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.

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