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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Hollow Body Electric Bass guitar, model PX6070
Gretsch Company
"Long scale 17" wide double cutaway body with painted-on f-holes, 1 gold Super'Tron style bass pickup, 1 knob on the top treble bout, 1 switch on the top bass bout, 1 switch on the lower treble bout with flip-up mute, gold G tailpiece, white thumb/finger rests on both sides, bass roller bridge, two on a side large tuners, pad on the back. With original extension endpin."
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Jet 21 model
Gretsch Company
Acoustic
"16" wide non-cutaway body with binding, with unbound f-holes, unbound rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, round top headstock with ebonoid peghead veneer Gretsch T roof logo engraved with 'Jet 21' engraved at an angle on the headstock, strip tuners, trapeze slanted tailpiece, white pickguard."
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New York Orchestra Model guitar, model PX6050
Gretsch Company
Arch Top Acoustic
"16" wide noncutaway body with binding, with unbound f-holes, unbound fingerboard with dot inlays, Gretsch 'T' roof logo with 'New Yorker' and lightning bolt vertical on round top plastic covered peghead, original tuners, trapeze Gretsch tailpiece, tortoiseshell celluloid pickguard."
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Orchestra guitar, model No. 100F
Gretsch Company
"Orchestra Model 16" body with small 'f' holes, carved spruce top, maple back and sides with 4-ply top and back binding, bound tortoise pickguard, adjustable rosewood bridge, single bound fingerboard with notched-diamond inlays, rosewood peghead veneer with pearl vertical floral peghead inlay and pearl Gretsch scroll inlay, center dip peghead. Non-original case."
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Orchestra guitar, model No. 150
Gretsch Company
"Spruce top, maple back and sides, Pearl-inlaid headstock, hand engraved bakelite ivory celluloid bound pickguard. Small f holes, block inlays. All original gold tail pieces and tuners. With original case."
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Rambler guitar, model PX6115
Gretsch Company
"13" wide pointed cutaway archtop, single bound top, 1 DeArmond pickup, 2 knobs on lower treble bout, adjustable rosewood bridge, G tailpiece, 23" scale, rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, plastic veneer headstock with Gretsch t-roof logo. Black pickguard with Gretsch logo in white. Original case. This is an all stock Rambler in great condition. First year the model was available."
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Rambler guitar, model PX 6115
Gretsch Company
"13" wide pointed cutaway archtop, single bound top, 1 DeArmond pickup, 2 knobs on lower treble bout, adjustable rosewood bridge, G tailpiece, 23" scale, rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, plastic veneer headstock with Gretsch t-roof logo. Black pickguard with Gretsch logo in white. Original case."
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Rambler Tenor guitar, model PX6115
Gretsch Company
"Tenor 13" wide pointed cutaway archtop, single bound top, 1 tenor HiLo'Tron pickup, 2 knobs on the lower treble bout, adjustable rosewood bridge, G tailpiece, 23" scale, rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, plastic veneer headstock with Gretsch t-roof logo. Black pickguard with Gretsch logo in white. Original case. This is a very rare tenor guitar with a tenor 4-screw HiLo'Tron pickup. All stock and clean!"
