Definitely the USA custom- but the Catalina’s ain’t bad. The ear adjusts after a while

At the end of the day, which set is getting loaded in and out and bashed about going from gig to gig. Yeah, the Cats! The only folks who care about these things are other drummers. The folks shaking it on the dance floor could care less. Great video. My vote is the USA customs as well.

I've had the Catalina Club Jazz in mahogany for over 10 years. A great little kit. I took it to a studio a few years ago to record some drum tracks and the studio owners wife came up to me while I was packing up and said it was the nicest sounding drum kit they'd ever had in there. Hell yeah

This is very cool. The USA Customs were just warmer, richer and they sang. They inspire you to play. The Catalinas were fine- a workable kit and I would play it live in a casual setting and save my USA's for recording or primo gigs! Thanks!

The way you mic both kits is excellent. Some of the most honest and open drum sounds I’ve heard on KZfaq in a great while. Much respect!

The Catalinas have improved over the years and now sound pretty good. No mistaking the vintage Gretsch sound though or the newer Customs,and they have die cast hoops if that is your thing. My set is 1981,had since'88. In black nylon;22x14,24x14,12x8, 13x9,14x14,16x16, 14x6.5 maple,14x5 chrome brass snare.

Catalinas sound pretty good considering the price! A few years back I was listening to a jazz trio at a street cafe here in Helsinki. Thought the drummer played USA Customs, but no - they were high-tuned Catalinas!

They're both gorgeous, they both sound great and you're very fortunate to have them. That USA kits finish is stunning.

Got a Catalina Elite in 2004, as a senior in high school. Still have it today, still gig with it multiple times a week every summer. I tune them pretty low for rock drumming, but they are versatile enough to keep really great tone no matter what. The kick is especially punchy and big, even for being such a tiny drum. Love this kit to death and may never replace it!

Great sounds from both kits. Hope you have the opportunity to enjoy both regularly. 😃

5.20 - 5.42 was exceptionally helpful, thank you for taking the time to make this video

I love your videos. I love these old jazz drum kits. Really cool cymbals too. I'd love to see you play some rock and roll covers on them

Tony and Elvin live in those Custom shells lol .. absolute perfection.. Great demo thanks and by the way my 20" Dark Matter Flat Ride arrives tomorrow!!! Your comparison video did the the trick (Dream please take note)

Gotta love Gretsch. Quality in both top and bottom of their line 🥰

Very nice playing dude, you really bring out the sound nicely.

I’m a gretsch guy too, loved the sound you were getting with only one mic, super clean man!

I have both of these kits too and the cheap kit sounds very good! I believe the heads make a BIG difference and as long as one puts good heads on their drums - most kits will sound good.

Decent comparison, well done sir. If you decide to re-do this comparison in the future, give some thought to investing a little bit into making this an even a better comparison. By not putting the ambassadors on the Catalinas is sort of like putting a weighted vest on an already slower runner in a race. Here's why: The catalina is made with 7 ply mahogany shells. Naturally a warmer tone and thicker shell. As an experienced Catalina owner, it's easy to choke its tone even with a 1 ply head. You've got double ply heads on there, hence the "weighted vest" analogy. With the USAs, they are an thinner 6 ply maple shell. They naturally open up in tone and can "sing" a little more freely just based on shell material/construction alone. However, you've also got Ambassadors on there which showcases that completely. In short, throw Ambassadors on both kits all the way around, tune them as closely as possible, and you've got yourself a GREAT comparison video. If I may add, I've owned a set of Catalinas since 2014. I've gigged and recorded with them quite a bit. It's a workhorse, very versatile. They'll never sing as loud as a USA custom but boy howdy have they served me well over the years! They are often referred to as an "entry" level kit. I disagree.

Thanks for the video, looking to purchase a Gretsch and now I just may thanks to your video.

Great comparison, you can definitely tell the resonance difference in the kick and toms but at the of the day I still really love my cheap little elite.

I've owned many brands and sizes of drums over the last 5 decades. Believe it or not, my current set is my favorite set, a 4-piece cocktail size Gretsch Catalina Jazz set with mahogany shells and upgrades in hoops, heads, snares and other bits. I have three different sets of cymbals for different styles and volumes of jazz and pop music. Likewise, the stick choices are also controlled by the venues. The Gretsch shells have a unique bearing edge which gives my favorite sound. I'm not saying they are the best -- just that they are the best for me. Another great video. Keep them coming!

