Aria brings Two Old Hippies to UK

News

Andy Barrett Jun 22 2010, 2:39pm

US brands, Bedell and Great Divide acoustic and electro-acoustic guitars, see founder return to first love

Aria Distribution has announced that it is the sole UK distributor of the Two Old Hippies acoustic and electro acoustic guitar brands, the Bedell and Great Divide lines.

For founder member Tom Bedell (pictured left with Aria's Martin Hartwell), this is a return to his love of acoustic guitars and a new venture after many years making his fortune in the world of outdoor products and accessories.

When just 15 years old in 1962, Bedell had his own distribution company in Spirit Lake, Iowa, selling Bedell branded acoustic guitars in five States across the USA, with several hundred dealers in his network, aiming to offering quality guitars at an affordable price – a concept that Two Old Hippies maintain today.

A year ago, Bedell bought a small shop in Aspen, Colorado and designed the Bedell and Great Divide guitar lines and has built up a team for his guitar products, including Dan Mills, who has a vast guitar knowledge having run Gruhn Guitars in Nashville, Tennessee and worked in Gibson’s Custom Shop and Jeff Moore.

Two Old Hippies made an impression with media at Winter Namm and Musikmesse this year. Now half way through the year, the company is streets ahead of its target for 2010 sealing worldwide distribution.

“I’m proud to say, my wife and I qualify as original hippies, whence our company name originates," said Bedell.

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"Our two lines, Great Divide, which includes solid tops and laminate back and sides, and Bedell Guitars, which features an all solid wood construction, are designed by us here in the USA and built in separate factories in China.”

There might be joss sticks on the mantelpiece, but Bedell is deadly serious about his passion for exotic tone woods and acoustic guitars. “We adopt a strict quality control and a personal approach," he continued. "If we are taking orders for a 1,000 guitars, we will sit and select every tone wood sample until we are happy with each piece.”

“In the current economic climate, new, start-up guitar companies are practically unheard of, it’s quite incredible how fast this company has gained recognition within guitar players and the media," said Aria Distribution’s MD Martin Hartwell. "We are delighted with what both Bedell and Great Guitars can offer for the dealers and end users in terms of price and quality.”

“We are really excited about joining the UK market and we are convinced Aria are the right company for our guitars," concluded Bedell. "Both Bedell and Great Divide not only offer the trade highly profitable lines, but present the player with acoustic and electro-acoustic guitars that are unique in their construction and performance.”

Both Bedell and Great Divide acoustic and electro acoustic guitars will be available from September 2010.