from the Gretsch House Telegram

Richard “Dick” Gretsch

The youngest of three brothers, Richard Francis Gretsch, nicknamed Dick, was born in 1908. He grew up with his brothers Bill and Fred in the family home in Forest Hills, NY.

Dick remembers trips to Europe with his father, to their offices in Paris and Germany, where they traveled by ship in those days. These trips could last up to a month, and the brothers would take turns traveling with their father. The boys also enjoyed train trips to the Gretsch office in Chicago. When not working, the brothers also took turns caddying for their father when he played golf, which, Dick tells us, he did “quite often.” Their father would pay them $1 plus a 25-cent tip. (more…)

The art of music is a feast for the ears, while Guitar Art, a new concept being promoted by the Gretsch Guitar Company, is a feast for the eyes! In 2002 the Gretsch Company started an art program, where instruments were donated to schools and organizations to help them with their fundraising needs. Through this program, non-profit organizations received used guitars and turned them into beautiful and unique works of art that were then sold at auction.

Organizations such as The Monroe Art Guild in Monroe, Georgia benefited from the program by receiving several guitars that they, in turn challenged local artists to decorate for a fundraiser auction. Building on that success, the Holy Name School in Sheridan, Wyoming transformed their guitar into a mosaic work of art by the art teacher. In both cases the winning bidder got a unique one of a kind piece of art to display in their home, studio, or office and the organization received funding to help with operational costs or to support specific programs such as music or art. (more…)

GRETSCH GUITARS

The Gretsch Company is proud to introduce the new Gretsch Guitar Website with the latest info on all Gretsch Guitars.

Be sure to sit back and enjoy browsing through all the fine models Gretsch has to offer. Nashvilles, Falcons and Classic Hollow bodies, Firebirds, Roundups and Jet Solid Bodies, Signature Series, Historic Series, Synchromatics, Big Body Ranchers … they’re all here! You can also locate your local dealer, find out about artists and see what’s hot! (more…)

The Leedy Drum Company was founded in 1895!

The strength of the Leedy legacy stands as a tribute to the founder, Ulysses G. Leedy. U.G. Leedy began his career as a professional percussionist in the 1890s. His personal need for instrument improvements led him to begin crafting his own. A good example is his first product, the folding drum stand. (Snare drums were hung on slings or placed on chairs until Leedy developed the stand.) Fellow musicians, quick to recognize the value and quality of Leedy,s creations, convinced him to start a business. With only $50.00 startup cash, Leedy set up a small shop in his Indianapolis apartment in 1898 and began making snare drum stands, then snare drums. Within two years he was able to buy four lots and build his first factory building.

Recognizing the value and prestige of the Leedy name, Gretsch has taken carefully measured steps in bringing Leedy back into the marketplace. At the 2003 Anaheim NAMM show, 25 new Leedy drums were displayed and received an overwhelming response. Gretsch expects to begin shipping the new Leedy drums to expectant dealers and their customers in mid-2003.

For more information visit Leedydrums.com (more…)

Gretsch launches Sho-Bud website as official source for information about the popular pedal steel brand.

Click here to visit the new Sho-Bud website.