I'm not sure if this has been discussed here already. But there is a theory that Hank Marvin actually used Country Gentleman on the early Shadows recordings (like Apache). The Gretschest Story Ever Told
There is also interesting video showing Shadows tunes played with Gretsch on Italian Shadows Community website. The video file is quite big 30MB direct link here Video
That was cool thanks Jukka!It's amazeing what each guitar can be made to sound like.
Jukka,
Yes this has been mentioned before on the pages.
When you play Apache with a Country Gent there is no mistaking the Gretsch 'fractured' sound in comparison with the later Fender Stratocaster colouring.
Yours
Drew
Yes I put the story here few months ago. Pretty cool story huh.
the vid is pretty convincing imo
What kind of Gretsch is it?
Rocketman,
1960-1961 single cut Country Gentleman guitar.
Yours
Drew
I've tried it with my 57 Gent, but Bruce has said it was a Strat ,he was there and why would he lie!
That's a lovely looking Gretsch he's got there,its nearly as nice as mine 
I'd love the shadows on gretsches....... Hope we will get some real evidence.
Maybe they had some sponsorship deal with Fender or imago issue. Or maybe Hank really played stratocaster, but to my ears the Gretsch sounds more authentic, I never heard stratocaster to sound like that.
Rocketman, I tried to find your thread on this, but the search function of this forum does not want work with me ;)
I'll find it.
Ok, thanks!
JC said: I've tried it with my 57 Gent
JC,
How did it sound?
Yours
Drew
I disagree completely with the list the guy puts forward as being played on a Gretsch. I know Nivram was on a Gretsch Gent or 6120 but everything else from that period, tonally, is out and out Stratocaster. ('Wonderful Land' a Gretsch???! Nah!) Hank had 2 different Stratocasters in a relatively short period - '59 - '61 was the famous Salmon Pink/Red gold hardware model that actually belonged to Cliff Richard. The second one appears in '61 and was a fiesta red rosewood board model that belonged to Hank. There is a tonal difference between the punchier '50s Stratocasters and the slightly mellower '60s ones; the pickups weren't wound as hot - That's more likely that difference in tone which is being heard (check out 'Peace Pipe' - it has that classic springy rosewood board Stratocaster tone). I think Bruce Welch got one around the same time too.....
Did you watch the video?
That's great. And equally as interesting: There's an Italian Shadows Community???
I recently recorded "Apache" using my 6120 DE. My wife played DJembe drum on it. I think it sounds great on the Gretsch. If anyone would like to hear it email me and I will send it to you. Burlinray@charter.net
nielDa, I was little bit surprised about the Italian Shadows community as well. But why not, the Meazzi echo units, used by the Shadows were made in Italy. It seems that in many countries there are number of people playing those guitar instrumentals (secretly in their bedrooms ) and internet is bringing them together (like Gretsch players).
Dawg said: I disagree completely with the list the guy puts forward as being played on a Gretsch. I know Nivram was on a Gretsch Gent or 6120 but everything else from that period,
Dawg,
Yes I agree about 'Wonderful Land' and the later stuff, it all has that clear Stratocaster tone, but I don't agree about the early stuff in particular 'Apache'. It sounds like a Country Gent to me.
Yours
Drew
I've always felt that 'FBI' had rather a lot of twang for a Strat.
JC - Why would Bruce lie? For any number of reasons - not wanting to spoil the legend or image amongst them. Maybe he just forgot the details of the sessions. Paul Burlison forgot that he didn't play on the best of the Rock'n'Roll Trio recordings but he spent a lifetime telling the story of how he got the sound he used on them.
Don't forget that Hank had flatwound strings for the early recordings making the sound a deal more clonky. Also, those early Vox amps were minus the top boost and had a really nasal tone.
Hank didn't have a deal with Fender then, he sent Cliff on a mission when he went stateside to get him a Fender like James Burton used. They knew he used a Fender guitar but didn't know the model, and it couldn't be the plain slabby one when there was a funky spaceship in the catalogue. That MUST be the one Burton played, right?
This version of events completely dismisses fellow spectacle wearer, Buddy Holly, who toured Britain in '58 and has to be a candidate for the draw of the Strat for Hank. They couldn't have missed him, if not in person then at least his appearance on the London Palladium TV show.
Bruce Welch can be seen in 'Summer Holiday' wearing full Eddie Cochran '60 apparel and playing a '59ish 6120. The Shadows certainly liked having some Gretsches hanging around. The high D (22nd fret) is the giveaway when the Country Gent is being used. Strat's only have 21...
The Burns Marvin can't be dismissed, either. His first proper endorsement. Hank testifies he recorded the 'The Rise and Fall of Flingel Bunt' with this guitar. Who know how many others it's on?
The water's getting muddier, boys!
When i tried it with my Gent,it was close to the sound, but to my ears it still doesn't sound like the record.
That could just be my touch ,as i'm not as light fingered as Hank is.
But i guess we all hear it differently eh!
Roberto Pistolesi wrote also about the amps used on the early recordings. He thought that maybe Fender Tremolux was used instead of Vox, whether it is true or not I find it quite interesting to read That Sound
Bruce Welch playing 6120 Gretsch, Shadows together with Cliff Richard
Thanks for posting that clip Jukka,i hadn't seen that one before.
