Jan 19, 2008 5:35 p.m.
Things were hopping at Fort Gibson this morning.
(p30)
WinterNAMM08 Digest!
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Jan 28, 2008 3:15 p.m. Proteus:
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Jan 28, 2008 3:17 p.m. Proteus:
Jan 19, 2008 5:45 p.m.
Everyone's asking for catalogs, understandably. Alas, we're running out of catalogs here at the show...it's apparently a popular item.
I'll pass the requests along to Joe.
While I'm here, check out
The Medallion
Every guitar I've taken down off the wall so far has had this 125th Anniversary medallion attached to the back of the headstock. Joe will have to answer whether they will be used all year, just for the show...or what.
(p31)
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Jan 28, 2008 3:18 p.m. Proteus:
Jan 19, 2008 5:45 p.m.
The Layout
Some nice shots of the entire Gretsch area, then each subsection. (I missed getting an Electromatic wall shot in this series, but you've seen it.)
This was before the party started this morning. Joe agonizes over the layout and arrangement. Before the show each morning we go through and get all the guitars at just the right angle, making sure the Bigsbys are in the upright and stowed position.
You see Shinji Tanase polishing his babies. Shinji is Joe's main contact at Terada, and responsible for coordinating Gretsch production there. He doesn't play favorites, though – I've seen him polish Electromatics as well as Terada-sourced instruments.
I've never caught him messing with any durn Fenders or though.
Oh – you'll want to know...just next to the Electromatic wall comes a wall full of Jacksons.
(p31)
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Jan 28, 2008 3:19 p.m. Proteus:
Jan 19, 2008 6:08 p.m.
Bracing Sound Clips!
This was the best I could come up with under the ad hoc conditions here in the way of demonstrating what difference bracing might make in the tone and response of otherwise near-identical instruments.
Playing through the lush Executive amp, but not with much gain, so it's hard to really evaluate sustain. Still, very interesting tonal differences.
All three are 6120s with pinned AdjustaMatics, lacquer, and TV Jones pups.
1st up, the Reverend Horton Heat. TV Jones Classics and parallel tone bar bracing.
Next, and for the first time anywhere, the 125th Anniversary in two-tone Jaguar tan and metallic gold. TV Jones Powertrons and the new ML bracing.
Last up, the beloved Brian Setzer model SSLVO, with TV Classics and trestle bracing.
What do we think?
(p31)
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Jan 28, 2008 3:19 p.m. Proteus:
Jan 19, 2008 6:12 p.m.
Per requests, I'll get closeups of the blueburst, no problem, and definitely sound clips of the 5222 amp.
And, at the expense of seeming to have turned into hypeboy, wait till you see some of the stuff that's coming up.
Now you guys know I'm generally pretty level-headed, skeptical, and balanced in approach; this stuff is just genuinely pretty cool. You'd be psyched if you were here too.
(p31)
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Jan 28, 2008 3:20 p.m. Proteus:
Jan 19, 2008 7:25 p.m.
The Reliquary
I'm not a fan of relics, of the idea of building new old stuff.
But near Hollywood, you remember that a fundamental craft of moviemaking is creating props that look right, that fit into their era. In the context of performance and creating images, it makes more sense.
Joe tells the famous story that the relics began when Fender sold a slew of new guitars to the Stones for a tour. They then got word that the guitars weren't being used.
Keith and Co. said the new guitars looked too new. On the Stones, they looked fake.
Thus it began, with the original intention of making guitars that guys who actually own the vintage pieces could take on the road instead of the valuable ones. It grew from there.
The Fenders in the Custom Shop area don't look like relics, they just look like old guitars in every respect, like they really have found a way to build old ones.
Anyway, blah blah blah. I got the 6128 Relic down and actually plugged it into an amp – and I was just playing an old guitar. Period. It felt old and comfortable, utterly played in. Sounded the same way. Broke in, stable, lively, like a good old'un.
So I guess I get it. But I'm not going to get it, because I still like new and shiny.
Check out the pics. Bit of a relic playing it too...
p33
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Jan 28, 2008 3:22 p.m. Proteus:
Jan 19, 2008 7:29 p.m.
Walkabout Teaser.
