Fender Guitar Goes On The Stock Market...

[David Elliott]

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-f ... 1258.story

I was under the impression that Fender Musical Instrument Corporation owned Gretsch, but this article makes no mention of that!

David

[JeffS]

I'm not sure how accurate the info is, but on Wikipedia it states that in 2003 Fender assumed deveopment and sales duties, but Fred Gretsch III would continue to own the company. It also states that he is still the president to this day. I don't know if the info is up-to-date.

I've wondered what the relationship between the two actually is.

Jeff Stovall

[Richard Hudson]

It is a marketing agreement between Gretsch and FMIC. As you stated, Mr. Gretsch still owns the Gretsch Guitar Company, but FMIC is in charge of production, quality control and sales. Good deal for both parties, actually. I think they work together on new product development.

[Mike Nye]

From what I understand Fred Gretsch owns it, and FMI Inc. markets & distributes Gretsch internationally . . .