Gretsch · stop sign badge · 1972–1980
Gretsch sold the company to Baldwin in 1967, and by 1969 the drums were being built in De Queen, Arkansas. The round badge was retired in 1971, and from 1972 the drums wore an octagonal brass badge that collectors call the stop sign. Gretsch's own badge history says that first octagon is the only Gretsch badge to carry the line That Great Gretsch Sound. The shells changed less than the badge. The 1961 catalog already describes 6-ply shells, and the 1977 catalog still promises six-ply laminated wood shells with die-cast fully flanged hoops. What did change was the lineup. Alongside a Progressive Jazz and a Name Band II with a 22-inch bass, the 1977 catalog sold rock outfits like the Grand Prix and Blackhawk II, big concert tom sets, and finishes from Blue Spruce and Red Rosewood to Black Chrome Steel. There's no single stop sign model, so judge each kit by its outfit and condition. Make sure every drum carries the same badge version, and look hard at the bass drum for extra holes from period double tom holders.
Inside the shellstop sign badge
Gretsch dates its octagonal badges itself. The version with That Great Gretsch Sound along the bottom ran from 1972 to mid-1979, a version reading Drum Makers Since 1883 ran from late 1979 into 1980, and a redesigned octagon with a drop-G logo came back briefly in early 1981. A square badge with cropped corners appeared in 1980. Gretsch says fires destroyed its serial records, so it can't date a drum by serial number.
Bass drums on the rock outfits often carry extra holes from double tom holders and later mounts. Multi-tom sets get broken up and sold a drum at a time, so many listings are partial or mixed.
Buying guide
One stop sign kit is for sale, a 1970s 3-piece titled maple at $1,500 with shipping not stated, so there's no band to read yet. Gretsch dates its own octagonal badges, and the one with That Great Gretsch Sound along the bottom ran from 1972 to mid-1979, so ask for a close photo of a badge. The title leaves out the sizes, so ask for them, and for a photo of the bass drum top, since rock outfits often picked up extra holes from double tom holders. A kit ships in two or three big boxes, so get a freight quote before you offer.
$1,500.00+ ship
The only stop sign kit for sale, a 1970s 3-piece titled maple at $1,500. Shipping isn't stated, so get a freight quote before you offer, and ask for the sizes, which the title leaves out.
vintage 1970's 3 piece GRETSCH kit maple STOP sign badge
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 12, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 12, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$1,500.00+ shipping
$1,500.00 · shipping not stated
Buy It Now$1,500.00
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Good buy
Titled 1970s maple 3-piece. Sizes and shipping not stated.
Seller: dergfour
100% positive
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