Vinnie Colaiuta

Colaiuta used a yellow kit extensively in the early 1980s (particularly with Frank Zappa) and the 1990s, before it fell into disrepair. It was restored for NAMM 2017.

"This is my first Gretsch kit I've ever owned. And I wanted yellow because Tony Williams had this exact color.

At the time, only four other drummers in the world had a solid yellow Gretsch kit. Frank Zappa fell in love with this kit, especially the bass drum."

The yellow kit has the following specs:

• 8x12 rack tom
• 9x13 rack tom
• 16x16 floor tom
• 16x18 floor tom
• 14x20 bass drum
• 5x14 snare drum

When Colaiuta became endorsed by Gretsch in 2016, he began using another USA Custom kit in a "Cobalt Blue Gloss Lacquer", as listed on Colaitua's official Gretsch artist page with the following specs:

• 7x8, 7x10, 8x12” Rack Toms
• 14x14, 16x16, 18x18” Floor Toms
• 18x22” Bass Drum
• 5x14”, 5x12” Snare Drums

Mentioned in this 2007 Modern Drummer interview, archived on Colaiuta's official website.

Oh, yea. I'll go to great lengths to get Gretsch drums wherever I am. Drum Paradise has Gretsch in Nashville, as does Artie Smith in New York. I have Gretsch drums in Tokyo, as well as a kit in Europe. I'm using all Gretsch with Herbie, the New Classic Maple with tube lugs. They sound different from the classic USA Maple. They're the first new Gretsch drum design in many years and they sound great. Recently on tour with Jeff Beck I used my own Signature series, and I'll use those in Japan with Herbie.

Mentioned in this 1993 Modern Drummer interview, archived on Colaiuta's official website.

Developed in collaboration with Colaiuta. He mentions it in this 2007 Modern Drummer interview, archived on Colaiuta's official website.

Oh, yea. I'll go to great lengths to get Gretsch drums wherever I am. Drum Paradise has Gretsch in Nashville, as does Artie Smith in New York. I have Gretsch drums in Tokyo, as well as a kit in Europe. I'm using all Gretsch with Herbie, the New Classic Maple with tube lugs. They sound different from the classic USA Maple. They're the first new Gretsch drum design in many years and they sound great. Recently on tour with Jeff Beck I used my own Signature series, and I'll use those in Japan with Herbie.

Visible in this photo of Colaiuta, obscured by his cymbals.

Visible in the bottom left corner of this photo of Colaiuta's drum kit, taken from this 2007 Modern Drummer interview, archived on Colaiuta's official website. It is mentioned by name in the accompanying kit rundown.

Vinnie Colaiuta 'Yamaha Recording Custom Drum Kits' ad, 1987