Is the Catalina Club good for a beginner?

Yes, if you accept that it is a shell pack. The shells are well made and easy to tune, but you still need stands, a pedal, a throne and cymbals to play it.

How does it differ from the Catalina Maple or Catalina Birch?

The Club uses mahogany shells for a warmer, softer, more vintage tone. The Maple and Birch versions are harder woods with more attack and projection.

Does it come with cymbals or hardware?

No. The pack includes the bass drum, mounted tom, floor tom and snare only. Hardware and cymbals are sold separately.

What sizes are in the 4-piece configuration?

The setup centers on a 14-inch-deep bass drum, with a mounted tom, floor tom and snare. Exact diameters vary by configuration, so check the listing for the specific kit.

Are the drum heads good enough to gig with?

They are Remo heads and playable out of the box. Many owners swap them for coated or clear heads to shape the tone further.

Is the 14-inch bass drum hard to transport?

It is deeper than a standard bass drum, so it takes more trunk or van space. The telescopic spurs and wood hoops make positioning it straightforward once you are set up.

Where is the Gretsch Catalina Club 4-Piece Shell Pack cheapest?

At eBay, for $799.00, 20% under what the other stores charge, as of our latest check.

Where can I buy the Gretsch Catalina Club 4-Piece Shell Pack?

11 stores we checked sell it, including Guitar Center, Musician's Friend, Sweetwater, eBay, Alto Music.

Gretsch Catalina Club 4-Piece Shell Pack

Best price now

$799.00at eBayChecked Nov 7

20% under what the other stores charge

Compared across 11 stores. Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when. Store links may earn us a commission.

Visit eBay

What reviewers say

Owners and reviewers treat the Catalina Club as a strong value in its class, praising its warm mahogany tone, vintage looks and gig-ready hardware. Common gripes are the softer shell's modest projection and the fact that it is a shell pack, so buyers must budget for hardware and cymbals.

What people mention

TonePraisedOwners describe a warm, round, vintage character, especially from the deep bass drum.
Build qualityPraisedReviewers find the shells, hoops and hardware solid and well finished for the class.
HardwarePraisedThe Mini GTS mount, gas-cap plate and T-Wing screws are called easy to set up and tune.
ProjectionCriticisedSome drummers say the mahogany shells do not cut through a loud band as maple or birch would.
CompletenessMixedBuyers note it is a shell pack, so stands, pedal and cymbals are extra purchases.
HeadsMixedThe included Remo heads are usable, but several owners upgrade them for a better sound.

About the Gretsch Catalina Club 4-Piece Shell Pack

The Gretsch Catalina Club 4-Piece Shell Pack includes a bass drum, a mounted tom, a floor tom and a snare drum. The configuration is built around a 14-inch deep bass drum, which gives the kit a warm, punchy vintage tone.

The shells are Gretsch Formula 7-ply mahogany with a natural shell interior and a 30-degree bearing edge. The bass drum has telescopic spurs and matching wood bass drum hoops. The toms and snare have 1.6mm triple flanged hoops, and all drums come with Remo drum heads.

The hardware includes a round "gas cap" bass drum mount plate, the Mini GTS mounting system, reduced-mass tom mount brackets, and Gretsch T-Wing screws and bolts.

Kit size

4 piece

Included drums

Bass drum, mounted tom, floor tom, snare

Bass drum

14-inch deep

Shell material

Gretsch Formula 7-ply mahogany

Bearing edge

30-degree

Hoops

Wood on bass drum; 1.6mm triple flanged on toms and snare