Gretsch and Fender Celebrate 16th Anniversary with Special Luncheon in Scottsdale

The year 2018 is a significant one for the Gretsch family as they celebrate 135 years of manufacturing guitars and drums with friends, fans, artists, and customers worldwide. But in addition to this milestone, it also marks the anniversary of a special alliance between the Gretsch Company and Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.  For the past 16 years, Fender has been the exclusive manufacturer and worldwide distributor of Gretsch guitars and other fretted instruments.

Dinah and Fred Gretsch. Photo courtesy of Ian Kelman.

“When rock ‘n’ roll first started, Gretsch was there defining a new sound and a new look for a new kind of music,” said company president Fred Gretsch.  “Sixty years later, Gretsch is still the guitar of choice for players demanding cool looks and a wide range of sonic sounds.  And for the last 16 of those years, Fender has helped us get our guitars into the hands of those players.”

To mark the anniversary, a luncheon with presentation and meet-and-greet with Dinah and Fred Gretsch was held with employees at the Fender campus in Scottsdale, Arizona on August 16, the date on which the alliance was entered into in 2002. “What a fun day celebrating the Gretsch and Fender 16th anniversary!” commented Gretsch’s executive vice president and CFO Dinah Gretsch. “We certainly appreciate our long-term partners and friends at Fender.”

“Today’s Gretsch guitars are the finest and most consistently built guitars in our 135-year history,” said Fred Gretsch. “The Gretsch founding fathers–my father, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather–would be proud that we still make world-renowned guitars following many of the original recipes made generations ago.  And having the opportunity to celebrate our successes with our partners is the icing on the cake.”

Dinah and Fred Gretsch Celebrate With Friends at Fender in Scottsdale. Photo: Eric Fairchild.

Team, cake, and flower arrangment photos by Eric Fairchild.