Vintage Gretsch Guitars - A Collectors Overview
Vintage Gretsch Guitars are something of an american icon. Many of the early models embody a uniquely american spirit and sound.
The most desirable and collected vintage Gretsch models are in large part the Chet Atkins endorsed single cutaway's made from 1954 to 1961. They feature original western-themed, cow and cactus designs, inscribed fret markers, the classic branded G, and pick-guards with western designs. Some of the most desired Vintage models are the Chet Atkins 6120 (hollowbody) and 6121 (solidbody) as well as the 6130 Roundup and the 6022 Sunset-Orange Rancher .
The White Falcon (6136) and the White Penguin (6134) are also very valuable guitars. These highly stylized models feature inscribed fret markers made of pearl, upright Gretsch logo, Cadillac tail-pieces and binding with gold sparkles. A lot of these features were phased out after 1957 making future models less valuable.
In 1953 Gretsch first started production of their solidbody Duo-Jet models. The sound of early Rockabilly guitar greats like Cliff Gallup was due in large part to the tone of models like the Duo-Jet. Gretsch's "solidbodies" are in fact made with a semi-hollow construction. With the exception of the Duo-Jet which has no hollowbody equivalent, the most collectable of the solidbody guitars are those that feature western ornamentation like their hollowbody counterparts. Solidbodies with custom color and sparkle top are more valuable than the standard black or red top models.
Some of Gretsch's earliest models were their acoustic archtops. As a result of low quality materials and poor construction a lot of these early acoustic archtops haven't survived the wears of time. Higher-end acoustic's with "cat-eye" sound-holes like the Synchromatic 100 feature an art-deco look and are generally more valuable than archtops with convential "F" holes. In general Gretsch made a much bigger impact with electric guitars rather than acoustics.
For a complete breakdown of Gretch Models see our category list on the right of every page.
Vintage Gretsch Synchromatic 200
The Gretsch Synchormatic 200 offered a middle value price point within the Synchromatic line. All early Synchromatics were named according to their opening price point and so at $200, the Synchro 200 gave the customer the sound and look of the Synchromatic 400 at one-half the cost. When it debuted in 1939, the 200 was another weapon in the Gretsch arsenal designed to go head to head with the archtop giant Gibson.
As a general rule you break vintage Synchromatics into three periods: 1939 - early 1940's - late 1940's - 1951 & 1951 - 1953. In the last period the Synchros began losing a number of the more deluxe characteristics such as the "cat's eye" soundholes.
While relatively few Synchromatics were made over their short lifespan, they quickly established their legendary status among archtop acoustic guitars.
Vintage Gretsch Synchromatic 100
The Gretsch Synchromatic line of archtops came to market in 1939 and was positioned to go head to head with market leader Gibson Guitars. The Synchromatic 100 debuted at a $100 price point and was the most uncharacteristic model in the Synchromatic series. Unlike all of the other Synchromatics, the 100 did not feature the signature "cat's eye" soundhole. All Synchromatic models were named according to their price, i.e. the Synchormatic 100 cost $100, the Synchromatic 160 cost $160, etc.
With a sunburst finish, maple sides and back, curved spruce top, 2 "f" style soundholes, 2 stripe adhered back and crest, rosewood fingerboard with pearl inlays, and a stair-step bridge, The Synchromatic 100 was an appealing looking archtop guitar. The 100 underwent a lot of modifications over the course of its life. In '33 it debuted as the 100f. Then in '39, the company changed it's name to the Synchromatic 100. In '46, the logo was positioned on the headstock and the soundholes and pickguard were bound. In '47, the headstock was made bound. In '49, the model number changed from 100 to 6014 in order to be incorporated into the new Gretsch model numbering system. In '52, the binding was taken away from the soundholes, headstock and pickguard. In '55, the Synchromatic was given the name the Corsair and eventually production stopped altogther in 1960. As was mentioned above, the Synchromatic 100 was unlike all the other models in the Synchromatic series as it featured the traditional f soundholes rather than the signature "cat¹s eye" soundholes.
Vintage Gretsch 6120
Coming out in 1954, the Gretsch 6120 was an immediate favorite. The 6120 originally came with a large G brand, etchings of cow's head and cacti, and other Western-themed decorations, along with a $385 price tag. It was the original model in the line Chet Atkin's Gretsch guitar line.
In '58, Gretsch's "neo-classic" or "half-moon" markers were introduced. The DeArmond pickups were replaced by Filtertron Humbuckers. In '61 the width of the body was decreased from about 3 inches to approximately two. This was the year that the company decided to cease manufacturing its classic single-cutaway 6120.
The thinline, double cutaway electrotone body guitar of '62 was an altogether different animal with it's fake f--hole and hefty price tag of $495. These new 6120's also had a big access hole in the back hidden by padding.
Many people wonder about the variations between a Nashville and Chet Atkins 6120. The simple fact of the matter is that there are none. Sometime around '64 the Nashville namesake was given to the 6120 but in every material way the two guitars are exactly the same. Also in '64, the company provided plastic HiLoTron covers on some of its 6120's due to a shortage of Filtertrons.
After Baldwin took over Gretsch in 1967, the 6120, along with a number of other models, began to change. All 6120's made before 1968 have original features. In 1972, the company decided to change the 6120 model number to 7660.