RetroFret
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Genre | Musical |
| Founded | Brooklyn, New York City |
| Founder | Steven Uhrik |
| Website | retrofret.com |
RetroFret is an American vintage musical instrument boutique and repair shop located in Brooklyn, New York. Founded in 1983 by luthier Steven Uhrik, RetroFret's early business was primarily musical instrument repair services. In the mid-1990s, the business grew into a moderately stocked showroom that served local, international & professional musicians. By the mid-2000s, the showroom had grown vastly, displaying over 200 instruments & musical artifacts from around the world.[1]
History
[edit]RetroFret opened its doors in 1983 in Gowanus, Brooklyn in the defunct headquarters of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals building, which the ASPCA had occupied from 1913 to 1979.[2] RetroFret maintained its home in the historic building until late 2018, when the business moved to Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.[3]
Inventory
[edit]RetroFret's showroom is considered by many industry professionals to be one of the highest quality, museum-grade inventory displays in the United States.[4] At one point the store had for sale country and honky-tonk musician Lefty Frizzell's 1949 Gibson Bigsby J-200, personalized with "Lefty Frizzell" on the pickguard. The guitar sold for $350,000 to country musician Merle Haggard.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ Guttenberg, Steven. "We get an earful at Brooklyn's guitar and ukulele haven". cnet.com. cnet.com. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
- ^ Spellen, Suzanne. "A Gowanus Shelter for the Animals of Brooklyn". Brownstoner. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
- ^ Wong, Pamela. "RetroFret: Go West For New Home Of Vintage Guitars". Bklyner. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
- ^ Lockett, John. "Inside Retrofret, the Best Shop for Guitar Grails". gq.com. gq.com. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
- ^ Flint Marx, Rebecca. "A Refuge for Guitars and Musicians". The New York Times. The New York Times. Retrieved 11 April 2020.