The Gretsch White Falcon is an electric hollow-body guitar introduced in 1954 by Gretsch .
31-440: This guitar was created as a "showpiece" to exhibit the craft of Gretsch's luthiers, sales, and demonstration representative, Jimmie Webster, who created it for the 1954 NAMM Convention . The guitar was so popular that it was put into production and went on sale the following year. Since then, it has undergone various changes and is still being made today. As of 2013, Gretsch offers a number of guitars in its "Falcon" series, including
62-408: A Stephen Stills signature model (based on the 1958 incarnation), as well as a green Bono Irish Falcon that incorporates the original vertical headstock logo and engraved block inlays with the post-1958 electronics configuration and features "The Goal Is Soul" silkscreened onto the pickguard. Gretsch added a Brian Setzer Black Phoenix model to its lineup. Like Brian Setzer's signature Hot Rod 6120,
93-418: A continuing basis in virtually all markets and normally attract companies from around the globe. For example, in the U.S., there are currently over 10,000 trade shows held every year, and several online directories have been established to help organizers, attendees, and marketers identify appropriate events. Modern trade shows follow in the tradition of trade fairs established in late medieval Europe such as
124-514: A custom-built replica of the original, which is priced in the US at $ 12,000 (approximately £8300). The White Falcon's distinctive appearance is owed to its 17-inch width (white, with gold-sparkle pickguard featuring an engraved falcon) and its hardware: Jimmie Webster's 1954 version had triple binding, gold-plated hardware, an ebony fretboard with mother-of-pearl inlays, and an eye-catching "Cadillac G" tailpiece. In early 1954, Jimmie Webster sought to design
155-588: A guitar to improve upon the Gibson Super 400 . He wanted a "Dream Guitar," and gained his inspiration by walking through the Gretsch factory watching the construction of the many diverse musical instruments the company produced. From the banjo production line, Webster recalled the engraved pearl inlays that adorned the fretboard and headstock. Many of Gretsch's drums were covered with thick sparkly gold plastic that could also be used as binding on guitars. The White Falcon
186-504: The Champagne fairs or the Skåne Market , in the era of merchant capitalism . In this era, produce and craft producers visited towns for trading fairs, to sell and showcase products. These markets were held annually or on several specific days a year, usually at geographically particularly favorable locations and in conjunction with a religious festival in order to benefit from the rush of
217-656: The NAMM Show . In 2018, the NAMM Show expanded into the new Anaheim Convention Center North building. The same year, the Audio Engineering Society joined the NAMM Show via "AES at NAMM" and hosted the Parnelli (Parnelli Jones)Awards at the convention. In January 2020, the NAMM Show saw record attendance with more than 115,000 attendees and over 7,000 brands represented. On August 10, 2020, NAMM canceled plans to hold
248-471: The 1970s and finally closed in the 1980s. In 1989 Fred Gretsch III resumed control of the family business and began making guitars again. These instruments are based on classic Gretsch designs, including the White Falcon. Models are now available commemorating every phase in the design of the White Falcon. Features are reproduced accordingly. Modern Falcons are also available in black and silver, and include
279-717: The 1990 Chicago Summer NAMM show to be referred to as "the wake on the lake," NAMM moved the summer event to Nashville in 1993, renaming it the NAMM Summer Session and focusing the show on guitars and acoustic instruments. In 1999 and 2000, the NAMM International Music Market was held in Los Angeles while the Anaheim Convention Center was renovated. In 2003, NAMM renamed its January event in Anaheim
310-450: The 20th century, specialized companies came into existence simply to manage the trade-show industry, and permanent trade show grounds or convention centres were established as venues that featured a rotating calendar of trade shows. In the 21st century, with the rapid industrialization of Asia , trade shows and exhibitions are now commonplace throughout the Asian continent, with China dominating
341-761: The Black Phoenix features stripped-down electronics that consist of two pickups, a selector switch, and a volume knob. In January 2013, Gretsch introduced the Billy Duffy signature model, replicating the Baldwin-era design with silver binding and chrome hardware. NAMM Show The NAMM Show is an annual trade show in the United States organized by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), which describes it as "the industry’s largest stage, uniting
