Guitars are a worldwide musical instrument, but many of the top guitar manufacturing companies are headquartered in the United States. Brooklyn, New York is home to Gretsch guitars. Gretsch guitars are distributed by another popular guitar company, Fender. Gretsch guitars were first manufactured by Fred Gretsch, Jr. Fred Jr. took over the instrument manufacturing company in 1895 after his father died. Fred Gretsch, Sr. started the Gretsch company name in 1883 where he manufactured drums, tambourines and banjos. Gretsch still manufactures drums which are distributed by Kaman. Gretsch guitars became a force to be reckoned with in the 1950s when electric guitars hit the mainstream.
The deal sealer for Gretsch guitars was the creation of the Chet Atkins signature guitar line. The Chet Atkins version of Gretsch guitars had Atkins’ name on the pickguard. The popularity of Chet Atkins made the signature Gretsch guitars sales rival that of the Fender “Telecaster” and the Gibson Les Paul. The Country Gentleman and Tennessean are models in the Gretsch guitar Chet Atkins signature line. The Tennessean is the lower budget version of the Country Gentleman.
As more influential musicians gained interest in the Gretsch guitars, the company gained fame and popularity. Duane Eddy purchased one of the signature Chet Atkins Gretsch guitars in 1957. Duane Eddy is considered by some to be the most successful instrumental musician ever. Even the king of rock and roll, Elvis Presley, was the proud owner of a Gretsch guitar. He could be seen onstage and in the studio with a Country Gentleman.
The spotlight really narrowed in on Gretsch guitars when George Harrison, guitarist for the Beatles, played on the Ed Sullivan Show using a Gretsch Country Gentleman. Harrison could also be seen occasionally using a Gretsch Tennessean. Even John Lennon spent a short time playing a Gretsch guitar. All of the publicity for Gretsch guitars made the sales skyrocket into the thousands in a one year period. Gretsch was now a major competitor for Fender and Gibson guitars.
Weekly publicity came when Gretsch supplied guitars and drums for the television series The Monkees. The guitarist for The Monkees was the inspiration for the twelve string electric Gretsch guitar which he used for the television show, studio and in concert. Although, the twelve string electric guitar was inspired by Michael Nesmith, the guitar was known as the “George Harrison model” even though Harrison preferred to use a different brand of guitar.
In the decade of the 80s, the Gretsch family sold the company to Baldwin Pianos, and the company suffered greatly. The reputation of Gretsch guitars went downhill as the quality decreased. The Gretsch family regained ownership of the company in 1989 and slowly brought the reputation back up to be a mainstream competitor. Fender made a deal in 2003 to distribute Gretsch guitars, and that is where they currently stand. Fender sells the signature lines of Gretsch electric guitars, as well as, some acoustic models. Gretsch also still manufactures drums for Kaman Music Corporation.
