinois: 8x12, 14x14, 14x18, 5.5x14 Anniversary Sparkle, vintage build $3400.

16. Due in Oct 15 for NY: 8x12, 14x14, 14x18, 5.5x14 Anniversary Sparkle, standard build $2900.

17: Due in Oct 15 for Illinois: 8x12, 14x14, 14x18, 5.5x14 Satin Copper, vintage build $3400

Here are some details:

Gretsch Drums Broadkaster Series: Vintage Gretsch 3-ply shell without reinforcement hoops

The History

Handcrafted in Ridgeland, South Carolina, USA, the new Gretsch Broadkaster series rejuvenates the roots of the storied 3-ply Gretsch drum shell and legendary Broadkaster series.  Gretsch has a long history producing 3-ply drum shells, beginning in the 1920’s in Brooklyn, New York when the company first engineered the laminate drum shell.  Those shells were a 3-ply mix of maple/gum (or poplar)/maple, made without reinforcement hoops and were rounder, lighter and more musical than other shells typically found during that time period.  As part of their flagship drums, Gretsch offered the original Broadkaster drums between the 1930’s-1950.  Gretsch continued to produce that basic 3-ply Broadkaster shell through the mid-late 1950’s, while experimenting with various bearing edges, including a “reverse roundover” beveled edge.  Sonically, the classic 1950’s 3-ply shells are known for their organic, woody tones with low frequency thump.

The Shell

Gretsch R&D referenced the classic Gretsch 1950’s-era 3-ply shell specification as the main design element for the new Broadkaster shell.  New Broadkaster shells are USA-produced using state-of-the-art shell making techniques and constructed with North American maple/poplar/maple wood layup without reinforcement hoops.  Shells are .265” (6.7mm) thick.  The non-reinforcement hoop design differentiates the new Gretsch Broadkaster shell from most other 3-ply shells on the market today.  Each shell interior ply has an integrated scarf joint (tapered overlap) that provides structural integrity needed for the 3-ply specification.  Shell interiors are finished with classic Gretsch Silver Sealer. 

The Bearing Edge

Bearing edges are hand-finished with a “reverse roundover” contour.  The top edge sits at the inside of the shell and contours down and away to the outside edge using a specific Gretsch radius.  By nature of this design, there is an increased amount of surface contact between the drum head and the bearing edge, and is a critical component for the differentiated tones these drums produce.

The Hoops

All toms and snare drums are outfitted with Gretsch’s “302” 3.0mm, double flanged steel hoops.  These hoops are similar to “Stick Chopper” hoops used in the 1950’s, but are heavier gauge to stand up to today’s more assertive playing styles.  They produce a tone that is more “open” than die-cast hoops and add an ambient flavor to the overall tonal characteristic of these drums.  Bass drum hoops are standard-build 6-ply maple and include Nitron inlays.    

The Sound

Sonically, the new Broadkasters create the deep thump, woody, organic drum tones associated with the original Gretsch Broadkaster drums from the 1950’s.  Modern shell production and finishing technology gives Broadkasters added tonal density, presence and volume than the originals.  The shell construction without reinforcement hoops produces pure, open and resonant tones.  

Drum Hardware Packages

Broadkaster kits are available in two different hardware packages, standard and vintage.  Standard package includes heavy-duty Gretsch lugs, spurs and straight-sided GTS tom suspension typical to Gretsch USA Custom and Brooklyn kits.  The vintage hardware package features hardware component styles used on 1950’s-era Gretsch kits, including drum mufflers, FT leg brackets, rail Consolette tom holder, spurs, BD T-rods, cymbal holder, throw-off, key holder and more.

Finishes / Label / Badge

New Broadkasters are available in two Nitron wraps – Antique Pearl and Anniversary Sparkle – and two Nitrocellulose satin finishes – Satin Classic Maple and Satin Copper.  These finishes project a vintage, timeless style.  All drums include newly stylized Broadkaster internal shell labels that are serialized and Gretsch USA brass Round Badge.

Finishes

Configurations

(“V” designates vintage drum hardware components)