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The European Round Up 2008 in pix and words!

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- Rated: 29 ↑
Sep 7, 2008 7:59 p.m. Danman:
Well folks, we did it!
The first European GDP Round Up is part of Gretsch history and is specially commemorated by the document Dr.Nyl surprised us with over dinner, signed by Fred Gretsch, Joe Carducci and Tim Baxter. Thanks folks, that was a very nice surprise and made it all even more real and special!

It all started with Dr.Nyl posting if anyone would be interested in a European Round Up as an answer to the American Round Up activities. Several people reacted and Ratrod took the initiative to organize a place to play, place to sleep, food and a drummer and Bassplayer!

September 6th arrived with 6 people attending. Dr.Nyl, Sjolte, Rocketman, Will, Ratrod and Danman. Will drove up together with Rocketman and I (Danman) planned on driving our two scandinavians up to the small town in the very north of Holland with a name most of us couldn't pronounce (Schraard) and had never heard of. I picked up Dr.Nyl at the airport at 10.15 and according to plan we would make it to the train station on time to pick up Sjolte at 10.45. But unfortunately his train stopped at the Dutch border and he had to find another train. I'm not sure if the problem was his Gretsch or the fact that he is danish but he said it was the trains fault.

So Dr.Nyl and I went over to my house and played with my collection of guitars and amps and went to my hang out/ gretsch store across the street. Then at last was the long awaited message from Sjolte saying he would be arriving soon, 2 hours late. Well at least they let him into the country ;-) He arrived at 12.30. So we went to pick him up and went for lunch. Then off to my house again, loaded all the amps and guitars in and headed of north. After a traffic jam, a long trip over a windy dyke and a road we couldn't get off and that wasn't know to my navigation system because they shut part of it off two days before (actually driving by the hotel and not being able to stop), we arrived at the hotel and then went to the Frisia where the actual event was going to take place.

Ratrod's bassplayer had called in sick that day so we were without a bassplayer and the drummer planned on coming later in the evening so basically the six of us had to organize some bassplaying, drumming and singing ourselves. Dr.Nyl and Rocketman took up some of the drumming and Sjolte, Will and Dr.Nyl did some of the bassplaying. Will and Sjolte and later Ratrod did some of the singing. Of course there was lots of jamming and beer drinking. I had two watch Dr.Nyl and Sjolte starting with the beer already at lunch, complaining about the small dutch beers, while I was still stuck with my tea because I had the responsiblity to get our foreigners up north safely ;-) But luckily we could catch up later....

So like i said, there was a lot of jamming, noisemaking and beer. And then every now and then we remembered that we had also made a list of songs to play. So every now and then we had a semi organized part of the evening. Sometimes pretty hard because of not all songs had singers and sometimes songs ended in chaos but that was all part of the show ;-) But there were some great players and playing, but I vote for Sjolte as being the fingerpicking and Hendrix playing hero of the evening.
Of course there also was lots of drooling over the equipment and switching of guitars.

I think we went back to the hotel at around three or 3.30 at night, and had to drag Rocketman along into the taxi because he wasn't ready to leave yet.

It is late and I am really tired and about to go to bed but I'm sure there will be more contributions from the others these coming days.

All in all it was a great day and we ended up having a really good time.
It was great meeting everyone, and to at last see faces behind the avatars. They are a really nice bunch of people and I'm happy I met them.

So where will the next European Round Up be?
And some pix:

Ratrod playing my gretsch, Rocketman on his Tennie and Will playing bass

Food!

Will, Dr.Nyl and Sjolte

Dr.Nyl and Sjolte

Will, Dr.Nyl and Sjolte

Will, Dr.Nyl and Sjolte

Will rocking away

Sjolte on bass!

Yep it's Will again

Sjolte and Will messing around.

Will trying to copy a lick from Sjolte. Sorry Will just kidding

Dr.Nyl showing off his finger work.
- Rated: 35 ↑
Sep 7, 2008 8:05 p.m. crowbone:

That looks like an awesome time.

I'm glad you got it going over there, and I hope it continues.

Fun, ain't it?
- Rated: 29 ↑
Sep 7, 2008 8:09 p.m. Danman:

Ok, and now the drool pix! The whole collection!

