Where are new Gretsch guitars made?

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 14 May 2006 3:49 am

I've heard Japan, and I've heard Korea. Anybody know where the new Gretsches are built?

Larry Robbins · Post by **Larry Robbins** » 14 May 2006 5:18 am

Saw a couple in a local music store a week or so ago. Salesman said they were made in Korea. Nothing like the older models, IMHO

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[This message was edited by Larry Robbins on 14 May 2006 at 06:24 AM.]

Gere Mullican · Post by **Gere Mullican** » 14 May 2006 5:29 am

I bought a new Gretsch short scale bass at Guitar Center and it is made in China.

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 14 May 2006 6:30 am

They have been made a number of different places. I believe the original reissues were made in Japan, with the "Historic Series" made in Korea. I have owned some of each. But there have been some US-made models - I believe the original Duane Eddy model (and possibly the original Brian Setzer model) was US-made. I would not be surprised to hear that some of the very low-line models are made in China at this point. The higher-end versions are more authentic reissues of the old guitars, but even some of the lower-end guitars are pretty good. I had a Korean-made Historic Series Synchromatic with DeArmonds and gold Bigsby that was really excellent, and made a good gigging rockabilly axe for about $700 street price.

As far as the quality goes, I think the high quality Japanese reissues are excellent guitars. Quite a few 50s and 60s Gretsches passed through my store, and I think the quality of those new ones is comparable, if not better, especially in the neck joint area. It is hard to find an old Gretsch that either doesn't need or hasn't had a neck reset, and the binding frequently crumbles. My main playing Gretsch these days is a Japan-made reissue 6120W, and it's a much more suitable stage instrument than the old ones I have owned. It plays great, sounds like an old Gretsch, and the build quality is more solid, IMO. This is not to take anything away from the old ones - properly set up and serviced, they are great - but the good new ones are also fine guitars. As always, IMO.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 14 May 2006 6:39 am

I had a PX6120 Chet Atkins model that I bought new in 61 from Wray's Music in Lemoyne, Pa. I sold it in 85 and after traveling all over the world with it, the guitar was still in excellent condition and no neck problems. The white case with the leather binding was in bad shape = but the case did it's job.

I've played a couple of the reissues at Sam Ash and Guitar Center and they look like the originals but didn't feel or sound like my old 61. However, I always used the Gretsch Chet Atkins strings (in the round plastic container) that were a heavier string and had a wound 3rd. They are using lighter gauge strings on the reissues.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 14 May 2006 6:55 am

I bought a new Tennessean from Manny's (48th street) in the mid 60's..

it had a neck issue and had to be sent to Brooklyn for a FIX it....I believe they re-seated it..

t

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 14 May 2006 7:04 am

Yes, the strings do make a huge difference. Practically any guitar sold to a rock market these days is set up with .010-0.046 or lighter strings. IMO, this is not the way to get the classic Gretsch tone. I also use heavier strings, with a wound 3rd, often flatwound.

Certainly, some of the old necks didn't move, but I'd estimate that 60-70% of the old ones I came across either needed or had a neck set at some point. It's hard to know whether that was player abuse or something systematic in the construction, but this issue comes up frequently in discussions of old Gretsches.

Larry Clark · Post by **Larry Clark** » 14 May 2006 8:04 am

At least some of the Gretch guitars are made by Peerless.
http://www.peerlessguitar.com/html/english/company.htm [This message was edited by Larry Clark on 14 May 2006 at 09:05 AM.]

Joe Alterio · Post by **Joe Alterio** » 14 May 2006 8:55 am

Almost all new Gretsch electric guitars are made at the Terada factory in Japan.

The Electromatic (budget) Gretsch guitars are made in Korea.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 14 May 2006 10:37 am

Almost all new Gretsch electric guitars are made at the Terada factory in Japan.

Is that where the "Country Gentlemens" and "White Falcons" are made? No wonder I'm seeing them now for $199 dollars at the local pawn shop!

