Cooper’s Vintage Drums
coopersvintagedrums.com
Here is a 1943 Gretsch "Defender" drum set, finished in original White Marine Pearl. This is an extremely rare drum set and very few have survived over the years.
During World War II, all drum manufacturers were ordered by the U.S. Governement to build their drums utilizing only 10 % metal parts. (For more information on WWII drums see below).
This Gretsch Defender drum set is extremely rare and quite unique. The solid maple wood lugs are painted silver. Most paint is original while a few lugs were repainted. The maple shells are beautiful, thin and resonant with no reinforcing rings. Wooden lugs, hoops and a wooden trap rail illustrate the government restrictions.
The tacked on heads are intact and holding tension quite well. The 8x12 head has a small tear that was repaired. The top batter heads are all calf skin as well.
Sizes are as follows….Bass drum: 12x25; Tom Toms: 12x14 and 8x12. Snare drum: 7x14. Note the unusual Gretsch decal which was used in place of the standard round badge. This drum never had a badge! …NOTE: 25" drum heads are available from Remo by special order. 25" tympany heads may also be used.
The 8x12 tom has a tacked badge. The 12x14 is missing its badge.
The snare drum has two extra VERY TINY holes per side. The shell is quite thick and well made. Snare wires not included.
FOUR PIECE SET (25, 12, 14 and matching 7x14 snare drum)
….$1495------------------------------------------------------
~DRUMS AND THE WAR EFFORT~
In June 1942, The United States had been at war with Japan (and later, Germany) for over six months. With materials necessary to the war effort becoming scarce, the U.S. Government issued the following order to manufacturers of musical instruments:
General Limitation Order No. L-37
To Restrict the Production of Musical Instruments
"Whereas, the demands of national defense have created a shortage of materials used in the manufacture of musical instruments, action has action has already been taken to conserve the supply and direct the distribution of such materials to insure deliveries for defense and essential civilian requirements; and the present supply of these materials will be insufficient for defense and essential civilian requirements unless the manufacture of musical instruments is curtailed and the use of critical materials for such manufacture thereby reduced."
General Limitation Order L-37, stated that all producers of musical instruments must limit the amount of critical materials (metal) to no more than ten percent of the total weight.
This order prompted drum manufacturers like Slingerland, Gretsch, Ludwig, Leedy, W.F.L. and others to design and build unique instruments comprised of very few metal parts. This resulted in some very unique and beautiful drums….
Slingerland introduced the "Rolling Bomber" drums with rosewood and walnut lugs, strainers, maple hoops, and other parts normally made from metal. Gretsch offered the "Defender" line, with bullet shaped maple lugs and tacked-on heads, while Ludwig & Ludwig produced the beautiful and elegant "Victory" drum sets.
The W.F.L. Drum Company incorporated a unique internal tensioning system (most likely inspired by the Leedy and Strupe "Master Model" drums of the 1930’s) constructed mostly of maple. The drums were tuned by turning a series of tension rods from outside the drum. This caused wooden rings to be pushed against the heads for tensioning. These unusual drums were known as the "Victorious" line.
The Leedy Drum Company did their part for the war effort by manufacturing the "Dreadnought" drums. Similar to Ludwig & Ludwig’s "Victory" drums, the Leedy "Dreadnoughts" utilized hard wood lugs, trap rail holders and even foot pedals and stands!