Thanks for checking out this stunning Gretsch Drums Catalina Maple CM1-E826P 7-piece Shell Pack with us! For more of the latest on the best gear make sure you like, comment, and subscribe!
Several years ago, Sweetwater made 3 videos about this kit in the same configuration, 2 videos with Nick and the 3rd with Mike Johnston when he visited Sweetwater. After watching those 3 videos, I bought a Catalina Maple 7 piece in Walnut glaze (the same finish as the one in Mike Johnston’s video) and it’s absolutely fantastic. Everything Nick said rings absolutely true with this kit. It’s a great value for what it’s worth, but I will say that new heads top and bottom can definitely boost the sound quality even more, so definitely take Nick’s advice about heads. The stock Remo heads are ok but new heads make a huge difference. I’ve been using Evans coated G2s on the toms and they give this kit a nice sound for all around rock playing. I’d suggest a two ply head for the toms and any resonant head (I like the coated Evans Reso 7) underneath but some prefer a clear head for that), then your choice of snare drum top head with the Evans 300 snare side underneath to give some more sensitivity. The kick sounds great with any head, I’ve used the Remo Powerstroke 3 as well as the Evans EMAD and EQ4 heads.
I just ordered this kit 12 16 22 and 14 snare. Hopefully it will be good with its stock heads for my first few gigs. I'm planning on getting new heads I may get clear emperors for batter ambassadors for reso if I replace the resos. I want clear heads for attack and a little more brightness than coated emps. Perhaps a p3 and a control sound x on snare. I'm always experimenting with heads but one I'm absolutely sure about is the controlled sound x head. It DOES NOT break. I'll go through a ambassador in a few months on my snare a controlled sound x has never broken on me I've only changed it to get a refreshed tone with a fresh head. As far as bass drum goes I'm all about clear regardless if the Tom's have clear or coated heads.
I've owned a Catalina maple 7 piece for over 12 years, it has never let me down and i'm glad to see they've only made improvements to it when a lot of other companies are making things cheaper.
I also sold my Catalina kit around 13 years ago. One of the nicest sets I've ever owned. Looks like Gretsch is still doing good things with the Catalina Maple line.
Finally, after the times of mentioning the ability to reconfigure the set any way you want, you gave an awesomely dope example. I could SEE how much fun you had.
I like Nick's demonstrations - because the fills he plays are what everyone would play - all styles and levels, from beginner type drum rolls/fills, to more comprehensive sticking. In that fashion, everyone can hear what the drums sound like, if "they" were playing it!
I have this set in deep cherry burst. I love it. I put Evans Hydraulic heads for studio use to keep the sound clean without too much ring. Easy to tune with Gretsch sound.
I own the same kit as you! I also use Evans' Hydraulic Reds BUT......I use clear Hydraulics for the resonant side on my rack Tom's only. Try this out, you'll be glad you did! I got my kit in 2012 and it looks like the day I got them! This is an amazing kit that I will never sell!
Nick, I've seen you do so many amazing things on a drum kit (and other instruments), but this may be the most amazing yet... I literally couldn't see you playing the cow bell. It was like magic! (like all the music you make, of course)
I bought a Catalina Maple kit from a friend as I needed a kit quickly, that was 12 years ago and I've stuck with it ever since. Sounds great and I get complimented on the tone at gigs all the time. Great value for money, you don't have to break the bank to have a great sounding kit.
I don’t know what sweet water is paying DeVirgilio but I can tell you it probably ain’t enough for what this man brings to this company. I’ve seen him do drum reviews, I seen him play bass, I’ve heard him doing voiceovers for commercials. Probably ain’t nothing DeVirgilio can’t do that Sweetwater would need done.
