Sam Ash Music News

The Sam Ash Family and the Fred Gretsch Family are one of the longest lasting relationships in this industry. The Gretsch Company is celebrating their 125th year anniversary and Sam Ash Music is about to celebrate their 85th.

Fred invited our family to an intimate dinner in NYC to celebrate our longevity together in October. In attendance were Fred and Dinah Gretsch, Fred’s sister and niece, David and Karen Ash, Paul Ash and his wife Cobi Narita and Sammy Ash. Jerry and Richard Ash were unable to attend due to a prior commitment.

As soon as we got together the stories started. Paul reminded everyone that Fred Gretsch, (Fred’s uncle) was the person that showed Paul and Jerry around this place called Long Island and helped us find the location that became our Hempstead store. We only had one store in Brooklyn at the time so you can say the Gretsch Family is responsible for us becoming a chain.

We talked about the introduction of the White Falcon which at the time was the most expensive guitar in the world $1000.00! We discussed the first real seven-string guitar player, George Van Epps, long before Steve Vie was even born! All of the factories that still proudly have the Gretsch name emblazoned on them even 40 years after they closed. You can still see them when you cross the Williamsburg Bridge. There were far too many stories for this little article.

The Gretsch’s were kind enough to present us with a special painting of the history of the Gretsch Family and Company. They have a rich history and heritage in the music industry and rightly so. Drums, guitars, banjos and so much more were produced in those factories and now a whole new generation is growing up with Gretsch drums and guitars. The Gretsch’s still own all of the patents and trade marks but they license the name to the Fender Musical Instrument Company to help produce and expand on this great name.

One of their cherished accomplishments was the fact that in 2008 Fred and Dinah Gretsch themselves were inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. They were very proud and it is a well-deserved honor.