Duesenberg - a history of Dieter
Goelsdorf from 1978 to 2004
1978 The right product at the right
time! Amazing success with the »Rockinger Guitars«,
the world's first electric guitar kits, plus a range
of replacement parts at sensible prices.
1980 Input from new partners and friends,
especially from Mathias Jabs (Scorpions, Hannover) led
to the development of the first fine-tuning tremolo in
the world, the ROCKINGER TRU TUNE TREMOLO. Introduced
shortly afterwards by Kramer Guitars onto the US market
as "THE EDDIE VAN HALEN TREMOLO".
1981 Set up own US distribution company
- ROCKINGER-USA - in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Provocative
ads in GP (Guitar Player magazine) lead to worldwide
furor. More tremolos follow, like the "TELLYBRATOR"
and the "LESTREM".
Not forgetting: P-90 - the all-time favorite pickup!
Established a large collection of old American P-90
guitars, which were minutely analyzed. Set up own production
of P-90 pickups in authentic design and also special
"humbucker" dimensions to fit in standard
humbucker rings!
1982 First real celluloid mint green
pick guard reproductions, export of tremolos, pickups
and pick guards even to South Africa and New Zealand.
1983 Full scale production of guitar
bodies and necks including paintshop. Workforce grows
to 16 people at Rockinger.
1986 Introduction of the first Duesenberg
name guitar with very futuristic designs. Guitar magazine
columns under the "Atze Rockinger" byline.
1987 Established FORMENTERA GUITARS.
Build your own guitar under the Balearic sun!
1991 Crash Bang! Internal differences
lead to sale of Formentera shares and change of ownership
at Rockinger
1991 Formation of g ö l d o -
no more direct customer contacts. Company focuses on
wholesale, production and import. Distribution and export
of own and outsourced components to dealers and guitar
manufacturers.
1995 Development of the new Duesenberg
Starplayer retro line. Immediate attention gained with
German and international artists like Carl Carlton and
Keb Mo.
1996 Dieter's group "Rollinger"
supports B. B. King for the third time!
1997 Introduction of the Diego brand
- high-quality vintage reproduction instruments.
1998 Publication of Dieter´s
book Fear and Loathing on Formentera.
1999 Registering the free brand "KLUSON"
as göldo-trademark in Europe. Developing new tremolo
products and Duesenberg models. Diego as new Trade Mark.
So far, so good...
2000 Dramatic Duesenberg sales increase,
especially to Japan (almost 1000 instruments), because
Sheena Ringo (girl singer) top 5 hit in Japan.
2001 Finally, after inexorable exertions
- the new catalog by MAC! Sitarizer saddles, Super Tremola
etc..
2002 Duesenberg Ron Wood Signature
Guitar and John Platania, Robbie McIntosh, Larry Garner
and Chris Spedding among the famous Duesenberg Users.
Diego Deluxe Tremolo. AEQ Piezo bridge system.
2003 DSP Guitar Of The Year in England!
ZZ-Top and Chris Whitley as new Users, Dieter's second
Book "Formentera Fever"
2004 Duesenberg lands in America, beginning
a new chapter with Duesenberg *USA, L.A., with Nathan
Fawley, Duesenberg Imperial, Rocket and Double Cat, new
pickup rings with adjustable angle, new Tunómatic
Bridge, Colin Hay (Men At Work), Grönemeier, Laurie
Wisefield (Toto), Alan Darby
2005 A lot more development in Dieter’s
design workshop.
An all NEW tremolo, patent applied, which works butter
smooth for great stability. Coming out soon! Also a new
design nut along with our new tuners making guitarists
life a little bit easier. New Artists playing Duesenberg,
Elvis Costello, Slash & Duff (Velvet Revolver),
Taj Mahal, Jedd Hughes, Blind Boys of Alambma, Pat McGee
Band to name a few..
2006 Duesenberg announces
the NEW 49er solid body guitar along with the new
Rocket 2. Keith Richards has hooked up with
Ronnie Wood with a couple Doozy of guitars. (see
in artist section) Eric Burdon's new CD "Sole
of a Man" rocks with the sounds of Duesenberg,
thanks to Johnny Lee Schell and Carl Carlton.
Honestly speaking... We are the best!
"Duesenberg" is a trademark of Dieter Gölsdorf,
registered in Germany and in the USA
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