Gretsch is a U.S. musical instrument manufacturer currently being distributed by guitar company Fender and drum craft company Kaman. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified for the purpose of making Music. The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles Fender Musical Instruments Corporation of Quincy Illinois is a manufacturer of stringed instruments such as solid-body Electric guitars including the The drum is a member of the percussion group technically classified as a Membranophone. Kaman Music Corporation is a part of the Kaman Corporation founded by Charles Kaman. It is known primarily for drums and electric guitars such as the White Falcon and Duo Jet. A drum kit (also drum set or trap set) is a collection of Drums Cymbals and sometimes other Percussion instruments such as cowbells An electric guitar is a type of Guitar that uses pickups to convert the vibration of its steel-cored strings into an electrical current which is made louder The Gretsch White Falcon is a visually distinctive guitar commercially introduced in 1955 by Gretsch. The Gretsch 6128 ( Duo Jet) is a solid body Electric guitar manufactured by Gretsch since the mid 1950s.
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History
Beginnings
Gretsch was founded in 1883 by Friedrich Gretsch, a young German immigrant. His Brooklyn shop was made for the manufacture of banjos, tambourines, and drums. Brooklyn (named after the Dutch town Breukelen) is one of the five boroughs of New York City. The banjo is a Stringed instrument developed by enslaved Africans in the United States, adapted from several African instruments The tambourine or Marine is a Musical instrument of the percussion family consisting of a frame often of wood or plastic with pairs of small metal jingles The drum is a member of the percussion group technically classified as a Membranophone. In 1895, at the age of 39, Gretsch died, and the successful company was taken over by his son Fred. By 1916, Fred had moved the company into a larger 10-story building in the Williamsburg district, becoming one of the most prominent American musical instrument makers. Williamsburg is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, bordering Greenpoint, Bedford-Stuyvesant, and Bushwick A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified for the purpose of making Music.
The "Best" years
One of the Gretsch Company's largest influences on electric guitar culture came, not from a guitar, but rather a drum set. The Gretsch Broadkaster drum set has the distinction of being the reason Leo Fender had to change the name of his pioneering solidbody electric guitar. Clarence Leonidas Fender ( August 10, 1909 - March 21, 1991) also known as Leo Fender, was an American inventor who An electric guitar is a type of Guitar that uses pickups to convert the vibration of its steel-cored strings into an electrical current which is made louder Fender introduced the Spanish-style electric instrument in 1950 as the "Broadcaster". After receiving a cease-and-desist notice from the Gretsch company about the copyrighted name, the Fender Broadcaster became the "Telecaster". The Fender Telecaster, also known as the Tele (pronounced Telly is typically a dual-pickup solid-body Electric guitar made by Fender. A short run of intermediate, unlabeled guitars ("Nocasters") are extremely rare and highly valued on the vintage market.
Many feel that Gretsch's "best" years started in the mid 1950s, after Fred's son Fred Jr. had taken the reins. It was during this time the company introduced several distinctive models of electric guitars, including the 6120 and White Falcon.
However, the single biggest contribution to Gretsch's success was the addition of Chet Atkins as an endorser. Chester Burton "Chet" Atkins ( June 20, 1924 &ndash June 30, 2001) was an influential Guitarist and Record producer Atkins was one of the pre-eminent guitarists of his day, and it gave Gretsch a fighting chance against Fender's Telecaster and Stratocaster, and the Gibson Les Paul. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation of Quincy Illinois is a manufacturer of stringed instruments such as solid-body Electric guitars including the The Fender Telecaster, also known as the Tele (pronounced Telly is typically a dual-pickup solid-body Electric guitar made by Fender. The Fender Stratocaster, often referred to as the Strat, is a model of Electric guitar designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton and Freddie Tavares The Gibson Les Paul is a solidbody Electric guitar originally developed in the early 1950s Gretsch ultimately sold thousands of guitars with Chet's name on the pickguard, most notably the 6120 Chet Atkins model, one of which was purchased in 1957 by a young guitar player named Duane Eddy. Duane Eddy (born April 26, 1938) is a Grammy Award -winning American Guitarist. The worldwide success of Duane's "twangy" instrumental records, television appearances, and extensive touring helped expose the Gretsch guitar to a huge new market, that of the teenage rock and roll fan. George Harrison, years later, was to refer to this model as "the Eddie Cochran/Duane Eddy guitar". George Harrison, MBE (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001 was an English rock Guitarist Singer - Songwriter, Author Raymond Edward "Eddie" Cochran ( October 3, 1938 He took music lessons in school but quit the band to play drums Duane Eddy (born April 26, 1938) is a Grammy Award -winning American Guitarist. Other Chet Atkins models were the Country Gentleman[1] (named after an instrumental hit for Chet) and the Tennessean [2], a lower cost version of the Country Gent.