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 14 May 2006 6:13 pm

I own a Japanese 6118 Cadillac Green Double Anniversary reissue. My friend owns a 58 original. I looked at a few originals and then looked at the reissues. Both my friend and I agree that the reissues are a FAR superior guitar in construction than the originals. The Filtertron pickups are original specs and the guitar sounds typicaly Gretsch. Donny, if you ever see a reissue White Falcon in a pawn shop for $199.00 please tell me immediately and I will pay you $100.00 finder fee no questions asked.[This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 14 May 2006 at 07:15 PM.]

Jerry Erickson · Post by **Jerry Erickson** » 14 May 2006 8:50 pm

There are custom shop guitars that are made in the US. The Electromatics are made in Korea and the pricey models are made in Japan by Ibanez. A friend of mine used to work at Ax-In-Hand in DeKalb,IL. He's seen plenty of old Gretsch's and he thought that the new ones wrer built better.[This message was edited by Jerry Erickson on 14 May 2006 at 09:53 PM.]

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 14 May 2006 9:07 pm

This is a little off topic, but I currently own a Baldwin era Country Gent, the one with the real F holes. In the past I've owned "real' older Gretsches made at the Brooklyn factory. Without a doubt, the Baldwin guitar is better than the older ones. For a while I had both the Baldwin, and a '67 and could compare them. I kept the Baldwin and sold the older one.

Now that Fender owns Gretsch, I assume that the quality of the newer guitars is at least as good as the originals, if not better.

What's important is not WHERE the guitar is made, but HOW WELL.

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My web site

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 15 May 2006 2:50 am

There's little question that the old Gretsches had some 'quality issues'. The trouble was that they were such 'eye candy', some of us younger rock'n'roll enthusiasts couldn't resist them.

I desperately wanted an orange 6120 - just like Duane Eddy's, Eddie Cochran's, or Chet's - but all I could stretch my budget to was a 'Jet Firebird'. The experiejnced guitar salesman urged me to spend whatever money I had on a Gibson (back then 165 Pounds Sterling would have bought me an ES-175) but I wouldn't listen. He pointed out the Gretsch's poor finish, unseasoned timber, and more, but it was in vain. Odd as it may seem, I knew he was right, but I took that Firebird home anyway.

I bought a new 6120DSW recently - I could never get that unattained orange arch-top out of my head - and I can confirm that there's a major improvement in these current guitars over the 'originals'.

I still feel like an idiot for spending all that money just for something I can stand in front of the mirror with, but at least I've crossed one item off my 'lifetime want list'!

Now - about that Gibson L-5.....

RR [This message was edited by Roger Rettig on 15 May 2006 at 03:54 AM.]

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 15 May 2006 12:33 pm

I remember a friend had this beautiful 3/4 size deep orange Gretsch. It looked every bit like the classic Chet Atkins-style Gretsches [sp].

The weight and smaller size sure made it a gas to play. Sounded just as sweet as its bigger brothers, too.

Does anyone know or seen or owned or heard of this 3/4 Getsch? Do they still make it?

Gavin Dunn · Post by **Gavin Dunn** » 15 May 2006 2:33 pm

A guy from around here just picked up half a dozen of the new Gretches.....I've worked on alot of the older ones, and I agree with all who claim the superiority of the new.

And I mean by far.

Really I haven't had many guitars cooperate the way those Japanese Gretches did.

Well worth it at any price.

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 15 May 2006 3:48 pm

"I still feel like an idiot for spending all that money just for something I can stand in front of the mirror with, but at least I've crossed one item off my 'lifetime want list'!"

My thoughts EXACTLY, Roger! I need another guitar like a hole in the head, but Gretsches just got that LOOK! When I got a drop-dead price on the 6122, I decided to let the new roof go for a year. Hey, the old one only leaks when it rains

!

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 15 May 2006 5:00 pm

Here I am, getting ready to play a 15-week gig 2,500 miles across the country, away from my wife, and away from my golf-course - in other words, needs must, as they say. The mortgage must be paid. It'll be fun when I get there but, right now, I don't want to leave on Thursday.

