Just imagine—a century and a quarter of fine musical instruments bearing the great Gretsch name. One hundred and twenty five years. We’re thrilled and delighted, and the best part of it all is that Gretsch guitars and basses are better now than they’ve ever been. So make that 125 years and still going strong—stronger than ever!

TOP LEFT: The front view of the Gretsch Plant occupied until 1916. BOTTOM RIGHT: Gretsch Company Factory and Warehouse at 60 Broadway, Brooklyn, N.Y., was built by Fred Gretsch, Sr. in 1916, two decades after he had assumed direction of the company as a boy of 15.

And it was in 1883 that 27-year old Friedrich Gretsch opened his small musical instruments shop in bustling Brooklyn, N.Y. An enterprising young immigrant from Germany, Gretsch built banjos, drums and tambourines in his shop. The Gretsch company enjoyed great success around the turn of the century, especially under the leadership of Friedrich’s son, Fred, who grew it into one of the nation’s leading musical instrument names.

When Gretsch started making guitars in the late 1930s, the stage was set for the original great golden age of Gretsch electric guitars in the 1950s—big, glamorous guitars that ushered in and became synonymous with a wildly exciting new music called rock ‘n’ roll. All that, of course, led to a second Gretsch heyday in the 1960s, when the British invasion hit U.S. shores armed with jangling Gretsch guitars on hit after chart-topping hit.

Each Gretsch guitar produced in 2008 will feature this 125th anniversary plaque on the instrument's back.

What a history. Just watch any film footage from any era of rock ‘n’ roll, be it Eddie Cochran in the 1950s, the Beatles and the Stones in the 1960s, the Stray Cats in the late 1970s and early 1980s, rockers from the Cult to the Reverend Horton Heat in the 1990s and right on through to today with performers such as Brian Setzer, the Gore Gore Girls, the Legendary Shack Shakers, the White Stripes and so many more. Watch any of it, and you’ll feel that spine-tingling electric thrill you get when you see a gorgeous Gretsch® guitar and hear “That Great Gretsch Sound!™”

One hundred and twenty five years later, nothing says pure hip-shakin’ adrenaline-pumping rock ‘n’ roll like a Gretsch. Nothing says rip-snortin’ tattooed-‘n’-tail-finned rockabilly like a Gretsch. No guitar looks cooler under the bright lights of the big stage or in the dank nightclub and roadhouse recesses where the music was born and still sounds best.

One hundred and twenty five years later, Gretsch guitars are still undeniably cooler than cool, daddy-o, and today we’re better than ever. Plus, you can take it from us that plenty of the best is still yet to come. So c’mon everybody—check your look in the mirror, shine that chrome trim one more time, sling that sweet Gretsch guitar over your shoulder and grab the gang. There’s a party going on, and you’re invited. Join us in celebrating 125 years of “That Great Gretsch Sound!”