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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Rancher guitar, model X6022
Gretsch Company
Flat Top Acoustic
"17" wide flat top, triangular soundhole, 'G' brand laminated spruce top, arched back with maple back and sides, multi-bound top and back, bound hump headstock with Gretsch 'T' roof logo and inlay of engraved longhorn head, bound rosewood fingerboard with hump block inlays with cows and cactus, original tuners. Triangular rosewood bridge base with metal string-anchor plate mounted at a slant, 25 1/2 scale. All stock. Original tweed Gretsch case."
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Roc Jet guitar, model 7612
Gretsch Company
"Single cutaway solid body with chrome 2 Super'Tron pickups, 4 knobs on the lower treble bout, 1 knob on the cutaway ebony fingerboard with Neo-Classic inlays, Gretsch t-roof logo on the headstock with chrome tuners, Tune-o-matic style bridge and chrome G cut tailpiece."
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Round-Up, model PX6130
Gretsch Company
"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 lower treble bout, 1 knob on cutaway, 1 switch on upper bass bout, bound top, single-bound fingerboard and headstock, rosewood fingerboard with block cowboy inlayed (not on the first fret), Gretsch 'T' roof logo and longhorn headstock, Longhorn 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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Silver Duke Corvette guitar, model PX6133
Gretsch Company
"Solid body 13 1/2" wide, asymmetrical double cutaway, 2 HiLo'Tron pickups, 2 tuners on the bass side, 4 tuners on the treble side, black pickguard, 3 knobs, 1 switch, Bigsby / Gretsch B5 vibrato. This is a very rare all-stock Silver Duke."
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Silver Jet guitar, model PX6129
Gretsch Company
"13 1/4" wide, 2" deep, single cutaway, mahogany body, 2 chrome DeArmond pickups, 3 (Arrow only) knobs on lower treble bout, 1 knob on cutaway, 1 switch on upper bass bout, Gretsch G-cut tailpiece, silver/gray pickguard with Gretsch logo in black, triple-bound top, single-bound fingerboard and headstock, 'Gretsch t-roof' logo on headstock, 24 1/2" scale, chrome hardware, ebony fingerboard with block, Melita bridge, original open back tuners. Original case."
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Synchromatic 100 guitar
Gretsch Company
"Synchromatic 16" wide non-cutaway body with bound large Catseye holes, unbound oar headstock with 'Gretsch - Synchromatic' script logo, rosewood fingerboard with large block inlays. No pickguard. Original gold harp tailpiece. Non-original bridge and replaced Grover tuners."
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Synchromatic 400 guitar
Gretsch Company
Archtop
"Synchromatic 18" wide noncutaway body with white/gold-sparkle binding. Flame back and sides, spruce top, bound light bulb headstock with 'Gretsch - Synchromatic' script logo, gold Grover enclosed gear machine tuners and gold harp tailpiece, double-bound cat's eye soundholes, rosewood stairstep bridge, non-original pickguard, asymmetrical neck, ebony fingerboard with slashed humptop inlays. Original case."
