Sunday, July 29, 2012

That's a Doozy

Duesenberg Guitars
In case you haven't been paying attention there is a German guitar manufacturer that has gained real traction in the high end marketplace. They are called Duesenberg Guitars (Doozy's, Doozie's & Duesy's).The list of well known musicians playing them is getting pretty impressive. Just to toss out a few... Ronnie Wood, Keith Richards, Eddie Vedder, Chris Cornell. Mike McCready, Joe Walsh, Bob Dylan, Mike Campbell & Billy Gibbons.

2012 Duesenberg Starplayer TV Custom
Back in the Day
Things didn't really get rolling for Doozy's until (a little over) 10 years ago. Dieter Goelsdorf got started in guitar making way back in 1978 in Hanover, Germany. Back then he was making "Rockinger Guitars," the world¹s first electric guitar kits. Rockinger also built a wide range of replacement parts (which were in high demand in Europe) and they quickly became the largest guitar manufacturer in Germany.

In 1986, Goelsdorf unveiled Duesenberg Guitars, also built in Hanover, initially focusing on futuristic designs aimed at metal guitarists (to mild acclaim). However, by the mid 1990s Goelsdorf had changed directions dramatically with the development of the new Duesenberg Starplayer retro line and an interesting series of vintage sounding pickups made in-house. Duesenberg suddenly gained attention with both German and international artists like Carl Carlton and Keb Mo.

The Year 2000
It was Japanese sales that really got the gears cranking for Duesenberg. This is because Sheena Ringo, a Japanese pop star with lots of chart hits started regularly playing a Mint Green Duesenberg Starplayer TV on stage in the summer of 2000. Hundreds of these guitars were shipped to Japan in a single year. Most of them Mint Green.

Duesenberg Today
The last 10 years for Doozy's have seen awards and endorsements continue to pile up. In 2004 they opened Duesenberg USA which manufactures in Los Angeles. They are expensive but worth considering if you're seeking your dream guitar. Cascade Guitar Lab is not a Doozy dealer but we have set up a few. They are great players with great tone.