Please have a look at our quality used Gretsch guitars following this brief history of the company.
Gretsch is a truly legendary instrument manufacturer having been founded in 1883 by Friedrich Gretsch, a young German immigrant. Located in Brooklyn, New York, Gretsch was famous for his banjos, tambourines, and drums. Gretsch dies in 1895 at the age of 39, leaving control of the company to his son Fred. The company was moved to a larger 10-srory building and became one of the most prominent American musical instrument manufacturers.
One of Gretsch's biggest musical influences came from their BroadKaster drumset, and not a guitar. After Leo Fender 'borrowed' the term, changing it to 'Broadcaster,' he received a cease and desist letter from Gretsch. Fender changed the name of his instrument to 'Telecaster.'
Many feel Gretsch's best years began in the mid 1950s after Fred, Jr. took over following his father's death. It was then that Chet Atkins began endorsing the guitars and famous instruments including the 6120 and White Falcon were released. Another famous Atkins model was the 'Country Gentleman,' named after one of Atkins' recordings.
Notable players like Duane Eddy, Elvis Presley, and years later Brian Setzer all added to Gretsch's popularity. Also Micaek Nesmith, liking 12-string guitars, had his Country Gentleman converted to a 12-string because he liked the bluesy sound of the Gretsch, but Rickenbacker was the only company making 12-stringed guitars at the time. Nesmith used that 12-string guitar on the pilot episode of 'The Monkees-Here Comes the Monkees.'
In 1967 Gretsch was sold to Baldwin Pianos and began to lose it's status as a great instrument. 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.
Finally, in 2003 [the Gretsch website says 2002], Gretsch and Fender reached an agreement giving Fender general 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. The Gretsch family continues its involvement in the drum business, which is now part of the Kaman Music Corporation of musical instrument companies.
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 Demo almost perfect Gretsch G5235T Pro Jet Black w Bigsby $499.99 Time Remaining: 25d 23h 2m Buy It Now for only: $499.99 |
 1996 Gretsch 450M Synchromatic Jazz Guitar Electric Solid Carved Spruce Top Wow $720.00 (17 Bids) Time Remaining: 3h 12m |
 GRETSCH G6136DC DOUBLE CUTAWAY WHITE FALCON W HARDSHELL $2,299.99 Time Remaining: 1d 20h 29m Buy It Now for only: $2,299.99 |
 Gretsch G6040MCSSSynchromaticCutaway Archtop2011MintMIJNO RESERVE $830.00 (20 Bids) Time Remaining: 5h 52m |
 GRETSCH G6128TCG DUO JET CADILLAC GREEN $1,899.99 Time Remaining: 1d 20h 13m Buy It Now for only: $1,899.99 |
 GRETSCH ELECTROMATIC PROJECT GUITARWITH PICK UPS AND POTSLUTHIER PROJECT $100.00 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 8h 47m |
 GRETSCH G5122DC SEMI HOLLOW ELECTRIC GUITAR WALNUT $675.00 Time Remaining: 18d 20h 29m Buy It Now for only: $675.00 |
 Gretsch Chet Atkins Nashville Junior $2,500.00 Time Remaining: 18h 30m |
 GRETSCH G6122 1962 COUNTRY GENTLEMAN $1,899.99 Time Remaining: 24d 14h 40m Buy It Now for only: $1,899.99 |
 GRETSCH ELECTROMATIC GUITAR $330.00 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 21h 57m |
 2004 Gretsch G6122 1962 Country Classic Guitar w OHSC $1,599.99 Time Remaining: 6d 13h 3m Buy It Now for only: $1,599.99 |
 Gretsch G5126 Electromatic Hollow Body Silver Sparkle $455.00 (14 Bids) Time Remaining: 23h 10m Buy It Now for only: $700.00 Bid now |