The round uppers and their signed Round Up Documents!
Sjolte, Will, Ratrod, Dr.Nyl, Danman and Rocketman

And once more: Top: Will, Ratrod, Dr.Nyl and Rocketman
Bottom: Sjolte and Danman
- Rated: 29 ↑
Sep 7, 2008 8:24 p.m. Danman:

The next Morning:

Rocketman, Sjolte and Dr.Nyl standing on a dyke behind the hotel looking out over the sea. Yep all those white dots are sheep.

My car being over loaded.

The last moments together.

posing once more:
Rocketman, Will, Sjolte, Danman, Ratrod and Dr.Nyl

Ok, just one more.
Will, Rocketman, Sjolte, Danman, Ratrod and Dr.Nyl

Rocketman just can't stop playing

Will taking a picture of me.

The last pix before all the guitars are packed up

Will photographing Sjoltes Gent

Dr.Nyl photographing my jet firebird!
- Rated: 54 ↑
Sep 7, 2008 8:39 p.m. Curt:

Great pictures guys, very cool thing!
- Rated: 29 ↑
Sep 7, 2008 8:43 p.m. Danman:

Thanks Crowbone and Curt, Yes it really was a lot of fun. I would recommend it to anyone.
- Rated: 13 ↑
Sep 7, 2008 8:54 p.m. farmerbrown:

Looks like you guys had a great time! I hope to attend one of these sometime, didn't work out for me this year with the wet late spring on the farm.
- Rated: 205 ↑
Sep 7, 2008 9:02 p.m. Proteus:

What a great report!

Obviously a most excellent day, and it's amazing how much Euro Gretschers look like the same kind of guys as 'murrican Gretschers.

Now some of you don't look exACTly as I might have thought, but you all look RIGHT, anyway - as does the great selection of guitars.

What I'm marvelling at is how much ol' Will looks like George Harrison in all the playing pics! (Not so much in the posed pics, but that boy could do a Beatle tribute band any day.)

(Rocketman actually looks a bit like two of my brothers...any relatives in southern Germany? That's where half my family came from in the 1850s, and there are relatives over there who look like my brothers.)

Great action shots too; they really capture the vibe.

Love the dike and the sheep...

Well, it just looks like a great time, and I'm glad you all did it!
- Rated: 32 ↑
Sep 7, 2008 9:17 p.m. FrequentFlyer909:

Danman,

Superb job with the camera!

And congrats on the event. Isn't it great to actually meet these cats in their flesh-and-blood real-life guises?

So, maybe in 2010 we'll do an Intercontinental Roundup? In Liverpool? (There's a once-in-a-lifetime concept for ya.)

Paul/FF909
- Rated: 41 ↑
Sep 7, 2008 9:33 p.m. bwallace1:

it really looks like you guys had a GREAT time. very nice pictures. that picture of y'all sitting there eating reminds me how much I miss eating European food. there sure was a nice collection of Gretsch guitars there. makes me feel like I wish I could have been there. ;o))

let me ask this question though. when you all met, did it feel like seeing old friends that you hadn't seen for a long time,even though you had never met ? that's the way I felt at the "meet and greet" we had in Louisiana. I felt like I had known those guys for a while.brent
- Rated: 71 ↑
Sep 7, 2008 9:47 p.m. bonedaddy:

Looks like you guys had a great time! I'm looking forward to the NorCal GDP roundup!
- Rated: 35 ↑
Sep 7, 2008 10:59 p.m. crowbone:

FrequentFlyer909: So, maybe in 2010 we'll do an Intercontinental Roundup? In Liverpool? (There's a once-in-a-lifetime concept for ya.)

Paul/FF909

Better start saving now...
- Rated: 42 ↑
Sep 7, 2008 11:47 p.m. tartan phantom:

Wow, you guys are just like the Traveling Wilburys!
- Rated: 29 ↑
Sep 8, 2008 3:06 a.m. Danman:

Thanks guys for all the compliments! We really had a great time. It is funny how it starts maybe a bit slow and hesitant but warms up quickly because you have so much to talk about and look at. Of course I had known the scandinavians already for a few hours before we saw the rest so we had a base there. But we very quickly warmed up and talked like old friends and then eventually started playing like old friends. And alcohol does help.

farmer brown, yeah I remember reading that. I have a feeling there will be lots of Rround ups you can attend in the future. I think the first one really got the train rolling.

