Fender just bought Gretsch

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 25 Aug 2002 1:36 pm

Fender just announced that they have bought the Gretsch company. I wonder what they will do with it. Will they retain Fred Gretsch to oversee the operation? Will they reissuse the wonderful 70's version of the Country Gent (with real F holes) that some people say is the best guitar Gretsch ever made? (I don't know about it being the best, but I like mine a lot.)

Will they start making Sho-Buds again?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 25 Aug 2002 4:30 pm

Mike, I own a 6118 Anniversary. The sound man at the county fair here was raving about how good it sounded out front. It looks like one stop shoping now for guitar players. I hope Sho-Bud is sold to someone who will really do the company justice in its legacy.

Glenn Austin · Post by **Glenn Austin** » 26 Aug 2002 7:44 am

Perhaps Fender will start producing Sho Buds in their custom shop.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 26 Aug 2002 8:03 am

Sounds like Good News to me

more Buds !

John Russell · Post by **John Russell** » 26 Aug 2002 5:00 pm

Refresh me, Gretsch owns Sho~Bud--or not? I understand that, for a fat price, you can actually purchase a new 'Bud.

The resurrection of the Sho~Bud brand would be great news, if that could happen. What if Fender decides to do that and assemble them overseas? Would it fly or die? Would it squeeze out the current quality builders? It really depends on market demand, which is pretty steady (i.e. low) right now.
--JR

Geoff Brown · Post by **Geoff Brown** » 26 Aug 2002 8:50 pm

I have a hard time convincing myself that anything Fender gets their fat corporate hands on will result in any kind of genuine improvement. Less competition in the marketplace means less incentive to produce a better product or a better value. My .02

Andy Greatrix · Post by **Andy Greatrix** » 26 Aug 2002 9:25 pm

If I could afford it, I would buy
a Fulawka or a Mullins instead of
a Sho-bud. As for Fender, why not
deal with Gene Fields at GFI?

Fender, Gretch, and Sho-bud have
all gone down the tubes,and the names
mean nothing now, as far as steel guitars
are concerned.

That's just my insignificant opinion.

erik · Post by **erik** » 26 Aug 2002 9:39 pm

Fender has really opened up the line this year with offering many varieties of guitars in many finishes. How is that a bad thing? With mass production quality may sometimes suffer. But if you try before you buy you can still find the gems. The complete Fender amp line is still available. I don't see the negatives with Fender.

Al Gershen · Post by **Al Gershen** » 26 Aug 2002 10:32 pm

Hi Group:

On the Fender website they have a full copy of the Press Release in pdf format for downloading.

The URL to the press release link is:

http://www.fender.com/60cyclehum/#gretsch

The important thing said is:

Fender has been granted the exclusive rights to develop, produce, market and distribute Gretsch guitars worldwide effective January 1, 2003.

The Gretsch family—now in their fourth generation of ownership—will remain the owners.

No mention is made of the Sho-Bud steel guitar line in the press release....but it could be part of the "fine print."

------------------
Regards,
Al Gershen
Grants Pass, Oregon. USA
Fender 1000 (1956),
Fender PS 210 (1971) &
Gibson Electraharp EH-820 (1960)
Al's Photographs and "Photos of the Day" at http://www.alsphotographs.com

[This message was edited by Al Gershen on 26 August 2002 at 11:34 PM.][This message was edited by Al Gershen on 27 August 2002 at 11:22 AM.]

Harry Hess · Post by **Harry Hess** » 29 Aug 2002 4:25 pm

I sure hope Fender doesn't screw up Gretsch. The 6120JR I picked up earlier this year is a really cool little guitar. Plays smooth as silk. Doesn't feel or sound like a Gibson or Fender. I had a sunburst Anniversary for a few weeks back in the 80's, but I think of this little 6120JR as my first Gretsch. Only thing I wish Gretsch would do is put the orange 17" double cutaway out again. My 6120JR is orange, and a really pretty guitar. I know these new Gretsch's are made in Japan, but what the hell, they're damn good guitars.

Regards,
HH

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 29 Aug 2002 7:44 pm

I am an original owner of a 1960 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman and I bought it new and had Chet sign it in '94 along with my '89 Gibson Chet Atkins Country Gentleman. Two of the same models from two different companies and endorsed by the Maestro himself, rare? Maybe.

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 29 Aug 2002 8:28 pm

Only thing I wish Gretsch would do is put the orange 17" double cutaway out again.

A the NAMM show last January of this year Gretsch had reissues of all their classic models, including the square Bo Diddley guitar. I don't recall if this specific one is currently available, but my guess is that it is.