In the way of advertising upcoming events, I've just finished walking around about a third of the show. I recorded audio continuously the whole time, and snapped random pics.
Can you handle 43 minutes? Will you promise to wear headphones?
Soon.
(p34)
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Jan 28, 2008 3:23 p.m. Proteus:
Jan 19, 2008 8:13 p.m.
6:00 P.M. - They're trying to get the doors closed to the display halls after the third day of NAMM08.
Joe promises me supper, and I'm going to take him up on it.
The rest of today's material will be posted tonight, yea unto dawn, perhaps even as you slumber in dream.
BUT FIRST, it's time to give away today's 5222.
We thought we'd ask how high Nigel's amp goes, but that will be the bonus question for extra credit.
The MAIN question: add up all the knobs on Gretsch's current line of four amps. How many knobs are there?
Stay tuned for much more later.
(p34)
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Jan 28, 2008 3:24 p.m. Proteus:
Jan 20, 2008 9:51 a.m.
Day Four Begins
And I have the winners to yesterday's trivia questions.
Q1: Where is the Custom shop?
A1: Upstairs, Corona, separate room.
Winner of coffee mug: JC
Q2: How many watts, what size speaker in Executive?
A2: 20 watts, 15"
Winner of Koil Kord: Pappy
Q3: What tubes in Executive?
A3: 1-5AR4, 2-6V6, 3-12AX7, 2-12AT7
Winner of 125th Anniversary Tee: Jimbodiddley
Q4: Wattage & speaker in Playboy?
A4: 15 watts, 12"
Winner of Great Gretsch Sound Tee: Mark S
Q5: Which new Gretsch amp based on 6L6 tubes, and how much power?
A5: Variety, 40 watts
Winner of Gretsch beer mug: Mark S
And the big winner of the day:
Q6: How many knobs on all 4 current Gretsch amps together?
A6: 21 (by my repetitive count, and switches not being considered knobs...)
Winner of Electromatic 5222 amp: Antik
Congratulations to all winners, and again be sure to send me address, size (if applicable), and maybe a reminder of what you won to my email.
What happened last night to keep me from posting? We literally went to Disneyland, ironically enough, for a delicious and memorable dinner at The Jazz Kitchen New Orleans-style restaurant in Disney Downtown.
The event was a small annual dinner party Fred and Dinah Gretsch give for suppliers, distributors, Fender executives and marketers, artists, and others involved with the success of Gretsch.
I was honored and humbled to be included, and to hear Fred talk about the importance of continuity, of family, of good personal relationships in business, and his plans for Gretsch for the next 5, 25, and 100 years – well, you just can't doubt the depth of his commitment to this heritage and what it means.
A fine, warm time and much illuminating conversation was had by all.
After which I spent most of the night prepping sound clips and pics, which will be uploaded and posted as soon as we get to the hall.
But let me correct a misconception I may have propagated. Mike Lewis tells me that all Gretsch hollowbodies have had 3-ply bodies – tops, backs and sides all – since FMIC specs were phased in during 2003.
I was under the impression that tops were 3-ply, but backs and sides were 5-ply.
No wonder the guitars are so lively and responsive.
Coming up today:
• Ventures sound clips
• Complete sound clips and pics of Friday night's concert
• 5120 vs 512x Humbucker vs DeArmond sound clips
• Joe rocks
• visits to TV Jones and Bigsby booths
• the coolest new pedal I've heard in ages
• more performance clips
• giveaways, including another 5222 amp...
• and, of course, the Jag Tan 125th Anniversary Guitar giveaway.See you at the hall.
(p37)
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Jan 28, 2008 3:25 p.m. Proteus:
Jan 20, 2008 11:47 a.m.
Starting the day off with a bang.
Jamie & Karissa wandered into our trap yesterday, but it was late in the day and I didn't think your hearts could handle it.
OKAY then, now that I have your attention.
The first giveaway of the day is a one-only prize: A silk 125th Anniversary banner goes to the first right answer to the question: what good are mutes on a Country Gentleman?
(p37)
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Jan 28, 2008 3:26 p.m. Proteus:
Jan 20, 2008 12:02 p.m.
