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1. #1954 NAMM TRADE SHOW GRETSCH WHITE FALCON PLUS#
2. #1954 NAMM TRADE SHOW GRETSCH WHITE FALCON SERIES#
3. #1954 NAMM TRADE SHOW GRETSCH WHITE FALCON TV#

Gretsch was known as an electric hollow body company. As solidbody guitars rose to prominence with louder rock, use of hollow body guitar fell in popularity. The Baldwin era was not very kind to the Gretsch brand. Gretsch unhappy with the decision to sell, vows to buy the company back. When that fell through, they looked Gretsch, along with Burns, a much smaller London-based builder. Baldwin had originally looked to purchase Fender. retired and sold Gretsch to Baldwin Music Company in 1967.

#1954 NAMM TRADE SHOW GRETSCH WHITE FALCON TV#

Gretsch guitars even made an appearance on “I Dream of Jeannie” TV showįred Gretsch, Jr. Valco merged with Kay Musical Instrument Company in 1967, however the merged company quickly went out of business in 1968 because of financial difficulties. In the 1960s they began producing solid body electric guitars. They also made amplifiers under contract for several other companies such as Gretsch, Harmony, and Kay. Valco manufactured guitars and vacuum tube amplifiers under a variety of brand names including Supro, Airline, Oahu, and National.

#1954 NAMM TRADE SHOW GRETSCH WHITE FALCON PLUS#

The company name was a combination of the three partner’s first initials (V.A.L.) plus the common abbreviation for company. In the 1930s, Valco was formed by three business partners and former owners of the National Dobro Company Victor Smith, Al Frost, and Louis Dopyera. These were actually manufactured by Valco, and have become sought after objects of rarity in the years following Valco’s demise. This was the same model Duane Eddy used on his famous recordings.ĭuring the 1950s and 1960s, Gretsch also sold several different models of amplifiers badged with the Gretsch name to accompany its guitars. The original Chet Atkins model 6120, usually referred to as “Western Orange” used actually had DeArmond pickups, as it was built before Gretsch unveiled their humbucking FilterTrons in 1958 that were designed by Ray Butts as a request from Chet himself. That same year, the Gretsch Chet Atkins Model 6120 (the “quintessential” Gretsch electric) carried a list price of $385. Meanwhile, the Fender Telecaster was $189.50 and the new model Stratocaster was $249.50. In 1954, a Gibson Les Paul “Gold Top” retailed at $225 and the Les Paul Custom “Black Beauty” at $325, but you could go home with a Les Paul Junior for just $99.50. Epiphone was purchased by Gibson in 1957. Interesting fact is that during the 1950s and, to a lesser extent, into the ’60s, Gretsch guitar retail prices were actually the highest out of the top four guitar builders, which included Gibson, Guild and Fender. He produced and played on so many recording in all these genres including the Everly Brothers early Pop and Rock records.

Fender eventually changes the name to “Telecaster.”Ĭhet was on of the most influential guitar players that reached way past country into Rockabilly, Rock-n-Roll, Pop and Jazz.

Gretsch sends telegram to Fender pointing out that they have a long time trademark for “BroadKaster” and that Fender should not use the name “Broadcaster” for the new fangled solid body guitar. Leo Fender creates the first mass-produced solid body guitar named the Broadcaster in 1951. Bill Gretsch dies from an illness in 1948. In 1946, Gretsch assumes instrument production. leaves the company to serve as a commander in the U.S. After only a brief term at the company’s helm, Fred Gretsch, Jr. Gretsch soon stops instrument production like many other companies to assist in the war effort. and William “Bill” Gretsch, both of whom had been active in the business since 1927. retires from the company in 1942, leaving the day-to-day operations to his sons, Fred Gretsch, Jr. Distinctive triangle sound hole appears on Gretsch acoustic guitars.įred Gretsch, Sr. Jimmie Webster, guitar innovator and player, joins Gretsch.

#1954 NAMM TRADE SHOW GRETSCH WHITE FALCON SERIES#

The same year, the Synchromatic archtop guitar series came out. Gretsch’s first electric guitar, the Electromatic was introduced in 1939.