13 Facts About Gretsch

Gretsch was founded in 1883 in Brooklyn, New York by Friedrich Gretsch, a 27-year-old German immigrant, shortly after his arrival to the United States.

Friedrich Gretsch manufactured banjos, tambourines, and drums until his death in 1895.

In 1954, Gretsch began a collaboration with guitarist Chet Atkins to manufacture a line of electric guitars with Atkins' endorsement, resulting in the Gretsch 6120 hollowbody guitar and other later models such as the Country Gentleman.

The popularity of Gretsch guitars soared in the mid-1960s because of its association with Beatles guitarist George Harrison, who played Gretsch guitars beginning in the band's early years.

In 2002, Gretsch entered a business agreement with Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.

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Under the terms of the agreement Fred W Gretsch retains ownership while FMIC has the exclusive rights to develop, produce, market and distribute Gretsch guitars worldwide.

Gretsch was founded in 1883 by Friedrich Gretsch, a young German immigrant who opened his own musical instrument shop on 128 Middleton Street in Brooklyn, New York that year.

Gretsch's shop was designed for the manufacture of tambourines and drums.

In 1895, Gretsch died at the age of 39 and the company was taken over by his wife and fifteen-year-old son Fred.

Gretsch ultimately owned or operated six properties in the immediate area, including a warehouse on Dunham Place.

Guitar production by the Gretsch Company began in the early 1930s, and Gretsch guitars became highly sought after, most notably in the 1950s and 1960s.

Bill Gretsch died in 1948 and the company was again run by Fred Jr.

In 1989, Gretsch restarted large-scale production of new guitars based on classic Gretsch models.