Top 10 Best Gretsch Guitar Players

Gretsch guitars were very popular during the 1950s and 1960s, becoming a staple for both rockabilly players and the British Invasion.

This list is based on both the guitarists' fame and how frequently they play a Gretsch.

With that established, feel free to add to this list.

The Top Ten

Chet Atkins

Chester Burton "Chet" Atkins (June 20, 1924 - June 30, 2001), also known as "Mr. Guitar" and "The Country Gentleman," was an American musician, occasional vocalist, songwriter, and record producer. He was instrumental in developing the Nashville sound along with Owen Bradley and Bob Ferguson, which broadened... read more

Mr. Guitar! For those of you who don't know, Chet Atkins was one of the most influential guitarists and producers in the Nashville country music scene. He was a design consultant for Gretsch for around 30 years, and two of their most famous guitar models (the 6120 and the Country Gentleman) were Chet Atkins signature models.

He was the first instrumentalist to popularize a Gretsch, with his popularity crossing over beyond just country music.
George Harrison

George Harrison (25 February 1943-29 November 2001) was an English musician, singer, and songwriter who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Sometimes called "the quiet Beatle," Harrison embraced Indian culture and helped broaden the scope of popular music through his incorporation... read more

His first Gretsch was a Duo Jet, which he bought from a sailor in 1962. He later became known for using the Country Gentleman and also used a Tennesseean. His star profile gave Gretsch a much-needed boost in sales.

Very underrated guitarist with very underrated solo songs. Check out his song All Those Years Ago. It's impressive.

No one else has ever had more influence on the popularity of a Gretsch guitar than George Harrison.
Neil Young

Neil Percival Young is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, producer, director, and screenwriter. He gained fame both as a solo artist and as a member of bands like Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Known for hits such as Heart of Gold and Rockin' in the Free World, Young is also... read more

Neil Young bought a late 50s White Falcon with a mono output (it can only put out one signal). He traded it for a stereo version (which allows the user to output the signal to two different amplifiers) with Stephen Stills while they were in Buffalo Springfield. He used it frequently on songs like "Southern Man" and "Ohio".
Eddie Cochran

Edward Raymond "Eddie" Cochran (October 3, 1938 - April 17, 1960) was an American musician and rock and roll pioneer. He died in a car crash at the young age of 21.
Cochran's rockabilly songs, such as "Twenty Flight Rock," "Summertime Blues," "C'mon Everybody," and "Somethin' Else," captured teenage... read more

Legendary rockabilly star whose untimely death probably boosted his enduring legend while, at the same time, keeping the image of a Gretsch guitar alive as well.

He played an orange 6120, which he modified by putting in a Gibson P-90 pickup. When he was killed in a car accident while in England, his guitar was temporarily impounded by the police along with his other possessions. A young police officer, who eventually became Dave Dee from Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, learned how to play guitar on Eddie's Gretsch over several nights while it was impounded.
Malcolm Young

Malcolm Mitchell Young (January 6, 1953 to November 18, 2017) was an Australian musician best known as the rhythm guitarist, backing vocalist, and co-founder of the hard rock band AC/DC. He was a key force behind the band's sound and songwriting, contributing to many of their greatest hits. Young remained... read more

His most famous guitar was a 1963 Jet Firebird he received from his older brother George and Harry Vanda. He modified it by sanding off the finish and removing the middle and neck pickups. He also used a White Falcon until someone "fixed" the guitar, causing it to lose its signature sound.
Brian Setzer

Lead guitarist and singer for the Stray Cats. He has several Gretsch guitars in his collection, and he has an endorsement deal with the company. They make about ten different Setzer signature models.
Pete Townshend

Peter Dennis Blandford "Pete" Townshend is an English musician, singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, best known as the lead guitarist and primary songwriter for the rock band The Who. He is considered one of the most influential rock guitarists and composers of all time. Townshend has also... read more

Pete received a 6120 from Joe Walsh along with a Fender Bandmaster and an Edwards volume pedal. It became his studio setup. This rig is responsible for the guitar tone on Who's Next and almost all projects that followed.
Duane Eddy

Next after Chet Atkins, another instrumentalist whose unique sound came from a Gretsch guitar.

Duane Eddy also used a 6120, similar to Eddie Cochran's.
Stephen Stills

Stephen Arthur Stills is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist best known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. He has also had a successful solo career and was ranked number 28 in Rolling Stone's list of The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. Stills... read more

As mentioned above, he bought a stereo version of the White Falcon and traded it with Neil Young for a mono version while they were both in Buffalo Springfield. He used it frequently afterward, particularly while in Manassas.
Michael Nesmith

Mike Nesmith may not be ranked as one of the best guitarists of all time, but the weekly exposure of the Monkees on TV meant that a Gretsch guitar was appearing in millions of homes on a regular basis.

The guitarist for The Monkees. Since The Monkees had an endorsement deal with Gretsch, the company built him a custom-made 12-string Gretsch guitar that became permanently associated with him.