Webster even wrote an illustrated instruction book entitled Touch System for Electric and Amplified Spanish Guitar that was published in 1952. Webster played guitar with both hands producing bass lines, chords, and melodies simultaneously. Webster is known as the “Father of the Touch System” and transferred his piano playing abilities to the guitar by developing a two-handed tapping technique. Not only did it showcase his Project-O-Sonic stereo guitar, but it also captured his revolutionary two-handed tapping technique. The stereo guitar sounded impressive when played by a talented guitarist and Webster proved that with his landmark Webster’s Unabridged LP.
Jimmie’s Album, Wester’s Unabridged, Was Produced by Chet Atkins. With split Filter’Tron pickups and dual amplifiers, Webster proclaimed it to be the biggest revolution in guitar engineering since electrification.
Launched in 1955, this milestone electric guitar with its distinctive orange finish, fire-branded “G”, and western-themed appointments put Gretsch on the map and forever changed the company’s fortunes and popularity.Įver the inventor and in search of the next innovation, Webster patented and introduced a line of Project-O-Sonic stereo guitars in 1958. The result was the legendary Chet Atkins Hollow Body Model 6120. Although he resisted at first (Atkins was happy with his self-modified D’Angelico), Atkins finally agreed once Webster told him he could design his own signature guitar. In an effort to match Gibson’s recent endorsement of Les Paul, Webster set his sights in 1954 on landing Gretsch’s first signature guitar with one of the industry’s most talented guitarists, Chet Atkins. It was-and remains today-the “Cadillac of Guitars”. Designed more as a concept “guitar of the future” than an actual production guitar, Webster’s stunning white and gold beauty caused such a stir with sales reps that Gretsch had no choice but to offer it in their 1955 lineup. At the July Summer NAMM Show Webster unveiled the ultimate “dream guitar”, the opulent White Falcon. He also took marketing cues from the auto industry by introducing guitars finished in Cadillac Green, Jaguar Tan, and Copper Mist and conducting traveling “Guitarama” shows and demonstrations around the country.ġ954 was truly a banner year for Gretsch and Jimmie Webster. It was Webster’s idea to cover the top of the solid body Silver Jet guitar with a flashy, sparkle drum finish from Gretsch’s drum department. Webster and Gretsch led an industry “color revolution” and took guitars beyond their conservative natural or sunburst finishes. Throughout the decade, Webster proved to be Gretsch’s main “idea man” in his quest to distinguish Gretsch guitars from the competition. Based on industry trade journals, the event was well attended and very successful in getting Gretsch the awareness and exposure the company needed. Webster demonstrated the new Gretsch single cutaway Electromatic and Electro II hollow body electric guitars.
1954 NAMM TRADE SHOW GRETSCH WHITE FALCON PROFESSIONAL
Webster led a successful, three-day promotional show for music dealers and professional musicians at New York’s Park Sheraton Hotel.
In 1951 Gretsch informed the music industry (and market leader Gibson) it was serious about manufacturing a professional line of electric guitars. The 1950s: A Golden Decade for Jimmie Webster and Gretsch Guitars. Webster’s long association with Gretsch guitars would span four decades. where he became more involved with the Gretsch Company. After the war, Webster moved to Long Island, N.Y. Webster was also an in-demand professional piano tuner, ran a small music store, and began doing a little consulting work for the Gretsch Company.ĭuring World War II Webster served as a musician in the U.S. In the 1930s Webster was a professional musician in the New York City area and married L’Ana Hyams, one of the first women jazz bandleaders. Keeping the family tradition alive, Webster excelled at piano but also had a passion for the guitar. Both parents played as well as taught piano and his sister, Virginia, became a well-respected jazz pianist. Jimmie Webster was born on Augin Van Wert, Ohio into a very musical family.
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