From its beginnings as a maker of drums in 1883, the Gretsch company has developed and expanded into one of the best recognized makers of drums and guitars in the world. This selection of highlights showcases the company's legacy, featuring a diverse array of electric and acoustic guitars made by the company over the last 100 years.
Please enjoy exploring this carefully curated collection of instruments that have shaped the sound of popular music for generations. Every instrument you will see here tells a story of craftsmanship, innovation, and the enduring appeal of "that great Gretsch sound!"
For more information about the artifacts in the Gretsch Collection, please contact Dr. Matthew Hill, Curator at mhill@georgiasouthern.edu.
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Chet Atkins Country Gentlemen guitar, model PX6122
Gretsch Company
"Lefty 17" wide thin single-cutaway bound body, simulated f-holes, ebony fingerboard with Neo Classic inlays, Gretsch T roof logo with 'The Chet Atkins Country Gentleman' and SN# plate on the headstock, gold Grover stairstep tuners, 2 Filter'Tron pickups, bar bridge, Gretsch Bigsby vibrato, plain gold pickguard. Original Gretsch case."
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Chet Atkins guitar, model PX6120
Gretsch Company
"16" wide cutaway body with 2 gold Filter'Tron pickups, 2 'G/arrow' knobs and 1 switch on lower treble bout, , one knob on upper treble bout, 1 switch on top bass bout, compensating metal bridge, Bigsby Vibrato, bound ebony fingerboard with NeoClassic inlayed, Gretsch 'T' roof logo and horseshoe headstock, gold Gretsch and signature pickguard. With white 6120 case."
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Chet Atkins guitar, model PX6120
Gretsch Company
"16" wide cutaway body G brand with 2 gold DeArmond pickups, 3 'Arrow' knobs on the lower treble bout, one on the upper treble bout, 1 switch on top bass bout, compensating gold painted metal bridge, fixed bar gold painted Bigsby Vibrato, bound rosewood fingerboard with block cowboy inlayed (starts at first fret), Gretsch 'T' roof logo and longhorn headstock, gold signpost and signature pickguard. With western white 6120 Gretsch case."
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Chet Atkins guitar, model PX6120
Gretsch Company
"16" wide cutaway body G brand with 3 chrome DeArmond pickups, 3 'G/arrow' knobs on lower treble bout, one on upper bout, chrome Melita bridge, Bigsby converted Vibrato, bound rosewood fingerboard with block etched cows & cactus inlays, headstock with Gretsch 'T' roof logo and longhorn, replaced gold tuners. with original white Gretsch case. This guitar has a hole in the back for electronics access. An extra DeArmond pickup was added to the guitar. Schaller were added. Good player guitar."
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Chet Atkins guitar, model PX6120
Gretsch Company
"16" wide cutaway body with 2 gold DeArmond pickups, 3 'G/arrow' knobs on lower treble bout, one on upper treble bout, 1 switch on top bass bout, compensating metal bridge, Bigsby Vibrato, bound ebony fingerboard with NeoClassic inlayed, Gretsch 'T' roof logo and horseshoe headstock, gold signpost and signature pickguard. With case. Some neck work was done on this guitar. Very nice guitar!"
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Chet Atkins guitar, model PX6121
Gretsch Company
Solid Body
"13 1/4" wide, 2" deep, single cutaway, mahogany body with maple top and G brand, sides covered with Western-motif tooled leather, two gold DeArmond pickups, three knobs (G/Arrow) on the lower treble bout, one knob on cutaway, one switch on the upper bass bout, single-bound fingerboard and headstock, ebony fingerboard with Neo-Classic inlay, Gretsch 'T' roof logo and horseshoe on headstock, zero fret, 24 1/2" scale, gold hardware, Roller bridge, gold pained Bigsby vibrato, Grover stairstep tuners. Tweed Gretsch case. This is a very rare traditional 6121. Made with a 1955 maple top G brand/ leather side body and put together with a late 50's 6120 neck and factory Grover stairstep tuners. A one of a kind factory guitar. VERY COOL!!!! "
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Chet Atkins guitar, model PX6130
Gretsch Company
"Lefty - 13 1/4" wide, 2" deep, single cutaway, mahogany body Maple top and G brand, sides covered with Western-motif tooled leather, 2 gold DeArmond pickups, 3 knobs (non G/Arrow) on the lower treble bout, 1 switch on cutaway, 1 knob on the upper bass bout, bound top, single-bound fingerboard, and headstock, rosewood fingerboard with block inlayed (no cowboy etching), Gretsch 'T' roof logo and longhorn headstock, Gold pickguard, metal nut, 24 1/2" scale, gold hardware, Melita bridge, Gretsch G cut tailpiece with western belt buckle string anchor, original open back tuners. Tweed Gretsch case."
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Chet Atkins Junior guitar
Gretsch Company
"12 3/4" wide single cutaway, 1 Super'Tron chrome pickup, mounted near the bridge, 2 knobs and 1 switch on the lower treble bout, metal bar bridge, chrome Gretsch/ Burns vibrato, Gretsch T-roof logo, on the headstock, silver/gray pickguard. This is an all-stock guitar that was only available in 1970."
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Constellation guitar, PX6031
Gretsch Company
"17" wide cutaway body with bound large 'F' holes, hump shield 3-ply bound headstock with 'Gretsch T roof logo, rosewood fingerboard with large hump block inlays. Rosewood bridge. Original gold hardware with G tailpiece and Grover stairstep tuners and gold pickguard. Non-original case."
