Gretsch guitars: 6185 Electromatic Spanish

The "Electromatic Spanish" was one of Gretsch's first widely sold electric guitars. It debuted in 1940, well before the later (and better known) Electromatic and Electro II.

By the end of 1955, the Electromatic Spanish name had disappeared, although the basic guitar would live on in the 6187 Corvette. Just a year or two later it got a fancy new Lotus Ivory/Gray paint job.

Like the other Electromatic-era guitars, the ES has clear plastic knobs common to early-'50s Gretsch guitars. As you would expect, there is no cutaway.

See Also:

Comments

  1. BuddyMercury wrote:
    I played a 1954 6185 at a guitar shop in libertyville IL it had a fantastic neck and a booming rich sound accompanied by smooth playability and warm rich tones. it was completely original, save a new adjustable bridge.

    — Dec 18, 2006 4:55 p.m.

  2. badams wrote:
    I have no idea how they sound or play but they surely are a good looking guitar

    — Oct 25, 2007 3:58 p.m.

  3. harrydavidson wrote:
    I own a Corvette 6183 (natural) from 1956. It features maple top and sides and has a DeArmond neck pickup. The sound is very acoustic and pretty bright. Maybe this is not the standard, because my guitar was obviously fractured at some point in it's life. The top was cracked and the neck separated, but all properly repaired and reset. So maybe some bass and sustain might have gone lost. Nevertheless the guitar has a great vintage tone with trebel galore, although it has only a neck positioned pickup! On recordings it outdoes all my (very good sounding) reissue Gretsches with it's bright, vibrant tone - it delivers exactly what you're used to hear on old rhythm & blues/rock'n'roll recordings. It is very lightweight and easy to play(nicely halfround shaped neck profile). I have not used it on stage yet - but will try in the future.

    — Feb 15, 2010 1:45 p.m.

User Ratings:

Overall rating:
3 (out of 5), 2 ratings
Playability rating:
3 (out of 5), 2 ratings
Collectibility rating:
4 (out of 5), 2 ratings

Basic Electromatic Spanish specs:

Top Material
Spruce
Side and Back Material
Maple
Scale
24½"

1939:

The Electromatic Spanish was one of Gretsch's first attempts at an Electric Guitar. With general guitar production being low and America headed to war, few were made.

Body Width
15½"
Body Depth
3½"
Body Style
Hollowbody (no cutaway)
Colors
  • Sunburst
Fretboard Wood
Rosewood
Fretboard Markers
Block
Nut
Bone
Tuners
Grover StaTite
Neck Pickup
DeArmond Dynasonic
Controls
  • Neck pickup volume
  • Master Tone (knob)
Bridge
Melita
Tailpiece
G-Cutout

1948:

Electromatic Spanish is revived after the war.

Body Width
15½"
Body Depth
3½"
Body Style
Hollowbody (no cutaway)
Colors
  • Sunburst
Fretboard Wood
Rosewood
Fretboard Markers
Block
Nut
Bone
Tuners
Waverly
Neck Pickup
DeArmond Dynasonic
Controls
  • Master Volume
  • Master Tone (knob)
Bridge
Melita
Tailpiece
G-Cutout

1951:

A natural-finish 6185N was also offered.

Body Width
15½"
Body Depth
3½"
Body Style
Hollowbody (no cutaway)
Colors
  • Sunburst
Optional Colors
  • Natural
Fretboard Wood
Rosewood
Fretboard Markers
Block
Nut
Bone
Tuners
Waverly
Neck Pickup
DeArmond Dynasonic
Controls
  • Master Volume
  • Master Tone (knob)
Bridge
Melita
Tailpiece
G-Cutout

1954:

After 1954 the 6185 Electromatic Spanish would become the 6182 Corvette, while the 6185N would become the 6183 Corvette.

Body Width
15½"
Body Depth
3½"
Body Style
Hollowbody (no cutaway)
Colors
  • Sunburst
Optional Colors
  • Natural
Fretboard Wood
Rosewood
Fretboard Markers
Block
Nut
Bone
Tuners
Waverly
Neck Pickup
DeArmond Dynasonic
Controls
  • Master Volume
  • Master Tone (knob)
Bridge
Melita
Tailpiece
G-Cutout