In popular parlance, duco invokes the look of “dual color,” but technically to the vintage aficionado it’s not technically correct. Duco was short for “Dupont Color,” and really meant a solid paint like finish, and not a see through lacquer. You could get one color “duco” finishes, like black or white or copper/gold. The dual color fade is more popular, and there are far more extant dual color ducos than solid ducos. So now, when we say “duco,” we automatically think “two color fade.” Tune in next time when I explain why not every solid ply Slingerland is a “Radio King.” ;-)
I returned a Catalina for a Decade Maple as my beater kit. Nothing wrong with the Gretsch, but the Broadkaster and USA Custom are where it’s at with them since those lines are what they market as their sound. As such, that’s where I’d buy. You can’t really go wrong these days with any company. It’s uber competitive in mid-range kits and a buyer’s market. Play what you want, gents.
Those are "real" Gretsch drums... all this other stuff is made by DW in Taiwan and China. In fact this is exactly the same kit as the Tama Superstar Classics right down the sizes and price. I know how this stuff works having been involved in manufacturing years back... all this stuff is made in the same factory with each so-called brand spec-ing out their colors, badges and small branded details, like number of lugs and mounting systems.
Nick nice job. What is that cool intro reggae-ish tune and nice closing tunes too? Nice ones! Great to practice and jam too. Are they our own? Available for sale anywhere? Thanks. Keep up the great work. Always a pleasure to look hear you play. So inspiring and interesting to learn from.
every single drum set he demos it sounds the same cause of the way he tunes and plays. it's not the drum is the person playing them that can make ANY drum sound amazing
I remember when a 7 piece kit of these in a natural finish was on sale at Thomann for 700 € including cymbal stands, I still damn my self that I didn’t buy it. :/
I don’t know if he can act or not, but Nick would make a great Buddy Rich, if they ever made a movie about his life, like was done for Gene Krupa in 1959, with Sal Mineo..
Well you must not have been paying attention or you wouldn't even have mentioned the word wrap. It's a lacquer finish and yes it had a chip in it of course it did it's the demo model
I dont know how anyone would decide which drum set to buy based upon sweetwater video's. They make every drum set sound the same but there are big sonic differences between most of these sets. This is because they only show them being played with a full mix, sound engineers make every drum set sound the same. If you are trying to decide which set sonically meets your needs, you need to try videos that switch between full mix, room mics and overhead mics. Get the engineers away from the settings and put a drummer in charge who will high light the differences, not make every drum set sound the same
Seeing as how these are DW-produced, generic, Chinese made "maple" drums (as though all maple is equal) I really have an issue with promoting the supposed "great Gretsch sound" and "30-degree" bearing edges. The TRUE Gretsch 30-degree bearing edges are center-biased round-overs and NOT the modern sharp inside diagonal--what degree the angle is cut is totally irrelevant, since it makes no contact with the shell past that outside edge. The real "great Gretsch sound" is thin, 6-ply maple-gum-maple shells with 30-degree center-biased round over bearing edges and silver sealer inside. If you don't have that, you don't have the Gretsch sound. Its a decent amount of nice looking drums for the money... but they really aren't true Gretsch drums.
I said the same and someone got upset at my comment. USA Custom and Broadkaster is the Gretsch sound. The Cats just sound dead to me. I much prefer the bite of Pearl and TAMA.
If you could provide more information I would greatly appreciate it. I'm particularly interested in the quality of the tom mount and the hardware. I'm not very impressed with the Tama Superstar Classic Maple just to give a reference. The Tama's, which are a direct competitor to the Catalina Maple's, have a weak tom mount in my opinion, plus thinner hoops than the Catalina's. The Catalina Maples have seemingly the most robust hardware of any kit in this price range, so I would love to hear your input. Thank you.
