75th Anniversary Gretsch – American Drums Honoring America and the American Worker

75th Anniversary Gretsch-American Drum Series honors America and the American worker with three colorful Red,White, & Blue designs.

In 1927, Charles Lindbergh completed the first solo flight across the Atlantic, Ford produced their fifteen millionth Model T, the first “talking” motion picture was released, and the Fred Gretsch Manufacturing Company introduced the historic GRETSCH-AMERICAN drum series. Now, 75 years later, The Gretsch Drum Company is introducing a new GRETSCH-AMERICAN drum series with three special red, white, and blue patriotic finishes at the Winter 2002 NAMM Show.

The three unique designs were developed by the Gretsch Drum Factory team of Gene Haugh, Paul Cooper, Lena Thomas, and Fred Gretsch, President of The Gretsch Company. Two Gretsch drum endorsers, Harvey Mason and Vinnie Colaiuta, who will have limited-edition snare drum models, also submitted their input as well as encouragement to the re-release of the GRETSCH-AMERICAN drum series. For each Harvey Mason and Vinnie Colaiuta model sold, Gretsch will make a donation to the New York City Relief Fund for the victims and families of the September 11, 2001 tragedy.

Both the Harvey Mason Broadkaster and Vinnie Colaiuta Custom models are limited-edition drums that will only be manufactured in 2002. They will also have a special 75th anniversary label badge affixed inside each drum. No two drums will be exactly alike since the one-of-a-kind, non-repeating pattern will be applied differently to each drum. This technique is similar to the collage pattern of travel graphics used on the top of Gretsch Traveling Wilburys guitars produced in the late 1980’s. “That idea came from the late George Harrison who collaborated with us on the release of the Traveling Wilburys guitars.” said Fred Gretsch, President of The Gretsch Company. “George had worked with an artist to create a large collage and gave us the original art to make the production materials from. The original art stayed in our possession until just a few months ago when we returned it back to George.”

75TH ANNIVERSARY DRUM SPECIFICATIONS

THE HARVEY MASON BROADKASTER GRAND OLD FLAG MODEL features a unique quilt-like patchwork of patriotic symbols contrasted with handsome blue metal hardware. No two drums will be exactly alike since the one-of-a-kind, non-repeating pattern will be applied differently to each drum.

HARVEY MASON BROADKASTER GRAND OLD FLAG
model: GAB4158GOF
5-1/2″ x 14″, 10 lug snare drum

THE VINNIE COLAIUTA CUSTOM GOD BLESS AMERICA MODEL features the words “God Bless America” across the center of each drum shell and colorful graphics including exploding fireworks and a flag montage.

VINNIE COLAIUTA CUSTOM GOD BLESS AMERICA
model: GAV4157GBA
5″ x 14″, 8 lug snare drum

The third drum in the series, the CUSTOM STARS AND STRIPES MODEL….features a bold and colorful U. S. flag pattern.

CUSTOM STARS AND STRIPES
model: GA4158SAS
5-1/2″ x 14″, 10 lug snare drum