Gretsch dates way back to 1883 when Friedrich Gretsch began manufacturing instruments as the Fred Gretsch Company. Friedrich died on a trip overseas, and his son Fred took over the company in 1895 at the age of 15. Business boomed and the company had expanded to percussion, ukuleles, and banjos. In the early 1930s Gretsch introduced their archtop guitars. Fred Gretsch Sr. retired in 1942, and William Walter Gretsch took over until 1948 when Fred Gretsch Jr. became president. The 1950-60s became the heyday for Gretsch as their instruments became endorsed by Chet Atkins and George Harrison. Gretsch Jr., Jimmy Webster, and Charles "Duke" Kramer were all responsible for the success. Kramer was involved with the company until he retired in 1980. In the early 1950s, Gretsch decided to bring in an amplifier line to go with their guitars. Valco, a company that made amplifiers for many companies (Supro, National, Airline, & Oahu), also started to make amplifiers for Gretsch. Naturally, these amps were quite similar to other Valco made amplifiers.
Gretsch went through five distinct changes over the years to the amplifier line. In 1967, Gretsch was bought out by Baldwin, where Gretsch Jr. was made a director. Rumor has it that Baldwin slowed amplifier production after the buyout. Valco continued to make amplifiers for Gretsch until Valco went out of business in 1968-69. Amplifiers were then probably manufactured by Multivox/Premier and the Reverb units were made by OC Electronics. In 1972, Gretsch released the solid-state Sonax series that was relatively short lived. There was a big fire that pretty much wiped out everything in January 1973 (Booneville). This halted guitar production for three months when Bill Hagner of Hagner Musical Instruments formed an agreement with Baldwin to build and sell Gretsch guitars. Baldwin kept the trademark rights, and everything was good until another fire in December of 1973. However, they recovered and squeeked through the 1970s, when Baldwin came in 1978 and took over again. Baldwin bought the Kustom amplifier company in 1978, and it is rumored that some Gretsch amps were actually Kustoms in disguise!
The 1970s took their toll on Gretsch for a number of reasons. Quality control went downhill in a hurry, and it is rumored that disgruntled employees were sabatoging product. Sales were way down and Chet Atkins withdrew his endorsement in 1979. Gretsch stopped producing everything except for drums (produced in Tennesse) in 1981. There were some attempts to get Gretsch going again in the early 1980s, but to no avail. Amplifier production had been long gone by this time. Kramer got Baldwin to sell the rights back to the family and Gretsch III was in charge again. He started producing guitars from Japan that were mainly offered in the U.S. In 1995, Gretsch introduced three reissue models built in the U.S. In 2005, Gretsch contracted Mark Baier from Victoria Amplifiers to build a new line of U.S.-built Gretsch-branded tube amplifiers. In 2008, Gretsch introduced a small tube amp called the Electromatic that is produced overseas, and they also produced a limited edition Variety amp for Gretsch's 125th Anniversary. Source for Gretsch History: Michael Wright, Guitar Stories:Volume 1; The Gretsch Pages.
Amplifiers currently produced in the Naperville, IL since 2005. Distributed by Fender Musical Instruments Corporation in Scottsdale, AZ. Amplifiers previously produced by Valco in New York City, NY until 1970, and later produced in Booneville, AR until the late 1970s.

GRETSCH Guitar Amplifiers Models

GRETSCH 7154 NASHVILLE Image

GRETSCH 7154 NASHVILLE

- 75W, 2-15 in. Maximum Performance or optional Lansing speakers, guitar/bass combo unit, solid-state chassis, reverb, tremolo, magic echo, front silver control panel, five inputs (Ch. 1: two, Ch. 2: three), eight knobs (Ch. 1: v, b, t, Ch....

GRETSCH 6144 PRE-AMP REVERB Image

GRETSCH 6144 PRE-AMP REVERB

- preamp only, no speaker, top control panel, three-way tone switch, reverb intensity knob, footswitch, available in one variation (black covering, brown grille), 15.625 in. wide, 8.75 in. tall, 7.375 in. deep, 8 lbs., mfg. circa 1967-68.

