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Gretsch has a tremendous reputation that has developed thanks to more than 135 years of high-quality musical instrument production. Musicians of all types love Gretsch, whether they are an electric guitarist, a banjo player, or a mandolin player. But drummers are also huge fans of their kits, especially the Catalina Maple series that this 5-piece drum shell pack is part of.
Before you sit down to play this kit, you are startled by the beauty of it. The lacquered finish, which is either Deep Cherry Burst or Walnut Glaze, looks both contemporary and classic at the same time. The drum kit is clearly durable, which is what you’d expect from 7-ply maple shells. You can tell from looking at it that it has been ergonomically designed to improve playing.
A drum kit must do more than simply look good. And this kit certainly does. It plays wonderfully, with the Remo drumheads a dream to drum on. It might look like a compact, small kit, but the sound and tone that it gives out is very big indeed. The construction is solid and sturdy, and as with all Gretsch instruments, you are assured it will last a long time.
Drums Catalina Maple CM1-E605-DCB 5
Key Features
A quality drum kit like this Gretsch Catalina Maple kit has been designed with a lot of thought, so each component has been carefully chosen. Here are its key features:
7-Ply 100% Maple Shells: This gives you a balanced projection for all levels of tone.
Remo Drumheads: Lars Ulrich and Chad Smith use these drumheads for a reason.
5-Piece Shell: It is composed of a bass drum, two rack toms, a floor tom, and a snare drum.
Gas Cap Bass Drum Mount Plate: This is a signature Gretsch product that is a circular plate for your bass drum.
Rubber Isolated Diecast Bass Drum Claws: This will ensure that the drum hoops stay in good condition.
Low Profile GTS Tom Suspension System: This also features a memory lock system.
30 Degree Bearing Edges: This contributes to the drum kit’s incomparable sound.
2.3mm Triple Flanged Snare and Tom Hoops: These hoops give you enhanced and prolonged sustain.
Pros
+ The biggest pro for this drum kit is that it is made by Gretsch and that means that you get the famous Gretsch drum sound that has made them a favorite of some of the world’s best drummers, including Phil Collins, Taylor Hawkins, and Charlie Watts.
+ They are constructed from high-quality maple, are hard-wearing and durable, but they are also easy to manipulate, so you can find a set-up that is comfortable for your playing style.
+ The Remo drumheads are a premium component that offers excellent rebound and great give too.
+ They look even better than they sound, which is an amazing achievement because they sound excellent.
Cons
- This is, unfortunately, just a shell. That means that cymbals aren’t included. But the kit does have a cymbal holder, so you can either use cymbals from your old kit, or you can purchase some high-quality Gretsch cymbals to complete your new, great-sounding kit.
Who Is It Suitable For?
This kit is suitable for any drummer who wants huge, powerful sound. If you are a fan of that famous Gretsch sound, and you want to emulate your favorite drummers, then this kit is an excellent investment. It really doesn’t matter what level of drummer you are this is an ergonomically designed kit that is easy to play, and because it consists of only five pieces, then it is also easy to take apart for your band rehearsals, or even for performing live. The sound is more than big enough for gigging.
Why We Like It
The Gretsch sound. That is the single most important thing about every Gretsch drum kit. It is distinctive, full of tone, and powerful too. Gretsch drums are loved by drummers for that distinctive sound, and music fans love hearing it on recordings too. But this kit offers more than just amazing sound.
It looks good. And the price tag is very reasonable for such a high-level drum kit. Every single drummer, regardless of ability or musical taste, will absolutely love playing the Gretsch Catalina Maple kit.
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