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Many rockabilly players following in the footsteps of Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent's guitarist Cliff Gallup and Elvis Presley, who all chose Gretsch guitars. Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of Rock and roll music and emerged in the early 1950s Raymond Edward "Eddie" Cochran ( October 3, 1938 He took music lessons in school but quit the band to play drums Clifton E "Cliff" Gallup ( June 17 1930 - October 9 1988) was an American Electric guitarist who played Although Elvis's guitarist, Scotty Moore, played instruments from Gibson, Elvis himself owned a Gretsch Country Gentleman - (recently manufactured as "Gretsch Country Classic" but now renamed Chet Atkins Country Gentleman, perfected with the assistance of Roger Field, a friend of Atkins) - that he played both on stage and in the studio. Winfield Scott "Scotty" Moore III (born December 27, 1931 near Gadsden Tennessee) is a legendary American Guitarist and The Gibson Guitar Corporation of Nashville Tennessee, USA is a manufacturer of acoustic and Electric guitars The company's most popular guitar Gretsch quickly became a legitimate competitor to both Gibson and its main rivals, Fender and Rickenbacker. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation of Quincy Illinois is a manufacturer of stringed instruments such as solid-body Electric guitars including the For the American WWI fighter pilot see Eddie Rickenbacker. For the airport see Rickenbacker International Airport. Gretsch's fortunes were greatly aided when, in the mid-1960s, George Harrison played a Gretsch Country Gentleman [3] on the Ed Sullivan Show. George Harrison, MBE (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001 was an English rock Guitarist Singer - Songwriter, Author The Ed Sullivan Show was an American television Variety show that ran from June 20, 1948 to June 6, In the following 12 months, the number of Country Gentleman guitars sold in a 12-month period jumped from the mid-fifties to over 2,000. George Harrison also played a Gretsch Tennessean. George Harrison, MBE (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001 was an English rock Guitarist Singer - Songwriter, Author John Lennon briefly used an orange Gretsch Nashville (model #6120), although he is usually associated with his Epiphone Casino. John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE (born The Epiphone Casino is a thinline hollow body electric Guitar manufactured by Epiphone, a branch of Gibson.