GRETSCH G6156 PLAYBOY (NO. 230-1000-100) Image

GRETSCH G6156 PLAYBOY (NO. 230-1000-100)

- 15W, 1-12 in. Eminence Legend speaker, guitar combo, tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL34, single channel, tremolo, top chrome control panel, single input, six knobs (i, s, m, b, t, v), power switch, pilot light, two-tone blac...

GRETSCH 7155 TORNADO Image

GRETSCH 7155 TORNADO

- 150W, 4-15 in. Lansing speakers, guitar/bass head and two speaker cabinets with 2-15 in. speakers in each one, solid-state chassis, reverb, tremolo, magic echo, front silver control panel, five inputs (Ch. 1: two, Ch. 2: three), eight kno...

GRETSCH 6149 DELUXE REVERB Image

GRETSCH 6149 DELUXE REVERB

- 17W, 1-10 in. Jensen speaker, reverb or guitar amp combo, five tube chassis, top control panel, volume knob/reverb intensity, reverb contrast tone switch, remote footswitch, available in one variation (black covering, brown grille), 19.25...

GRETSCH 6150 COMPACT Image

GRETSCH 6150 COMPACT

- 5W, 1-8 in. speaker, all tube chassis, preamp: 12AX7, power: 6V6, rectifier: 5V3, single channel, back brown control panel, two or three inputs, one volume knob, available in at least three variations (1st Electromatic style, 2nd Electrom...

GRETSCH G6163 EXECUTIVE (NO. 230-1010-100) Image

GRETSCH G6163 EXECUTIVE (NO. 230-1010-100)

- 20W, 1-15 in. Eminence Legend speaker, guitar combo, tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, 2 X 12AT7, power: 2 X 6V6, rectifier: 5AR4, single channel, reverb, tremolo, top chrome control panel, two inputs, seven knobs (i, s, r, m, b, t, v), po...

GRETSCH 7157 ROGUE Image

GRETSCH 7157 ROGUE

- 35W, 2-12 in. Maximum Performance speakers, guitar/bass combo unit, solid-state chassis, reverb, tremolo, magic echo, front silver control panel, five inputs (Ch. 1: two, Ch. 2: three), eight knobs (Ch. 1: v, b, t, Ch. 2: v, b, t, r, s),...

GRETSCH G6164 VARIETY (NO. 230-1020-100) Image

GRETSCH G6164 VARIETY (NO. 230-1020-100)

- 40W, 3-10 in. Jensen speakers, guitar combo, tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, 3 X 12AT7, power: 2 X 6L6, rectifier: 5AR4, single channel, reverb, tremolo, top chrome control panel, two inputs, seven knobs (i, s, r, m, b, t, v), power swit...

GRETSCH 7763 EXPANDER-G Image

GRETSCH 7763 EXPANDER-G

- 300W, head-unit plus two cabinets "single-but-split" either 2-12 in. or 1-15 in. speakers, solid-state chassis, two or three channels, tremolo, fuzz control, reverb, front silver control panel, various controls and knobs, black...

GRETSCH BROADKASTER MINI LEAD 50 Image

GRETSCH BROADKASTER MINI LEAD 50

- 50W, 1-12 in. speaker, guitar combo, solid-state chassis, single channel, reverb, front silver control panel, two inputs, four knobs (v, b, t, r), black covering, black grille, mfg. early 1970s.

GRETSCH 6151 ELECTROMATIC STANDARD Image

GRETSCH 6151 ELECTROMATIC STANDARD

- 5-6W, 1-8 in. speaker, guitar combo, three tube chassis, single channel, rear control panel, three inputs, two white plastic pointer knobs (v, tone), available in two variations (tweed and first style Electromatic gray/black), mfg. mid 19...

GRETSCH 6152 COMPACT TREMOLO REVERB Image

GRETSCH 6152 COMPACT TREMOLO REVERB

- 5W, 11 X 6 in. Jensen elliptical or 1-12 in. speaker, six tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, power: 2 X 6V6, rectifier: 5Y3, single channel, top control panel, reverb, tremolo, three inputs, four control knobs (v, tone, r, s), three-way pow...

