GRETSCH BROADKASTER THE RETURN OF A TIMELESS CLASSIC

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.

18-INCH MODERN BOP KITGretsch pioneered the 18-inch bass drum, which has since become the preferred size for small group settings. This configuration couples that small-but-powerful bass drum with traditional 12-inch tom and 14-inch floor toms. A Vintage hardware package includes bass drum “T-rods” and internal mufflers. Satin Classic Maple bass drum hoops have matching Anniversary Sparkle inlays.

Model BK-J484V-ASP Shown in Anniversary Sparkle Nitron Finish with Vintage Hardware

Bass Drum: 14" × 18"Mounted Tom: 8" × 12"Floor Tom: 14" × 14"Snare Drum: 5" × 14" (8-lugs)

Available as a 3-piece configuration without a snare drum (BK-J483) Available with Standard or Vintage hardware (BK-J483V, BK-J484V)

BK-J484 4-PIECE SHELL PACK

The Vintage hardware package includes a classic "Snap-In" drum key holder.

The Vintage hardware package features Die Cast Bass Drum Claws and T-Rods. The hoops are Satin Classic Maple with matching Anniversary Sparkle inlays.

20-INCH CLASSIC JAZZ KITThis timeless configuration offers diversity with a broad tuning range to perform exceptionally in nearly any musical situation. The Standard hardware package includes heavy-duty hinged floor tom brackets and Gretsch bass drum spurs. Satin Copper bass drum hoops include Mirror Chrome inlays.

Model BK-J404-SCP Shown in Satin Copper Lacquer Finish with Standard Hardware

Bass Drum: 14" × 20"Mounted Tom: 8" × 12"Floor Tom: 14" × 14"Snare Drum: 5½" × 14" (8-lugs)

Available as a 3-piece configuration without a snare drum (BK-J403) Available with Standard or Vintage hardware (BK-J403V, BK-J404V)

BK-J404 4-PIECE SHELL PACK

Satin Copper-finished bass drums come with matching lacquered hoops with mirror chrome inlays.

Standard package floor toms have hinged brackets with memory locks.

22-INCH CLASSIC HERITAGE KITTraditional bass drum and floor tom sizes are combined with a 13-inch tom to round out the classic heritage configuration. An alternate configuration with a 12-inch rack tom features a slightly more contemporary voice for today’s modern musical settings. The Standard hardware package includes a bass drum mount plate, single tom holder and “GTS” Gretsch Tom Suspension system. Dark Satin Walnut bass drum hoops are adorned with Vintage Pearl inlays.

Model BK-R424-SCM Shown in Satin Classic Maple Lacquer Finish with Standard Hardware

BK-R424 BK-RC424 4-PIECE SHELL PACK

BK-R424Bass Drum: 14" × 22"Mounted Tom: 8" × 12"Floor Tom: 16" × 16"Snare Drum: 6½" × 14" (8-lugs)

Available as a 3-piece configuration without a snare drum (BK-R423) Available with Standard or Vintage hardware (BK-R423V, BK-R424V)

BK-RC424Bass Drum: 14" × 22"Mounted Tom: 9" × 13"Floor Tom: 16" × 16"Snare Drum: 6½" × 14" (8-lugs)

Available as a 3-piece configuration without a snare drum (BK-RC423) Available with Standard or Vintage hardware (BK-RC423V, BK-RC424V)

The Standard hardware package includes the Lightning snare drum throw-off.

Die-cast bass drum claw with a Dark Satin Walnut hoop and Vintage Pearl inlay

24-INCH CLASSIC BOMBER KITAn impressive and powerful 24-inch bass drum is outfitted with 13-inch tom and 16-inch floor tom to provide extra thump and sonic saturation. The Vintage hardware package includes the Rail Consolette tom holder, vintage diamond-plate floor tom brackets and Microsensitive throw-off. Satin Classic Maple bass drum hoops feature matching Antique Pearl inlays.

Model BK-R444V-AP Shown in Antique Pearl Nitron Finish with Vintage Hardware

Bass Drum: 14" × 24"Mounted Tom: 9" × 13"Floor Tom: 16" × 16"Snare Drum: 6½" × 14" (8-lugs)

Available as a 3-piece configuration without a snare drum (BK-R443) Available with Standard or Vintage hardware (BK-R443V, BK-R444V)

BK-R444 4-PIECE SHELL PACK

The Vintage package's highly stylized Rail Consolette with clip mount

Vintage package snare drums come with the classic Microsensitive throw-off.

GRETSCH. THE GREAT AMERICAN DRUM SET.gretschdrums.com/broadkaster

GRETSCH BROADKASTER: BUILD SPECIFICATIONSCOMPONENT STANDARD BUILD VINTAGE BUILD

Shell

Hoops

Tom Suspension Straight-sided GTS with Gretsch G9025 Bracket Direct-to-Shell Clip Mount

Floor Tom Brackets/Legs Gretsch G4825 with 12.7mm Legs Gretsch G4823VMT with 9.5mm Legs

Tom Mufflers N/A Gretsch G5540BMT Batter Muffler Gretsch G5540MT Resonant Muffler

Bass Drum Spurs Gretsch G9013 Spurs Gretsch G4966MT Vintage Spurs

Bass Drum Mounting Plate Gretsch 4946MT 24-inch Bass Drums are Non-Drilled

Gretsch GVRMMT Rail Mount Consolette with Clip Mount

24-inch Bass Drums include Rail Mount Consolette

Bass Drum Tension Rods Gretsch Key Rods Gretsch G5454TMT T-Handle Rods

Bass Drum Claws

Bass Drum Muffler N/A Gretsch G5430MT Muffler (Resonant Side Only)

Single Tom Holder Gretsch GTH-SLC Gretsch GVRMMT Rail Mount Consolette with Clip Mount

Snare Drum Throw Off Gretsch Lightning Throw-Off Gretsch Microsensitive Throw-Off

Snap-in Key Holder N/A Gretsch G5447MT (on Snare Drum)

Batter Heads REMO® Coated Permatone with Gretsch Logo REMO® Coated Permatone with Gretsch Logo

Resonant Heads REMO® Clear Permatone with Gretsch Logo REMO® GPCOR Coated Permatone with Gretsch Logo

Bass Drum Batter Head

Bass Drum Resonant Head REMO® White Permatone with 1950s-Style Broadkaster Logo

REMO® Fiberskyn with 1950s-Style Broadkaster Logo

Bass Drum Hoops

Antique Pearl: Satin Classic Maple Hoop with matching Antique Pearl InlayAnniversary Sparkle: Satin Classic Maple Hoop with matching Anniversary Sparkle Inlay

Satin Classic Maple: Dark Walnut Hoop with Vintage Pearl InlaySatin Copper: Matching Satin Copper Hoop with Mirror Chrome Inlay

Gretsch G5463 Die-Cast Claws

3-ply Maple/Poplar/Maple without reinforcement hoops, Gretsch Reverse Roundover bearing edgeSnare drum has Traditional Gretsch 30º bearing edge

"302" Double Flanged

Antique Pearl (AP) Anniversary Sparkle (ASP) Satin Classic Maple (SCM) Satin Copper (SCP)

REMO® Coated Powerstroke Permatone with Gretsch Logo