The Gretsch Broadkaster “Name Band“ is one of the rarest and most coveted vintage pieces for collectors of drums from Gretsch’s “golden age“.
This classic 1956 kit incorporates standard components of the era, geared towards jazz big bands:
Bass Drum: 14″ x 22″.
Floor Tom: 16″ x 16″.
Row Tom: 9″ x 13″.
Its shell is a 3-ply (maple/poplar/maple) with Gretsch’s signature Silver Sealer coating, which began to be standardized in the late 1950s. The original “Name Band“ kits came equipped with the following features:
Dual Harmonic Control: The toms included independent internal adjustable dampers for both the top (batter) and bottom (resonant) heads.
Rail support: the 13″ tom was not drilled; it was supported by a classic rail (consolette rail) bolted to the bass drum frame.
Bass drum hoops: constructed of wood and painted internally with the brand’s legendary Silver Sealer matte gray paint.
Integrated mounts: the bass drum typically came with two clamp mounts designed to directly support the cymbal arms.