Electromatic vs Electromatic
Straightforward: sound clip of 5120 with Gretschbuckers, and then the 5129 with DeArmond 2000s. Gretsch Executive amp.
(p38)
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Jan 28, 2008 3:27 p.m. Proteus:
Jan 20, 2008 12:08 p.m.
BING. There was no right answer, just first answers.
Of course I agree with Gretschmaster – mutes are of no use. I also acknowledge all the reasons given for why mutes were intended to be useful. But once an experimental feature appears, it becomes a fixed historical point, and must be honored.
A beautiful (and bigger-than-he-thinks) 125th Anniversary banner goes to Gretschmaster!
(p38)
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Jan 28, 2008 3:28 p.m. Proteus:
Jan 20, 2008 12:13 p.m.
Sunday Trivia 2
What are two essential features of the Electrotone body, and when was it introduced?
The first three callers with correct answers win 125th Anniversary T-shirts.
(p38)
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Jan 28, 2008 3:30 p.m. Proteus:
Jan 20, 2008 12:25 p.m.
Nokie Edwards & The Ventures prove you're never "too old."
I know the video with better audio is up at the Fender site, but here's what it sounded like from the door, and what I could see.
Ventures 1.
Ventures 2.
Ventures 3.
Ventures 4.
Ventures 5.
Ventures 6.
(p39)
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Jan 28, 2008 3:32 p.m. Proteus:
Jan 20, 2008 12:34 p.m.
Joe Rocks!
Impromptu jam with our man Joe Carducci and amazing blues harper/vocalist Kellie Rucker. Unfortunately, I caught only the tail end. But you get the idea.
(p39)
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Jan 28, 2008 3:32 p.m. Proteus:
Jan 20, 2008 12:43 p.m.
Trivia Result, and a new question.
According to the 125th Anniversary Gretsch poster timeline, the Electrotone appeared in 1962; everyone has the features right.
I'm going with the first three 1962 answers. More apparel to Mark S, Gretschmaster, and Ratrod. Joe's giving you the shirts off his back, folks.
Sunday Trivia 3
For a very cool black button-up Gretsch workshirt emblazoned "Mr. Guitar" on the back, the question is:
What was the original name of the Dynasonic pickup when it first appeared, and who was the manufacturer?
(p39)
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Jan 28, 2008 3:33 p.m. Proteus:
PAGE 41
Jan 20, 2008 2:52 p.m.
So wenzel him win again!
DeArmond Fidelatone it is. Now what did he win? Some microwave popcorn, a plastic shower bonnet, a pocket sewing kit, and a Chet shirt!
Ready for more?
Who was Ray Butts, and why are we proud of him? Two first responders get Fender straight cords.
(p41)
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Jan 28, 2008 3:35 p.m. Proteus:
Jan 20, 2008 4:13 p.m.
SHACK SHAKERRRRRRRRS!
Oh man, wait'll you guys see and hear THIS 20 minute set.
For a deeeluxe Gretsch baseball jersey, name the Shack Shakers' bass player.
One winner.
(p42)
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Jan 28, 2008 3:36 p.m. Proteus:
Jan 20, 2008 4:29 p.m.
Sunshine says:
I'm feeling very ignored here...I'm confused... I don't know what to believe any more...
In 1961 and 1962, Gretsch guitars drastically changed into thinner, twin-cutaway models with sealed bodies and stencil-painted fake f-holes. Webster even created a new name for their new line of guitars: Electrotone.
Source: http://www.gretsch.com/newsletter/0801b.html
As with the other Chet Atkins models, the 6122 has a metal nut and zero fret to enhance sustain, and the thin, double cutaway Electrotone body was introduced in late 1961 in an effort to reduce feedback.
Source: http://www.ggjaguar.com/6122.htm
I says: Sunshine, don't take me as an authority. Both answers may be true, and I appreciate that you are trying to know what really happened, and to keep the record clear.
For the purposes of giving away premiums on a music forum, I have to go with general consensus about something which may be ambiguous. A 1962 model may well be introduced in late 1961, as in the auto industry, and how do we decide whether to go with the model year or the date of introduction?