Thanks for the video. Two different prices but definitely two different drums. I have a 71 Gretsch, & am thinking of getting a USA custom kit.

Depends on Heads, miking, Tom - Mount, tuning and drummer. I once came in a studio with a completely worn out and muffled Rogers. My Tama Superstar with new heads was "garbage". So I had to play on the Rogers. I couldn't believe what I heard on the final mix.

Both kits are lovely. The USAC has a bit more presence than the cat kit. I have a Yamaha stage custom birch with coated ambassadors on top, and clear stock heads on the bottom. Tuned up for jazz. Some time I put a gretsch blackhawk 13 rack tom in the floor tom position hanging off a symbol stand. Great tones.

Beautiful drums (especially the stop sign kit!), but also beautiful touch yo!!

Wow I would've never guessed the Catalina Elite was that cheap! The USA custom kit definitely sounds better, but the Catalina kit doesn't sound bad by any means

I have a 7 piece catalina birch kit from the same era. $900 new. Its my main recording kit and my secondary live kit. Absolutely love them. They sound great and the laquer Caribbean blue finish rivals high end drums.

Very nice! Definitely the Customs. Nice playing1

Both are excellent buys.. I have a round badge 50s and a Catalina bop kit.. I have trouble with the lugs on the Catalina The old r b has stood up very well. The faded wrap gives it character. Like your video and your playing

Beautiful playing man.

Actually had a slight bias that they might be very close - but the USA Custom was insanely clear and musical. The Catalina was quite dull, I think.

Play them both behind a hanging sheet or blanket and then ask the same question. Which one do you like the most? I like both of them very much and the price tag and vintage is more of a stumbling block at this point. Best wishes!

#Gretsch love the last shot of the cymbals against the wall and your smile

The main advantage of the high end is mostly die cast hoops. Just buy die cast hoops for your cheap drum kit !

If you ever put single ply heads on the Catalina it would be neat to hear this comparison revisited! I think those modern vintage II’s are probably contributing a lot to the “dull” sound everyone is pointing out

It would have been very helpful if you would turn the snares off for a while to hear the tones a little better. I think they both sound good and it is mostly personal preference. I would take the cheaper set on most of my gigs because it is much lighter (die cast hoops are heavy) and use the USA Custom on studio and important gigs because the die cast hoops keep the tone more focused allowing one to hear more detail - studio engineers really like them too. Thanks for making this video - I enjoyed it. ✌

Nice video Julian. I like your GROOVE!!

Both sets sound very good -- Gretsch!!!!

I've had the same cheapo Catalina set for nearly 20 yeas, still serves me well.

I have watched this video over and over again. While I have to give props to the USA custom kit, the Catalina elite does offer is a little bit more of a earthy, organic sound. I have to hand it to Gretsch, they truly gave their fans, something extremely special with the Catalina line. As a non-gigging drummer, the Catalina line is amazing. While I would love to own a high-end Gretsch kit, it is nice to know that I can still get a great sound from a cheaper kit.

I have put together a Catalina kit I play rock and funk with. Gone for Evan's Hydraulics all round except snare (Premier 2000) and I love the fat sound they give. Really good for a budget kit...

Snare is always a weak spot on the elites/club jazz. Replace it and get some nice cymbals and pinstripes and you've got a killer portable kit that sounds great live and in the studio.

The USA Custom has more resonance. Better tone overall. But the Catalina has a nice, dry, lo-fi kinda vibe. Each would work on a gig or recording, depending on the kind of vibe you're trying to create. And maybe it's my imagination, but you seem to approach each kit with a different energy, which is very cool! You recognize each kit's voice, and play them in a way that is appropriate to each. Kind of like John Coltrane approaches the tenor and soprano saxes differently. I think I'm the odd man out, but I'm going with the Catalina as my favorite. I dig the lo-fi sound.

Kits sound dope man ! Nice vid.

Clearly, I’d love the USA kit in the studio, but I’ve owned a Catalina since about ‘08, and have used it as my working live kit in many situations. For the money, it is an outstanding workhorse that can be used for rock if you tune it down and replace the snare. I put a kickport on the kick, and it’s a different drum. And it’s an easy load-in. I get lots of compliments from live sound engineers, so they did something right with it.

I played the Catalina jazz kit the same exact kit that you are showing and they sounded just find. Mic the kit and play classic rock. For the money the Catalina kit is a working kit, and they look really nice.