Thanks Proteus. Ha ha, now you mention it I do see the resemblance between Will and George. Maybe we should have done photo's of him with the black duo jet to see if that helps too;-) He is a good blues player but I bet he could do some beatles too.
It is funny how you basically have some kind of picture of everyone in your head and it turns out to be very different but then again you do see the connection in character from the posts. It is really nice to now forever have a picture of what people look like. Yeah, the dike and the sheep. Had to put that in there. A really dutch shot, couldn't be done anywhere else. Yes, we had a great time and in the end we really let it go, playing wise!

FF909: Thanks! I do wish I had taken more and better total coverage but I actually was playing a lot of the time too and often forgot to capture moments. But there were more people with camera's so I bet we'll see more soon. It is great seeing them all in real life and they turned out to be a great bunch of guys. Liverpool is a good idea, I'll be there for the international one. Might have some trouble getting all those guitars and amps on and off planes safely, but it can be done!

Brent: yes it actually did feel that way. You obviously have a picture in your head that is off a bit but when you see them it suddenly all falls into place because you have been talking to each other for a while on the forum and you do get to know each other a bit, so it is like seeing old friends and you have a real common interest which is a good base too.

Thanks bonedaddy, we'll be awaiting the coverage. You'll have a great time.

Crowbone: I'm going to go out and get a piggy bank right now, I don't want to miss it.

Tartan LOL, yes we actually do look like the travelling wilburys in that pic. Hadn't thought of that. Proteus determined who Will is but who are these other guys? I know my brother looked a bit like Bob Dylan at some point in his life but I can't say I do.
- Rated: 9 ↑
Sep 8, 2008 6:10 a.m. Sjolte:

Great coverage and pictures Danman, as said before you captured the moments pretty good.

It was great seeing you guys. Definitely worth the 30+ hours by train (it really was delayed, and not on account of me!).

I'm back at work and tomorrow I'll be leaving for a couple a weeks in Italy, so I probably won't be posting much if at all.

BTW if butchering Hendrix tunes and faking finger picking counts as being a hero, then that's me
- Rated: 29 ↑
Sep 8, 2008 6:20 a.m. Danman:

Hi Sjolte, thanks and yes it was great meeting you too and you did a good job at that butchering and faking. Very tastefull
We'll hear from you in a couple of weeks, have a great time!
- Rated: 37 ↑
Sep 8, 2008 6:21 a.m. Rocketman:

I saw you do great finger picking which really wasn't fake.

I still find it amazing that you traveled 30 hours for this

Oh, and Proteus; my German looks were mainly caused by the schnapps I think. And my extremely bad haircut. I am really totally Dutch.
- Rated: 11 ↑
Sep 8, 2008 6:51 a.m. will:

great coverage Danman. good report. i only can add that i really enjoyed it.

six great persons an great players. each with their own style. sorry tho' about the singing!

but me looking like George Harrison?! ... but i don't like hilotrons! then again, i do like a black duo-jet!

thanks to all people involved in arranging this event. either way of the oceans! also thanks to Johan and Antsje from the hotel (with their sweet smoking room) and Jan and partner (club Frisia).

here's some (most) of my pictures:

just arrived at the pub, after meeting at the hotel

Danman checks his (beautiful) rig

yep, this is Danman!

dinner time!

Rocketman, Sjolte and Danman

Danman, Dr Nyl on bass (the longscale bassplayer with the shortscale bass! ) and Ratrod (i forgot to make compliments about the shoes!)

now we're getting somewhere!

Sjolte during the Hendrix-songs

wailing away!

my take on the 'droolpic'!

... while Danman does the official version!

Sjolte, the amazing picker with unexpected Hendrix-aspirations!

