The Gretsch Tennessee Rose

The passion for wanting to learn how to play the guitar started for many from hearing the sounds from artists like Chet Atkins. The fast finger picking with that phenomenal sound from the guitar and everyone wanted to play like that. Nevertheless, it was not only the finger picking that left listeners in awe; it was that unique sound amazingly different from any other guitar on the market. That sound came from a Gretsch guitar known as the Tennessean, which later became the Tennessee Rose.

The Gretsch Company started at the end of the 1800’s, but only operated for about twelve years. The son Fred Jr., later took over the business and in the 1960’s, Baldwin purchased the company, ran it for twenty years and sold it back to the Gretsch family. It was not only Gretch making music history, but also the up and coming artist named Duane Eddy was quickly becoming a household name. The release of his first debut album titled “Have Twangy Guitar Will Travel,” had him on his way to fame and Gretch as his magic carpet. His song “Peter Gunn,” hit the charts and many artist of today love to play the famous theme song.

It was time of the 1950’s and 1960’s when music bands were increasing with popularity, but finding that unique sound of the Tennessean wasn’t until the late fifties. The popularity stayed with the Gretsch name and introduced the Tennesee Rose almost forty years later. The first guitar was the Gretsch G6119, which there is several different versions of the guitar, but each one shows off the Gretsch styling with the hollow wide body, the f cut outs, the inlaid Gretsch name on the headstock, and the cut away body.

The Humbucker pickups bring the unique sounds to life from the various switch settings, but each one of the variations in the selections of guitars will offer different pickup qualities per guitar. The colors will vary in the choice of the remade models of the throwback guitars, but many older vintage guitars will have fading to the body color. They are a heavier in weight than some other guitars that are on the market, but the sound is truly a unique sound that only a Gretsch Tennessee Rose can deliver. If given the opportunity to play one, do it. It will be an instant addiction to a unique sound.

If you'd like to try out a Tennessee Rose for yourself why not come into The Guitar Lounge and try one out

The Gretsch Duojet

The Gretsch Duo Jet has been manufactured since the 1950's and has a semi-solid body, it is the Gretsch Duo Jet 6128 model that is the most sought after.

All Gretsch Jet guitars are virtually identical apart from their colours, the Duo Jet was black, the FireBird was a deep red, and the SilverJet was, of course, capped in silver sparkle plastic drum material. Some Duo-Jets were finished in Cadillac Green, but they're pretty rare. Even more rare - the Bigsby B-3 tremolo that was an extra-cost option.

The Duo and Silver were both first released in 1954. Jets are unique due to the nature of their bodies that have been heavily routed which makes them in essence semi solid guitars. In 1961 big change came and the Jets became double cutaways, the first double cutaways are roughly equivalent to the earlier Jets, but shortly after the change-over Gretsch began to change the Jets.

In 1962 Vibrato tailpieces became standard other changes to '62 included gold hardware replacing chrome and other sparkle finishes, including gold, champagne, burgundy and tangerine being offered, a few Jets were made with the special sparkle finishes, and they're quite rare today.

These changes last till 1970 when Gretsch, urged on by Duke Kramer and plant manager Bill Hagner, switched back to a single-cutaway body, hoping to rekindle past glories.

If your looking to pick up your own Gretsch Duo Jet why not swing by our store and try one out yourself.