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“Committed to musicians, enthusiasts, artists, and fans alike – it’s a Gretsch thing,” Fred W. Gretsch shares an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at one of the most enduring names in electric guitar history
(Image credit: Future)
This year, Gretsch celebrates its 140th Anniversary. Fred W Gretsch entered the scene during the jazz heyday of the ’50s as rock ‘n’ roll took over the ’60s.
Years later, he steered the company during the rocky years of being owned by Baldwin, paving the company’s way to prosperity as an electric guitar manufacturer. Who better to provide an inside look at the revolutionary era of Gretsch guitars?
Women were the driving force behind Gretsch
“The influence of women on the company is often overlooked but absolutely significant. My mother was a company supporter from 1942 to ‘64 and played a crucial role in my involvement in the business.
I would have never experienced instrument production at that Gretsch factory on 60 Broadway if it hadn’t been for my mother’s encouragement, who made sure that our family stayed in New York after dad passed away in ‘48 – she was originally from Missouri.
Trust me, dad died back in ‘48 and my older uncle, Fred Jr., who was my mentor in the company and supported me to work, commuted from Forest Hills in Queens to their Brooklyn location.
The lived reality is that we wouldn’t be here if not for these women.”
Duane Eddy, Dinah Gretsch and Fred Gretsch (Image credit: R. Diamond / Getty Images)Gretsch was a lifelong calling
“A quick family sketch on the men: obviously the founder… his story is out there. I didn’t know him, of course, since he died in 1895. But his eldest son, my grandfather, I did know – and he first took me to the business in 1950. He was 36 years old when they completed that [Gretsch] building at 60 Broadway.
Grandpa engaged in the business from 1895 to 1952, an incredible 57 year
“Of course, we built all the Gretsch instruments there from 1916 to 1969, when Baldwin moved the business to Arkansas. In any case,