And yet, and yet..... Do you know what I did today? I went to an exclusive Martin-only dealer right here in Naples and salivated over a brand new Martin 000-42 at $3400. I was really considering it for a while, then I left the store and the guitar's spell gradually evaporated.

I will NEVER LEARN!!!!!

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 15 May 2006 5:03 pm

...and Stephen - you can't play a roof! Just know that you made the right choice.

'Deranged in Naples'.....

[This message was edited by Roger Rettig on 15 May 2006 at 06:04 PM.]

Rick McDuffie · Post by **Rick McDuffie** » 15 May 2006 6:57 pm

The new japan-made Gretsches really are superb, and worlds better than the USA 60's guitars. If anyone knows where there is one for $199 in a pawn shop, please send the phone number of said pawn shop- I'll drive there tomorrow.

Rick

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 15 May 2006 9:00 pm

Yeah, Gretsches have the LOOK, but they also have that "GREAT GRETSCH SOUND", IMO. That's not all hype - it's different than anything else. Sorta' like a bright red '57 ragtop Eldorado - it'll get you there, and in style.

Ahh, what's a roof? A little tarpaper should get you through to next spring. I've done it.

A buddy of mine is a Gretsch dealer - they just had a special deal, and it's good time to be looking. I've had to slap myself a couple of times. I have two great ones, one new, one old.

Hey, Donny - I'll double your money on any $200 Gents and Falcons you find in decent shape.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 16 May 2006 2:20 am

Since the new (reissue) models are setup for the lighter gauge strings, I wonder what heavy gauge strings will do the neck and top over time?

I must have had a "good one", judging from the comments about the old ones. I left it sit, one time, for two years (working overseas) and didn't release the tension on the strings and it didn't do a thing to the neck - and that was with the heavy gauge Gretsch Chet Atkins strings.

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 16 May 2006 4:57 am

Jack, from what I've seen, I think the new ones are much better equipped to handle the heavier strings. I have handled a bunch of each over the years, and for most of the ones I've seen, the tops on the new ones are just a hair thicker and the construction more solid. I believe the old guitars used hide glue. On the new ones, I believe stronger, more modern glues are used. Don't get me wrong - I like hide glue, and it has a number of advantages, like being able to easily break the joint to reset the neck, and so on. But I don't think it's as durable.

Of course, we're not going to know precisely how the new guitars will fare in the same time frame as the old ones for some time. Still, I used to trepidatiously string up .012-.052 flatwounds on my '56 6120 or 59 6119 and hope that the neck joint didn't give - they literally creaked every time I restrung. The 6119 just flat out came loose, and I had to get it reset. With my new one, it's no issue at all - .013-.056? No problem, it barely even notices. The slightly thicker top also means less feedback issues at gig volumes. The top on my '56 was so thin that it was only useful for extremely low-volume gigs. Don't get me wrong, it sounded amazing at low volume, but the top vibrated like crazy on a rockabilly gig, and the DeArmonds squealed at a very annoying high pitch. That's why I consider the modern ones better practical stage guitars.

I believe that the reason they're sold with smaller gauge strings is that most rock-oriented players don't like heavier strings, and that seems to be the primary market for these guitars. Same with Teles, Strats, and Les Pauls, but there's no problem putting heavier strings on those either. That 6120W of mine sounds fine with .010-.046, but it really starts to sound right with the heavier strings, to my tastes.

Rick McDuffie · Post by **Rick McDuffie** » 17 May 2006 6:30 am

If you don't have Gretsch fever, watch the Brian Setzer Orchestra live DVD, from Japan.

Joseph Carlson · Post by **Joseph Carlson** » 17 May 2006 10:19 am

I love mine. It's just too nice to take out to the bars I play at. Between the steel and the Gretsch, it's just too much $$$ to have sitting on the stage!

On a side note, check this out from the Gretsch site: