Timeline Duesenberg Guitars & Dieter Goelsdorf from
1978 to 2006
1978
The right product at the right time! Amazing success with the
"Rockinger Guitars", the worldıs 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,) 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 & 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
Formation of g ö l d o - no more direct customer contacts. Company
focuses on wholesale, production and import. Distribution & 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
Dieterıs 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 &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 & 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 & Double
Cat, new pickup rings with adjustable angle, new Tunamatic 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, which works butter smooth for great stability, patent
pending. Coming out soon! Also a new nut along with new tuners making
guitarists life a little bit easier. New Artists playing Duesenberg,
Elvis Costello, Slash (Velvet Revolver), Taj Mahal, Jedd Hughes, Blind
Boys of Alabama, Buddy Miller, and many more.
2006
Ed Roman, owner of The Worlds Largest Guitar Store, gets turned on to
Duesenberg Guitars by Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top. A new chapter in USA
sales is started.
Scale production of guitar bodies and necks including paint shop.
Workforce grows to 16 people at Rockinger.
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