Gretsch 1980s USA Custom Ebony Stain Square Badge Drum Kit (10/12/13/14/16/20)

Gretsch 1980s USA Custom Ebony Stain Square Badge Drum Kit (10/12/13/14/16/20)

Overview

A beautiful early-1980s Gretsch USA Custom drum set from the desirable brass square-badge period. Built during the Jasper-shell era, these drums feature Gretsch’s classic 6-ply maple/gumwood shells with silver sealer interiors—the signature recipe for That Great Gretsch Sound.

This kit wears its original Ebony Stain Lacquer finish, a deep espresso-brown tone typical of the 1982-84 production window. The lacquer shows clear wood grain beneath a glossy topcoat and has aged gracefully.

Shells & Specifications

All drums have brass square badges with “GRETSCH U.S.A.” text on either side of the vent and matching grey/white interior paper labels with red handwritten model numbers and printed serials.

10" × 8" Tom – Model M4414 – Serial #30920

12" × 10" Tom – Model M4415 – Serial #31681

13" × 11" Tom – Model M4416 – Serial #32270

14" × 12" Hanging Floor Tom – Model M4426 – Serial #31873

16" × 14" Hanging Floor Tom – Model M4422 – Serial #31698

20" × 16" Bass Drum – Model M4249 – Serial #31883

Each shell is classic Jasper 6-ply maple/gum with 30-degree round-over bearing edges and original silver sealer interiors. All toms still have their original Gretsch Permatone heads.

Mounting & Hardware

All toms and floor toms are RIMS-mounted and fitted with Tama brackets for modern stability. The kit includes the following Tama Titan-series hardware, period-correct and fully functional:
6899 Titan Double Tom Stand (for the two hanging floor toms)
6692C Double Tom Mount (drilled into the bass drum for the 12″ & 13″ toms)
6691A Single Tom Holder (for the 10″ tom)
All mounts operate smoothly, and no unoriginal holes were added beyond the professional Tama mount installation on the bass drum.

Condition

Excellent overall condition for a forty-year-old Gretsch. The Ebony Stain Lacquer retains its gloss and depth, showing only minimal cosmetic wear. Hardware plating is bright with light age patina. Interiors are clean with intact silver sealer and legible tags. Original Permatone heads are used but still in playable shape.

Sound & Performance

These early-’80s square-badge Gretsch drums deliver the tone collectors and players chase: warm, punchy, and perfectly balanced. The RIMS mounting lets the thin maple/gum shells resonate freely, while the compact 20″ bass drum provides a tight, articulate low end ideal for studio or stage. Muliple configuraion options- 80's Weckl set-up, jazz fusion-(two up-one down ), Modern studio/stage: one up-two down, etc...

Included

Complete 6-piece shell pack (sizes listed above)
Original Gretsch Permatone heads
Tama RIMS hardware: 6899 Titan Stand, 6692C Double Mount, and 6691A Single Holder

A rare, all-original Gretsch USA Custom square-badge kit from the early 1980s, finished in factory Ebony Stain Lacquer with matching brass badges, silver interiors, and Jasper shells. Beautifully preserved and fully outfitted with professional RIMS/Tama mounting hardware—a true example of Gretsch craftsmanship from the height of the square-badge era.