![]() As a teenager, Gladstone took a job at a large New York City department store because of their stellar drum and bugle corps. Due to a clerical error at Ellis Island, his last name Goldstein (he was born William David Goldstein) was misspelled as Gladstone, and he adopted his new last name. When Gladstone was 12 his family emigrated from Rumania to the United States. Although the little Gladstone drew laughs on stage struggling to play a big baritone horn, over time he learned to master the horn and other brass instruments as well. At age seven, Gladstone joined his father’s band more for comedic purposes than for his musicianship. ![]() patents to his name, as well as a respected instrument builder.īorn in Rumania on Deceminto a musical family, Gladstone’s English-born father supervised Rumania’s Government Band. ![]() Gretsch’s first endorsement superstar, Billy Gladstone, was a rare musical “triple threat.” Not only was Gladstone one of the most respected percussionists of his era (many say the best snare drum player who ever lived), he was also a creative inventor with over 20 U.S. Here is a little more info on Billy Gladstone and the impact he had on drumming and drum design:īilly Gladstone: A Great Gretsch Ambassadorīilly Gladstone: Legendary Percussionist, Innovative Inventor, and Gretsch Drum Ambassador. I am a very well respected Reverb seller since they launched with great feedback, full Buyer Seller Protection will be provided through Paypal, snare will be packed INCREDIBLY well and shipped via fully insured USPS Priority Mail (or picked up in person if you live in/around Massachusetts) with tracking/delivery confirmation provided to the buyer. There is a video at bottom of page demonstrating a similar one (same model/era) with chrome hardware and some modifications, I did not make this video and again this is NOT the same exact snare I am selling, but it is very similar so I am including it here simply to show some of the features. One part of the 3 way tuning key locks onto the larger portion of the top head tension rods and tunes the top head another part of the 3 way tuning key locks onto the small nut on the top tension rods and tunes the bottom head the third part of the 3 way tuning key simultaneously locks onto the large and small portions of the top tension rod thus allowing both heads to be tuned in unison from the top of the drum. The 3 way tuning system developed by Billy Gladstone allows all tuning for the drum to be done from the top head. The drums utilized Gretsch shells along with Billy's innovative designs for the throw off, internal muffler, and the ingenious 3 way tuning system. ![]() The Gretsch Gladstone snares were built by in the 30s by Gretsch through an agreement with Billy Gladstone. ![]() If you found this listing you probably know about these snares and how rare a fully functional early one in this condition WITH THE THREE WAY KEY is. It still has a very old calf top head on it even and an old Weather King Ambassador on the bottom, has some normal wear/patina but is not broken/damaged in any way, everything works, this model has the preferred 3 ply Gretsch shell (once WWII arrived Gretsch switched these to 4 and 6 ply shells and a standard 2 way tuning which Gladstone did NOT prefer due to unavailability metals/wood), please carefully examine the pictures. This snare drum is a 6.5x14 Gretsch Gladstone with 3 way tuning in Gold Sparkle with Gold Hardware. Very good shape for a 70+ year old snare that was played professionally back in the day, internal muffler has been removed (a common practice) but other than that to the best of my knowledge the rest of the hardware appears original, no extra holes have been drilled in the shell, no additional modifications and the three way key is included. Rare Gold Sparkle/Gold Hardware 1930's original Gretsch Billy Gladstone Snare w/Three Way Tuning & KeyĪll reasonable offers considered (best offer option active on this listing), don't hesitate to drop me a line & don't let this rare gem slip away ![]()
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