Vintage Gretsch Guitars – Basses
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When you hear vintage Gretsch guitars you probably don’t associate them with basses. But even though they are known more for their drums and electric guitars, Gretsch made some unique and great sounding basses in its time.
Gretsch History
It all began in 1883 when a German immigrant named Friedrich Gretsch opened a small music store in Brooklyn, NY where he made drums, tambourines and banjos. Friedrich would die in 1895, at the age of 39, when he fell ill while visiting Germany.
His son Fred took over the business although he was only 15 years old. In 1927 they came out with their Gretsch-American drum line and also in that year started putting their name on company made guitars. A few years later, in 1935 they introduced their Broadkaster drum series.
Also during 1935 Duke Kramer would join the company. Kramer took to the road to sell Gretsch instruments to dealers as well as to players in various clubs. He learned from them what they were looking for in guitars and this led way to the great sound of Gretsch.
Gretsch introduced their first electric guitar in 1939. In 1942, Fred Sr. retired and handed the company over to his two sons Fred, Jr. and Bill. Bill would die in 1948 leaving Fred, Jr. at the helm during the rock and roll explosion of the 50s and 60s.
Fred Jr. retired in 1967 and sold the company to Baldwin. But in 1985 Friedrich’s great grandson, Fred W. Gretsch, bought the company back. In 2002, Gretsch made a deal that allows Fender to manufacture and distribute their new line of guitars.
It’s Bass Time
Bikini Bass
Grestch got a late jump into the bass market. Their first model was introduced in 1961 and to say it was a little different is a gross understatement.
Their first bass, model 6024, was also known as the “Bikini Bass.” It had a modular design whereby the neck was interchangeable. The neck was bolted to a rectangular slab which included the pickup, bridge and tailpiece.
The entire shaft was then slipped into the body which was hinged in the middle and could be folded in half. There was also a double-neck body version so you could also add a guitar shaft side by side to the bass shaft. It didn’t sound good and didn’t last long, it was gone by 1963.
In 1963 they got a little more conventional with their far superior “Country Gentleman” model 6070 (single pickup). It had a double cutaway hollow body with a 34” scale, built in muffler, padded back and 24 carat gold-plated hardware. In 1968 they introduced their double pickup model 6072.
John Entwistle of the Who, favored the 6070 model and played it for a while… as he did with many other basses. Production of the Country Gentleman basses continued through 1972.
In 1968 they also introduced their short scaled 6071 (single pickup) and 6073 (double pickup) vintage Gretsch guitars. These were single cut hollow body basses with a 29” scale length, padded back and polished hardware (no gold this time). The 6073 model was often used by Peter Tork of the Monkees. These were produced through 1972 as well.
1963 Model 6070
1967 Model 6073
1976 Broadkaster
From 1972 through 1975 the model 7615 (cleverly named the “Solid Body Bass”) was the only Gretsch bass around. It had a solid double cutaway body, 34 inch scale length, two pickups and a pickguard covering most of the body.
The “Broadkaster Bass” made its debut in 1975. Gretsch really liked the name Broadkaster for some reason as they used it for their acoustic guitars as well as for drums. This solid body double cutaway model has a familiar appearance and sports a single pickup and a 30 ½ inch scale.
Other models from the 1960s-1970s included the “Committee Bass” and “TK 300 Bass”
Collectibility
Even though these vintage Gretsch guitars are not heavily sought out by collectors there is some appeal due to their sound quality and uniqueness.
The Bikini Bass, for example, is mostly looked at as a novelty bass and will run $1,000-$1,200 in excellent condition.
The Country Gentleman model 6070 bass in excellent condition, from 1963-1964, will go for $2,000-$2,500 while the 1965-1972 model years will run about $1,700-$2000.
The 2 pickup model 6072 will go for $1,400-$1,700.
The short scaled 6071 bass will go for $1,800-$2,200 while the 2 pickup 6073 bass will go from $2,000-$2,500 in excellent condition.
How about the Broadkaster? Well that one can be had rather reasonably for $700-$900.
Actually, these vintage Gretsch guitars can be had for about the same price or even cheaper than their newer bass models as you can see below.
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