Gretsch Drums Renown 5 Review: Classic Five-Piece Pro Shell Pack

Who Should Buy It

Key Specifications

Overview

The Gretsch Drums Renown 5 is a five-piece shell pack from Gretsch's professional Renown series, finished in Cherry Burst and listed under the model code RN2-E825-CB. The configuration is the classic rock and all-purpose layout: a 22-inch bass drum, 10 and 12-inch rack toms, a 16-inch floor tom and a 14-inch snare drum.

As a shell pack, it ships as drums only, so cymbals, stands, pedals and a throne are the buyer's responsibility. That is standard at the premium tier, where players typically already own hardware or want to choose it to match their own preferences.

The listing is brief. It confirms the drum diameters and the finish but says nothing about shell material, ply count, bearing edges, hoops, heads or mounting hardware. This review works from the confirmed sizes and treats the rest as unpublished, with general context about the Renown line where it helps.

Shells, Sizes and Sound

Shell material and construction are not stated in the listing, which is a significant omission for a premium kit, since shell wood and ply count are the main drivers of tone. Renown drums are widely known as Gretsch's maple series, but a buyer should confirm the construction from the manufacturer's specification rather than rely on reputation alone.

What is confirmed are the diameters, and they are well chosen. A 22-inch bass drum gives a full low end with enough punch for rock, funk and worship settings, while 10 and 12-inch rack toms offer a quick, articulate pair that tune easily into a melodic interval. The 16-inch floor tom supplies the deep thud that a 14-inch floor tom cannot quite match.

The 14-inch snare is the standard diameter for nearly every style, and because its depth is not published, the buyer cannot tell whether it is a shallow, crisp drum or a deeper, fatter one from the listing. Depths for the kick and toms are also unlisted, so the overall voice of the kit remains partly a question of trust in the Renown name.

Hardware and Build

The listing publishes no details about hoops, lugs, tom mounts, bass drum spurs or floor tom legs. On a shell pack at this tier, buyers expect a tom holder and all shell-mounted hardware to be included, but nothing in the listing confirms what arrives in the box.

Professional Gretsch drums are generally regarded as well built, with consistent shells and durable hardware, and nothing about the Renown 5 suggests otherwise. The model code RN2 indicates the second generation of the Renown line, which has been in production long enough to have an established reputation among gigging drummers.

Heads are not named, so it is unclear whether the drums ship with branded heads or generic stock heads. Weight is also absent, which matters for anyone transporting a 22-inch kick and a 16-inch floor tom to regular gigs.

What Is in the Box

According to the listing, the pack includes five drums: a 22-inch bass drum, 10 and 12-inch toms, a 16-inch floor tom and a 14-inch snare, all in Cherry Burst. The inclusion of a snare is worth noting, because some professional shell packs sell the snare separately.

Nothing else is itemized. Cymbals, cymbal stands, a snare stand, a hi-hat stand, a bass drum pedal and a throne are not mentioned and should be assumed excluded. A tom holder, floor tom legs and a drum key are normally part of a shell pack but are not confirmed here.

Buyers upgrading from an existing kit can usually reuse their hardware, which is the scenario this format is designed for. First-time buyers should add a full hardware pack and cymbals to the budget, and the quality of those items should match a premium shell pack.

• 22-inch bass drum
• 10-inch and 12-inch rack toms
• 16-inch floor tom
• 14-inch snare drum
• Cherry Burst finish on all shells
• No cymbals, stands or pedal; mounts and heads not described

Playability and Setup

The 22, 10, 12, 16 and 14-inch combination is probably the most common professional kit layout, and for good reason. The rack toms sit comfortably over a 22-inch kick, the floor tom balances the kit visually and tonally, and the sizes suit everything from club gigs to studio sessions without specialist tuning.

Two rack toms give more melodic options than a four-piece, which matters for fills and for drummers who play across several genres. Setup is straightforward once the hardware is in place, though the unlisted mounting system means it is not clear whether the toms hang from a bass drum mount or need stand-mounted holders.

