THE GRETSCH COMPANY P.O. Box 2468, Savannah, GA 31402 Phone: 912-748-7070, Fax: 912-748-6005 Press Release Contact: Emi Keffer FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Phone: 912-748-7070, Ext. 220 January 2013 E-mail: emi@gretsch.com
Bigsby Big at Great American Guitar Show Display Generates Support For Victims Of Superstorm Sandy
Savannah, GA—The Fall 2012 Great American Guitar Show was held this past November 10 and 11 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania. The show drew guitar aficionados from across the country to view—and get their hands on—great new products offered by guitar dealers and manufacturers from across the country and around the world. Prominent among those offerings was the complete line of Bigsby True Vibratos.
Legendary Bigsby tailpieces have been the choice of major guitar artists in every musical style for more than six decades. From early stars like Eddie Cochran, Duane Eddy, John Lennon, and Chet Atkins, to contemporary giants including Jeff Beck, Keith Richards, John McLaughlin, and Brian Setzer, they’ve all relied on Bigsby vibratos to help them create their signature sounds.
Bigsby True Vibratos were the creation of innovator and inventor Paul Bigsby. The model he developed in the early 1940s set a standard that quickly made it the vibrato of choice for most guitar manufacturers the world over—and it remains so today. In recognition of this accomplishment, Paul Bigsby was inducted into Guitar Player magazine’s inaugural Hall of Fame this past November.
Guitarists visiting the Bigsby booth at the Philadelphia show were pleased to be met by two special offers. The first was for free installation of any Bigsby vibrato purchased at the show. Players whose guitars already were equipped with Bigsby vibratos were invited to bring those instruments to the booth for a free “pit-stop” check- up.
Show-goers were also offered another opportunity at the Bigsby booth: a chance to help those affected by the destructive power of Superstorm Sandy. While the Philadelphia area was not seriously impacted by the storm, New Jersey shore communities only thirty miles to the east were virtually destroyed. Similar devastation was seen in New York City and inland areas of the Northeast.
To help support the victims of the storm, the Bigsby Company offered to match 100% of sales from the show with a contribution to the Salvation Army’s Relief Fund. Many show-goers took advantage of this chance to make a difference in the lives of their neighbors while making a difference in their own musical lives. (The Bigsby Company offers its thanks to all who took part.) The Great American Guitar Show is more than a trade event. It’s a gathering of kindred spirits joined by a mutual love of guitars and guitar playing. This was made all the more evident by the frequent spontaneous jam sessions that encompassed many booths. Music filled the air, adding a real sense of community to the event. Bigsby is proud to be a part of that community.
For more information on Bigsby True Vibratos, visit www.bigsby.com.
For more information about the Great American Guitar Show, including dates for future shows, visit bee3Vintage.com.
To learn more about Paul Bigsby’s pioneering spirit and contributions to the world of music, pick up a copy of Andy Babiuk’s The Story Of Paul Bigsby: Father Of The Modern Electric Solidbody Guitar, available from Music Dispatch.