Gretsch Celebrates Downbeat’s History . . . And Its Own

May 28, 2009


Savannah, GA – In a nifty message-within-a-message concept, the Gretsch Company recently took out a two-page spread in Downbeat magazine’s July issue to congratulate the publication on its 75th anniversary. A personal note from company president Fred W. Gretsch touts Downbeat’s importance as the chronicler of music history. This note mirrors a similar one offered in 1954 by then-president Fred Gretsch Jr. on the occasion of the magazine’s twentieth anniversary.


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Fred W. Gretsch’s new message goes on to point out the long-standing connection between Gretsch and Downbeat, and how so much of the history that the magazine has covered involved Gretsch artists. These points are underscored by a decade-by-decade display of Gretsch ads that ran in Downbeat from the 1950s through the 2000s. The ads feature such legendary artists as drummers Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, and Philly Joe Jones, as well as guitarists Chet Atkins, Freddie Green, and Roy Clarke.

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Hand-crafted every step of the way

The epitome and legend of "That Great Gretsch Sound." The USA Custom series is hand-crafted every step of the way in our Ridgeland, SC factory by highly experienced and skilled drumsmiths. Our legendary Gretsch formula 6-ply shell is the cornerstone of our legendary sound. Shells are completed with 30-degree bearing edges, Silver Sealer, die-cast hoops and custom finishes - ingredients all combined to make a sound long recognized for its classic clear timbre, balanced tone and explosive projection. Custom design your Gretsch dream kit "a la cart" by choosing your desired drum sizes, colors and hardware options. The Gretsch legend continues.

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Carefully developed to produce tones that explode a balanced amount of warm low end frequencies

The Catalina Maple series starts with the Gretsch maple formula shell. We carefully developed the maple shell specification to produce tones that explode with attack and volume and project a balanced amount of warm, low-end frequencies. All Catalina Maple shells are 7-ply, 7.2mm.

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