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Beginning in 1966, Gretsch had weekly television exposure when the company supplied the guitars and drums for The Monkees. Television ( TV) is a widely used Telecommunication medium for sending ( Broadcasting) and receiving moving Images, either monochromatic For the group's self-titled album see The Monkees (album. For the TV series see The Monkees (TV series. This had an effect analogous to Jimi Hendrix's adoption of the Stratocaster and Eric Clapton's of the Gibson Les Paul; Gretsch was unable to keep up with demand. James Marshall Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix) (November 27 1942 – September 18 1970 was an American Guitarist, Singer and Songwriter The Fender Stratocaster, often referred to as the Strat, is a model of Electric guitar designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton and Freddie Tavares Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE (born 30 March 1945 is an English Blues-rock Guitarist, singer Songwriter and Composer The Gibson Les Paul is a solidbody Electric guitar originally developed in the early 1950s Both Lou Reed and Sterling Morrison of the Velvet Underground used a Gretsch Country Gentleman during the bands' lifetime (although not simultaneously - they shared the same guitar), as did Stone Roses guitarist John Squire. Lewis Allan Reed (born March 2 1942 is an American rock Singer-songwriter and Guitarist. Holmes Sterling Morrison Jr ( August 28 1942 &ndash August 30, 1995) was one of the founding members of the Rock group The This article is about the band For their self-titled album see The Velvet Underground (album; for the book see The Velvet Underground (book The Stone Roses were an English Alternative rock band formed in Manchester in 1984 John Squire (born John Thomas Squire on 24 November, 1962) is an English Musician, Songwriter and Artist. Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones used a 1963 model 6118 Double Anniversary from late 1963 - mid 1964, used on the Stones' version of I Wanna Be Your Man as well as the Rolling Stones' first album as well as a few tracks on 12 X 5, notably It's All Over Now. Lewis Brian Hopkin Jones (28 February 1942 – 3 July 1969 was a founding member and Guitarist of the English Rock group The Rolling Stones. " I Wanna Be Your Man " is a rock song written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and recorded separately by The Beatles and The Rolling The Rolling Stones is the debut album by The Rolling Stones, released in the UK in April 1964 " It's All Over Now " was written by Bobby Womack and Shirley Womack After he retired the Gretsch in July 1964, Jones began to use a Vox Mark III, which became his main guitar until June 1965. The Mark VI is a Electric guitar made by Vox. The instrument is also known as the Vox Teardrop, but this is not the official name Pete Townshend of the Who also used an orange Gretsch 6120 (given to him as a gift by friend Joe Walsh) on their 1971 Who's Next album, including their hit,"Bargain". Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend (born 19 May 1945 in Chiswick, London) is an English rock Guitarist, Singer, The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964. The primary lineup consisted of guitarist Pete Townshend Joseph Fidler "Joe" Walsh (born November 20, 1947) is an American Guitarist, songwriter and Rock musician He has been a Who's Next is the fifth album by the English rock band The Who. Neil Young also used many different Gretsches during his recording career, including White Falcons, 6120s, and Duo Jets.
Gretsch electric twelve-string and The Monkees
According to the audio commentary by Michael Nesmith for the episode "I've Got A Little Song Here" on The Monkees: Season One DVD set, prior to The Monkees, Nesmith liked twelve string electric guitars. Robert Michael Nesmith (b December 30, 1942) in Harris County Texas, is an American musician songwriter Actor, producer For the group's self-titled album see The Monkees (album. For the TV series see The Monkees (TV series. For the group's self-titled album see The Monkees (album. For the TV series see The Monkees (TV series. At the time, only Rickenbacker mass-produced them. For the American WWI fighter pilot see Eddie Rickenbacker. For the airport see Rickenbacker International Airport. Nesmith, however, preferred the bluesy twangy sound of a Gretsch over the distinctive pop sound of a Rickenbacker. For the American WWI fighter pilot see Eddie Rickenbacker. For the airport see Rickenbacker International Airport. According to Nesmith, there was a luthier in Los Angeles that converted six string electric guitars into twelve string guitars. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West Nesmith brought him a Gretsch Country Gentleman to convert into a twelve string, and that is the guitar he used in the pilot episode of The Monkees, "Here Come The Monkees". For the group's self-titled album see The Monkees (album. For the TV series see The Monkees (TV series. (Note: Upon close examination of the film footage, the guitar Nesmith identifies as a Country Gentleman is actually a Gretsch Tennessean. When the pilot episode aired, the music scenes were re-shot. As a result, Mike is holding the original Gretsch as the band is setting up, but has the famous blonde Gretsch once they start playing. ) Once the pilot was sold as a series, and Gretsch made the deal to supply the group with instruments, Nesmith contacted Fred Gretsch, and asked if he could make him a twelve-string electric guitar. Gretsch agreed, and the result is the famous blonde electric twelve string that Nesmith used during the Monkees' entire run, on the series, in the recording studio, and in concert. Meanwhile, Fred Gretsch liked the finished instrument so much, he put the electric twelve string into production. One of the first was given to George Harrison and was later known as the "George Harrison Model" (Harrison, preferring his Rickenbacker twelve-string, gave the guitar to a friend). George Harrison, MBE (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001 was an English rock Guitarist Singer - Songwriter, Author
From 1966 through 1968, Gretsch also produced the Gretsch 6123, which was a Monkees signature electric six string guitar. [4]
Sale, Gretsch family regains interest
Unfortunately, Fred never found an adequate successor, and in 1967 Gretsch was sold to Baldwin Pianos,[1] becoming a subsidiary. The Baldwin Piano Company is the largest US -based manufacturer of Keyboard instruments most notably Pianos It is a subsidiary of the Gibson Guitar Gretsch's name lost prestige as its models were seen as cheapening and their signature styles fell out of fashion. Factory fires in the early 1970s caused serious problems, and production was finally halted by Baldwin in 1981. In 1989, the Gretsch family once again acquired their namesake company, and production began anew. Models throughout the 1990s were high-quality but expensive, and mostly consisted of classic reissues.
