Catalogs
1933-1934 Brochure
Like the 1936 brochure, the exact date of this tri-fold brochure is uncertain. What is certain is that it’s one of the earliest catalogs as …
1936-ish brochure
The exact date of this four-page brochure is uncertain, but it is believed to be from 1936. Note the emphasis on the American Orchestra line, …
1939 Catalog
This short 1939 brochure focused on the Synchromatics and their “Seven points of supremacy”.
1948-1949 Catalog
The exact publication date of this short catalog is unclear, but it appears to have been late 1948 or early 1949. In these early post-war …
1951 Catalog: Your album of Gretsch guitars
Gretsch was still looking pretty old-fashioned in 1951, with low-rent typography and artist renderings rather than photographs, but even as the company was just beginning …
1952-1953 Gretsch Catalog
Highlights the electric models, continuing the move away from the cat-eye Synchromatics. The company was very much in transition at the time: note the early …
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 …
1958 Gretsch Breaks the Sound Barrier Brochure
In just a few short pages in this 1958 brochure, Gretsch introduced the Project-O-Sonic stereo guitar system, new-for-‘58 models, including the Anniversary and Country Gentleman, …
1961 Catalog
The 1961 Gretsch Catalog (#30) continued the “modern” theme of the ‘55 catalog. (From the collection of Rob Campbell)
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 …
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, …
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 …
1972 Chet Atkins models mini-catalog
A short mini-catalog — brochure, really — for the 1972 Chet Atkins models
1972 Gretsch Catalog
The Baldwin years were in full swing for this surprisingly tasteful 1972 catalog.
1972 Sonax amps mini-catalog
Gretsch introduced the Sonax line of solid-state amplifiers in this 1972 mini-catalog. Note that this catalog was produced out of the Cincinnati offices.
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 …
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 …
1990 Catalog
Expanding on the very brief 1989 catalog, the 1990 “That Great Gretsch Sound” catalog continued to rely heavily on the Gretsch’s rich history, while letting …
1999 Historic series catalog
Gretsch made a big deal of the made-in-Korea Historic line when it was introduced in 1999. It appears they had high hopes for it. For …
2002-ish Synchromatic brochure
Exact date on this brochure is unclear, but it appears to be about 2002. (From the collection of Aaron Read)
2004 Brochure
The 2004 brochure, featuring the DSW, marked the end of the pre-Fender Korean made guitar lines and the beginning of the new, simplified 51xx Electromatics. … (From the collection of Aaron Read)
2004 Full catalog
At 50+ pages, it’s a big one. Note: the full catalog only showed standard Setzer Hot Rods, while the brochure only pictured the TV Jones-equipped … (From the collection of Aaron Read)
Patents
Synchromatic Stairstep Bridge
Patent #02190475, assigned Feb 13, 1940 to Fred Gretsch Jr., for the Synchromatic Stairstep Bridge
Rancher
Patent #129478, assigned September 16, 1941 for a new, original, and ornamental Design for a Guitar or Similar Musical Instrument
Miracle Neck
Patent #02469582, issued May 10 1949, for the design of the Synchromatic “Miracle Neck”
Bigsby design
Patent #0169120, granted to Paul Bigsby March 31, 1953, for the Bigsby vibrato design.
Dec. 29, 1959: Space Control Bridge
Patent number 02918837, assigned to Jimmy Webster for the Space Control bridge
June 30, 1959: FilterTron
Patent #2892371, assigned to Ray Butts, for what would become known as the FilterTron humbucker
Project-O-Sonic Stereo
Patent #2964985, issued to Jimmy Webster December 20, 1960, for the design of the Project-O-Sonic stereo system.
Oct 15 1963: Electrotone body and back pad
Patent number 196,609, assigned to Jimmy Webster for the Electrotone body and back pad (From the collection of Rob Campbell)
Sept. 17, 1963: T-Zone Tempered Treble
Granted Sept. 17, 1963 to Jimmy Webster for T-Zone Tempered Treble
Dec 22, 1964: Telescoping arm vibrato
Patent #3162083, issued to Jimmy Webster (From the collection of Rob Campbell)
Flip-up mute
Patent #3134288, issued to Jimmy Webster May 26, 1964 for the Gretsch flip-up mute system.
Nov. 21 1967: Floating Sound Unit (tuning fork bridge)
Patent #3353433, assigned to Jimmy Webster for the Floating Sound Unit, also known as the “Tuning Fork Bridge”
Oct. 22, 1968: Melita mute system
Patent #03406603, assigned October, 1968, for the Melita mute system.
April 22, 1980: Super Axe
Patent #254792, assigned to Clyde E. Edwards, for the design of the Super Axe
Committee
Patent #257727, assigned Dec. 30, 1980 to Thomas Kimble for the design of the Committee line.
March 3, 1981: TK300
Patent #258449, assigned March, 1981, to Thomas Kimble for the design of the TK300. Now we know who to blame.
Price Lists
2003 Price List
Produced during an interesting transitional period, this 120th Anniversary price list is from FMIC, but includes the pre-Fender model lineup, including the Historics and Synchromatics. …
2008 Price List
The 2008 125th Anniversary price list showed the pared-down model range —no double-necks — and was heavy on accessories, parts and collectibles.
Album covers
Other
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 …
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 …
Gretsch guitar quiz
Gretsch used this “guitar quiz’, featuring the Synchromatic 100, as a promotional tool. Circa 1947.
1950s Guitar Player statuette
This statuette, and a similar accordion player figure, were either sold or given to dealers and other notables in the 50s. The accordion player figurine …
Gretsch small parts bag
During the Brooklyn years, these small bags were used to send small parts to dealers through the mail.
