Top Ten Gretsch Guitar Players
Gretsch guitars were very popular during the 50s and 60s, becoming a staple of both rockabilly players and the British Invasion. This list is based on both the guitarists' fame as well as how frequently they play a Gretsch. With that established, feel free to add to this list.
George Harrison (1943 - 2001) was an English guitarist, singer, songwriter, and music and film producer who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles. 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.
Chester Burton "Chet" Atkins (June 20, 1924 – June 30, 2001), known as "Mr. Guitar" and "The Country Gentleman", was an American musician, occasional vocalist, songwriter, and record producer, who along with Owen Bradley and Bob Ferguson, among others, created the country music style that came to... 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.
Malcolm Mitchell Young was an Australian musician and songwriter, best known as a co-founder, rhythm guitarist, backing vocalist and songwriter for the hard rock band AC/DC. 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.
Neil Percival Young is a Canadian singer-songwriter and musician, producer, director and screenwriter. 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".
Edward Raymond "Eddie" Cochran (October 3, 1938 – April 17, 1960) was an American musician. Rock and roll pioneer, he was only 21 years old when he died in a car crash... read more 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.
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.
Peter Dennis Blandford "Pete" Townshend is an English musician, singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, best known as the lead guitarist and songwriter for the rock band The Who. 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 also used a 6120, similar to Eddie Cochran's.
Stephen Arthur Stills is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist best known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. 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.
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.
