USA Signature Snares

ASH SOAN SIGNATURE SNARE

Ash Soan is one of today’s most in-demand drummers, so Gretsch was super excited to work with him creating this amazing signature snare drum. Ash’s eclectic work calls for a snare of unparalleled versatility… and that is precisely what this is. Working at his historic Windmill Recording Studio there are a variety of sonic goals and this unique drum provides everything he needs to meet the needs of his clients. This 12” Purpleheart snare drum has already been heard on several recordings and Instagram videos and many drummers have asked him about it. Well, now you can have this exact sound for yourself. We are proud to introduce the Ash Soan Signature Snare Drum.

This breakthrough drum starts with a 9-ply 7x12″ Purpleheart shell finished in clear gloss lacquer. Its double 45 degree bearing edges significantly increase the attack, creating an ultra-cutting crack. Additional features based on Ash’s specs include our 4mm Die Cast hoops and our classic Lightning throw-off. Each snare has an inside identification label specifying the year of production and each is signed by Ash himself.

• 9-Ply 7x12" Purpleheart shell
• Clear gloss lacquer finish
• Double 45º bearing edges
• 4mm Die Cast hoops
• Lightning throw-off and butt plate
• Inside label signed by Ash Soan

VINNIE COLAIUTA SIGNATURE SNARES

Legendary Gretsch Artist Vinnie Colaiuta was determined to find primary and secondary snare drums with the versatility to meet his needs both on stage and in-studio. Working closely with the craftsmen at the Gretsch USA Factory in Ridgeland, South Carolina, they produced two incredible signature snares with all of the sonic characteristics that Vinnie had been looking for.

Vinnie’s primary snare, the 5x14″, has extensive dynamic range with incredible body and remarkable sensitivity. The 4x12″ auxiliary snare is ultra-loud when laid into with a rimshot. The drums are finished in a distinctive Cobalt Blue to compliment the Gretsch USA Custom kit used on the Sting/Peter Gabriel “Rock, Paper, Scissors” World Tour.

Both drums feature Gretsch USA’s 6-ply North American Maple Gum Shells with Silver Sealer interiors, 4mm die cast hoops and Vinnie Colaiuta Signature Gretsch Badges.

• 6-ply North American Maple/Gum shells
• Cobalt Blue finish
• Double 45º bearing edges
• 4mm Die Cast hoops
• Lightning throw-off and butt plate
• available as 5x14″ (primary) and 4x12″ (aux)

GERGO BORLAI SIGNATURE SNARE

Drum Phenom Gergo Borlai and Gretsch teamed up to develop a very unique addition to the USA metal snare collection. Together, they created what Gergo describes as a “sensitive, multifunctional, loud, and limitless” snare drum.

The key elements included a 4.25x14″ 1.2mm brass shell, 45 degree bearing edges, 42-strand snare wires and 4mm Die Cast hoops, making this instrument one of the more distinctive in the Gretsch snare drum assortment. The shell’s surface is finished with an applied sand blast texture for a unique look and tighter overall sound.

A Lightning throw-off™, Gretsch Permatone® Control Sound head by Remo USA® and an inside identification label specifies the year of production and is signed by Gergo Borlai rounds off this one-of-a-kind snare drum.

• 1.2mm Brass shell
• Sandblasted surface
• 45º bearing edges
• 4mm Die Cast hoops
• 42-strand snare wire
• Lightning throw-off and butt plate
• Inside label signed by Gergo Borlai

KEITH CARLOCK SIGNATURE SNARE

When you are fortunate enough to work with the drummer who has performed with such a wide range of artists such as Steely Dan, Toto, Wayne Krantz, James Taylor, Tal Wilkenfeld, John Mayer, Sting, Chris Botti, and many more…why wouldn’t you want to develop a snare drum with him? His rhythmic expression behind the drum set is so musical and so inspiring to many musicians across the globe, Gretsch Drums considers it an honor to proudly introduce the Keith Carlock Signature Snare Drum.

Keith’s always been an admirer of brass shell snare drums but those that have a more visually aged or fatigued look to them. One key requirement that Keith had for the drum: a wide range of sound applications to meet the varied demands of studio work. So that’s where we started.

The drum's foundation is a 5.5x14” 2mm Vintage Patina brass shell. Capturing the “antique” look throughout the shell, a unique aging compound was developed at the Gretsch factory in Ridgeland, South Carolina. To increase the dynamics and pitch range, Keith preferred the 20-strand snare wire vs. the 42-strand. And he opted for a standard Permatone drumhead rather than our Permatone Control Sound.

Additional features include 45 degree bearing edges, 4mm Die Cast hoops and our classic Lightning throw-off. Each snare has an inside identification label specifying the year of production and each is signed by Keith himself.

“This isn’t just another snare drum. It’s unique in so many ways. The ingredients and specifications that we came up with to create the look, the feel, and the sound are just incredible. You have to check this one out!”

• 2mm Brass shell
• Vintage patina finish
• 45º bearing edges
• 4mm Die Cast hoops
• 20-strand snare wires
• Lightning throw-off and butt plate
• Inside label signed by Keith Carlock

*The production/aging techniques used on the GAS5514-KC brass shell make every drum completely unique. Each shell will have a slightly different look in color, patina and overall appearance.

STEVE FERRONE SIGNATURE SNARE

World-class Gretsch Artist, Steve Ferrone’s signature snare drum starts with the coveted Gretsch 3-ply Broadkaster shell and the unique “302” hoop that, when combined, deliver “That Great Gretsch Sound” that Steve has relied on for decades. When tuned loose and dampened a bit with its built-in tone control, the drum releases dark and downright dirty backbeat. Tune it up and you’ll get a tight and razor-sharp pinpointed attack. Each drum is serialized and hand-signed by Steve.

• 3-ply Broadkaster maple/poplar/maple shell
• Cadillac Green Gloss finish
• 302 steel hoops
• Reverse Roundover bearing edge
• built-in tone control
• Micro-Sensitive throw-off*
• Inside label signed by Steve Ferrone

*Micro-Sensitive Throw-Off US Patent No. 7,220,905 Licensed by Pearl.