Story by UEC
Elliot Easton Recently, guitar great and Gretsch artist endorser, “Elliot Easton” made appearances at several southern California music stores where he performed and introduced his new Signature Series, Gretsch EE Model Jet!
The atmosphere was just perfect at the small and casual appearances where fans could witness Elliot’s great style of playing and get a hands on feel for the new guitar. Read the rest of this entry »
Story by UEC
While on a recent visit to the Gretsch Drum Factory, artist, endorser, Vinnie Colaiuta came across some neat, New Old Stock(NOS) of Gretsch Drums buried on the shelves way in the back of the warehouse. Being completely blown away by this incredible discovery, Vinnie continued to wander the factory floor and was heard to repeatedly mumble the words “it’s a VINEYARD, …a GRETSCH FACTORY VINEYARD!”
an assortment of Gretsch USA made drum parts in real gold plate finish. These parts are all circa 1983…….almost 20 years old now. They are all ‘NOS’(new old stock) and may be showing some age. Perfect for the collector or the customizer who wants gold plated touches on their Gretsch or other brand drums. Available while supply lasts, first come first served basis. Order through your favorite Gretsch drum dealer.
70’s Gretsch Kit !! …New old stock !!
Never shipped !!
This kit is but one of the gems hanging around in the vineyard at the factory
Natural Maple Finish
New custom kits – 4 week delivery !!!
BeBop- 14×18, 8×12, 14×14 – Rosewood, Walnut, Millennium Maple
Grand Prix-16×20, 8×10, 8×12, 14×14 – Rosewood, Walnut, Millennium Maple
Fusion- 16×22, 9×10, 10×12, 12×14, 14×16- Walnut
Bass drums- available with or without mounting plate and your choice of G5975 or GGSCBS4 Gibraltar spurs
Toms- available with G9020 bracket or RIMS style mount
Floor Toms- available with legs or hang with RIMS style mount
Snare Drums- your choice of the Gretsch Lightning Throw-off and Butt Plate or Nickel Drumworks Piston Drive Throw-off and Butt Plate
Toms- coated, clear, pinstripe
Bass- batter side- powestroke3 or coated, resonant side- ebony logo or coated logo
When the Beatles made their legendary debut on the Ed Sullivan Show on February 9, 1964, a mop-topped George Harrison was front and center stage playing a Gretsch Country Gentleman. Overnight, Beatlemania spread from coast to coast and Harrison became the most famous lead guitarist on the planet. With Beatlemania showing no signs of fading (the recent Beatles 1 release is a Billboard #1 seller), Gretsch proudly reissues three classic electric guitars that were George Harrison’s main axes of choice in the early to mid ’60s. They include:
According to Harrison, this was his first “real American guitar” and his sentimental favorite Gretsch. Purchased around 1960 from money earned from the Beatles’ famous Hamburg gigs, Harrison’s ‘57 black Duo-Jet was used on the group’s early recording sessions and concert appearances. The ‘57 Duo Jet has been faithfully reproduced with brilliant DynaSonicTM dual pickups, a jet black arched maple top with mahogany neck, back and sides, distinctive humped-block inlays, a Bigsby vibrato tailpiece, and more chrome hardware than a ‘57 Chevy.
This twin-cutaway beauty is the shape and sound that helped launch the second British Invasion. The Gretsch ‘62 Country Classic is a faithful reproduction of the “King George” guitar Harrison played on the Ed Sullivan Show appearances and the Beatles’ historic ‘64 U.S. tour. This stunning guitar features a hand-polished walnut stain finish, 24K gold-plated metal parts (including the distinctive headstock name plate), dual high-sensitive FilterTronTM pickups, a stand-by switch, simulated f-holes, and a Gretsch Bigsby flat handle vibrato tailpiece. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah.
You’ll recognize this single-cutaway bestseller as the guitar George Harrison picked in the movie Help! as well as the Beatles’ legendary Shea Stadium concert in August 1965. Finished in its distinctive dark, cherry-red stain with handsome silver-gray pickguard, the ‘62 Tennessee Rose features dual high-sensitive FilterTronTM pickups, a stand-by switch, white outlined simulated f-holes, neoclassic position markers, and a Gretsch Bigsby vibrato tailpiece.
The guitarist for one of the hottest vocal quintet acts on the planet loves music, comic books, Orlando, Playstation – and his Brian Setzer Gretsch guitars. In exchange for using a friend’s studio facility (Backstreet Boys, producer Veit Renn) at no cost for Ruiz’s “Principal” band project, Ruben agreed to play a guitar track on a demo song for a new group called “‘Nsync.” When the group exploded up the pop charts, Ruben was asked to join the vocal group’s band to play guitar and keyboard. The last three years has seen the quintet rise to become one of the biggest tickets in the world. In fact the group won numerous 2000 Billboard Awards including Album of the Year (“No Strings Attached”), Top 40 Artist of the Year, and a special award for the biggest one-week sales ever (over 2.4 million units). Onstage’ Ruben has to compete with lasers, videos, banks of lights, and thousands of screaming fans, but his dazzling purple Gretsch Brian Setzer Hot Rod and highly flamed orange Gretsch Setzer 6120 guitars more than hold their own.
Did you happen to catch Saturday Night Live this past weekend? If you did, you got to witness Aerosmith with Joe Perry playing his big, classic Gretsch Hollowbody, the same one he uses in the new video “Jaded.”
What a band! What a guitar!
How about that killer appearance at the Super Bowl XXXV half-time show? If you missed that, …well, too bad! Aerosmith rocked out with NSYNC, Britney Spears and Mary J Blige, what a show! Joe was totally awesome brandishing that beautiful White Falcon that shined so bright on stage!
Don’t forget to watch VH-1 this Wed, March 21st at 9pm to see Aerosmith be inducted into the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame! They will be performing during the ceremony and if we’re lucky, we might get to see Joe play the square Bo Diddley Gretsch he just got from us.
Also, check their website for cool wallpaper for your desktop (with Joe & his Gretsch)!!
It’s so awesome to see Gretsch in the hands of such a great guitarist and musician!
The Bangles are back in the studio recording a new album after a mini tour, a VH1 “Behind the Music” and a VH1 live concert appearance. Long time Gretsch Drum endorser, Debbi Peterson has been joined in the Gretsch family by her sister Vicki, who is now playing a Gretsch Country Classic Junior (pictured) and a Tennessee Rose on tour and in the studio.
Formerly known as the Colours, the Bangs and finally the Bangles, this all-female Los Angeles quartet mastered the art of melodic west coast guitar-based pop and, like the Go-Go’s immediately before them, led the way for all-female groups in the latter half of the 80s. Read the rest of this entry »
Story & Photos by UEC
Nashville Namm July 21 Thru 23
NAMM It was another strong showing for Gretsch at The Summer NAMM Show in Nashville. The booth was teaming with activity throughout the 3 day event. Those in attendance got a first hand look at all the fine guitar and drum gear that has made Gretsch famous. The return of 2 “Classic” finishes, White Marine Pearl and Caribbean Blue, caught the eye of those in the percussion department.
The guitar section was busy with many visitors eyeing up the Brian Setzer Hot Rod Guitars, in 4 dazzling colors. The NEW Gretsch Historic Series Guitars, Stephen Stills and Elliot Easton signature models were also on display. Some of the artists to stop by the booth during the show included Jack Gavin, Pat McDonald, Jimmie Fadden, Gregg Stocki, Duane Eddy, and Kim Richey.