Serial Number Based Dating and Authentication Guides for Vintage Drums
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I welcome any reports of Gretsch drums with serial numbers and Ludwig drums with both serial numbers and date infromation.  Below is a list of information that I collect (Gretsch above and Ludwig below).  Please copy the appropriate Information Sheet into an email and then complete it with your information.  If you prefer, just email your information in whatever form you like and I will take it from there.

Gretsch Serial Number Information Sheet (Downloadable Word File)


Serial Number:   ______________________

Badge Style:   RB    SSB#1    SSB#2    SSB#3    Square

Label Style:   OW1    OW2    OW3   GW1  GW2

​Dimensions (inches):   Depth ______ x Diameter _______

Model Number:   _____________

Model Number:    Stamped     Handwritten

Model Number Ink:    Black    Blue    Green   Blank    Other _________

Lug Casing Attachment Screw:    Round    Hexagonal

Wrap or Finish:  ____________________________

Number of heads:   Two Headed     Concert Tom

Throwoff Type:   Microsensitive   Lightning #1   Lightning #2   Renown   Other_______

Set Configuration (depth x dia):   __x__,  __x__,  __x__,  __x__,  __x__,  __x__,  __x__

Model 4160 Snare Knurling:  Yes   No

Purchase Date (if known):  ___________________

Other information:  _______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Email your reports to:  
Rick@GretschDrumDatingGuide.com

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ludwig Serial Number Information Sheet  (Downloadable Word File)

Serial Number:   ______________________

Badge Style:  K1   K2   BO1   BO2   BO3   BO4   K3   K4   Standard     Other____________

Dimensions (inches):   Depth ______ x Diameter _______

Date Stamp?  Y / N

Date Stamp Color:   Black    Red

Paper Label?   Y/N

Date Stamp or Date Code (from paper label):  ____________________

Tone Control Style:    Baseball Bat    Small Round Knob    Large Round Knob    None

Felt Type:    Red Rectangle    White Rectangle    Gray Circle    Black Circle

Interior Finish:  Resa-Cote (White)   Clear Varnish   Granitone/Lud-Cote    Unfinished

Exterior Wrap or Finish:  ____________________________

Number of heads:      One (Concert Tom)    Two

Number of lugs per head:  ______________

Throwoff:  P83   P84   P85 Black 12   P85 Black 2   P87   Classic   SuperSensitive    Other _____

Set Configuration (depth x dia):   __x__,  __x__,  __x__,  __x__,  __x__,  __x__,  __x__

Model:  Pioneer   JazzFestival   Acrolite   Supraphonic   Supersensitve   Clubdate   Classic

                 Standard     Other ______________  Model Number (if on paper label) _______

Purchase Date (if known):  ___________________

Other information:  ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Email your reports to:   Rick@GretschDrumDatingGuide.com


NOTICE:  This site is not associated with Gretsch, Fred W. Gretsch Enterprises, Ltd., Ludwig Drum Co. Ludwig Industries, Conn-Selmer, Inc., Selmer, Inc. or the owners, successors and assigns or any licensees of the Gretsch or Ludwig trademarks.  
​All pictures and text on this site are the creation of their authors and subject to copyright laws.  Do not use without permission of owner.  (c) Richard E. Gier 2013, 2015
Contact Rick@GretschDrumDatingGuide.com if you have any questions, compliments or complaints.