Nice drumming! For me there is a huge difference in sound. The US Customs do what they excel in: that clear resonant singing gretsch sound. The catalinas sound dull. However, the difference in drum skins do matter. I switched back to Remo Ambassadors after a brief fling with Evans G1s. Initially the Evans sounded more EQ’d to me but after a short while very dull. The Remo Ambassador has that live sound- and they last..Perhaps your aquarians also need a change. They could have added to the dullness of the sound.

USA Customs. 👍 They have a lot more treble frequency extension in the resonance and overtones. BUT, as others have said, the huge differences are mostly down to the much different heads used, as well as the triple-flange vs die-cast hoops. However, I don't think that anyone can say that the Catalina Elites sound "bad" here. And for a mix, they might be the better option. In addition, I don't think that the new Catalina Clubs are really a 1:1 comparison to these older Catalina Elites, though. For the money invested, the Elite kit is a great and leaves more money for great cymbals. :-) With some different heads and a slight modification to the bearing edges, the Catalina Elite kit will come a lot closer to those USA Customs. IMO, the swap to die-cast hoops would be too expensive of an upgrade for the Elites and not really worthwhile. Enjoyed the video. 👍

The bass drum is where the biggest difference comes out to my ears. USA Customs just has a better sound quality over all on the bass. Might be heads showing a bit of difference. Both are well tuned.

USA Customs! The Catalina kit sounded quite good, but the USA Customs were warmer with better definition, and resonance. Probably due in part to the rims. Nice playing by the way, you have really good chops.

Great video!!! Thanks for sharing this!!!!

I picked up a Catalina Club Roll many years ago. I needed a compact kit and these gave me what I needed at the time (8, 10, 13, 18 & 5x13 snare). It's a cool little kit for what it is but the mahogany just does not compare to my USA Customs. Those 80s shells are still great.

Good vid!! Love the mic technique...may I ask what it is? I just picked up a 2012 cat maple +gib h'ware +cymbals for $400 U.S so,,stoked,,now to record!!!

With the same heads, we may have a muuuuch closer game going. I Love both kits though. Is that ok to say? Oh well… too late. I very much like the Club Date construction and look of the kit on the right. The natural look of the left kit is a good thing too. Thanks for the video!

Huge difference! USA custom sing and project more, that Classic Gretsch sound.

The usa has a more elegant resonance to it for sure but yet that catolina has some great personality to it. I bought a catolina new at GC in 2005. Nice to hear how good yours sounds. I have super old heads and the tuning low. I think I’ll re head them and tune them up high. Seems to be how the kit excels.

The 300$ kit sounds warm and sharp, I like it.

Both kits sound really nice and you play them well. The Customs have more clarity than the Catalinas, but hard to know how much of that has to do with head choice. I have a New Classic bop kit. I'd love to compare those the USA Customs. I know that the NCs are heavier than the USACs.

5:22 The Catalina sound a lot better if you're going for a warm, creamy vintage sound, while the USA Customs sound a lot better if you are trying to have a modern, crisp sound. Catalina snare is simply not good enough to use in my opinion, while Catalina bass drum is slightly nicer sounding than the USA Custom.

I have always wanted somebody to do this comparison it was great. I wonder what the gretsch USA's would sound like compared to the wood hooped PDP bop set that's maple. Or the new wood hooped Gretsch Catalina Bop kit which is maple and walnut.

Nice and honest review. And for the price difference those kids sounds shockingly alike, althought ofcourse there are some differences. But you wonder if that justifys the price.

These both sound amazing!! So does your playing. Where/how did you study jazz drumming?

Yeah, all bets are off with different drum heads and tunings, although I think it's also good to make each kit sound as optimal as you'd like it to sound. Both types of comparisons are useful. How about posting the exact tunings/pitch of each head, any damping (felt, tape, gel, etc), what kind of beaters are used on the bass drums? Also, note whether the snares are stock or after-market wires. Good idea, but go for a more accurate comparison which would be super useful.

COOL, yeah usa is more resonant and toneful, great comparison, nice jazzy playing

I do think it was definitely a case of not just different, but better. The USA custom sounding more open, snappier, more dynamic and also less boxy. I did appreciate the mellow tone of the Catalina, as different. But, what I liked less about it was that closed in, boxy character. Sounding as though it was being played in a smaller room than the USA Custom. Still really good though. I'm learning on a not too different Pearl Midtown, and also really liking how good these cheaper kits can sound. I'd probably like to get a Gretsch USA Custom later too. Although I quite like the sound of the not so jazz bop size Gretsch Reknown too.