@@cd-vq6dz ok here goes. The tom mount post wont tighten enough to prevent swivel. Even with the mem lock. It isnt much at the post. But its a couple of inches at the outside of the toms. #2. The tom brackets are not what they appear. Having only 5 lugs, the toms are supported by only 2 tension rods instead of three. Making them awkward to mount. If you gig alot. #3. Heres the worst of it. The reciever where the spike goes into the tom mount is held on with only 2 very small screws to the suspension bracket that holds all the weight of the drum. So after all that hardware, the drum is held with 2 small screws.look under the spike reciever and you'll see what im talking about. Im a working musician, and i just dont see this system holding up. #4. Dont order any ad ons. Unless they are wrapped, the color of the laquer wont match. And. It takes 6 months to get. The drum you get wont be the famous 7 ply maple shell. I ordered a 13 in cause i have no use for the bongo sized 8in tom. It will be (mine is) about half as thick as th original toms you are trying to match. #5. They are small drums . If one likes that great. But they wont get the thump of a deeper drum. The 8 and 10 comes with the set are shallow. For what they are they sound great. Just not alot of bottom. The drums are beautiful and sound great for what they are. I use mine for special occasions when I want to impress. But i dont trust them for the riggers of constant gigging. Its that whole mounting thing. Plus, they are pretty, so if they get scrached, mine are dcb laquer, im freekin out. Thats about it. They arent crap by any means. I just think gretsch, like everyone else, is cutting corners. Its disappointing. There you have it.
@@cd-vq6dz heres domething else. I was in music go round in ftw. This last week, They have a brand new complete set of cat maps for 850. These drums were pristine. In a walnut glaze.still had factory heads, no stick marks.
@@morgunstyles7253 I greatly appreciate your help sir. I've had the toms on the Superstar Classic Tama's move on me. The toms have (I think) the same swivel problem you're describing on the Catalina's, where it's as if they're trying to rotate like a a revolving door at one of those big office buildings if that makes any sense. The Tama kick drum hasn't moved that I can tell, but that tom mount on the Superstar Classics is very weak in my opinion, so I could see it being an issue on the Catalina's as well since it seems like the hardware is where they really cut a lot of corners on these intermediate kits. I'm thinking of looking into the Pearl Decade Maple since I've seen several reviews say the tom mount is "rock solid". Thank you again for all your input.
Thanks for checking out this stunning Gretsch Drums Catalina Maple CM1-E826P 7-piece Shell Pack with us! For more of the latest on the best gear make sure you like, comment, and subscribe!
Mr. D’Virgilio, I said it before and I’ll say it again: you are one of the greatest drummers of all time!!!!!
Several years ago, Sweetwater made 3 videos about this kit in the same configuration, 2 videos with Nick and the 3rd with Mike Johnston when he visited Sweetwater. After watching those 3 videos, I bought a Catalina Maple 7 piece in Walnut glaze (the same finish as the one in Mike Johnston’s video) and it’s absolutely fantastic.
Everything Nick said rings absolutely true with this kit. It’s a great value for what it’s worth, but I will say that new heads top and bottom can definitely boost the sound quality even more, so definitely take Nick’s advice about heads. The stock Remo heads are ok but new heads make a huge difference.
I’ve been using Evans coated G2s on the toms and they give this kit a nice sound for all around rock playing. I’d suggest a two ply head for the toms and any resonant head (I like the coated Evans Reso 7) underneath but some prefer a clear head for that), then your choice of snare drum top head with the Evans 300 snare side underneath to give some more sensitivity. The kick sounds great with any head, I’ve used the Remo Powerstroke 3 as well as the Evans EMAD and EQ4 heads.
I just ordered this kit 12 16 22 and 14 snare. Hopefully it will be good with its stock heads for my first few gigs. I'm planning on getting new heads I may get clear emperors for batter ambassadors for reso if I replace the resos. I want clear heads for attack and a little more brightness than coated emps. Perhaps a p3 and a control sound x on snare. I'm always experimenting with heads but one I'm absolutely sure about is the controlled sound x head. It DOES NOT break. I'll go through a ambassador in a few months on my snare a controlled sound x has never broken on me I've only changed it to get a refreshed tone with a fresh head. As far as bass drum goes I'm all about clear regardless if the Tom's have clear or coated heads.
I've owned a Catalina maple 7 piece for over 12 years, it has never let me down and i'm glad to see they've only made improvements to it when a lot of other companies are making things cheaper.
Nick is great. You learn from what he says and especially from watching him play.
Great playing !! Everly Time I check out Your presentation I admire the feeling and skills!!
