Why did we add Gretsch and DW? Excellent question. Here's why: Our goal has always been to a) have a shop that provides a museum so that people can see some of the historical drums of our time; b) have a good selection of high end vintage drums; c) have selected custom drums from the finest boutique craftsmen in the industry; and d) have a selection of what we feel are the best products from selected large manufacturers. This last category requires that we think long and hard because there are many large manufacturers in the market today.
In deciding what major lines to add to the shop we were looking for companies that provide a quality product and whose philosophy was in sync with ours and that of our customers.
GRETSCH:
Adding the Gretsch line was very logical for us because we, and our customers, have such an affinity for the wonderful round badge era drums that Gretsch built in the 50s and 60s. Gretsch has a wonderful heritage and it is no secret that the round badge era drumsets are arguably the most highly sought after vintage drum sets today, over 50 years later! That's an amazing accomplishment. However, no company can stand solely on the accomplishments of the past without serious attention to the present and the future. We've watched the evolution of Gretsch for the past 20 years and have seen them grow from a period of inexact focus, to one where they have taken a strong position in the market place and have returned to their "roots" while focusing on the needs of the present and future. With the company back in "family hands" we started to see that Gretsch was once again capturing the spirit of their past heritage. As a result, we enthusiastically got behind the brand and as a result have stocked up significantly on their wonderful USA Custom line. Our primary focus is on jazz players, who are among the most avid fans of the round badge era Gretsch drums. I am proud to say that the new USA Custom Gretsch drums do not dissapoint in any way. They truly carry on the legend of "That Great Gretsch Sound", and the quality of the workmanship is excellent. We're proud to carry this line and we're anxious to see how Gretsch continues their evolution over the years to come.
DW:
Why DW for a drum shop focused mostly on jazz drummers? While it is true that DW is a brand that is very popular with rock players, it is a mistake to assume that the product isn't wonderfully suited to jazz players as well. I have been watching the evolution of DW since they began back in the early 70s. I have continued to be impressed with what Don and John started and how they have evolved over the years. I have always been impressed with their enthusiasm, the quality of their products, and their ability to drive market share. Their wonderful flat based hardware is a favorite of mine and I believe it is the best of its kind available today. It is right on target for drummers who want a sturdy stand without excess weight. What ultimately pushed us over the edge in deciding to carry the line was the recent emphasis DW has placed on jazz drummers. The Classic series with the Buddy Rich tribute kit is right in sync with the "vintage" nature of our business, and, DW seems to have a renewed emphasis on the jazz players in the market. Their recent addition of Peter Erskine to their roster of clinicians is an excellent example. Peter is a good friend of mine, and he has told me that he is absolutely thrilled with the DW kit that he is playing. I went to hear Peter on his new kit and that performance made up my mind about DW. Peter is, of course, a wonderful player, and when combining that skill with the wonderful sounding DW set it made my decision very easy. So, we're very excited about the addition of DW to our shop and are anxiously awaiting the first sets and hardware.
We feel that both Gretsch and DW fit nicely into our strategy and we're proud to be representing these fine companies. |
