Gretsch series overview

That great Gretsch sound

Since its founding in Brooklyn, New York in 1883 by the German emigrant Friedrich Gretsch , Gretsch has been delivering musical instruments of the highest quality with craftsmanship. It all started with the production of banjos, drums and tambourines. After Friedrich's early death, his son Fred took over the company and built it into one of the leading importers and manufacturers of musical instruments in America.

The guitar market was initially opened up with acoustic archtops for jazz, which was popular at the time, and flattops for country and western customers. Gretsch brought the first Electromatic® onto the market as early as 1939. A hollow body construction / acoustic that has remained in the repertoire to this day in a contemporary design. Since 1953, this design has been supplemented by guitars with solid bodies, which are less sensitive to feedback, which was a problem at the time due to increasingly loud concerts. Meanwhile, semi-acoustic guitars were expanded to include models with center block construction / acoustic, which combined the best features of hollow-body and solid-body guitars.

With this versatile arsenal of always unique sound and visual individuality, Gretsch has been an integral part of the world of guitar music since George Harrison's appearance with the Beatles and his Country Gentleman on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. With a constant drive to improve and maintain the tradition of quality, “That great Gretsch sound” achieved world fame, which the instruments that produce it can rightly enjoy.

professional

The Gretsch Professional Collection sets the bar high with modern, professional features that enable classic Gretsch tone and a fat, dynamic sound . These are absolute flagship instruments, built for musicians who are only satisfied with the absolute best in terms of sound and power . Each individual instrument reflects the typical Gretsch style and impresses with high-precision workmanship and exceptional sound quality. The series is divided into four editions and offers the largest selection from Gretsch:

Inspired by Gretsch's golden age in the 1950s and early '60s, the Vintage Select edition guitars are designed for players who appreciate the best of musical instrument history. Vintage fans and collectors in particular enjoy these guitars.

The Players edition instruments were designed for professional use and offer the classic Gretsch sound and state-of-the-art features for maximum power, comfort and versatility. In addition to the recording studio, the main area of ​​application for the Players edition models is of course the large stage.

The Gretsch Artist Signature edition offers meticulous recreations of instruments that capture the signature sound of the most famous endorsement artists. Many well-known artists such as Malcolm Young, George Harrison, Billy Gibbons and Brian Setzer have discovered Gretsch guitars and are proud owners of one or more signature guitars.

The Limited edition models elevate Gretsch's most iconic designs with both eye-catching finishes and enhanced features and features. These small series models, breathtaking in style and sound , are intended for those who are looking for an individual character . In 2023, Gretsch will celebrate 140 years of company history and has launched new Limited models to mark the occasion.

Electromatic®

The Gretsch Electromatic Collection is based on the solid foundation of the first electric guitar from Gretsch and does not forego modern equipment. Available in numerous designs and equipped with the best woods and parts, the instruments in the Electromatic Collection are perfect for taking you to the big stage. So let’s go and “Play Proud”.

Streamliner

The Streamliner Collection allows you to discover new sounds and tonal characteristics at an affordable price. Built for versatile sound and spectacular style, these instruments combine modern features with the looks of the 40s, 50s and 60s. The selection includes solid, semi-hollow and hollowbody models, which are equipped with pickups specially designed for the Streamliner Collection.

Roots

The Gretsch Roots Collection revives timeless designs that span nearly a century of sound. This series includes, among other things, parlor guitars and ukuleles that are inspired by the traditional bluegrass and folk instruments from Gretsch's early years. However, the individual instruments are far from being pure copies and of course have modern features.

Acoustics

Big, bold and bold – the Gretsch Acoustic Collection takes stage presence to a whole new level. Based on the 1950s “Rancher” model , these instruments are unmistakably “Gretsch” and give you big sound and uptempo style. The triangular sound hole reduces feedback, making the Acoustic Collection the perfect companion for your next performance.