Tuning behavior depends on bearing edges and shell construction, neither of which is published. Gretsch drums in general are known for being easy to tune and forgiving at lower tensions, which suits drummers who like a warm, open sound, but that is reputation rather than a confirmed fact about this listing.

Finish and Looks

Cherry Burst is the only cosmetic detail the listing gives, and it is a good one. The red-to-dark fade is a Gretsch favorite that reads as classic rather than trendy, and it suits both vintage-influenced and modern stage setups.

Whether the finish is a lacquer or a wrap is not stated. Lacquer finishes are typical on Renown drums and show the wood grain through the color, but the buyer should confirm this for the specific pack rather than assume it.

Badge style, lug shape and hoop finish are not mentioned, so the overall look beyond the shell color cannot be described with confidence. Chrome hardware against a cherry fade is the usual presentation for this finish.

Upgrades and Daily Use

Because the listing does not name the heads, a fresh set of batter heads chosen for the player's style is the obvious first upgrade and often transforms a new kit. Snare wires and a matching snare stand are the next considerations, since the 14-inch snare is included but its depth and wires are unknown.

Cases or bags should be factored in for a premium finish, especially on the 22-inch kick and 16-inch floor tom, which take the most knocks in transport. Hardware choice also affects daily use, because a good tom mount and solid stands make a five-piece kit faster to set up and tear down.

A five-piece shell pack can be expanded with an additional floor tom or reduced to a four-piece for smaller stages, which is part of its appeal for working players. The Cherry Burst finish is a common Gretsch color, which may make matching add-on drums easier later.

Who Should Buy It

This pack is for an established drummer who wants a professional five-piece kit in the most versatile size set and already owns or is prepared to buy quality hardware and cymbals. The premium tier and the Renown name place it with serious players rather than beginners.

Gigging drummers who cover multiple styles will appreciate the two rack toms and 22-inch kick, and studio players will value a kit that records well across genres. Those who like the Gretsch sound and aesthetic will find the Cherry Burst finish a natural fit.

Buyers who want every specification in front of them before purchase may be frustrated by how little the listing publishes. Anyone needing a complete kit with cymbals and stands should look at packaged alternatives.

Alternatives Worth Considering

The Gretsch Catalina Maple offers a similar five or six-piece layout at a lower tier, with maple shells and Gretsch bearing edges, and its listings typically publish far more detail. It is the usual choice for players who want the Gretsch character at a more accessible price.

The Yamaha Tour Custom Maple is a competing all-maple shell pack in similar sizes with a brighter, more open voice from its 45-degree bearing edges. Players who want more attack and a different finish palette may prefer it.

For a vintage rock voice, the Gretsch Catalina Club Rock with a 24-inch kick and mahogany shells is a different flavor at a lower tier. Drummers who need a smaller footprint can look at the three-piece Renown with an 18-inch kick instead.

Verdict

The Gretsch Drums Renown 5 is, by its sizes and series, a professional five-piece shell pack in the most useful configuration there is. The 22, 10, 12, 16 and 14-inch set covers almost any gig, and the Cherry Burst finish is a proven look.

Where the kit is let down is the listing, which publishes nothing about shells, edges, hoops, heads or mounts. Those gaps do not mean the drums are lacking, but they do mean the buyer is relying on the Renown reputation rather than confirmed facts.

For a drummer who knows the line and wants this classic layout at the premium tier, it is a sound choice after confirming the construction details. The score reflects a strong configuration and finish with marks held back for unpublished specifications.

Strengths and Limitations

Alternatives to Consider

Roland VAD103

A drummer who wants a compact acoustic-looking four-piece with mesh heads and an 18-inch kick for a home studio or small stage and already owns stands and a pedal.

Read the Roland VAD103 review →

Yamaha Tour Custom Maple 4pc

An intermediate or working drummer upgrading to thin maple shells with professional-style hoops and mounts who already owns a snare and hardware.

Read the Yamaha Tour Custom Maple 4pc review →

Gretsch RENOWN 4-PIECE SHELL PACK

An experienced drummer who wants the warm Gretsch maple sound in a professional shell pack and already owns quality hardware and cymbals.

Read the Gretsch RENOWN 4-PIECE SHELL PACK review →

Questions Buyers Ask