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Fred Gretsch, of Gretsch Musical Instruments, personally signs one of 125 Vintage USA Maple Limited Edition Snare Drums, available at Guitar Center.

PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Clyne Media, Inc.
Tel: (615) 662-1616
Fax: (615) 662-1636

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GUITAR CENTER TEAMS UP WITH GRETSCH® TO ANNOUNCE
VINTAGE USA MAPLE LIMITED EDITION SNARE DRUM

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA, March 24, 2008 — Celebrating the 125th Anniversary of Gretsch® drum-making excellence, Guitar Center, the world’s largest musical instrument and professional audio retailer, is proud to team up with Gretsch Musical Instruments to announce the Gretsch Vintage USA Maple Limited Edition Snare Drum. The drums were hand selected from 300 original Vintage USA Jasper shells recently found in an amazing discovery at the Gretsch factory in Ridgeland, South Carolina, and a mere 125 have been produced and made available worldwide. Offering unsurpassed, legendary tone, these drums are a dream for collectors and players alike.

Tucked away on a forgotten shelf for decades, these beautifully aged (if rather dusty!) USA Custom Built 4.5" x 14" shells provide a presence and warmth uncommon in a modern drum. Historically correct vintage features include a Gretsch “Round Badge” and classic lugs, “Lightning” throw-off, Silver Sealer shell interior and the unique 30-degree Gretsch bearing edge – all made with the original factory machines. Combined with die-cast hoops and wrapped in a lustrous “Champagne Sparkle” finish, these rare instruments effortlessly produce that “Great Gretsch Sound.”

The Vintage USA Snare also includes a wealth of collectible appointments such as:
• Shells personally signed and serialized by Fred Gretsch, with Vintage label
• Matching Certificate of Authenticity
• Limited Edition 125th Anniversary Gretsch drum head

A signed copy of the “Gretsch Drums” book, personally dedicated to each customer by Fred Gretsch, will also be included.

With the decades of dust lovingly removed, the Gretsch Vintage USA Maple Limited Edition Snare Drum is available at Guitar Center for just $599.99. For more information, please visit www.guitarcenter.com/platinum/.

Photo File: GC_FredGretsch.jpg
Photo Caption: Fred Gretsch, of Gretsch Musical Instruments, personally signs one of 125 Vintage USA Maple Limited Edition Snare Drums, available at Guitar Center.

About Guitar Center
Guitar Center is the leading United States retailer of guitars, amplifiers, percussion instruments, keyboards and pro-audio and recording equipment. Our retail store subsidiary presently operates more than 200 Guitar Center stores across the U.S. In addition, our Music & Arts division operates more than 100 stores specializing in band instruments for sale and rental, serving teachers, band directors, college professors and students. We are also the largest direct response retailer of musical instruments in the United States through our wholly owned subsidiary, Musician's Friend, Inc., and its catalog and Web site, www.musiciansfriend.com. More information on Guitar Center can be found by visiting the Company's Web site at www.guitarcenter.com.

The Guitar Center logo is a registered trademark of Guitar Center, Inc. Other brand or product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

MEDIA CONTACT: Robert Clyne, Clyne Media, Inc., at (615) 662-1616

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All Rights Reserved.