The HistoryIn its Brooklyn, New York factory during the 1920s, Gretsch perfected its design of the first laminated three-ply drum shell. The shell was relatively thin, yet constructed without reinforcement hoops thanks to the structural integrity that the laminate-ply design provided. The “Great Gretsch Sound” was beginning to take shape, starting with a shell that produced rich, resonant and pure musical tones that have since become legendary.

Throughout the next three decades, the Gretsch flagship “Broadkaster” series used this original three-ply shell as its sonic foundation. After years of research, development and testing, Gretsch designed a “reverse roundover” edge that made the 1950s Gretsch Broadkaster one of the most highly sought-after drums ever produced.

Today, in the Gretsch Drum Factory in Ridgeland, South Carolina, USA, Gretsch is recreating its storied three-ply shell with an all-new Broadkaster drum series. The application of advanced drum-making techniques to the 1950s-era three-ply shell has resulted in a modern-day version of a drum that recreates the sonic brilliance and “That Great Gretsch Sound” of the original Broadkasters.

Vintage Gretsch Three-Ply Shells with the Reverse Roundover Bearing Edge

The ShellToday’s Broadkaster shells are made one-by-one using maple/poplar/maple wood (all North American) without reinforcement hoops. Each shell includes an interior-ply scarf joint that supplies added structural integrity to thin, musical shells. Like all USA-made Gretsch drums, shell interiors are finished with classic Gretsch Silver Sealer.

The Bearing EdgeThe all-new Broadkaster shell is hand finished with the reverse roundover bearing edge on the bass drums and toms. Using a Gretsch- exclusive radius, the inside edge of the shell sits higher and rounds off down and away to the shell’s exterior edge. This allows greater surface contact between the bearing edge and drumhead, resulting in added tonal depth and warmth.

Broadkaster snare drums are finished with Gretsch’s traditional 30º bearing edge, angled toward the shell's interior. This proven bearing edge technique produces a wide range of tones while maximizing attack and projection.

The HoopsBroadkaster 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 1950s, but are constructed out of a heavier gauge steel to stand up to today’s more assertive playing styles. The 302 hoop helps to produce a more open tone than a die-cast hoop and adds ambient overtones to the overall tonal characteristic. Bass drum hoops are standard-build six-ply maple and include Nitron inlays.

The Hardware PackagesBroadkaster 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 1950s-era Gretsch kits, including drum mufflers, floor tom leg brackets, Rail Consolette tom holder, spurs, bass drum T-rods, throw-off, key holder and Remo® Fiberskyn bass drum logo heads.

The Finishes and AppointmentsNew Broadkasters are available in two Nitron wraps: Antique Pearl and Anniversary Sparkle and two Nitrocellulose satin finishes: Satin Classic Maple and Satin Copper. All drums include a newly stylized and serialized Broadkaster internal shell label and the iconic Gretsch USA brass Round Badge.

The Broadkaster Sound ProfileLike its legendary predecessors from the 1950s, the all-new Broadkaster faithfully produces warm, dense and punchy tones. Thanks to the modern manufacturing advances and finishing technology, today’s Broadkaster has even greater dynamic response and sonic presence than the originals.