Monday August 19, 2002

Iconic Companies Ink Deal, Take Gretsch To Global Level

SAVANNAH, GA – Fred W. Gretsch Enterprises, Ltd. (Gretsch) and Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC), proudly announce today that the two companies have entered into an agreement wherein Gretsch has granted FMIC the exclusive rights to develop, produce, market and distribute Gretsch guitars worldwide.

As part of the deal, which is effective as of January 1, 2003, FMIC will be responsible for all aspects of the Gretsch stringed instrument product lines and brand names, including Gretsch® guitars and basses, Synchromatic® guitars, Electromatic® guitars and Gretsch’s line of parts and accessories. Development of future new products, including Gretsch branded amplifiers, is also a part of the deal. (more…)

Did you know that legendary hard rock drummer Carmine Appice recorded classics like the Vanilla Fudge hit “You Keep Me Hanging On” with a Gretsch Kit?

Carmine has played with everybody from Jeff Beck to Ozzy Osbourne. Chances are, that if you’ve seen just one Heavy Rock Show in the last 30 years, Carmine was that guy poundin’ the skins behind some BIG kit.

You may not know that his legacy goes back as far as 1963. He’s seen here with some hip band “The 3 Beeets”. OK, he’s the guy in the middle with the sticks! And yes, that is a Gretsch Kit; the same one he apparently used with Vanilla Fudge during the recording of the classic “You Keep Me Hanging On”. I know you don’t need me to tell you, that’s some serious Gretsch trivia.

Excerpts from this article originally appeared in Modern Drummer Magazine.

If you’re eager to get playing on some nifty new gear, Kaman Music Corporation (manufacturer and worldwide distributor of Gretsch drum products) has a deal for you. Their new “Set Up and Play” drumset packages feature Gretsch drums, Gibraltar hardware, and Sabian cymbals.

With an eye to affordability, the new packages offer the most popular Gretsch Blackhawk, Catalina Elite, Catalina Stage, and Renown Maple series shell packs, Gibraltar 5600 and 6600 series hardware, and the player’s choice of Sabian Solar, B8, B8 Pro, and Pro Sonix Performance Pack cymbal sets. The packages give the drummer an opportunity to build a complete drumset with cymbals, featuring top percussion brands and added-value savings. Retail prices for “Set Up And Play” packages start at $999.

Also from Gretsch is word that new production schedules have been set up to drastically reduce lead time of the more popular colors and configurations from the Custom Series offering. The new Custom Drum Shell Bank offers the most popular drumset configurations in Gretsch’s high-gloss lacquer finishes. Delivery time will now be reduced to six weeks from the previous figure of twenty-four. In addition, all Nitron covered single drums in classic sparkles, pearls, and solid finishes will now be delivered within ten weeks from order date.

Jeff Porcaro’s music lives on 10 years after his sudden death in August of 1992. The excerpt below is taken from the August 2002 issue of Modern Drummer. In the article, Jeff’s long-time drum tech talks about the gifted musicians’ set up and his almost exclusive use of Gretsch drums in the studio.

Modern Drummer – August 2002

Paul Jamieson, who now runs Paul Jamieson Studio Rentals, worked with Jeff from 1975 through 1988. He was Jeff’s drum tech and confidante. Although Jeff always shied away from talking about equipment in his interviews, Jamieson says he definitely had certain preferences and pet peeves.

“When we recorded the first Toto album at Studio 55, he used one of my Gretsch drumsets, which were the same sizes as the Ludwig kit. He played Gretsch drums in the studio from that minute on. From there, I built him a Gretsch kit that he used on Boz’s tours. (more…)