Resurgence
In the 1980s, rockabilly revival player Brian Setzer rekindled interest in the brand with his band the Stray Cats—he now has his own signature model. Brian Setzer (born April 10 1959, Massapequa, New York) is an American Guitarist, Singer and Songwriter Although Chris Isaak explains that he never played a White Falcon, but a one of a kind white coloured Gibson,[2] his emergence into mainstream rock & roll radio only added to the fuel. Christopher Joseph Isaak (born June 26, 1956) is an American rock Musician and occasional Actor. His band, Silvertone, boasted a signature Gretsch sound which attracted the likes of renowned film director David Lynch, who subsequently used Isaak's music in the films Blue Velvet (1986) and Wild at Heart (1990) as a soundtrack to Lynch's surreal '50s atmosphere. David Keith Lynch (born January 20 1946 is an American director, Screenwriter, producer, painter, Cartoonist, Composer In 1997, the Australian punk/rockabilly band The Living End rose to popularity, with guitarist Chris Cheney using a number of Gretsches, including a White Falcon and a Duo Jet. The Living End are an Australian rock band based in Melbourne, Victoria. Christopher John Cheney (born January 2, 1975) is the Guitarist, main Songwriter and Lead vocalist in the Australian This was not the first use of Gretsch guitars in punk ; Billy Zoom of X played a Silver Jet, and Mick Jones from The Clash played a White Falcon in the video for London Calling. Billy Zoom was born Tyson Kindell on February 20, 1948, in Savanna Illinois. For the debut album by The Clash see The Clash (album The Clash were London Calling is the third album by English Punk rock band The Clash, released 14 December 1979 on CBS Records in the UK and in January 1980 In rock, Malcolm Young of AC/DC played a double cut Jet Firebird (with the top finish stripped off and one pickup removed), and White Falcon (as seen in the video "Back in Black") during the band's career. Malcolm Mitchell Young (born January 6 1953) is an Australian Guitarist, best known as a founding member Rhythm guitarist Backing AC/DC are an Australian Hard rock band formed in Sydney, Australia in 1973 by brothers Angus and Malcolm Young. In the 1990s, Chris Cornell of Soundgarden used a Duo Jet, and could be seen in the video for "Black Hole Sun". " Black Hole Sun " is a song by the American rock band Soundgarden, released in 1994 as the third single from the band's fourth studio album Superunknown In the music video for "Malibu" by Hole, lead singer Courtney Love can be seen playing a Gretsch. " Malibu " is the second single by Hole from the Celebrity Skin LP and was written about Kurt Cobain 's stay at a rehabilitation Hole was an American Alternative rock band that formed in Los Angeles in 1989 and disbanded in 2002 Courtney Michelle Love (born Courtney Michelle Harrison on July 9 1964 is an American Rock musician and Golden Globe-nominated actress Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong consistently uses a Country Club, which has been customized with various coats of black spray paint, at live performances. Timothy Lockwood Armstrong (born November 25, 1966) is an influential American musician and songwriter best known for his work with Punk rock Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist, John Frusciante played a vintage 1955 White Falcon for two songs on the Californication album. Red Hot Chili Peppers are John Anthony Frusciante (pronounced) (born March 5 1970 is an American Guitarist, singer songwriter and record producer Californication is the seventh studio album by American Alternative rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on June 8 1999 on Warner Bros Frusciante played his White Falcon on songs Otherside and Californication, he also used to use this guitar when these songs were played live, but has since used a