GRETSCH 6154 SUPER BASS Image

GRETSCH 6154 SUPER BASS

- 70W, 2-12 in. Jensen speakers, bass combo, eight tube chassis, top control panel, two inputs, three knobs (v, tone, three-way tone switch), available in one variation (standard box style), 27.5 in. wide, 18.75 in. tall, 9 in. deep, 53 lbs...

GRETSCH 6155 ELECTROMATIC ARTIST Image

GRETSCH 6155 ELECTROMATIC ARTIST

- 10-12W, 1-10 in. speaker, guitar combo, five tube chassis, single channel, rear control panel, three inputs, two white plastic pointer knobs (v, tone), available in two variations (tweed and first style Electromatic gray/black), mfg. mid-...

GRETSCH 6156 PLAYBOY Image

GRETSCH 6156 PLAYBOY

- 17W, 1-10 in. or 1-12 in. speaker, six tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, power: 2 X 6973, rectifier: 5Y3GT, single channel, tremolo (later models), back control panel, three inputs, three knobs (tone, v, i for later models), available in a...

GRETSCH 6157 SUPER BASS Image

GRETSCH 6157 SUPER BASS

- 35W, 2-15 in. Maximum performance speakers, bass piggy-back design, five tube chassis, single channel, front control panel, three inputs, three knobs (v, tone, tone range selector), high/low bass switch, power switch with polarity reversa...

GRETSCH 6159 DUAL BASS Image

GRETSCH 6159 DUAL BASS

- 35/37W, 2-12 in. Jensen speakers, bass combo, seven tube chassis, two channels, tremolo, top control panel, four inputs, six knobs (Ch. 1: v, tone, s, i, Ch. 2: v, tone), power/standby switch, available in one variation (standard box styl...

GRETSCH 6159 DUAL PLAYBOY TREMOLO Image

GRETSCH 6159 DUAL PLAYBOY TREMOLO

- 35W, 2-12 in Jensen speakers, tall combo unit, six tube chassis, four diodes, two channels, tremolo, front control panel, four inputs, six knobs (Ch. 1: v, tone, s, i, Ch. 2: v, tone), available in one variation (tall combo style), mfg. c...

GRETSCH 6160 CHET ATKINS COUNTRY GENTLEMAN Image

GRETSCH 6160 CHET ATKINS COUNTRY GENTLEMAN

- 35/37W, 2-12 in. Jensen speakers, nine tube chassis, preamp: 6 X 12AX7, power: 2 X 7027, rectifier: 5U4G, two channels, two control panels, top panel has six knobs (Ch. 1: v, b, t, Ch. 2: v, b, t), rear panel has five inputs plus one for...

GRETSCH 6161 ELECTROMATIC TWIN Image

GRETSCH 6161 ELECTROMATIC TWIN

- 14W, 2 11 X 6 in. Elliptical speakers plus a 3 in. tweeter, six tube chassis preamp: 3 X 12AX7, power: 2 X 6973 (or 6L6), rectifier: 5U4, two channels, tremolo, rear or top control panel, three knobs, three knobs (v, tone, s), footswitch,...

GRETSCH 6161 DUAL TWIN (FIRST VERSION) Image

GRETSCH 6161 DUAL TWIN (FIRST VERSION)

- 17W, 2-10 in. Jensen speakers plus a 5 in. tweeter, six tube chassis preamp: 3 X 12AX7, power: 2 X 6973 (or 6L6), rectifier: 5U4, two channels, tremolo, top control panel, four inputs, four knobs, (v1, v2, tone, s), footswitch, available...

GRETSCH 6161 DUAL TWIN (SECOND VERSION) Image

GRETSCH 6161 DUAL TWIN (SECOND VERSION)

- 17W, 2-10 in. speakers, six tube chassis preamp: 3 X 12AX7, power: 2 X 6973 (or 6L6), rectifier: 5U4, four diodes, two channels, tremolo, reverb, front control panel, four inputs, five knobs, (Ch. 1: v, tone, Ch. 2: v, tone, s), footswitc...

