NAMM 09: Gretsch Booth

Another day, another Sucker Punch. Wake up, people! Inside the huge Fender area, Gretsch set up a nice display that had a fully backlined stage. Gretsch endorsers Billy Gibson (top, below) and Brophy Dale (bottom, below) were some of the artists to play on Friday:




A front runner for Longest Product Name at NAMM '09, Gretsch was touting their new Gretsch G5135PS Patrick Vaughn Stump Signature Series Gretsch STUMP-O-MATIC Electromatic Corvette Guitar. Whew.


Our favorite NAMM guitars from Gretsch in the last few years have been the Sara Ray painted guitars, hands down. This year didn't disappoint. Two new handpainted 6120s were on display:




Here's a new Chet Atkins Custom Shop model, the G6120DSW-R Chet Atkins Relic:

You Say It's Your Birthday: Malcolm Young

AC/DC's secret weapon for the last 36 years has been Angus' brother, Malcolm Young. While Angus spins around on the ground wearing shorts, Malcolm holds it down like nobody's business on rhythm guitar, usually playing his Gretsch signature model. Malcolm is said to be the brains behind all of AC/DC's business dealings, and anyone's measure of success, he has done all right. He turns 56 today.

Gretsch Knows How To Party

A few weeks back we had the privilege of hanging out at the Gretsch 125th Anniversary "Big Event" Concert in New York City. We loved seeing Fountains of Wayne, David Lee (pictured below), and the All-Star Band (pictured above) featuring GE Smith (Saturday Night Live), Steve Ferrone (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), Andy Hess (Gov't Mule), and Tim Reis and Chuck Leavell (Rolling Stones) all rock out in the stellar Highline Ballroom. Our thanks to Gretsch for throwing a killer party and our congratulations on 125 Years.