I also sold my Catalina kit around 13 years ago. One of the nicest sets I've ever owned. Looks like Gretsch is still doing good things with the Catalina Maple line.
Finally, after the times of mentioning the ability to reconfigure the set any way you want, you gave an awesomely dope example. I could SEE how much fun you had.
I like Nick's demonstrations - because the fills he plays are what everyone would play - all styles and levels, from beginner type drum rolls/fills, to more comprehensive sticking. In that fashion, everyone can hear what the drums sound like, if "they" were playing it!
owner of a gretsch catalina maple for 8 years now. it's a keeper!
I have this set in deep cherry burst. I love it. I put Evans Hydraulic heads for studio use to keep the sound clean without too much ring. Easy to tune with Gretsch sound.
Is it a good kit? I was thinking of buying one to replace my premier kit? Does it sound good and have you had any problems with it at all? Thanks!
I own the same kit as you! I also use Evans' Hydraulic Reds BUT......I use clear Hydraulics for the resonant side on my rack Tom's only. Try this out, you'll be glad you did! I got my kit in 2012 and it looks like the day I got them! This is an amazing kit that I will never sell!
Love this kit. Just expanded mine from a 5 piece to a 7 piece and added the boom arm with a 10 inch Zildjian splash.
Nick, I've seen you do so many amazing things on a drum kit (and other instruments), but this may be the most amazing yet... I literally couldn't see you playing the cow bell. It was like magic! (like all the music you make, of course)
Nick you are a monster!!!!
Another great kit demo from NDV!
Nick is the man! such a good drummer
Nick Rocking Out on that Sweet Kit !! 🔥🤘🏼🥁🤘🏼🥁
I love the chipped finish near the bearing edge and the maple that appears to be extremely pale and lacks grain.
Chinese maple.
Must be just this kit as my maple shells are darker with plenty of grain.
I bought a Catalina Maple kit from a friend as I needed a kit quickly, that was 12 years ago and I've stuck with it ever since. Sounds great and I get complimented on the tone at gigs all the time. Great value for money, you don't have to break the bank to have a great sounding kit.
Awesome demo man!!!
I don’t know what sweet water is paying DeVirgilio but I can tell you it probably ain’t enough for what this man brings to this company. I’ve seen him do drum reviews, I seen him play bass, I’ve heard him doing voiceovers for commercials. Probably ain’t nothing DeVirgilio can’t do that Sweetwater would need done.
I’d guess at least part of why he does such a good job is cause they pay him handsomely but I have no idea
@@queenpurple8433 you might be right. I’m sure putting a price on world class talent is a hard thing for a company to balance.
I really need Nick to come over and tune my drums!
Your product demo videos are stellar! Good job Nick!
Love my catalina maples!
In popular parlance, duco invokes the look of “dual color,” but technically to the vintage aficionado it’s not technically correct. Duco was short for “Dupont Color,” and really meant a solid paint like finish, and not a see through lacquer. You could get one color “duco” finishes, like black or white or copper/gold. The dual color fade is more popular, and there are far more extant dual color ducos than solid ducos. So now, when we say “duco,” we automatically think “two color fade.” Tune in next time when I explain why not every solid ply Slingerland is a “Radio King.” ;-)
Beautiful finish And sound!!
loving the 12" and bass drum!
Steve Ferrone uses Gretsch drums. He made Tom Petty's later albums sound really good using them.
Vinnie Calautti uses them too. ‘Nuff said
@ctfalci true dat
Exactly kinda tones I like. Perhaps this will be my retirement present to self.
Not a bad entry level kit sounds pretty decent
I wouldn't call this an entry level kit
Sweet sounding drum set !
Nick can make even a weird afro-beat groove sound great.
Very Very Very excellent !
Beautiful demo, Nick. After a couple of minutes I caught some tonal similarity to Ginger Baker's work on the Blind Faith LP.
thorough review 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
awesome presentation..thank u, Nick
If I ever have the ability to get and play an acoustic kit, this one will be it.
👍👍 Gretsch . Maple . Why pay more for less ? Great Job Nick , playing and narrating.
