GretschTalk.com

In the 1980s, rockabilly revival player Brian Setzer rekindled interest in the brand with his band the Stray Cats—he now has his own signature model. Chris Isaak’s emergence into mainstream rock & roll radio only added to the fuel. His band, Silvertone, boasted a signature Gretsch sound which attracted the likes of renowned film director David Lynch, who subsequently used Isaak’s music in the films Blue Velvet (1986) and Wild at Heart (1990) as a soundtrack to Lynch’s surreal ’50s atmosphere. In 1997, the Australian punk/rockabilly band The Living End rose to popularity, with guitarist Chris Cheney using a number of Gretschs, including a White Falcon and a Duo Jet. This was not the first use of Gretsch guitars in punk ; Billy Zoom of X played a Silver Jet, while in rock, Malcolm Young of AC/DC played a double cut Jet Firebird (with the top finish stripped off and one pickup removed), and White Falcon (as seen in the video “Back in Black”) during the band’s career. In the 1990s, Chris Cornell of Soundgarden used a Duo Jet, and could be seen in the video for “Black Hole Sun”. In the music video for “Malibu” by Hole, lead singer Courtney Love can be seen playing a Gretsch. Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong consistently uses a Country Club, which has been customized with various coats of pink and black spray paint, at live performances. The 2000 songs Otherside “Californication” by Red Hot Chili Peppers was played on a vintage 1950s White Falcon, and can be seen in the video. One of the most recent Gretsch players is Ross Phillips of HARD-Fi. U2 lead singer Bono’s signature guitar is an “Irish Falcon”, green in colour with the phrase ‘The Goal Is Soul’ printed on the pickguard in black text. Billy Duffy of The Cult has prominently used the White Falcon over decades. Jack White of The White Stripes has cast aside his trademark red Airline guitar (an instrument strongly associated with the Stripes) in favour of a custom Gretsch Triple-Jet copy for use in his newest band, The Raconteurs.

Fender Assumes Manufacturing and Marketing Responsibility

Finally, in 2003, Gretsch and Fender reached an agreement giving Fender most control over production and distribution of guitars (although the Gretsch family still owns Gretsch Guitars) — and a foothold in the hollowbody guitar market traditionally dominated by Gibson. The Gretsch family continues its involvement in the drum business, which is now part of the Kaman Music Corporation of musical instrument companies. New models and improvements of old ones are being released quickly, and Gretsch appears on its way to a new golden age. Gretsch drums are reputed to sound as good as ever.