Gretsch Classics
Brief History of Gretsch Musical Instruments
Gretsch is an American company that manufactures guitars, basses and drums. The company was founded in 1883 by Friedrich Gretsch, a 27-year-old German immigrant, shortly after his arrival to the United States. Friedrich Gretsch manufactured banjos, tambourines, and drums until his death in 1895.
In 1916, his son, Fred Gretsch Sr. moved operations to Brooklyn, New York where Gretsch went on to become one of the most prominent manufacturers of American musical instruments.
Most modern-era Gretsch guitars are manufactured in the Far East, though American-made "Custom Shop" models are available. In 2003, Gretsch entered a business agreement with Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC). Under the terms of that agreement Fred W. Gretsch would retain ownership while FMIC would handle most of the development, distribution and sales.
A Few Notable Gretsch Guitar Players
- Bo Diddley,
- Chuck Berry
- Chet Atkins
- Duane Eddy
- George Harrison
- Elvis Presley
- John Lennon
- Eric Clapton
- Brian Jones
- Pete Townshend
- Brian Setzer
- Johnny Marr
- Martin Gore
- Matthew Ashman
- John Squire
- Jim Heath
1979 Gretsch Country Club
1979 Gretsch Country Club,is Gretsch's longest selling model
Gretsch 7576 Country Club Specifications:
- Single Cutaway Thick Hollow body
- Finish Colors: Blond Natural
- Body: Maple Arch Top
- Neck: Rock Maple
- Fingerboard: 22 Fret Ebony
- Scale: 26"
- Inlays: Mother of Pearl squares
- Tuners: Grover StaTite
- Pickups: FilterTron & SuperTron
- Pickguard: Angular Transparent "Baldwin Style"
- Controls: 1- Master Volume 2-Tone 2-Volume controls for
- pickups
- Selector: Pickup selector
- Bridge:
- Weight: 9.9 lbs
Guitar Collector Market Values:
- 100% original pristine condition
$3,500 to $4,500
- 100% original excellent condition
$ 2,500 to $ 3,500
- 100% original very good
$ 1,500 to $2,500
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1966 Gretsch Chet Atkins Country Gentleman (6122)
Doublele Cutaway Hollow Body
Body: Maple Arch Top
Neck: Rock Maple
Weight: 8.6 lbs
Fingerboard: 22 Fret Ebony
Scale: 26"
Inlays: Mother of Pearl tabs
Tuners: Grover Imperial
Pickups: FilterTron & SuperTron
Pickguard: Gretsch classic
Controls: 1- Master Volume 2-Volume controls for pickups Tone switch and
Standby switch
Selector: Pickup configuration
Guitar Collector Market Values:
- 100% original pristine condition
$6,500 to $7,500
- 100% original excellent condition
$ 4,500 to $ 5,500
- 100% original very good
$ 2,500 to $4,500
1957 Gretsch 6131 Jet Fire Bird
Gretsch 6131 Specifications:
Single Cutaway Solid Body
Body: Mahogany
Neck: Mahogany
Weight: 7.5 lbs
Fingerboard: 22 Fret Rosewood
Scale: 24 3/4"
Inlays: Pearloid 'humped' block
Tuners: Waverly
Bridge: Melita Synchro-sonic
Pickups: DeArmond Dynasonic
Pickguard: Gretsch lifted
Controls: 1- Master Volume 1 Master Tone 2-Volume controls for pickups
Selector: Pickup configuration
Guitar Collector Market Values:
- 100% original pristine condition
$6,500 to $7,500
- 100% original excellent condition
$ 4,500 to $ 5,500
- 100% original very good
$ 2,500 to $4,500
1964 Gretsch Chet Atkins Nashville Guitar
Gretsch 6120 Chet Atkins Nashville
Guitar Specifications:
- Double Cutaway Solid Body
- Color: Sunset Orange
- Body: Maple Arch Top
- Neck: Rock Maple
- Fingerboard: 22 Rosewood
- Scale: 25"
- Inlays: Neoclassic half moon
- F-holes: Painted on "Trompe l'oeil"
- (to reduce feed-back)
- Tuners: Grover StaTite
- Pickups: Humbucking "FilterTrons"
- Bigsby Tremelo
- Pickguard: Gretsch
- Controls: 1 Master Volume Upper bout
- 2 Pickup Volume controls
- Selector: Tone normal / bass boost / treble boost and a
- standby switch
- Special feature: Built in string mute
- Weight: 7.7 lbs
Guitar Collector Market Values:
- 100% original pristine condition
$6,000 to $7,500
- 100% original excellent condition
$ 4,700 to $ 6,000
- 100% original very good
$ 3,500 to $4,700
Original Cost: $385 (1954)