For more than 100 years Gretsch has developed what came to be known as “That Great Gretsch Sound,” but it all began with a young German immigrant in Brooklyn.

Fred knew listening to what the public wanted was the key to growth, and the public wanted guitars. So, Gretsch began making guitars.

Initially, Gretsch offered acoustic archtops aimed at jazz musicians, and a handful of flat-tops for country-western performers.

In the late ’60s, Fred Gretsch retired and sold the company to Baldwin Manufacturing. Baldwin had difficulty understanding Gretsch’s position in the market and failed to make a transition through the psychedelic ’60s and hard-rock ’70s. Kids inspired by Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton turned to Fender. To make matters worse, Baldwin moved production to Arkansas, and Gretsch suffered through two disastrous fires

Nine Pound Hammer-Merle Travis by Pascal on his Gretsch

Brian Setzer Stray Cats Rockabilly Gretsch Guitar

Buy a piece of history and pick up your own Gretsch guitar.

Vintage 1961 Gretsch 6117 Double Anniversary Sunburst US $2,199.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 10:44:30 PST Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

1968 Gretsch George Van Eps 6-String Guitar Nice!! 1510 US $4,119.95 End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 12:14:51 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list

VINTAGE 1955 GRETSCH 6128 DUO JET ELECTRIC GUITAR US $10,800.00 End Date: Saturday Nov-22-2008 7:51:49 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list

1980 Gretsch White Falcon Double Cutaway US $3,950.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Nov-22-2008 11:53:54 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Vintage Peavey T-60 Electric Guitar, with fitted case US $225.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Nov-22-2008 12:05:13 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

VINTAGE 1965 GRETSCH CORVETTE SOLIDBODY ELECTRIC GUITAR US $1,350.00 End Date: Saturday Nov-22-2008 13:46:37 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list

1956 Silver Jet Gretsch US $6,500.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Nov-23-2008 11:34:10 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Vintage 1963 Gretsch Corvette with Case FREE US SHIP US $799.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Nov-23-2008 15:00:00 PST Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

VINTAGE 1956 LES PAUL CUSTOM BLACK BEAUTY BEAUTIFUL US $32,000.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Nov-23-2008 16:00:00 PST Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Vintage Norma Hollow Hollowbody Electric Guitar Rare US $298.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Nov-23-2008 16:16:31 PST Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

vintage gretsch guitar for restorarion US $73.00 (9 Bids) End Date: Sunday Nov-23-2008 17:00:00 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

50's Electromuse Hawaian lap steel guitar with tube amp US $202.50 (4 Bids) End Date: Sunday Nov-23-2008 17:12:22 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

1952 Gretsch Streamliner 6190 w Org Case 1 Owner US $2,995.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Nov-23-2008 17:17:56 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

1964 - early 1965 Gretsch Country Gentleman 6122 US $1,726.35 (1 Bid) End Date: Sunday Nov-23-2008 17:47:55 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Vintage 1961 Harmony H-75 Hollowbody guitar US $900.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Nov-23-2008 17:51:16 PST Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

1955 Gretsch Catalog Reprint Gruhn Guitars Mint US $9.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Sunday Nov-23-2008 19:27:41 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Vintage Gretsch Guitar Catalog and 1977 Price List US $4.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Nov-23-2008 20:16:07 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

VINTAGE GIBSON FENDER VOX BURNS GRETSCH BINSON FRAMUS US $170,000.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Nov-24-2008 15:14:54 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Vintage 1962 Gretsch Corvette w/OSSC US $570.00 (3 Bids) End Date: Monday Nov-24-2008 19:15:00 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

1956 GRETSCH DUO JET 6128 Vintage Electric Guitar US $3,900.00 End Date: Tuesday Nov-25-2008 8:45:03 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list

1956 VINTAGE GIBSON LES PAUL JR JUNIOR ELECTRIC GUITAR US $1,259.88 (9 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Nov-25-2008 16:49:29 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

1955 GRETSCH SEMI HOLLOW 6198 COUNTRY CLUB GUITAR NR US $1,125.00 (13 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Nov-25-2008 17:31:33 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

vintage 60s Kingston (Teisco/Kawai) Electric Mod Guitar US $119.16 (8 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Nov-25-2008 18:00:00 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Vintage 60s Gretsch Country Club fingerboard luthier NR US $75.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Nov-25-2008 18:00:00 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

50s original Gretsch Electromatic Pickguard Luthier NR! US $25.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Nov-25-2008 18:00:00 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

1966 Gretsch Monkees Guitar; Autographed by Davie Jones US $242.50 (8 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Nov-25-2008 18:32:24 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

VINTAGE 1955 GRETSCH 6193 COUNTRY CLUB ELECTRIC GUITAR US $5,400.00 End Date: Wednesday Nov-26-2008 8:57:23 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list

VINTAGE 1962 GRETSCH CHET ATKINS TENNESSEAN GUITAR US $5,400.00 End Date: Wednesday Nov-26-2008 9:01:00 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list

VINTAGE 1961 GRETSCH CHET ATKINS 6119 ELECTRIC GUITAR US $5,500.00 End Date: Wednesday Nov-26-2008 9:02:33 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list

1977 Gretsch Chet Atkins Country Gentleman US $4,295.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Nov-26-2008 10:58:11 PST Bid now | Add to watch list