Getting ready to get either this set or the Tama superstar classic 7 piece set. Decisions decisions.
I returned a Catalina for a Decade Maple as my beater kit. Nothing wrong with the Gretsch, but the Broadkaster and USA Custom are where it’s at with them since those lines are what they market as their sound. As such, that’s where I’d buy. You can’t really go wrong these days with any company. It’s uber competitive in mid-range kits and a buyer’s market. Play what you want, gents.
Those are "real" Gretsch drums... all this other stuff is made by DW in Taiwan and China. In fact this is exactly the same kit as the Tama Superstar Classics right down the sizes and price. I know how this stuff works having been involved in manufacturing years back... all this stuff is made in the same factory with each so-called brand spec-ing out their colors, badges and small branded details, like number of lugs and mounting systems.
@@weschilton You’re probably the guy I need to talk to then. Seriously. I’m not proud. 🍻
@@rkaylor5769 You just need to follow your ears and do the research and buy what you love.
I really dig this kit. I wouldn't mind sitting behind it and giving it a shot to see how it feels. Sweetwater is less than 2 hours away 🤔🤔🤔
You're drumming skills were only surpassed by this thumbnail photo.
Great.
Nick nice job. What is that cool intro reggae-ish tune and nice closing tunes too? Nice ones! Great to practice and jam too. Are they our own? Available for sale anywhere? Thanks. Keep up the great work. Always a pleasure to look hear you play. So inspiring and interesting to learn from.
He is playing dancehall🇯🇲🇯🇲🙌🏾🙌🏾
Please do more videos about poplar shell drums
Didn’t anyone see the massive flaw on that Tom’s wrap?!
Looks like a nic on the finish on the small tom
Sometimes changing heads can make all the difference..i prefer Controlled Sound Coated black dot
every single drum set he demos it sounds the same cause of the way he tunes and plays. it's not the drum is the person playing them that can make ANY drum sound amazing
Where were this finishes when I was playing Catalinas?
A lot of drum set for the money .
why weren't there any close mics put on the toms?
Please send me some drums and cymbals, I am 12 and my kit is recked
Was this really recorded with just two overhead mics??
this catalina set, or pdp concept maple?!
What was the music in the beginning with the cowbell?
🔥
I remember when a 7 piece kit of these in a natural finish was on sale at Thomann for 700 € including cymbal stands, I still damn my self that I didn’t buy it. :/
So much fun, it should be illegal. Lol
Does anyone know what mic's they used for this?
I don’t know if he can act or not, but Nick would make a great Buddy Rich, if they ever made a movie about his life, like was done for Gene Krupa in 1959, with Sal Mineo..
I notice in these videos, Nick rarely plays the center of the snare drum.
Do the cymbals come with the drum
No. Cymbals only come with drums on lower quality beginner kits.
@@polyduckwanaland thank u
800! ✌🏼
The 17" 2002 sound better than the Signature.
man the finishing doesn’t look that great at 2:24 looks like the wrap was either nicked or the paint chipped.
Well you must not have been paying attention or you wouldn't even have mentioned the word wrap. It's a lacquer finish and yes it had a chip in it of course it did it's the demo model
I dont know how anyone would decide which drum set to buy based upon sweetwater video's. They make every drum set sound the same but there are big sonic differences between most of these sets. This is because they only show them being played with a full mix, sound engineers make every drum set sound the same. If you are trying to decide which set sonically meets your needs, you need to try videos that switch between full mix, room mics and overhead mics. Get the engineers away from the settings and put a drummer in charge who will high light the differences, not make every drum set sound the same
👍👏😲
I wanna made in Taiwan or another countries, not CHINA, anyway good products but... I have regrets.
PDP. way better
Seeing as how these are DW-produced, generic, Chinese made "maple" drums (as though all maple is equal) I really have an issue with promoting the supposed "great Gretsch sound" and "30-degree" bearing edges. The TRUE Gretsch 30-degree bearing edges are center-biased round-overs and NOT the modern sharp inside diagonal--what degree the angle is cut is totally irrelevant, since it makes no contact with the shell past that outside edge.
