NorCal Gretsch Roundup

[Sarah93003]

This past weekend was the annual NorCal Gretsch Roundup. It's one of the jams that the Gretsch guitar company sponsors where we get together and jam all weekend. Pretty simple and tons of fun. One of the highlights for me was getting to meet and jam with Mel Waldorf. Yay! That was so much fun. This years theme was Surf music and who better to have at the jam than Mel. I have to admit I know nothing about surf music. It's a genre that I never heard growing up, probably in part because my parents only listened to Country. It was fun to watch and Mel has a blast while he's performing. Fritz the Cat also impressed the heck out of me with his surf licks. The dude can rip!

A couple of months ago, on a whim, I bought a Little Walter CD, a few harmonicas and decided I wanted to learn to play some blues harp. This jam was my "debut" and it was a fun little element to add to the mix. I like it.

Gretsch sends a bunch of product (Swag) that is given away at some point, usually Saturday night. We all put our name on a pick, it goes into a guitar, and when they shake your pick out you win whatever item it was. Other people donate things as well and Mel and MBP donated a CD of their new album, a T shirt, etc. It was the first item up for the pick drop and would you believe it, Mels pick dropped out of the guitar! Oi Vay!

Anyway, Mel thank you so much for going. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting you and having a fun weekend jamming with you. I hope you

[sleeperNY]

It sounds like a great time Sarah. To bad all the good stuff happens out there.

Jim

[Sarah93003]

There is Nashville coming up.

[olrocknroller]

A lot of people doubted rock ' roll would catch on, but I was always convinced it was a "sur-fing!"

[Veenture]

Nice to hear, Sarah. What surfing tune(s) did you tackle and is there a particular one you fancy?

[Sarah93003]

Nice to hear, Sarah. What surfing tune(s) did you tackle and is there a particular one you fancy?

No, I didn't even try. I was raised on Country and Rock. I've never even heard of surf music until joining this forum. I have not heard enough to say I would have a particular favorite. Pipeline maybe, only because of the version I've seen of Dick Dale and Stevie Ray Vaughn.

[sleeperNY]

I have watched to some of the video from the roundup and it looks like you were all having a great time.

Jim

[MWaldorf]

For anyone interested:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/gdp-norcal-roundup-live/videos

This was the first time I really got the chance to crank things up with my Gretsch, and I have to say, I'm impressed with the Dynasonics - they've got similar tonal characteristics to the Mosrite pickups. The construction is somewhat different, having magnetic pole pieces instead of screws and bar magnets, but with the 10K+ output they've got the high output single coil tone.

[Diggey]

Looked like a ton of fun......, man I love the double neck. Did you get any video of it playing more upfront?

[MWaldorf]

Looked like a ton of fun......, man I love the double neck. Did you get any video of it playing more upfront?

I didn't take any video, and I think what was taken has been posted. Everyone gravitated towards the double neck, though only one guy besides me dared actually plugging it in and using it in the jams.