... couldn't resist to post this one!

setting up the 'Travelling Wilbuy'-shot.

including the owner of the bar (thanks, Jan!)

and yes, most of it got to tape (hard-disk, in this case). i'm weeding through hours recordings now. we might have some listenable music for you, although at times it sounded like guitar centre at saturday!

anyhow: a great weekend in the countryside with good people, good food, plenty beers, great music and lot's of fun. next time i want to show the Astro-jet!
- Rated: 11 ↑
Sep 8, 2008 6:59 a.m. will:

Rocketman said: I saw you do great finger picking which really wasn't fake.

true, you can't deny, because it's recorded now!
- Rated: 50 ↑
Sep 8, 2008 7:14 a.m. Ratrod:

I have to say I was a bit nervous organising the location, hotel, musicians etc. When the bas player called in sick, I was really bummed out. He could sing and play 80% of the songs so now there was no way we could do a proper set. The only thing I could do was to take my Refurbished old Hofner 185 short scale bass along, hoping for multi tallented guys who could play it. Fortunately, there were.

I was waiting at the venue at 16:00 hrs. but at 16:30 nobody was there yet. I called Danman and explained about the train delay and that they were on their way.

It was great meeting everybody and put some faces on the names and avatars. Funny how everyone's instrument fitted their personallity.

Rocketman showed us that the Tennessean with Hi-Lo's is one hell of a rock n' roll machine, just as the man himself is.

It was fun comparing my Power Jet with Dr. Nyl's Dyna Duo Jet. There are similarities and differences and I was amazed by the output wich is similar to mine.

I really enjoyed playing Danman's old 6120. It felt right, looked right, sounded right and played right. By far the best guitar I ever played.

Massive respect to Sjolte who endured a 15 hour train ride just to be there. He's a very modest man but we all admired his playing. Blues, pop, rock, country picking, you name it, he plays it with increadible technique.

I admit I felt like a rookie between all these veteran musicians.

This was a great bunch of guys. Within five minutes it was as if we've been friends for years.

Thank you all for paricipating.

I'll post some pics later. I have my computer back but it still needs some updates and extra software.
- Rated: 29 ↑
Sep 8, 2008 7:16 a.m. Danman:

Hey Will, great shots.
We should've had you pose with the duo jet for the Harrison look alike contest.
I don't know if I am looking forward to the recordings but you never know.
It'll probably take days before you have heard it all, having just had the 'tape' rolling all the time. How does it sound? Does it sound anything like music?

And yes: Next time is Astro jet time
- Rated: 54 ↑
Sep 8, 2008 7:27 a.m. Curt:

This could be an album cover...
- Rated: 29 ↑
Sep 8, 2008 7:27 a.m. Danman:

Hi Ratrod,
We were very happy that you took the responsibility to organize it and you did a great job. We can't really blame you for the bass player calling in sick.
It would have been great to have him there and a good base for us to do our thing to, but it worked out great the way it was.

And you are right: Rocketman is, breathes and smells Rock and Roll (sorry the smells is just a joke) as does his Tennie He is the only one that never saw a bed this weekend, he fell asleap on a couch in the hotel lobby as I understand. Well that is the only way to do it right I guess.

And as Will said: Nice shoes Ratrod. And thanks for the compliments on my old 6120. I am very happy with it too!

Looking forward to your pix!
- Rated: 29 ↑
Sep 8, 2008 7:30 a.m. Danman:

curt: said: This could be an album cover...
Yes and we'll call it 'Seven gretsches and a dyke' edit: Or do you think 'three stooges and a dyke' would be better.
- Rated: 11 ↑
Sep 8, 2008 7:38 a.m. will:

thank you, but your pictures are better!

i'm in for the George Harrison-contest next time, but who will supply the Duo-Jet?!

i've already listened to the recordings (more than five hours) but there surely is some good music.

the differences in playing styles comes through very nice. the personality's show in the playing so that's a nice touch. for instance: i really like you're wicked solo's (esp. the wacked-out vibrato-stuff!) and Sjoltes choice of notes when he wails away. Dr Nyl should have taken more solo's, he's too modest! Rocketman and Ratrod both have great chops too and i think you can recognise most of the players when you hear 'm.

i can't 'mix' the stuff, so sometimes things are a bit unbalanced. but most of the time it worked fine, because these gentlemen didn't try to 'overplay' each other (exept for the 'other'-hendrix guy - NOT Sjolte!!!). so it's quite listenable, except my singing of course!

i'll pm for larger pics and let you and the other participants hear the recordings before we put 'm on the net. keep an eye on your mailbox!

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