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Gretsch Celebrates 125 Years With New Models

To celebrate their anniversary, Gretsch announces new guitar and amp models, plus events and contests.

Scottsdale, Arizona (January 5, 2008) – Gretsch is turning 125 and they are not holding back. In celebration of the milestone, the company has announced several new initiatives: new guitar and amplifier models, an unsigned band competition, the 125th Anniversary Tour of Gretsch history which bound for various museums and institutions, and a "Meet the Gretsches" series of in-store appearances where company President Fred Gretsch and CFO Dinah Gretsch will visit retail outlets. Gretsch has also launched a website dedicated to the anniversary, gretsch125th.com, which is home to a historical perspective of the company; it includes a timeline and information on all of the company''s anniversary-related events.

Of course, most exciting to gearheads are the company''s four new guitar models and a new 5-watt amplifier. The models range from a 25 piece limited edition Chet Atkins model to a solidbody artist model for "G. Love" of G. Love and the Special Sauce. Check ''em out!


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Custom Shop Chet Atkins G6120 125th Anniversary Limited Edition
The Chet Atkins G6120 125th Anniversary Limited Edition features a Transparent Orange finish over real gold leaf, and is limited to 25 pieces worldwide. The guitar is a master-build model from Gretsch''s Custom Shop built by Stephen Stern, with gold-plated hardware, TV Jones Classic pickups and gold appliqué Gretsch logo treatment on the headstock. The guitar comes with a 125th Anniversary strap and a belt buckle hand-tooled by legendary leather craftsman, Tom Nix.
Other features include:
  • Laminated maple body and top
  • 2-piece maple neck
  • 24.6" scale
  • 3-Position toggle switch
  • 12" radius ebony fretboard
  • 22 frets (plus zero fret)
  • Gloss Urethane finish
  • G6241 Deluxe Hardshell Case
  • Grover 102-18G Rotomatic Diecast tuners
  • Thumbnail inlay position markers
  • Fingerboard, headstock and body binding
  • Curly maple headstock overlay
  • Bound, oversized f-holes
  • MSRP $12,500



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G6118T-LTV 125th Anniversary
The G6118T-LTV 125th Anniversary model features the ultra-rare Jaguar Tan top and Metallic Gold back and sides. The G6118T-LTV is the first model to include the new “ML” bracing, which synchronizes the vibration of the top and back for increased acoustical openness in tone. Nicknamed "Annie," the guitar has TV Jones Power''Tron pickups, a pinned rosewood-based Adjusto-Matic bridge and a Bigsby B6C vibrato tailpiece.
Other features include:
  • Laminated maple body and top
  • 3-piece maple neck
  • 24.6" scale
  • 3-Position toggle switch
  • 12" radius ebony fretboard
  • 21 frets
  • Polished aluminum, chrome and nickel-plated hardware
  • Gloss Nitrocellulose laquer finish
  • G6241 Deluxe Hardshell Case
  • Deluxe Sperzel Diecast locking tuners
  • Mother of Pearl Thumbnail inlay position markers
  • Metallic Gold plexi pickguard
  • MSRP $3450



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G6136DL David Lee Limited Edition
The G6136DL David Lee Limited Edition artist model is in recognition of the talent and dedication of one of the most exhilarating live acts around -- Th'' Legendary Shack Shakers (check out this video from Fender''s live event at NAMM). The guitar is based on the unmistakable White Falcon guitar and features aged white nitrocellulose laquer finish with multi-layered black binding and oversized f-holes. The guitar has a pair of TV Jones Power''Tron pickups with P-90-style covers, trestle bracing and a Bigsby B6CBVF tailpiece. The model is limited to 30 David Lee models worldwide and comes with a limited production David Lee lithograph.
Other features include:
  • Laminated maple body and top
  • 3-piece maple neck with tapered heel
  • 25.5" scale
  • 3-Position toggle switch
  • 12" radius ebony fretboard
  • 22 frets
  • Polished aluminum and nickel-plated hardware
  • Gloss Nitrocellulose laquer finish
  • G6241 Deluxe Hardshell Case
  • Deluxe Sperzel Diecast locking tuners
  • White Mother of Pearl block inlay position markers
  • V-shaped Falcon headstock
  • Graph Tech Trem-Nut
  • Jeweled control knobs
  • MSRP $5250



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G5235 G. Love Electromatic Corvette
The G5235 G. Love Electromatic Corvette artist model was built to "spread the love" for Garret "G. Love" Dutton and his band G. Love and the Special Sauce.The group mixes funk, rap, blues and jazz to create a style all their own. The guitar features a "Philly-Green" finish with a white competition stripe. The G. Love solidbody has TV Jones Power''Tron pickups and deluxe mini precision tuners.
Other features include:
  • Solid mahogany top and back
  • Mahogany set-in neck
  • 24.6" scale
  • 3-Position toggle switch
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • 22 frets
  • Chrome-plated hardware
  • Gloss urethane finish
  • Mini-Precision machine heads
  • Bigsby Licensed B50 Vibrato tailpiece
  • MSRP $1400






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Electromatic G5222 Amplifier
The latest addition to the Gretsch amplifier line, the Gretsch Electromatic G5222 amp, is an ultra-simple, small amp with five watts, two tubes and two inputs. The amp was designed by guitarists to be easy to record and great in small rooms. Visually, the amp packs a lot of Gretsch in a small package.
Other features include:
  • One 6", 4 ohm Special Design driver with ceramic magnet
  • Single volume control
  • High gain and low gain inputs
  • Leather strap handle
  • 15 lbs. weight
  • One 12AX7 tube and one 6V6 tube
  • 11"X12"X7.5" dimensions
  • MSRP $195


For more information on the guitars, visit gretschguitars.com
For more information about the 125th Anniversary events, visit gretsch125th.com