[Dixielandjazz] FW: Gretsch clarinets

[Bill Haesler]

Dear friends,
This one for the DJML clarinet experts.
All others should DELETE now.
I would be also interested in any replies to my mate Trevor.
Kind regards,
Bill. 

------ Forwarded Message
From: "trevor rippingale" <trevrip at bigpond.com>

Dear Discussion groupers,
         I'm grateful for the several helpful and interesting  responses
I've received from list members, but sadly I'm still unable to find definite
answers to the questions below . Any leads will be most appreciated while I
continue to puzzle through the internet about this.
(i) Who manufactured "GRETSCH" metal clarinets, and in what years ? It seems
the Czech company "Kohlert" was probably involved at some stage.
(ii) What is the date of manufacture of  Gretsch metal Bb clarinet Serial no
: 9243A ? ( the only Gretsch serial number list I can find on the internet,
is for guitars and drums only)
(iii) What other horns (if any) might have been marketed under the Gretsch
label, and what company  made them in what years ?
(iv) As a matter of wider interest, what other examples might there be of
"re-badging" by other companies over the years ?
      I'm aware of "WURLITZER" and "VEGA" having marketed C melody/tenor
saxophones, and wonder who actually manufactured them and what the full
extent of this might be for clarinets and saxes with any other makes..
                                     Trevor Rippingale
                                           (New Wolverines, Sydney)