Researchers and vintage experts may have more detailed and specific information at hand (which may or may not be contested by others); in this case, and for the purposes of an informal contest, I am relying on a publication by Fred Gretsch Enterprises.
That may be based on imperfect memory of a model year introduction, and I'm neither arguing nor trying to establish a historical fact.
You're not being ignored, and I apologize if I seem to run over your contributions and questions. In fact, for your efforts toward historical accuracy, we're going to send you something cool. OK?
(p42)
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Jan 28, 2008 3:40 p.m. Proteus:
Jan 20, 2008 4:30 p.m.
Four hours of NAMM left, but I don't fly out till tomorrow, and no concerts or Didneyland tonight, so I'm going to keep posting from the 'otel till I run out of content, and keep giving stuff away till Joe gets nervous.
IMPORTANT GIVEAWAY NOTICES
The question for today's 5222 amp will come in the next hour.
And the chance to win the Jag tan 125th Anniversary will go up at 6:00, as promptly as my elastic sense of time will permit.
NOTE: that contest will run in a new thread, to make it as clean and responsive as possible. The thread will be titled "NAMM08 Anniversary Giveaway." This ought to give anyone anywhere in the world a fair shot to plan ahead. And we'll know by later tonight who is the winner.
Much more content to come, including devastating music clips, surprise product demos (by real pros, not by me), a visit to TV Jones and Bigsby in the basement...and DICK DALE plays at 4:00.
(p43)
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Jan 28, 2008 3:50 p.m. Proteus:
Jan 20, 2008 5:01 p.m.
For a Gretsch beer mug, where were Gretsch guitars built for a short time in the late 70s and early 80s?
(p43)
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Jan 28, 2008 3:53 p.m. Proteus:
Jan 20, 2008 5:15 p.m.
Yeah, so I've decided to give the amp away in the other thread as well. One entry, runner up gets the amp.
For now, how about a baseball jersey?
List the body construction methods for four different current Gretsch basses.
(p44)
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Jan 28, 2008 3:55 p.m. Proteus:
Jan 21, 2008 12:49 a.m.
Thread housekeeping.
Wow! The GDP has been unavailable – nothing but Proxy errors – for over three hours, since 6:00 pm NAMMtime, when the Anni giveaway was scheduled to begin.
No, the giveaway didn't happen: I couldn't get in to post the questions, either!
Perhaps by now you've read the updates in the Anni giveaway thread.
To clarify and emphasize: the contest will go forward as soon as we can be confident we have a stable and fair environment for it. I'm shooting for Tuesday; watch the other post for updates.
• I don't mind dman's suggestion of a drawing from all the right answers. It does have merit. On the other hand, if we have a stable platform, the quiz method works nicely too. Joe and I will discuss it.
• The last Electromatic amp will be the prize for the runner-up in the Anni giveaway.
• The show is over, but more solid content is coming to this thread.
Winner announcements.
Q: Who was Ray Butts and why are we proud of him?
A: There are several: tape echo development, the Electrosonic amp, Filtertron pickups among them. We planned to give away two Fender straight cords, but since several posters brought out different and accurate information, I lost count and we're giving away five. Winners are JC, Sunshine, stjohn, Boyko, and jurassicmonkey.Q: Where were Gretschs made in late 70s and early 80s?
A: Booneville, Arkansas
Mark S racks up another big win for a Gretsch beer mug.Q: Four Gretsch bass body construction methods?
A: Gretschmaster gets close, but I like the completeness of Dy Nyl's answer: Thundertron: Solidbody; White Falcon: Hollow Body; BillyBo: Chambered Body; Electrotone: Closed HollowBody. He also gets a fabulous Gretsch baseball jersey.
To celebrate the return of our beloved server, a non-Gretsch-specific question: what do The Who, Joe Walsh, Wishbone Ash, and The James Gang have in common?
A Gretschfire ballcap to the first right answer.
(p47)
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Jan 28, 2008 3:56 p.m. Proteus:
Jan 21, 2008 12:58 a.m.
Gratuitous Gretsch Porn
Who wanted to see blue 6120s? Regular and Hot Rod present and accounted for.
And the other pics just because there they were.
(p47)
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Jan 28, 2008 3:57 p.m. Proteus:
