SAC Vintage Gretsch

drmhed · Newbie Alert Joined: 11 Mar 2007 Posts: 1

Well, other than still a light sanding and re-painting of the bass drum hoops, and cleaning/polishing the double tom stand, these Randy Seol/Strawberry Alarm Clock/Sun and Moon Gretsch's are finished. Think I'm BURNT on cleaning and polishing for a while!

At first I thought these were the original set I first saw in 7th grade, when I first met Randy, (1961). But it turns out that all the drums, except for the snare, are from 67-68....hex head screws inside the shells, interior screws for the floor tom leg brackets, and serial numbers in the 98***-99*** range. With the two bass drum serials being in EXACTLY CONSECUTIVE ORDER! The snare, a six lug, Renown throw-off, with serial number 224** is in AMAZING condition...nearly new! (And slightly more 'pink' than the rest of the set.) I also have two fiber cases with "Randy Seol, Sun and Moon" stenciled on them. (That was Randy's band in Hawaii, after SAC). And one tom case with "Randy Seol" stenciled in faded gold paint. Probably one leftover from his original set, pre-SAC, when he was in the Goldtones, in Riverside, CA.

In another post, someone mentioned that the SAC set was an Avante Garde set? At first, thinking this was the original '61 set, I assumed it was 'born' before the Avante Gardes were offered. But now, since it's from the later 60's, might it be? Does anyone have a photo and or text from a late 60's Gretsch catalogue showing/describing an Avante Garde set?

So this is for sure a set owned by Randy Seol...purchased in 67-68, and possibly used during his last year in SAC, (he was with them until late '68.) And this set is VERY likely the one he used with Sun and Moon in Hawaii. There's mention of Randy and that band in a CD Baby write-up....5th paragraph... http://cdbaby.com/cd/tmdc

One other thing I've mentioned in a previous post, but will again,
just in case any of you might happen to know the guy....the bottom head on the floor tom had in faded black marker the name "Steve Rachlis". Don't have any idea who he is. But if a head on that set had his name on it, he MUST be connected to the history of those drums in one way or another....maybe an owner after Randy Seol? So there's my shot in the dark....anybody heard of that guy? (The MAIN reason for this post!)

And of course, I highly welcome comments, suggestions, questions, critiques, etc., etc. Photos are here.... http://www.drumforum.org/viewtopic.php?t=17122