Both sound great. A function of someone who knows how to play, and how to tune, drums. Betcha that Catalina set would sound awesome with Diplomats all around, with the batter heads being Fiberskyn.

dress the Cats in matching heads and open up that snare and you're playing 2 identical kits. I have a Tama Imperialstar bop kit that I got for like $100 a few years ago. cleaned, repainted, matched heads tuned right and decent cymbals- I'll put it up against any 'high end' kit any time.

It's very simple: the most expensive one is of better quality and therefore lasts longer, while the cheapest one requires maintenance. in terms of sound, it is simply a matter of preference as to what is in your ear.

Wow that USA Custom really sounds great.. The Catalina is ok.. but I can definitely hear the better set in the Custom !!!! I will check these out now !!!!

Great video man! Did you record all the drums using just that one mic? it sounds so good

Thanks for this - great video!

I really like the tunings you used. I also have a Catalina Club kit, and would to try the same tunings. Do you happen to know what the pitch tuning is on your toms?

Each kit on its best day, in ideal conditions? The USAs. But live/real-world, in a club or frat house or wherever, the Catalinas seem like they'd hold their own 100%. I wonder how non-fiber heads would do on the Catalina kick...?

Both sound great! Both rack toms look like 12x8.

Toms are very close .. USA bass drum a bit nicer than Catalina. The USA snare is a lot better

good one! Do another with fresh heads on both please... I bet most people wont be able to tell them apart...

Sorry, but with the difference in heads this comparison doesn't make any sense at all. Of course the USA Kit will sound more vivid and open with fresh single ply heads…

What resos do you have under your Modern Vintage II's? Love the sound of the Catalina over the custom besides the snare

The Catalina was thinner Tone as in brighter and more tight without the body the Classic Gretsch had. It's a personal issue and for equalizer mixing production. I thought Catalina was as much worthy as the other one.

Great Content

great vid! was just thinking about throwing some deep vintage heads on my renowns. usa customs are just THE drum sound in my opinion. what ride was that?

The right heads, tuning and obviously drummer makes the sound good.

I listened with the video hidden , they both sound great, and it’s difficult to pull them apart, both are tuned really nicely. Just shows that a cheap kit can be made to sound great when someone knows what they are doing ...

Great comparison. Like others have said, I'm wondering how the Catalina would sound without a wrap...hhmmm. Also the room location of the sets were different. One in the corner with two walls. The other had an entry way near it. But that's just being nitpicky. Both sound good, but it's hard to beat those USA customs.

both kits sound nice

Great sound! How is the diference between top and resonant heads? About the tuning

I use my 8 yr old Catalina Club kit for everything from jazz to rock. Maybe I'm just a fan of the underdog but I played them next to a Gretsch Brooklyn kit and I did not hear enough of a difference to justify the price jump.

Been playin club rock callatinas 24 kick monster sound...

Keep working on that Gretsch endorsement dude that was awesome jazz drumming. Where do you play?

To me the difference is night and day in the resonance between the two. The more resounding being the USA Customs. (U.S. Customs always made me nervous, when I'd go to and from Canada). Although the one inch difference on the rack toms may cause one to resonate more than the other. That custom set is a great vintage set.

A big thank, Julian, but what kind of microphone do you use ?

NICE review.

the USA customs keep going when building up dynamics while the catalina just stops right there where you start , kind of one dimensional but pretty good for the money. I'm curious as to what die cast hoops would do to the sound of the catalina.

No particular opinion on those two kits but did appreciate the smooth technique from the player.

I like jazz but play jazz rock and I once played an ex Charlie Watts gretsch kit that was small rock sizes and it was fantastic. Catalina here are pretty good, would be more fair to compare with Yamaha stage custom bop kit, also birch like Catalina right?

Wow I was surprised at my opinion! I thought they would be way closer because I have played on many a Catalina and always liked them. The USA Custom has a way more robust sound. They really sound like Art Blakey while the Catalina sounds like a teenager from the suburbs. You have really solid time and that makes it better but it sounds so thin and flubby compared to the USA Custom.

Both sound best!

I own a Gretsch 20” brand new in the box with paper work bass drum Custom 1979. Any idea of value? Also I have the 5pcs Gretsch Custom Kit, that I used, which this New Drum was an addition too. Any idea of value? Thanks

Rides sound amazing, guy.

That ride cymbal is great. Details if you may??? And I too have 30 year old USA's. They are a work of art and craftsmanship. I also have a Catalina, different sizes so no comparison, but you notice small things like the quality of the lugs and there's none of that magical grey lining.