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#1733092549515372-858: The NAMM Convention did not take place in 1942 or 1945, and in 1943 and 1944 the event was held as the Wartime Educational Conference. The NAMM show resumed in 1946, and was held at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago. Beginning in 1970, NAMM added a second annual convention called the Western Seminar or Western Market. Initially held in March in Los Angeles or San Francisco, the annual show was eventually moved to Anaheim, California, in January. In 1976, NAMM rebranded its midyear roving NAMM Convention as
403-552: The NAMM International Music Expo. The change reflected its evolution from a national retail association into an international association whose members included commercial companies, distributors, affiliates and manufacturers. It renamed its Anaheim-based January convention as the Winter Music & Sound Market in 1979 and the NAMM International Music Market in 1988. After poor attendance and lack of direction caused
434-466: The NAMM Show on January 21–24, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic . Instead, NAMM hosted a virtual event called Believe In Music Week starting January 18, 2021, which NAMM described as: "...a mix of comprehensive programming and professional education at BelieveinMusic.tv, as well as an interactive marketplace to connect buyers and sellers – all designed to elevate the innovation and inspiration found across
465-622: The NAMM Show resumed its familiar January occurrence for the first time since 2020, with over 1,600 booths representing more than 3,500 brands and over 62,000 attendees. Trade show A trade show , also known as trade fair , trade exhibition , or trade exposition , is an exhibition organized so that companies in a specific industry can showcase and demonstrate their latest products and services, meet with industry partners and customers , study activities of competitors, and examine recent market trends and opportunities . In contrast to consumer shows, only some trade shows are open to
496-474: The company's new high-end guitar, Gretsch marketed it as "the finest guitar we know how to make – and what a beauty!" The White Falcon originally cost $ 600 (equivalent to $ 6,824 in 2023); this price was second only to the $ 690 price of Gibson's Super 400CESN. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Gretsch tweaked the Falcon. The block inlays on the ebony fretboard were replaced with half-moon shaped inlays in 1957,
527-534: The day there will be seminars for continuing education on matters relevant to the industry, like best practices, trends, and regulation. There will also be some shared meals with keynote speakers, and social events in the evenings. Booths range from simple tables to elaborate constructions. Trade shows often involve a considerable investment in time and money by participating companies. The planning includes arranging meetings with other attendees beforehand and resources to follow up on opportunities that are created at
558-552: The economic climate of the Great Depression . In 1937, the first year that attendees were required to register, the NAMM Convention had 248 members in attendance, including 24 piano manufacturers, four organ manufacturers, 11 piano distributors , 10 music publishers , eight radio and phonograph manufacturers, 18 miscellaneous exhibitors, and 10 string instrument manufacturers. Due to U.S. involvement in World War II ,
589-543: The exhibitions industry in Asia, accounting for more than 55 per cent of all space sold in the region in 2011. Trade shows play important roles in marketing as well as business networking in market sectors that use them. People will seek to meet people and companies at their own level in the supply chain , as well as potential suppliers and potential buyers. Generally there will be a central trade show floor with booths where people exhibit their goods or services, and throughout
620-670: The first annual NAPDA Convention in Baltimore in May of the following year. In its early years, the trade show moved to different cities in the eastern United States, including Buffalo (1903), Atlantic City (1904), and Washington, D.C. (1906). In 1912, the NAPDA became the National Association of Piano Merchants of America (NAPMA), and the show became the NAPMA Convention . By 1919,
651-607: The global music, sound and entertainment technology communities". It is typically held in January at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California . One of the world's largest trade shows for music products, NAMM restricts entrance to owners, suppliers, distributors, journalists, employees, endorsed artists, and guests of NAMM member companies. Vendors display products, allowing dealers and distributors to see what's new, negotiate deals, and plan their purchasing for