Stratocaster. " Otherside " is a song by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, released in 2000. " Californication " is the Red Hot Chili Peppers ' fourth single from their seventh studio album Californication. John's White Falcon can be seen on the Californication music video, Off The Map DVD and Slane Castle DVD. Being a big fan of the group Bow Wow Wow at the time of Californication since Mathew Ashman played a Falcon, he thought it fit to buy one. Dave Grohl Uses a white falcon with the Foo Fighters in the video for Monkey Wrench and also uses a red Gretsch Fire Bird. David Eric Grohl (born January 14 1969 is an American rock musician Singer and Songwriter. Foo Fighters is an American Alternative rock and Post-grunge band formed by singer/guitarist Dave Grohl in 1995 U2 lead singer Bono's signature guitar is an "Irish Falcon", green in colour with the phrase 'The Goal Is Soul' printed on the pickguard in black text. Billy Duffy of The Cult has prominently used the White Falcon over decades. Billy Duffy (born William Henry Duffy 12 May 1961, Hulme, Manchester) is a Hard rock and Alternative rock guitarist The Cult are an English rock band which gained a dedicated following in their native Britain with mid-'80s singles like " She Sells Sanctuary " Depeche Mode guitarist Martin Gore plays a Gretsch in most live performances. Depeche Mode (dəˌpɛʃˈmoʊd are an English Electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. Martin Gore (born Martin Lee Gore, 23 July 1961, Basildon, Essex, England) is an English Songwriter, Lyricist Reid Paley uses a 1955 Gretsch hollowbody electric that was made a few blocks away in his Brooklyn neighborhood. Reid Paley (born in Brooklyn New York) is an American musician and songwriter Jack White of the White Stripes and the Raconteurs also uses Gretsch guitars. Jack White (born John Anthony Gillis on July 9 1975 is an American musician Record producer, and occasional actor best known as the guitarist and lead vocalist The White Stripes is an American Garage rock band, formed in 1997 in Detroit, Michigan. The Raconteurs (also known as The Saboteurs in Australia are a Rock band formed in 2005 featuring four members known for other musical projects Jack In the White Stripes he is now using a very rare 1957 Gretsch White Penguin. The White Stripes is an American Garage rock band, formed in 1997 in Detroit, Michigan. One of the rarest guitars in the world, it can be seen in the video for the song "Icky Thump. Icky Thump is the sixth studio album by American Alternative rock band The White Stripes. " For the Raconteurs, he designed his own Gretsch called the “Triple Jet”. The Raconteurs (also known as The Saboteurs in Australia are a Rock band formed in 2005 featuring four members known for other musical projects Jack It is a double-cutaway Duo Jet with a third pickup added along with many other features including a solid copper top and headstock. It also has a Gretsch logo that was only used on a few guitars in 1912. The guitar was built by luthier Randy Parsons of Seattle.
Fender
Finally, in 2003, Gretsch and Fender reached an agreement giving Fender most control over production and distribution of guitars (although the Gretsch family still owns Gretsch Guitars) — and a foothold in the hollowbody guitar market traditionally dominated by Gibson. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation of Quincy Illinois is a manufacturer of stringed instruments such as solid-body Electric guitars including the The Gibson Guitar Corporation of Nashville Tennessee, USA is a manufacturer of acoustic and Electric guitars The company's most popular guitar The Gretsch family continues its involvement in the drum business, which is now part of the Kaman Music Corporation of musical instrument companies. Kaman Music Corporation is a part of the Kaman Corporation founded by Charles Kaman.
