Since 1883, when 27-year-old Friedrich Gretsch founded his little shop in Brooklyn, N.Y., making banjos, drums and tambourines, The Gretsch Company has grown to produce some of the worlds greatest drums and guitars over the span of four generations. With its emphasis on hand-craftsmanship and commitment to quality, Gretsch has pioneered new designs and manufacturing techniques, winning endorsements from some of the music industrys most respected artists, including Chet Atkins, Bono, Charlie Watts, Neil Young and Phil Collins. That Great Gretsch Sound is the anthem that began when Friedrich Gretsch, an immigrant from Mannheim, Germany, founded a small shop in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1883. Before dying unexpectedly in 1895, Friedrich Gretsch created a dynasty that would last to this day and beyond.

Fred Gretsch, Sr. retired from the company in 1942, his attire now the pressed suits of a successful businessman. Gretschs sons Fred, Jr. and William Bill both of whom had been active in the business since 1927 were well prepared to assume leadership. Command was again passed to Fred Gretsch, Jr. and the Navy veteran led the company into a new age of prosperity. It was the explosion of the rock n roll music ushered in by Elvis Presley and continued by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and many other artists of the day. The companys popularity grew with the explosion of rockabilly and rock n roll in the 1950s and 60s, attracting famous endorsees like George Harrison, Bo Diddley, Chet Atkins and Charlie Watts.

For more information, please visit http://www.gretsch.com