OT: Great Gretsch GUITAR Sound

[DrummerJustLikeDad]

As a fan of Gretsch, I can’t help notice every-so-once-in-a-while, that oh yeah, they make guitars too, don't they?

Without tossing me too deep into the weeds, is there ONE model of guitar that’s supposed to stand for their signature sound? I’m sure I’m asking for something that’s been in production for decades, making the huge, idealistic assumption its specs are exactly the same as 60 years ago.

As we understand it, “the great gretsch sound” is a slogan that was birthed, not during the 6-ply drum era, but rather during the 3-ply era. And for all I know, that slogan wasn’t even meant to describe a drum, but instead a guitar. Of course, if anybody has the right to force that slogan to mean whatever they want it to mean, it’s Gretsch.

Long question short, what should I listen to if I hope to hear the signature sound for which the slogan was originally written? Even my own first steps walk me toward Chet Atkin’s Country Gentleman. Am I getting warm?

 

[Skeet6]

Chet Atkins model(s)...
Mike B

 

[TheMattJones88]

Chet Atkins is a good place to start. If you want it more in a rock context, every Who record from Who's Next and forward. Gretsch -> Bassman.

 

[Way Out Wardell]

Listen to Cliff Gallup's solos with Gene Vincent.

 

[Cauldronics]

Without tossing me too deep into the weeds, is there ONE model of guitar that’s supposed to stand for their signature sound?

No.

I think the truth is - Fender, Gibson and Gretsch are all in the same lexicon of classic, time-proven guitar sounds that we've all heard. I'm probably not stretching it saying that Fender and Gibson guitars are probably on more records and stages than Gretsch, overall.

It's a little like asking if some of the most iconic drummers ever played anything besides what they're known for. For example, since we're talking Gretsch guitars, name dropping will illustrate this. David Gilmour is known more for playing a strat - but he's played a Gretsch duo jet on many occasions. Chris Cornell (Soundgarden), Malcolm Young (AC/DC) and George Harrison all played that same model. Does that make the duo jet the most iconic Gretsch guitar? Probably not. It's just one model played by some famous rockers. It depends on your reference points for what makes a signature guitar sound than it does anyone else's.

That being said, it's a fair question since Fender is probably most associated with the strat and Gibson would definitely be the Les Paul. But Gretsch? Don't think so.

 

[CaptainCrunch]

I would actually say that the signature Gretsch guitar is the big 50’s and 60’s hollowbodies - a bit vague, maybe, but most of their line was just variations on one core box. Change the pickups, change the switching, change the cosmetics, but ultimately they’re more higher-and-lower trim versions of the same guitar than different models.

Mine is a Clipper, the bare bones single neck pickup model. Somebody had goobered in a Teisco kind of bridge pickup so I felt free to do it properly. Mike Campbell has the exact same guitar painted light blue.

 

[Jorn]

The rhythm guitar player in AC/DC, Malcom Young, played Gretsch.

 

[DrummerJustLikeDad]

I’m enjoying you guys expanding my horizons tonight.

Despite my oldest sister’s musical tastes growing up, these two performances sound very little like anything I ever listen to, and yet they both have in common some of the cleanest, most delicate, dancing fingerings (and some of the prettiest guitar tone) I’ve ever heard.

 

[CaptainCrunch]

As for what to listen to, Mr. Campbell’s used his all over all the Heartbreaker’s stuff, Duane Eddy’s “$1,000,000 Worth Of Twang”, Brian Setzer’s whole career, a goodly portion of George Harrison’s, The Cramps, and on and on.

 

[biggator]

I'd say Atkins or 6120 (very similar instruments)

The 6120 is what Setzer plays.

LOve seeing Poison Ivy posted.. woo!