During the 1950s and 1960s, the Gretsch Guitar Company released some of the most beautiful guitars ever produced. In 1959,when I was 10 years old, I received my first guitar lesson. In 1958, the Grestch Guitar Company released the Gretsch Double Anniversary Two Tone Green Model 6125 and my father purchased one in 1959. I still own the guitar and have loved it all these years.

In 1883, Friedrich Gretsch, a young German immigrant founded the Gretsch Company in Brooklyn, New York, manufacturing  banjos, tambourines, and drums. The successful company was taken over by his son, Friedrich Gretsch, Jr., and under his leadership, the company rose to become one of the most prominent musical instrument makers in America.

During the 50s and 60s, several notable artists played and promoted the Gretsch guitar. Beginning in 1957, a young guitar player named Duane Eddy gained worldwide success with his “twangy" instrumental records, television appearances, and extensive touring. Other stars playing the Gretsch include Eddie Cochran, The Monkees, George Harrison of the Beatles, and Elvis Presley. The greatest single contribution to Gretsch’s success, however, was the endorsement by Chet Atkins, one the pre-eminent guitarists of his day. His endorsement gave greater visibility in Gretsch’s competition with Gibson and Les Paul. Ultimately, Gretsch sold thousands of guitars with Chet's name on the pickguard, most notably the 6120 Chet Atkins model.

George Harrison played a Gretsch in the music video of 'You're Going To Lose That Girl' in the movie 'Help!' His favorite Gretsch, however, was undoubtedly the black Duo Jet he had bought in 1961 as his first good electric guitar. In the 1980s he played the same guitar on his 'Cloud Nine' album which appears on the cover of that album.

In the late 1960s, Fred Gretsch retired and sold the company to Baldwin Manufacturing. The Baldwin marriage was not a happy one as Baldwin had difficulty understanding Gretsch's position in the market and failed to make a transition through the psychedelic '60s and hard-rock '70s. Kids inspired by Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton turned to Fender.

With sales down and the head office increasingly disinterested, Gretsch limped through the 70s and discontinued production in the 1980s.

Fred Gretsch III, unhappy with the loss of the Gretsch heritage, vowed it would return, and in 1985 his dream came true. For the first time since the company left the family, he was able bring the Gretsch legacy back into the limelight with a series of successful re-issues and new models. In 2002, he struck a deal with Fender Musical Instruments Corporation to handle Gretsch manufacturing and distribution, bringing that "Great Gretsch Sound" to be heard worldwide once again.