While the Historics were generally nicer than the Synchromatics or Electromatics of the time, nobody could make any sense of the flood of overlapping budget models.
Which was a shame, because the Historic line — which was made in large part by Peerless — was nipping at the heels of the pro-lines in terms of quality, and offered some interesting models and features you really couldn’t find anywhere else.
In 2003 a large rationalizing axe fell on the Korean imports, which left a much simplified Electromatic line only. With that, the short-lived Historic series was done.
The Gretsch-GEAR database includes 51 different models
and 172 examples
in the Historic series family, including
Dreadnought, Grand Concert, Hawaiian, Hawaiian Deluxe, Hawaiian Deluxe Limited Edition, Rancher Jr. Acoustic/Electric, Resonator, Sierra Deluxe, Sierra Jumbo, Sierra Jumbo Deluxe, Streamliner, Synchromatic Archtop, Synchromatic Dreadnought, Synchromatic Jr.
and
Synchromatic Thinline
models.
Sunburst-finished Historic series "Synchromatic" archtop with Cat's-eye soundholes, wooden Synchromatic stairstep bridge, DeArmond 2000 pickups, two volume controls and two tone controls.
The 3131 Historic Series Streamliner was Peerless made and essentially identical to some Carlos Robelli guitars of the time, aside from the name on the headstock and some details. The 25.5" scale, 17" 3131 came with an orange finish and F-holes rather than the cats-eye soundholes usually found on Historic ...
The Cherry Red version of the Historic series 31xx Streamliners. DeArmond 2000 pickups, Cats-eye soundholes and a G-cutout tailpiece round out the features.
The Black version of the Historic series 31xx Streamliners. DeArmond 2000 pickups, cats-eye soundholes and a G-cutout tailpiece round out the features.
The Cherry Red version of the Historic series 31xx Streamliners, with DeArmond 2000 pickups, cats-eye soundholes. Unlike the 3150, the 3155 was offered with a Bigsby tailpiece and gold hardware. Unlike the 314x models, the 315x models had no center block, and were instead largely hollow other than some light ...
The Antique White version of the Historic series 315x Streamliners, with DeArmond 2000 pickups, cats-eye soundholes. Came with a Bigsby tailpiece and gold hardware. Unlike the 314x models, the 315x models had no center block, and were instead largely hollow other than some light parallel bracing.
Left-handed version of the Antique White 3156 Historic series Streamliner, with DeArmond 2000 pickups, cats-eye soundholes. Came with a Bigsby tailpiece and gold hardware.
If there was anything the Historic series really needed, it was a National-style resonator model, right? The 3170 answered the question nobody was asking with a sunburst finish, maple top, and resonator body.
Based on the pro-line Rancher body style, the Rancher Jr. had a smaller 15-inch wide body. It featured a solid Sitka spruce top with the distinctive Rancher triangular French sound hole, mahogany sides and back, and a Fishman Prefix pickup and preamp system. Orange finish, Spruce top, Triangular soundhole, Fishman ...
The acoustic-electric 3601 Historic Series Dreadnought is notable for its black finish. Like other Historic series 360X dreadnoughts, it has a triangular soundhole, spruce top, and a Fishman preamp.
The acoustic-electric 3603 Historic Series Dreadnought is notable for its natural finish. Like other Historic series 360X dreadnoughts, it has a triangular soundhole, spruce top, and a Fishman preamp.
12-string version of the 3700 Historic series Sierra Jumbo, with a sunburst finish, triangular soundhole, spruce top, Fishman preamp and single cutaway.