The real "great Gretsch sound" is thin, 6-ply maple-gum-maple shells with 30-degree center-biased round over bearing edges and silver sealer inside. If you don't have that, you don't have the Gretsch sound.
Its a decent amount of nice looking drums for the money... but they really aren't true Gretsch drums.
But still worth it for $1200 (for the shell kit)? Seems like the best bang for the buck 7 piece option out there? Or not?
I said the same and someone got upset at my comment. USA Custom and Broadkaster is the Gretsch sound. The Cats just sound dead to me. I much prefer the bite of Pearl and TAMA.
Why are the toms so shallow these days?? I prefer the kits of the 80s with the big, deep toms, not these little mickey mouse things nowadays
All drums basically sound the same - I use to think Gretsch and Ludwig were good drums until I saw huge gaps and splits in the plies 🤪
Don't like the color and they sound terrible, kind of flat with no tone.
Cheap drums with cheap heads have a cheap sound.
Have these. Very disappointed. Im selling them.
If you could provide more information I would greatly appreciate it. I'm particularly interested in the quality of the tom mount and the hardware. I'm not very impressed with the Tama Superstar Classic Maple just to give a reference. The Tama's, which are a direct competitor to the Catalina Maple's, have a weak tom mount in my opinion, plus thinner hoops than the Catalina's. The Catalina Maples have seemingly the most robust hardware of any kit in this price range, so I would love to hear your input. Thank you.
@@cd-vq6dz ok here goes. The tom mount post wont tighten enough to prevent swivel. Even with the mem lock. It isnt much at the post. But its a couple of inches at the outside of the toms. #2. The tom brackets are not what they appear. Having only 5 lugs, the toms are supported by only 2 tension rods instead of three. Making them awkward to mount. If you gig alot. #3. Heres the worst of it. The reciever where the spike goes into the tom mount is held on with only 2 very small screws to the suspension bracket that holds all the weight of the drum. So after all that hardware, the drum is held with 2 small screws.look under the spike reciever and you'll see what im talking about.
Im a working musician, and i just dont see this system holding up.
#4. Dont order any ad ons. Unless they are wrapped, the color of the laquer wont match. And. It takes 6 months to get. The drum you get wont be the famous 7 ply maple shell. I ordered a 13 in cause i have no use for the bongo sized 8in tom. It will be (mine is) about half as thick as th original toms you are trying to match. #5. They are small drums . If one likes that great. But they wont get the thump of a deeper drum. The 8 and 10 comes with the set are shallow. For what they are they sound great. Just not alot of bottom. The drums are beautiful and sound great for what they are. I use mine for special occasions when I want to impress. But i dont trust them for the riggers of constant gigging. Its that whole mounting thing. Plus, they are pretty, so if they get scrached, mine are dcb laquer, im freekin out. Thats about it. They arent crap by any means. I just think gretsch, like everyone else, is cutting corners. Its disappointing. There you have it.
@@cd-vq6dz heres domething else. I was in music go round in ftw. This last week, They have a brand new complete set of cat maps for 850. These drums were pristine. In a walnut glaze.still had factory heads, no stick marks.
@@cd-vq6dz i too looked everywhere trying to find some negative comment about these drums. Couldnt find a thing. So i guess its just me.
@@morgunstyles7253 I greatly appreciate your help sir. I've had the toms on the Superstar Classic Tama's move on me. The toms have (I think) the same swivel problem you're describing on the Catalina's, where it's as if they're trying to rotate like a a revolving door at one of those big office buildings if that makes any sense. The Tama kick drum hasn't moved that I can tell, but that tom mount on the Superstar Classics is very weak in my opinion, so I could see it being an issue on the Catalina's as well since it seems like the hardware is where they really cut a lot of corners on these intermediate kits. I'm thinking of looking into the Pearl Decade Maple since I've seen several reviews say the tom mount is "rock solid". Thank you again for all your input.
Snore!
Nick D could make plastic buckets sound good.