Current models
Hollow body electric
| Model | Name | Chet Atkins collection |
Brian Setzer collection |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6136 | White Falcon Black Falcon |
- | Brian Setzer Black Phoenix |
| 6119 | - | Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose | - |
| 6120 | Hollow body | - | Brian Setzer Nashville Brian Setzer Hot Rod |
| 6122 | - | Chet Atkins Country Gentleman | - |
| 6192, 6193, 6196 | Country Club | - | - |
| 6118 | Anniversary | - | - |
| 6143, 6144, 6145 | Spectra Sonic | - | - |
| Model | Name |
|---|---|
| 5120, 5126–5127,5129 | Electromatic Hollow Body |
Solid body electric
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Acoustic
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Drums
Gretsch Drums were/are also in high demand with drummers playing both jazz and rock. The Gretsch White Falcon is a visually distinctive guitar commercially introduced in 1955 by Gretsch. The Gretsch 6120 is a Hollow body electric guitar with F-holes manufactured by Gretsch and first appearing in the mid-1950's with the endorsement of The Gretsch 6128 ( Duo Jet) is a solid body Electric guitar manufactured by Gretsch since the mid 1950s. Gretsch Drums is a leading drum manufacturing company based in Ridgeland South Carolina Gretsch Drums is a leading drum manufacturing company based in Ridgeland South Carolina During the 1950s and 1960s, many renowned Jazz drummers, such as Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Art Blakey, Philly Joe Jones, Max Roach, and even Billy Cobham (during the early 70's in the early Mahavishnu days. Elvin Ray Jones ( 9 September 1927 &ndash 18 May 2004) was one of the most influential jazz drummers of the Post-bop era Anthony Tillmon "Tony" Williams ( December 12, 1945 &ndash February 23, 1997) was an American jazz drummer. Arthur (Art Blakey ( October 11 1919 &ndash October 16 1990) born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Joseph Rudolph (Philly Joe Jones ( July 15, 1923 – August 30, 1985) was a Philadelphia -born United States jazz Maxwell Lemuel Roach ( January 10, 1924 &ndash August 16, 2007) was an American Jazz Percussionist, Drummer William C Cobham (born May 16 1944 in Panama) is a Panamanian American Jazz Drummer, Composer and Bandleader Mahavishnu ( Devanagari: महाविष्णु is an aspect of Vishnu, the Absolute which is beyond human comprehension and is beyond all attributes ) They were all playing the now classic "round badge" kits. Micky Dolenz also used Gretsch drums during the filming of the Monkees TV series. George Michael Dolenz Jr (born March 8, 1945) is an American Actor, Musician, Television director and theatre Phil Collins used a Gretsch drum kit for many years while touring with Genesis. Philip David Charles Collins, LVO (born 30 January 1951 Chiswick, London) is an English Singer-songwriter, Drummer Charlie Watts (the Wembley Whammer) of the Rolling Stones has played Gretsch drums for forty-five years. Charles Robert "Charlie" Watts (born 2 June 1941 is the Drummer of The Rolling Stones. Brad Wilk from Audioslave and Rage Against the Machine has also used Gretsch Drums.
Notable artists using Gretsch equipment
Notes
- ^ Gjörde, Per (2001). This is a list of players of Gretsch guitars or drums Guitarists Richard Hawley Manuel Agnelli - Afterhours Pearls and Crazy Diamonds. Göteborg, Sweden: Addit Information AB, 35-37.
- ^ "What they play", Acoustic Guitar, August 2002. Retrieved on 2007-06-11. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1184 BC - Trojan War: Troy is sacked and burned according to the calculations of Eratosthenes.
External links
- Gretsch
- The Gretsch Pages
- Gretsch in the Drumming Database
- Gretsch Guitars (Fender)
- Gretsch Drums (Kaman)
- Gretsch at Harmony Central
- The History of Gretsch Guitars by Jim Miller
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