Developed in collaboration with drummer and educator Mike Johnston, the Gretsch Brooklyn Standard snare drum combines throwback looks with modern versatility. Johnston wanted a signature snare drum with the widest possible dynamic range across the full spectrum of tunings. After 9 months of prototyping and testing, Gretsch finally delivered the perfect match, and the Brooklyn Standard was born. Guitar Center offers this adaptable snare to a wide variety of players. It’s an exciting vintage-style drum for collectors and professionals, but thanks to Johnston’s purposeful design, it’s just as appropriate for students looking for their first pro-level snare drum.

Gretsch Brooklyn Standard Snare Drum Main Features

• 14x5.5” throwback snare drum with 6-ply maple/poplar hybrid shell
• 302 double-flange hoops, 45° bearing edges and Permatone heads by Remo USA
• Vintage-style tube lugs, Lightning throw-off, internal muffler and 42-count snare wire
• Designed in collaboration with renowned drummer and clinician Mike Johnston

Maple/Poplar Shell Combines Power and Warmth

Every detail of the Gretsch Brooklyn Standard snare drum is chosen to make the drum as versatile as possible. This begins with the shell, which is made from a maple/poplar wood mixture. Maple is known as the “industry standard” drum wood for its even tone across the whole spectrum. The distinctive “crack” of a maple snare has appeared on countless iconic recordings. A touch of poplar helps warm up the Brooklyn Standard for subtler playing environments. The 6-ply shell is thin enough to be sensitive to ghost notes in funk and jazz, but full enough for powerful backbeats in heavier genres.

Clean Stick Response at Any Tuning

The bearing edge, hoops, heads and muffling determine how a snare responds to the stick, and Gretsch left nothing to chance. It begins with the double-cut 45° bearing edge. This sharp edge lets the drum sing with wide-open resonance and sustain. For drummers who prefer a punchier sound, the built-in muffling system adjusts via an old-school dial on the side of the snare. It’s easy to dial in a perfect individual sound, or to change it up completely between songs. Gretsch fits each Brooklyn Standard snare drum with their Permatone heads, made specifically for Gretsch by Remo USA. The drum is then topped with 302 double-flange hoops, which combine the sturdiness of a modern flange with the sharper edge of a vintage counterhoop.

Vintage-Inspired Hardware and an Elegant Finish

The throwback hardware doesn’t end with the hoops—the Brooklyn Standard snare is a visual tribute to classic American snare drums. Vintage touches include narrow tube lugs, an oversized muffler dial and Gretsch’s proprietary Lightning throw-off. The subtle chrome hardware contrasts beautifully with the satin black finish on the shell. And to ensure rich ghost notes at any volume, every Brooklyn Standard snare drum features a wide 42-count bed of snare wires.

Designed With Dedicated Drum Educator Mike Johnston

Mike Johnston came to Gretsch with a strict set of needs for his signature snare. The drum needed to work well across any genre. This demand was not only for himself, but for students who are still evolving and learning new styles. It needed to look sharp with a variety of kits, and it needed to be able to grow with the drummer who buys it. Gretsch met these needs with every detail of this drum. To commemorate this partnership, the inside of each Brooklyn Standard snare includes a label with the year of production and Mike’s signature.

Features