Mixing tradition dating back to the 1930s with new millennium tastes, Gretsch introduces a new line of 16-inch Jumbo Ranchers in multiple eye-catching translucent colors. This solid Spruce top guitar with Maple back and sides features a bound French-style triangular soundhole, and neoclassic (half moon) inlay fret markers. This incredibly comfortable guitar is the perfect size for playing on stage, or strumming alone.

Masterfully stained, these guitars are finished with a clear coat that is polished to a perfect mirror gloss providing an intense and dazzling color display while enabling the beautiful grain and figure of the various woods to show through. Color choices currently available are: Natural, Purple, Regal Blue, Candy Apple Red, Tangerine, Anniversary Two-Tone Green, Gretsch Orange and Tobacco Sunburst. This guitar is then elegantly framed by flawless multiple bindings. (more…)

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SpectraSonics The newest addition to the Gretsch Guitar Company’s professional guitar series is the Gretsch Spectra Sonic line designed by Tom Jones of TV Jones Guitars. On display at the 2001 Summer NAMM show in Nashville, these guitars attracted a lot enthusiastic interest from Gretsch booth visitors.

These stylish guitars including the Spectra Sonic Lead, C Melody, and Bass, were originally hand made to order and custom built by Tom Jones. Rich Modica, long-time guitar technician for Brian Setzer, collaborated with Tom to determine how these quality instruments could be put into quantity production and still maintain the unique qualities that make them so special. It was crucial that the instruments continue to be supremely playable, resonate with innovative tones, and be aesthetically engaging. Keeping these requirements in mind, it was the only obvious choice to have the Gretsch Guitar Company, the originator of the Rockabilly guitar, produce this handsome trio. (more…)

The Vinnie Colaiuta world clinic tour has been postponed until next year. The recent tragic events that have occurred in the USA have led us to a very serious and difficult reassessment of whether to continue with the Vinnie Colaiuta world clinic tour. Considering all the factors involved and after consultations with Vinnie himself, we have made the decision to postpone the tour until next year.

We believe that the safety of all those involved in the execution of the tour should be of singular importance. We do not wish to force Vinnie’s participation in the tour nor that of any of the staff that would be accompanying him while such concerns over safety exist. Unfortunately there is no telling when such safety might once more be firmly assured. For these reasons, we believe that caution and good sense requires us to postpone the tour until next year.

Story by UEC

Louie Bellson is considered one of the most talented and versatile drummers of the Big Band Era and has worked with the most respected names in the business including Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Count Basie and Tommy Dorsey. He is also credited with the invention of the two-bass drum kit.

Louie recalls how his collaboration with Gretsch helped launch his original ideas for a double bass drum kit and a revolving drum platform.

It was around 1946 when he approached the Gretsch Drum Company with his idea for a double bass drum set with multiple toms. The typical drum set of the day was a standard four piece kit. After his idea was turned down by other drum companies, Louie showed the idea to Gretsch. “I was criticized for my idea for a double bass set up. A lot of other companies weren’t too excited about constructing this kit. They said ‘What is this guy up to? What is that? He should go to the moon with Buck Rogers on that.’ Gretsch was with me all the way on it. They said ‘Yeah, OK, we’ll make it.’…”

Soon after Bellson began using the new double bass set-up he joined the Benny Goodman Band and later joined Tommy Dorsey. “When I joined Tommy Dorsey in 1947, he loved this set up. Plus we had a revolving platform that was my idea, too. When I’d play a drum solo, Tommy would push a button and turn me around.”

Story by UEC

Gretsch endorser, Gregg Stocki recently recorded with Hollywood’s Billy Bob Thornton for an Album titled “Private Radio” on Lost Highway Records. The Actor’s project is scheduled for released on Sept.11. Joining Gregg for the session was fellow band mate Steve Arnold, also with Marty Stuarts’s Band. Both are seen here in the photo taken at Thornton’s LA studio with Billy Bob and Matt Damon. “I don’t think he[Matt] plays an instrument but I did give him a few tambourine lessons so he could participate in the jam we had at the end of the day” as Gregg recalls.

Gregg explains how he got involved…”We originally got hooked up with Billy when we did the score for his yet to be released film entitled ‘Daddy and Them.’ It stars Billy, Laura Dern, Andy Griffith, Jim Varney, John Prine and Kelly Preston. We’ve since done another movie called ‘Waking Up in Reno’ which should be out this fall.” (more…)