GRETSCH 6162 DUAL TWIN REVERB (FIRST VERSION) Image

GRETSCH 6162 DUAL TWIN REVERB (FIRST VERSION)

- 19/17W, 2-10 in. Jensen speakers, eight tube chassis preamp: 5 X 12AX7, power: 2 X 6973 (or 6L6), rectifier: 5U4, one channel, tremolo, reverb, top control panel, three inputs, five knobs, (v, tone, s, i), footswitch, available in one var...

GRETSCH 6162 DUAL TWIN REVERB (SECOND VERSION) Image

GRETSCH 6162 DUAL TWIN REVERB (SECOND VERSION)

- 17W, 2-10 in. speakers, eight tube chassis preamp: 5 X 12AX7, power: 2 X 6973 (or 6L6), rectifier: 5U4, four diodes, two channels, tremolo, reverb, front control panel, four inputs, seven knobs, (Ch. 1: v, tone, Ch. 2: v, tone, s, i, r),...

GRETSCH 6163 ELECTROMATIC DELUXE Image

GRETSCH 6163 ELECTROMATIC DELUXE

- 20-25W, 1-15 in. Jensen speaker, six tube chassis, power: 2 X 6L6, two channels, tremolo, rear or top control panel, four inputs (three of Ch. 1, one for Ch. 2), three knobs (v, tone, s), footswitch, available in at least two variations (...

GRETSCH 6163 CHET ATKINS PIGGYBACK Image

GRETSCH 6163 CHET ATKINS PIGGYBACK

- 70W, 1-15 in. and 1-12 in. Maximum performance speakers, guitar piggyback unit, tube chassis, four diodes, two channels, reverb, tremolo, front control panel, five inputs, ten knobs, (Ch. 1: v, t, b, Ch. 2: v, t, b, Both: brilliance switc...

GRETSCH 6164 VARIETY Image

GRETSCH 6164 VARIETY

- 35W, 2-12 in. Jensen speakers, nine tube chassis, power: 2 X 6L6, two channels, tremolo, top control panel, four inputs, eight knobs (Ch. 1: v, b, t, Ch. 2: v, b, t, s, i) hi/lo gain switch, available in one variation (standard box style)...

GRETSCH 6165 VARIETY PLUS Image

GRETSCH 6165 VARIETY PLUS

- 35W, 2-12 in. Jensen speakers, 11 tube chassis, power: 2 X 6L6, two channels, reverb, tremolo, top control panel, four inputs, nine knobs (Ch. 1: v, b, t, Ch. 2: v, b, t, s, i, r) hi/lo gain switch, available in one variation (standard bo...

GRETSCH 6166 ELECTROMATIC HI-FI Image

GRETSCH 6166 ELECTROMATIC HI-FI

- 30W, 2-12 in. Jensen speakers and two tweeters, 10 tube chassis, two channels, top control panel, five inputs (two in Ch. 1, three in Ch. 2), five knobs (v1, v2, t, b, tone-range selector), available in at least two variations (tweed and...

GRETSCH 6166 FURY Image

GRETSCH 6166 FURY

- 70W, 2-12 in. Jensen speakers, guitar combo, 12 tube chassis, power: 4 X 6V6, two channels, tremolo, reverb, top control panel, four inputs, 10 knobs (Ch. 1: v, b, t, Ch. 2: v, b, t, tone range selector, s, i, r), footswitch, availble in...

GRETSCH 6169 FURY PIGGYBACK Image

GRETSCH 6169 FURY PIGGYBACK

- 70W, 2-12 in. speakers, guitar piggyback unit, 11 tube chassis, four diodes, two channels, reverb, tremolo, front black and silver control panel, five inputs (two per each channel, one dual purpose), 10 knobs (Ch. 1: v, b, t, Ch. 2: v, b,...

GRETSCH 6170 PRO BASS Image

GRETSCH 6170 PRO BASS

- 25W (Later models 35W), 1-15 in. Maximum Performance speaker, five tube chassis, four diodes, single channel, front control panel, three inputs, three knobs (v, b, t), line reverse switch, available in one variation (tall combo style), 19...