What About Gretsch Guitars? That Pedal Show

In this episode we consider a slice of rock’n’roll history that deserves a little more attention from most of us. Dan and I are fans of Gretsch as much for the stunning, evocative aesthetics as the unique, genre-defining tones. Gretsch guitars were, are and always will be entirely their own thing.
Now, neither of us are connoisseurs by any means and, let’s be honest, our historical knowledge on the brand is shaky at best. Nevertheless with great thanks to our friend Adam Bowden-Smith at Gretsch who loaned us three of these lovely specimens, we take a gentle stroll through a handful of key Gretsch tonal touchpoints, with some more familiar (to us) classics on hand for context. And of course a smattering of stompboxes!
It’s far from a history lesson and for sure there are countless other great Gretsches still to discover… but let’s just dive in and see what happens. As always, the questions thrown up here will make a great follow-up show in due course. It’s the TPS way after all.
Please do check the Gretsch website to double check some of our doubtless shonky info. To whit…

At around 22 mins wish, I say Chet Atkins signed The Everly Brothers. He didn’t, sorry. They weren’t on RCA Victor. He did however help them get their deal at Warner Brothers. So I was a little tiny bit sorta kinda right. He was a mentor to them. He did sign Dolly though. Woah.

Life too short for long YouTube videos? Please see the ‘Interesting bits and go-to sections’ information below.

Pedals in this episode…

• TheGigRig Three2One

• TC Electronic Polytune3 Mini

• Hudson Broadcast Dual

• Wampler Tumnus

• Jam Pedals Ripple Phaser

• Jam Pedals Waterfall Chorus

• Catalinbread Adineko Delay

• Keeley D&M Drive

• The GigRig G2

Interesting bits and go-to sections…
- Intro playing: 0:00
- What are we doing today? 1:27
- Pickups? 3:20
- Today’s amps, and a tape echo: 4:20 (4:50)
- Dan’s 6118T Anniversary: 4:30
- Gretsch in rock music:
- Can we do Pete Townshend? 8:11
- Duane Eddy Signature 6120 and DynaSonics: 9:50 (10:30)
- DynaSonic & Filter’Tron comparison: 11:50
- Jazzmaster? 13:40
- Gibson ES-335? 14:22
- 6120 Chet Atkins Hollowbody and Duane Eddy compared: 15:30
- A DC resistance point of note: 17:40
- Chet Atkins was a solid dude: 21:00
- Oh no. Mick picks. Or at least tries to: 24:14
- 58 for the humbucker?! It was 1957 you doofus! (Sorry, Mick here). 26:07
- The Jet guitar and the ‘solid’body revolution: 28:55
- BT Jet and Broad’Tron BT65 pickups: 30:00
- BT Jet & Les Paul compared: 31:10
- …and with gain… 32:30
- Gold Foils? 35:49
- Dan’s Tele? 38:13
- Blacktop Filter’Trons and Mick’s G5422TG: 38:07
- Arggghhh, enough talking: let’s just have a play: 41:30

Amps in this episode
• Matchless HC-30 & HK 212 cab with Celestion G12M Greenback speakers
• Victory V140 The Super Duchess & V212VC cabinet / Celestion G12H Creamback speakers

Guitars in this episode
• Gretsch G6120DE Duane Eddy Signature
• Gretsch G6120T Limited Edition ’59 Nashville

• Collings 360LT

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[tylerrose]

So many people sleep on Gretsch. A big hollow body Gretsch with Filtertrons can get literally nearly any sound on the planet all the while having a sound 100% all it’s own that no other guitar can really do. Just heavenly.

[honestmusicreviews]

Watching this in 2024, and you still can’t beat Gretsch for clean tones!

[Yourweakminds]

My first ever Gretsch arrived yesterday - G5420T. £750 - made in china. Astonishing. Full of wonder. MUST buy a Gretsch professional asap. Utterly hooked.

[sumyupee]

A high-end Gretsch guitar into a thick fuzz pedal is something special for sure. Gretsch guitars will always be my favorite.

[madbrad]

Being a lifetime --- 62 years -- Gretsch player this is REALLY GREAT --- thank you very much.

[noisesoundtonevibe]

Chet Atkins was hired at a fairly young age at a radio station. He had to learn, figure out parts for and arrange songs on a daily basis, which pushed him to develop an extraordinary musical ability. He mixed in his admiration for Merle Travis, and the result was a very distinctive style and sound.
He was also a frustrated singer. Unlike his brother, he did not have a powerful, Sinatra-like singing voice, so he tried to make his guitar sing for him.
And if my memory serves me well, he produced Elvis' "Heartbreak Hotel" among other gems.

[Sabbz]

As a lifelong The Living End fan I've always seen Gretsch as a rocking punk guitar. Chris Cheney is seriously underrated!

[Benny_Howie]

I am all for hearing you play power chords on that thing!

[PaulJohnson-jqxw]

I met Chet when I was about 18 or 19. He was the nicest person. He was truly a gentleman.

[jerryramsey]

That Gretsch BT Jet and Broad’Tron BT65 pickups just really blew that Gibson Les Paul away... That sound is insanely great.

[vocalion]

For those interested in Chet Atkins, there is a delightful remembrance of him called “A Tribute to Chet Atkins” on the Gretsch Guitars channel. Through that video I also discovered a few other guitar players who have since become personal favorites. I found myself watching it over and over. Very highly recommended.

[dylanaugust]

I actually laughed out loud when you said "Ray Duncan"...Thanks for being so informative and entertaining at the same time!

[sixgunlover]

been considering getting one of these as I'm a huge Billy Duffy wife is gonna go mad when another guitar suddenly appears. You two have a lot to answer for!!

[denismguitar]

“Invader-friend of Mr Butts!” 🤣😂
Spilled coffee on myself laughing! Oh me oh my!

[pensandomusica]

Today was supposed to be no-guitar Saturday and yet this video made me pick my old White Falcon, run it through some pedals and start thinking about getting that duo jet I’ve been dreaming about for years! You’re to blame. Thanks mates!

[tomallen]

You should try and get Kevin shields of my bloody valentine on to talk through his guitars tunings and stuff i reckon that would be quite fun

[tommytehcat]

I feel like this episode was made just for me. Big Gretsch fan and I love what mine does with an AC 30.

[Danazawa]

I think the best pure guitar sound I have heard in the show. More people should play Gretsch!

[garysmith]

Crikey. In the dog house. Watched this Friday. Saturday popped into PMT and bought a Gretch ! Have to say, for a £ 700 Korean made guitar it’s great. In fact the frets are far better dressed than the Leslie. Lovely tone. And despite reservations stays in tune. Going through some songs with my mate this pm, wacked the capo on third fret and still in tune. Wow. It definitely has a vibe about it, so very pleased.

[TwinPawsFWWM]

Gentlemen, your philosophical and nuanced approach to all things guitar, amp, and pedal, combined with your attention to names like Seymour Butts (and of course our favorite Italian, Carlo Sorasio), keep me coming back every week. Never change.