In 1949, although the numbering remained the same. In the period from 1945 to 1954 there is the transition from handwritten serial numbers to the official labels

If you see at least three hard-to-read numbers, you can be pretty sure that it is a pre-war instrument. Often these serials are vague or almost illegible or completely erased. In the early years ( 1939-1945) Gretsch started with handwritten sequential serial numbers ( 001-999), written directly New and improved old models soon appeared. Gretsch and Fender signed an agreement in 2003 allowing Fender to gain control over productionĪnd distribution of guitars and gained a foothold in the Gibson dominated market for semi-acoustic guitars. In 2002, Fred approached the Fender company for distribution in Europe.įender offered to distribute it worldwide and also build the guitars for Gretsch. Since 1985, when Fred got the company back into the family, the Gretsches were made in Japan. The Gretsch White Falcon 1 has been a popular model again since the early 1980s. Thanks to, among other, the Stray Cats and Chris Isaak and the production was resumed. In the 1980s, interest in Gretsch guitars revived. The entire production was stopped in 1981 due to a fire in the factory. In 1967 the company was sold to Baldwin Piano Company and the production was moved to Arkansas.

Mainly in the middle of theġ950s many innovative guitars were built, such as the Model 6120 and the 'White Falcon'. In 1942 he handed over the company to his sons Fred Jr. The 'Electromatic Line' followed by the archtop model 'Synchromatic Line'. In 1939 the first electric guitar from Gretsch was released, Friedrich Gretsch, a German immigrant from Mannheim, started in 1883 with building from drum kits and banjos.Īfter WWI the company has been taken over by his son Fred.Under his leadership, the company flourished and gained the reputation for high quality and precision.Īround 1930 with the rise of big bands, the banjo was gradually replaced

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