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#1733092549515682-507: The industry while offering support for those most deeply affected by COVID. While not The NAMM Show or a virtual tradeshow, the initiative will meet the immediate business needs of NAMM member companies through thought-leader led education for all segments of the industry, networking and AI matchmaking, and business-to-business-focused opportunities to reaffirm and grow business connections, launch new products, share brand initiatives and engage with customers in real-time." Believe In Music Week
713-618: The next six to 12 months. The event attracts famous musicians, many of whom are endorsed by exhibitors and come to promote their own signature models and equipment. A smaller convention, NAMM Summer Session, typically takes place in June or July in Nashville, Tennessee . In 1901, 52 members of the National Piano Manufacturers Association of America formed the National Association of Piano Dealers of America (NAPDA). They held
744-511: The original single-coil DeArmond Dynasonic pickups were replaced with Filter'Tron humbuckers in 1958, and that same year the Melita bridge was replaced with a Space Control bridge — the Bigsby vibrato tailpiece was standard starting in 1962. Later, a stereo version (model 6137) became available as well. It also switched to a twin-cutaway body beginning in 1962. Fred Gretsch, the company's owner at
775-490: The popularity of early jazz and the marching band music of John Philip Sousa had convinced many piano merchants to produce full lines of band instruments. The NAPMA renamed itself National Association of Music Merchants, or NAMM, and its show became the NAMM Convention . Its location would alternate between New York City and Chicago for the next 50 years. The NAMM Convention did not take place in 1932 or 1934 due to
806-473: The public, while others can only be attended by company representatives (members of the trade, e.g. professionals ) and members of the press , therefore trade shows are classified as either "public" or "trade only". A few shows are hybrids of the two; one example is the Frankfurt Book Fair , which is trade only for its first three days and open to the general public on its final two days. They are held on
837-560: The public. The tradition of fairs taking place in spring and autumn has been preserved in some cases until today. From the late eighteenth century, industrial exhibitions in Europe and North America became more common reflecting the technological dynamism of the Industrial Revolution . In the late 19th century, the concept of annual industry-wide trade shows gained traction, spreading from European manufacturing centers to North America. By
868-431: The show. Costs include space rental, booth design and construction of trade show displays, telecommunications, travel, accommodations, and promotional literature and items to give to attendees. In addition, costs are incurred at the show for services such as electrical, booth cleaning, internet services, and drayage (also known as material handling). This local spending on logistics leads cities to promote trade shows as
899-716: The time, retired in 1967 and sold his company to the Baldwin Piano Company . Baldwin would have trouble understanding guitars, which would cause the guitar to lose its popularity. This was not good for the company; the rockabilly era was just ending and Rock and Roll was just getting popular with the rise of new guitarists like Jimi Hendrix , Jeff Beck , Eric Clapton and other musical greats were turning to Fender , rather than Gretsch. The rapidly deteriorating Baldwin Manufacturing then experienced two destructive fires at its new Arkansas plant in 1973. Gretsch limped through
930-464: Was unveiled at the NAMM Convention in July 1954. It was displayed as "the guitar of the future," but Gretsch initially had no plans to manufacture the model. It was supposed to be a showpiece, much like GM's Motorama "Dream Cars" of the day. The high interest from sales representatives led Gretsch to rush the guitar into production, and the first White Falcons were sold in 1955, identified as the model 6136. As
961-682: Was viewed by more than 500,000 NAMM members. In June 2022, the NAMM Show returned to Anaheim as an in-person 3-day event. The following year's show, held in April, attracted 46,711 attendees from 120 countries and territories, and 1,200 exhibitors representing 3,500 brands. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the MIDI standard, lifetime achievement awards were presented to, or posthumously awarded to Don Buchla , Ikutaro Kakehashi , Tsutomu Katoh, Roger Linn , Bob Moog , Tom Oberheim , Alan R. Pearlman , Dave Rossum, and Dave Smith . From January 25 to 28, 2024,