Gretsch Drums G5 Hardware Pack Review:
What To Expect from This Hardware Pack
Quality
The G5 pack is the highest-quality hardware pack that Gretsch offers. This means that you’re getting the best design features from the brand.
The standout quality is how heavy all the stands are, making them feel incredibly secure to play on. The cymbal stands are the kind of stands you need to use giant 24” ride cymbals that are extra thick.
The bass drum pedal is excellent. It has a dual-chain design, and it feels incredibly responsive when you play it. It would be nice if the beater had two sides with different materials, though.
The hi-hat pedal looks similar, but it’s not as heavy or technical as the bass drum pedal. However, it’s just as responsive.
One of the interesting qualities of this hardware pack is the white felts that come with the cymbal stands. Most stands have grey felts, so the white ones stand out nicely.
Durability
These are some of the most durable stands you can get. They’ll last decades if taken care of properly, considering that they’re so well-made. Take note that they’re very heavy. While that adds to the durability, it also makes them a bit harder to move.
The one piece of hardware that may not last as long as the others is the snare drum stand. It has a ball-style tilter. Ball-style tilters are incredible when you use them. They allow you to position the snare drum in ways that you wouldn’t be able to on other stands.
However, ball-style tilters get stripped a lot easier, meaning that the stand may break faster than a regular snare drum stand would. This probably won’t happen if you don’t adjust the snare drum too much, but it may become an issue if the snare angle is constantly being changed.
Ease of Use
The stands in this pack are all a breeze to use. They all have straightforward designs, meaning you don’t need to figure anything out. Some hardware packs have stands with innovative designs that don’t make sense at first.
The only thing about this pack that may not be easygoing is the weight of the stands. They’re heavier than most, so traveling with them in a hardware bag is going to be tough if you do it often.
Price Value Ratio
The Gretsch G5 hardware will last decades, making the almost $600 price tag well worth it. Even though these stands are expensive, you may never need to buy a full set of hardware again. That’s worth investing in.
You may find many hardware packs that are far more affordable, but they won’t include stands that are as durable and sturdy to play on.
This is one of the most reasonably priced hardware packs around that has stands this heavy.