Gretsch 10″ and 13″ timbales. These timbales were the heart of what became known as Hal’s “Timbale Set”. Case stenciled “Hal Blaine, Patti Page Show”. They were used on many early Phil Spector and Beach Boy recordings. Timbales were custom fitted to mount as a side and floor tom. Bass, snare drum and cymbals are replicas. Throne and percussion tree in photo is not included. Acquired directly from Hal Blaine. Featured in DRUM! Magazine “Time Capsules” column. COA signed by Hal Blaine.
With this set of Gretsch 1950s Timbales, Hal Blaine completely revolutionized the entire drum world. He changed the way drums were recorded and ultimately the way rock drummers played. They inspired Hal Blaine’s legendary “Monster Set” and generations of huge drum sets and epic drum fills.
In 1963 Blaine was called to record a song called “Don’t Make My Baby Blue” for Frankie Lane. There were a couple of solo drum breaks and producer Terry Mulcher wanted something that would really make a statement. Blaine had an old set of Gretsch timbales that he’d been using since his early days touring with Patti Page. With their metal shells and open bottoms they were really loud and had great projection. He tuned them way down from their traditional latin tuning and mounted one as a rack tom and the other as a floor tom. The result was an extremely powerful set of fills that caught everyone’s attention. Soon producers were requesting Blaine and his massive sounding “Timbale Kit”. He used the set on recordings with Phil Spector, The Beach Boys and countless others. The volume and projection of the timbales were perfect for the louder rock style that was quickly taking over the music scene.
This set should be considered the “Big Bang” in the evolution of the drum universe.
COA signed by Hal Blaine. Serious offers considered.
Dave Sebastian Williams
4 years agoOK, how did you come by this set? How long have you had it?
Respectfully, dsw
Donn Bennett
4 years agoI bought Hal's entire collection of drum and percussion gear directly from him about 10-15 years ago. This set was part of the collection. I sold the set several years ago and am now brokering the set for the current owner. I hope that helps.
Thanx,
Donn
Dave Sebastian Williams
4 years agoHelpful, YES. Thanks. Hal's was one hell of a collection ... Any of it remaining in your Drum Studio/Vault? Any For Sale?
I've got a 1962 Gretsch 3 piece that I put a Ludwig chrome snare with way back then ... I became the HS Drum Major a year later and was playing all my open weekend nights with various Bay Area bands. I still have 3 of the Fiber Cases for that Kit. In what was suppose to be my 1st Semester of my Senior year of High School I took that Kit on a 4 month USO Show tour of France, Italy and Germany. The cases are still adorned today with Decals from the Cities & Bases where we performed.
SADLY ... My 10 piece Rogers Marine White Pearl set from '73 with Fiber Cases was "MISPLACED" when I left them with an ex-wife.
AND finally for my 60th ... my current wife gifted me with a 6 piece Gretsch Catalina Maple deep red kit ... and I just love it.
dsw
Donn Bennett
4 years agoDave,
Great stories. Drums and ex-wifes are never a good combination. I can't tell you how many horror stories I've heard on that topic.
I still have a substantial collection of Hal's gear. Mostly smaller percussion items. I do however have his first and main set of A.Zildjians that according to Hal were used on "everything". It's all going to be for sale sooner or later. I'm currently swamped with listing 3 huge collections for sale. Once that gets settled I will start on Hal's items. I'll be writing an article about the cymbals in my monthly Drum Vault article in Modern Drummer in the next several months.
Talk soon.
Thanx!
Donn
George Patterson
3 years agoHi, studio pic has bass drum cymbal holder. Set as pictured is devoid of one.