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GRETSCH CENTENNIAL DRUM KIT, 7 PIECES, NO.79, CARPATHIAN ELM BURR, GOLD FITTINGS (PRE-LOVED)

  • £11,999.00
GRETSCH CENTENNIAL DRUM KIT, 7 PIECES, NO.79, CARPATHIAN ELM BURR, GOLD FITTINGS (PRE-LOVED) GRETSCH CENTENNIAL DRUM KIT, 7 PIECES, NO.79, CARPATHIAN ELM BURR, GOLD FITTINGS (PRE-LOVED) GRETSCH CENTENNIAL DRUM KIT, 7 PIECES, NO.79, CARPATHIAN ELM BURR, GOLD FITTINGS (PRE-LOVED) GRETSCH CENTENNIAL DRUM KIT, 7 PIECES, NO.79, CARPATHIAN ELM BURR, GOLD FITTINGS (PRE-LOVED) GRETSCH CENTENNIAL DRUM KIT, 7 PIECES, NO.79, CARPATHIAN ELM BURR, GOLD FITTINGS (PRE-LOVED) GRETSCH CENTENNIAL DRUM KIT, 7 PIECES, NO.79, CARPATHIAN ELM BURR, GOLD FITTINGS (PRE-LOVED) GRETSCH CENTENNIAL DRUM KIT, 7 PIECES, NO.79, CARPATHIAN ELM BURR, GOLD FITTINGS (PRE-LOVED) GRETSCH CENTENNIAL DRUM KIT, 7 PIECES, NO.79, CARPATHIAN ELM BURR, GOLD FITTINGS (PRE-LOVED) GRETSCH CENTENNIAL DRUM KIT, 7 PIECES, NO.79, CARPATHIAN ELM BURR, GOLD FITTINGS (PRE-LOVED) GRETSCH CENTENNIAL DRUM KIT, 7 PIECES, NO.79, CARPATHIAN ELM BURR, GOLD FITTINGS (PRE-LOVED) GRETSCH CENTENNIAL DRUM KIT, 7 PIECES, NO.79, CARPATHIAN ELM BURR, GOLD FITTINGS (PRE-LOVED) GRETSCH CENTENNIAL DRUM KIT, 7 PIECES, NO.79, CARPATHIAN ELM BURR, GOLD FITTINGS (PRE-LOVED) GRETSCH CENTENNIAL DRUM KIT, 7 PIECES, NO.79, CARPATHIAN ELM BURR, GOLD FITTINGS (PRE-LOVED) GRETSCH CENTENNIAL DRUM KIT, 7 PIECES, NO.79, CARPATHIAN ELM BURR, GOLD FITTINGS (PRE-LOVED) GRETSCH CENTENNIAL DRUM KIT, 7 PIECES, NO.79, CARPATHIAN ELM BURR, GOLD FITTINGS (PRE-LOVED) GRETSCH CENTENNIAL DRUM KIT, 7 PIECES, NO.79, CARPATHIAN ELM BURR, GOLD FITTINGS (PRE-LOVED)

GRETSCH CENTENNIAL DRUM KIT, 7 PIECES, NO.79, CARPATHIAN ELM BURR, GOLD FITTINGS (PRE-LOVED)

  • £11,999.00

Here we have something extremely special. Sold to us as the 'JP Kit' this kit is an extremely close replica to the drum kit famously used by Jeff Porcaro during many of his studio recording sessions from 1983 until the time of his death. Like the kit Jeff owned this kit comes from a very limited run of kits offered by Gretsch in 1983 to celebrate their 100th year of drum building whilst at the Frankfurt trade show. This kit has the same standard sizes (most were power depth) and comes in the same quarter-sawn Carpathian Elm Burr veneer with Gold Hardware throughout. Gretsch offered these kits as made to order only, the intention was that 100 could be made in total, owners could choose their own sizes and choose from one of 3 veneer finishes and finally choose Chrome or Gold hardware. There is only trace of 17 sets, no records exist to confirm exactly how many were made, it is unlikely anywhere near the 100 were produced, it is rumoured that Phil Collins and Charlie Watts had sets within their collections.

The Centennial is a truly unique set of drums, every badge is a special edition series specific badge, Hand Signed and numbered by Gretsch President Charlie Roy. There is also a special internal badge with each drum for this kit hand numbered 1 of 7, 2 of 7 etc.

It was well documented at the time how incredibly well made these kits were. The veneering was to a furniture grade standard, sourcing materials such as the Elm Burr from the Carpathian mountains put these drum kits at the highest pricing seen to date for that period in time. In 1983 Gretsch were located in DeQueen, Arkansas, the DeQueen method for Gretsch shells is considered by many to be the best shell Gretsch ever produced. The shells at the time on the standard series were 6 ply Jasper with specific grain orientation, the Jaspers used for the Centennial kits were thinner which even included a requirement for the quarter-sawn veneer to be thinner resulting in a 5mm, 5 ply un-reinforced shell, the ply material and grain orientation did match the lay up of standard series but there is something very different about these Centennials. The sound of the Centennial is sublime, by any standard it is a truly incredible sounding set of drums, huge presence, bags of warm low-end but with great mid through to high range definition. The Centennial is a very musical set of drums that really can't be compared to anything else, the bass drum is particularly special. The fact it was the prime kit of choice for Jeff Porcaro in the studio is no surprise once you hear a set.

Whilst we have no doubt this kit will appeal to collectors, this is also a drum kit to be considered for any high end recording or performance situations. This is an Ultimate set of drums from a golden period in Gretsch history.

  • 8 x 8, 10 x 8, 13 x 9 & 14 x 10 Toms
  • 16 x 16 Floor Tom
  • 22 x 16 Bass Drum
  • 14 x 6.5 Snare Drum
  • Carpathian Elm Burr Quarter-Sawn Veneer Finish
  • Gold Plated Fittings Throughout
  • Hand Signed and Numbered 79 by Gretsch President Charlie Roy
  • Unique 5mm 5 Ply Jasper Shells
  • Unique Centennial Cast Badges
  • Hand Numbered inside
  • Silver Sealer Interiors
  • Die-Cast hoops on all drums
  • Hand Made by Gretsch in DeQueen, Arkansas during 1983. 
  • Includes 2 Gold Double Tom Holders & 3 Gold Floor Tom Legs
  • PreLoved - Incredible condition for its age, the Gold is very good, the finish is good throughout with the exception of the 14 x 10 tom, please see the picture.

Here's a video we made featuring some of the Toms and Bass Drum from the kit:

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