It’s back—and it’s better than ever.

The latest Catalina Maple update from Gretsch continues a legacy that has shaped the affordable maple drum set market for nearly two decades. With the new CM2 generation, Gretsch builds on an already successful formula, introducing subtle but meaningful improvements to hardware, mounting systems, and overall playability.

In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the Drum Center of Portsmouth exclusive kit, the Gretsch Catalina Maple 7pc Rock Drum Set Gloss Natural – DCP Exclusive, and the cymbals used in the demo to showcase its sound.

With the CM2 generation, Gretsch continues to combine decades of drum-making expertise with thoughtful modern improvements. Every detail—from the refined hardware to the updated tom suspension system—reflects the brand’s commitment to enhancing playability without compromising the warm, musical tone that Gretsch is known for.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an aspiring drummer, the Catalina Maple CM2 demonstrates how innovation and tradition can come together to create a drum set that’s both reliable and inspiring.

At the core of the Catalina Maple CM2 is Gretsch’s 7-ply maple shell construction paired with 30-degree bearing edges. This classic Gretsch design helps deliver a warm, punchy tone with a strong midrange presence and balanced sustain.

Maple has long been one of the most versatile woods used in drum manufacturing. Its tonal balance works across almost any genre—from jazz and funk to rock and pop.

The Gretsch Catalina Maple CM2 shells provide:

• Warm low-end response
• Focused midrange punch
• Clear, musical sustain
  
  

It’s the kind of sound profile that feels comfortable in a studio environment but still projects well on stage.

The kit featured in the video is the Gretsch Catalina Maple 7pc Rock Drum Set Gloss Natural – DCP Exclusive.

This exclusive configuration offers a large tonal range thanks to its expanded tom setup. The sizes include:

• 8x7 rack tom
• 10x7 rack tom
• 12x8 rack tom
• 14x14 floor tom
• 16x16 floor tom
• 22x18 bass drum
• 14x6 snare drum
  
  

This layout is extremely versatile. Whether you prefer high-pitched articulate toms or deep thunderous rock tones, the range of drum sizes makes it easy to dial in the sound you’re after.

The 22-inch bass drum provides plenty of power and low-end punch, while the combination of two floor toms gives the kit a wide sonic spread that works beautifully in larger musical settings.

One of the most noticeable improvements in the CM2 generation is the updated GTS tom suspension system.

Gretsch refined the mounting hardware to allow the toms to resonate more freely, producing a longer, more natural sustain. The design isolates the shell from the mounting hardware, which minimizes vibration transfer and lets the drum vibrate more naturally.

For drummers, this translates into:

• Better sustain
• Fuller tom resonance
• A more responsive feel when striking the drum
  
  

When combined with the 30-degree bearing edges, the toms feel incredibly smooth and musical under the sticks.

Another improvement in the CM2 series is the upgraded snare drum hardware.

Gretsch added a new Full Range snare throw-off and butt plate, which provides smoother operation and greater reliability when engaging the snare wires.

The snare also features triple-flanged hoops, which help balance durability with open resonance.

The result is a snare that feels more refined than previous Catalina generations and responds well to a wide variety of playing styles—from ghost notes to aggressive rimshots.

A defining feature of the Catalina Maple bass drum is the classic Gretsch gas cap style tom mount.

This round mounting plate provides sturdy support for the rack tom arms while maintaining the vintage Gretsch aesthetic.

It also includes an additional mounting port, allowing drummers to add accessories such as:

• Splash cymbals
• Effect cymbals
• Small percussion instruments
  
  

Having this extra mounting option adds flexibility to the kit without cluttering the hardware setup.

One of the highlights of this particular kit is its Gloss Natural finish.

Natural finishes are notoriously difficult to produce because the wood grain is fully visible. Any imperfections in the shell or veneer become immediately noticeable.

That’s why the finish on the DCP exclusive kit is so impressive. The gloss lacquer highlights the maple grain beautifully, giving the kit a high-end appearance that rivals much more expensive drums.

The result is a drum set that not only sounds professional—but looks like it belongs in a world-class studio.

To showcase the kit’s sound, the demo uses cymbals from Meinl’s Pure Alloy series.

These cymbals are known for their bright, articulate tone and excellent recording characteristics.

The setup includes:

• Meinl Pure Alloy Traditional Medium Hi‑Hat Cymbals 15
• Meinl Pure Alloy Thin Crash Cymbal 18
• Meinl Pure Alloy Custom Medium Thin Ride Cymbal 22
• Meinl Pure Alloy Custom Extra Thin Hammered Crash Cymbal 20
  
  

Together, these cymbals provide a balanced palette of bright shimmer, responsive crashes, and a clear ride definition.

The 15-inch hi-hats offer a slightly deeper and more powerful sound compared to traditional 14-inch hats, while the 22-inch ride delivers plenty of stick articulation with a smooth wash underneath.

The extra thin hammered crash adds a lush, explosive accent that complements the punchy maple drums perfectly.

Like many drum kits in this price range, the Gretsch Catalina Maple ships with factory drumheads.

While they can sound quite good when tuned properly, many drummers eventually upgrade to aftermarket heads for improved durability and tone.

Popular options include professional heads from companies like:

• Evans
• Remo
  
  

Upgrading the heads can unlock even more resonance and attack from the maple shells.

A common question among drummers is why some maple drum sets cost significantly more than others.

The answer often comes down to the type and grade of maple used.

High-end drum kits frequently use North American maple, which is extremely dense and highly resonant. These drums also tend to feature carefully selected veneers and extensive hand finishing.

Drum sets like the Gretsch Catalina Maple typically use maple sourced from other regions such as Asia or Europe. While still excellent for drum construction, these woods are generally slightly less dense than North American maple.

However, the Gretsch Catalina Maple still delivers the core maple sound—balanced, warm, and versatile—making it one of the best values in the drum world.

The Gretsch Catalina Maple series has always been about delivering serious drum performance at an accessible price, and the CM2 generation continues that tradition.

With its:

• 7-ply maple shells
• 30-degree Gretsch bearing edges
• improved suspension mounts
• upgraded snare hardware
• beautiful gloss natural finish
  
  

The Gretsch Catalina Maple 7pc Rock Drum Set Gloss Natural – DCP Exclusive stands out as a versatile and great-sounding kit for drummers at nearly any level.

Paired with the responsive brightness of the Meinl Pure Alloy cymbals used in the demo, the setup delivers a balanced, professional sound that works equally well on stage or in the studio.

For drummers looking for a large, versatile maple kit without boutique pricing, the Catalina Maple CM2 proves that Gretsch still knows how to raise the bar.