- GRETSCH
- chevron_right PRODUCTION MODEL CODES/CONTROL LAYOUT
The Gretsch company assigned a name and a four digit number to each guitar model. However, they would also assign a different, yet associated number to the same model in a different color or component assembly. This system helped expedite the ordering system, says Charles Duke Kramer, "you could look at an invoice and know exactly which model and color from one number." References in this text, while still incomplete, will list variances in the model designations.
Current Gretsch models may have a G preface to the four digit code, and also letters at the end that designate different bridge configuration (like a Bigsby tremolo), or a cutaway body style. Many of the reissue models also have a hyphen and four digit year following the primary model number designation that indicate a certain vintage-style year.
Gretsch uses a unique control and knob style that can be quite confusing. In their catalogs, they use three general control layouts that are numbered 1, 2, and 3. Since most of their guitars utilize one of these three schemes, we refer to them in the Blue Book of Electric Guitars as control layout #1, control layout #2, or control layout #3. When a model does not follow one of these schemes, we simply describe the layout as we normally would.
Control layout #1: four knobs and one switch total with three knobs on the lower treble bout (neck pickup volume, bridge pickup volume, and tone), one knob on the upper treble bout (MV), and one three-way switch on the upper bass bout (pickup selector).
Control layout #2: three knobs and two switches total with two knobs on the lower treble bout (neck pickup volume and bridge pickup volume), one knob on the upper treble bout (MV), and two switches on the upper bass bout (pickup selector and master tone selector).
Control layout #3: four knobs and two switches total with three knobs on the lower treble bout (neck pickup volume, bridge pickup volume, and standby), one knob on the upper treble bout (MV), and two switches on the upper bass bout (pickup selector and master tone selector). Note: older models may have an actual switch for the standby control rather than a knob.
Current Gretsch models may have a G preface to the four digit code, and also letters at the end that designate different bridge configuration (like a Bigsby tremolo), or a cutaway body style. Many of the reissue models also have a hyphen and four digit year following the primary model number designation that indicate a certain vintage-style year.
Gretsch uses a unique control and knob style that can be quite confusing. In their catalogs, they use three general control layouts that are numbered 1, 2, and 3. Since most of their guitars utilize one of these three schemes, we refer to them in the Blue Book of Electric Guitars as control layout #1, control layout #2, or control layout #3. When a model does not follow one of these schemes, we simply describe the layout as we normally would.
Control layout #1: four knobs and one switch total with three knobs on the lower treble bout (neck pickup volume, bridge pickup volume, and tone), one knob on the upper treble bout (MV), and one three-way switch on the upper bass bout (pickup selector).
Control layout #2: three knobs and two switches total with two knobs on the lower treble bout (neck pickup volume and bridge pickup volume), one knob on the upper treble bout (MV), and two switches on the upper bass bout (pickup selector and master tone selector).
Control layout #3: four knobs and two switches total with three knobs on the lower treble bout (neck pickup volume, bridge pickup volume, and standby), one knob on the upper treble bout (MV), and two switches on the upper bass bout (pickup selector and master tone selector). Note: older models may have an actual switch for the standby control rather than a knob.