Thursday, December 17, 2009

Vintage Gretsch Marching Wood Rope Drum



eBay seller vanburen-girl ( 2172) is offering item no. 270499938431 described as follows:

I bought this from a man who was the original owner of this drum. He said he got it in the 1940s but it could have been made earlier than that. I think this drum would work well for reenactors of various wars or for a fife and drum corps or as a decoration. The drum still sounds great. Here are some attributes of the drum:

1. It measures 12 inches tall and 14 5/8 inches wide. The drumsticks, which came with the drum, are 16 3/4 inches long.

2. There is strap which goes around your neck so you can march with the drum.

3. There is a 3 inch tear in the lower drum head material but this does not affect the sound of the drum. There is also a 5/8 inch hole near the edge of the lower drum head. The top drum head is nice and tight with no holes or tears.

4. The wooden drum shell has a nice clear finish and normal wear marks for its age.

5. The ropes and leather holders of the ropes are vintage but in good condition.

5 comments:

  1. How much do you suppose it is worth? I have a vintage drum I would like to sell that is similar.

    ReplyDelete
  2. ebay reports that there were 3 bidders (very few) for this item no. 270499938431, and that the drum sold on Dec. 18, 2009 for US $139.50 plus shipping of $21.17.

    See http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-GRETSCH-MARCHING-DRUM-WOOD-ROPE-LEATHER_W0QQitemZ270499938431QQcmdZViewItemQQptZ
    Vintgae_Drums_Percussion?hash=item3efb0d807f.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have a drum just like the one pictured here. It is in great condition except for a ripped bottom cover. I would be willing to sell if the price were right. My drum has the number 193 inside the top rim, and the letters "U. S." in gray letters on the side, edged with gold. Please advise.

    ReplyDelete
  4. My field drum purchased from Gretsch NYC. the rims are not positioned, need to put the rims in correctly. any suggestions without removing the white original ropes?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hello,
    I have recently acquired an antique (maybe vintage) 15"-16" wooden snare drum shell found by a friend in a barn in Michigan (?). It has no skin. There is a small label inside which reads "Excelsior Above All; Trade Mark; Philadelphia". Can you tell me anything about it, especially its value and the best venue through which to sell it?

    ReplyDelete

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