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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 Gretsch G5122DC Electromatic Guitar Walnut Burgundy w Case 5122 Country Gent $650.00 Time Remaining: 4d 21h 46m Buy It Now for only: $650.00 |
 Vintage Gretsch 7628 Committee 6 String Electric Guitar 1978 USA $455.00 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 15h 18m |
 Gretsch G5122DC Electromatic Double Cutaway Hollow Body Electric Guitar Black $699.00 Time Remaining: 29d 18h 24m Buy It Now for only: $699.00 |
 Gretsch G5122DC Electromatic Hollow Body Guitar Gent Black w Case 5122 Used $395.00 (12 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 17h 32m |
 Gretsch Electromatic ProJet Chambered Body Electric Guitar Upgraded $489.99 Time Remaining: 6d 22h 23m Buy It Now for only: $489.99 |
 Gretsch White Falcon guitar Custom Shop limited edition 6136 1955 $2,550.00 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 20h 53m |
 Gretsch G5120 Electromatic Orange Hollow Body Guitar 5120 Chet Style w Case $650.00 Time Remaining: 5d 2h 42m Buy It Now for only: $650.00 |
 Gretsch Guitars G5191 Tim Armstrong Electromatic Hollowbody Electric Pre Owned $590.00 (24 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 20h 30m |
 GRETSCH G6128CS 55 ROC JET BLACK GUITAR $3,899.99 Time Remaining: 29d 18h 39m Buy It Now for only: $3,899.99 |
 Vintage 1954 Gretsch Duo Jet G6128 $2,703.00 (10 Bids) Time Remaining: 17h 47m |
 Gretsch G6122 1959 Country Gent Hall of Fame Edition Orange Flame Chet Atkins $2,500.00 Time Remaining: 29d 23h 34m Buy It Now for only: $2,500.00 |
 Gretsch G6128T 1957 Duo Jet $1,299.99 Time Remaining: 22h 39m |