Guitar brand founded in 1883 specializing in semi-solid guitars and batteries. It all began in 1883, when 27-year-old Friedrich Gretsch, a German immigrant, founded his shop in Brooklyn, New York, and began to make banjos, drums and tambourines. Only 12 years later Friedrich died, leaving the fledgling company in the hands of his teenage son Fred. In the late-'60s, Fred Gretsch Jr. retired and sold the company to Baldwin Manufacturing. In late 2002 a deal was struck for Fender Musical Instruments Corp. to handle Gretsch Guitars manufacturing and distribution, allowing "That Great Gretsch Sound" to be heard in even more places around the world.

Nowadays its products have reached iconic category because of their quality and recognition. The list of musicians who have used their guitars is endless: Chet Atkins, Johnny Cash, PJ Harvey, George Harrison, David Crosby...