1951 (circa) Gretsch Guitar Guide
This guide, given out with new guitar purchases in the early '50s, contained "Information essential to every guitarist..." and featured info on the Jimmie Webster "Touch System", the Gretsch "Miracle Neck", the Synchromatic "Seven Points of Supremacy" and more.
1951 Gretsch Catalog
This early Gretsch guitar catalog highlights the Eldorado and Fleetwood, which marked the transition away from the cat-eye Synchromatics. Also of note are the early Electromatic and Electro II guitars.
1955 Gretsch Catalog
1955 was a big year for Gretsch, and it showed in the "Guitars for Moderns" catalog. With tons of new models to sell, full color on most pages and a truckload of endorsements, Gretsch was obviously building a name for themselves.
1963 Gretsch Catalog
The 1963 catalog gave prominent play to the Chet Atkins line, setting aside the first few pages of the catalog for Atkins and his namesake Gretsch models.
1965 Floating Sound Unit Brochure
This brief brochure explained and extolled the benefits of sticking a tuning fork in your guitar and attaching it to the bridge. It was the '60s, and seemed like a good idea at the time.
1965 Gretsch Catalog
Catalog No. 32: Touts "Exclusive Gretsch Features Found On Chet Atkins And Other Models". Also includes large section for amplifiers.
1968 Gretsch Catalog
Catalog 33 trumpeted "That Great Gretsch Sound" in large, oh-so-'60s type running diagonally across the front. Inside, readers found more grooviness, a large amplifier section, and the White Falcon and Viking both upstaged the Chet Atkins models.
1971 Dorado Catalog
In the '70s, Gretsch began importing the Dorado line of guitars from Japan in an effort to shore up the low end of the Gretsch line. The 1971 Dorado catalog offered a variety of acoustic guitars.
1972 Gretsch Catalog
The Baldwin years were in full swing for this surprisingly tasteful 1972 catalog.
1973 Dorado Catalog
By the 1973 catalog, the made-in-Japan Dorado line had expanded to include banjos, drums and electric guitars and basses.
1974 Dorado Catalog
The 1974 Dorado catalog was little more than a brief brochure, with only 4 pages to promote a handful of acoustic guitars. Electrics, banjos and drums were nowhere to be found.
1975 Gretsch Catalog
Gretsch was obviously trying to return to its roots for the 1975, with a stripped-down page count, '50s commercial-art-inspired cover, and simplified guitar lineup.
1978 Gretsch Catalog
The 1978 "That Great Gretsch Sound" catalog prominently featured some of the worst efforts of the '70s. This was obviously a company struggling.
1989 Gretsch Catalog
The "Truly Gretsch" catalog of 1989 was the first issued by the revitalized Gretsch company. In full color it announced to the world that Gretsch was back.
Gretsch guitar quiz
Gretsch used this "guitar quiz', featuring the Synchromatic 100, as a promotional tool. Circa 1947.
