Gretsch Introduces Historic Guitar Line

December 21, 1999

Gretsch 3303
Grand Concert
(Click for a close-up)

In the most extensive guitar introduction of its 116 year history, the Gretsch Guitar Company introduced the new Gretsch Historic Series of acoustic and electric guitars. Taking popular designs from the 1930s through 1950s, these guitars offer classic styling with modern playability and features. Initially the line will contain 26 guitars in ten styles.

The ten styles include five acoustic styles, the Hawaiian, Grand Concert, Dreadnought, Sierra Jumbo and Resonators. Many of the models are equipped with Fishman acoustic pickup systems. Three archtop electric Synchromatic models are featured along with the acoustic electric Streamliner and Jet Mainliner lap steel. "The Gretsch Historic Series is a tribute to my ancestors and the fine guitars they developed and made from the 1920s through the 1950s," explains Fred Gretsch, president of the Gretsch Guitar Company. "After extensive research and development, we are proud to introduce the first 26 models in the Gretsch Historic Series."

Development of the guitars took two years. Due to fires at Gretsch factories and lost records, duplicating these vintage instruments was not as easy as it sounds. Many plans and records were not available. In addition, some of the materials and suppliers are not around any longer. An international team of guitar experts pursued and gathered all the information they could, including vintage catalogs, guitar books and journals, and the personal recollections of some of the people who worked on the original guitars.

Several Gretsch innovations and patented designs are reintroduced on these guitars. The Synchromatic archtop guitars feature the patented stairstep bridge. The acoustic electric guitars have the Cat's eye sound holes, pioneered by Gretsch in the 1930s. And the pearloid-like headstock and fingerboard of the Hawaiian Deluxe brings back a look not seen for 50 years.

For more information, visit their web site at http://www.gretsch.com/.

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