History of Gretsch Guitars w/ Joey Carducci • Wildwood Guitars

From acclaimed Special Runs to iconic Masterbuilt works of art, Wildwood Guitars and Gretsch have partnered up to create some truly unique pieces. Featuring premium pickups, stunning finishes and plenty of vibe, Gretsch guitars have a sound and look all their own. Adored by players such as Chet Atkins, Brian Setzer, and George Harrsion, Gretsch guitars have carved out their own niche with their brilliant midrange, sparkling high end, and unmistakable signature tone. The Wildwood Team absolutely adores Gretsch guitars, and we invite you to experience the magic for yourself!
In this video we are joined by a good friend of the store, Joey Carducci of Gretsch Guitars, to talk about the history of one of the legendary guitar makers of our time.
Site: wildwoodguitars.com/
Facebook: on. 11aLDN5

[@n2space4u]

Back in 1982, I bought a 1956 Gretsch 6120. I called the company because I wanted to know more about my guitar. I don't know who I spoke to, but the gentleman was very knowledgable and had been around since the designing phase with Chet; and the fact that he took 20 minutes out of his day to educate a kid who had just bought his first old Gretsch always meant a lot to me.

[@andym28]

liked your story

[@michalmikolajmaslowski3994]

Amazing; thanks for sharing!

[@PaulMcCaffreyfmac]

Gotta love genial Joe Carducci

[@zzzddd7]

I love Gretsch. i tour with a Funk Legend. The Black Panther introduced me into the Gretsch world. No other guitar is that clear and responsive with unbelievable tones. i only play through a Tube Amp which captures all things Gretsch. Next up, the Power Jet in 3 weeks. The doubleneck this summer and the White Falcon the end of the Year. My Gretsch is used 90% in studio and 90% on stage... I Love Em!!!

[@Tonetwisters]

My first look at a Gretsch, was around 1962-63. My dad was looking for a guitar to buy for me and he and my older brother took me to see a guy who had a single cut Country Gentleman run through a brownface Concert. Neat rig. Unfortunately, I did not go home with it!

[@TheAngelEmpire]

thank you Wildwood for this video! Always the best when Greg and Joe do videos together! Please do more :)

[@JohnW335andTele]

Thank you Wildwood guitars for your videos that you bring us! Not only do I get to see a great player and comedian such as Greg, but you've also introduced me to Joe Carducci who I have seen in another video of yours. He seems like a very knowledgeable and cool guy as well. And, it's great to hear that Gretsch guitars are doing so well right now!

[@theincredibleimpression]

What a Fab history!!!!! Joe sounds like he's coming down with a cold! I think he got congested from laughing so much earlier!

[@sh4rkbyt3]

Thank you Gretsch for two amazing guitars. My G5420TG and my G7593T-BD White Falcon are both flawless and amazing in quality, finish, sound and especially tone! NOTHING sounds like a Gretsch, NOTHING!

[@bufferson]

Love these two guys! Keep it up gents, we are enjoying the fruits of your labour!

[@hiramgonzalez1367]

Hearing this amazing story of Gretsch makes me want to get one even if I don’t play guitar 🎸

[@loudharry3740]

Great Men! Gretch and Greg! Fantastic tandem right?

[@mikematice4629]

Both of them so knowledgeable.. awesome..love wildwood, love Joe also.. excellent content..

[@craigbrowning9448]

A guy who was one of my first mentors in music had an Early-Mid 1960 Country Club. He was a Jazz tinged lounge player from Hawaii.

[@jimmyhansen5842]

I have a 1971 Country Club. One of the best guitars I've ever played👍

[@WayneMemphisMojo]

I need 2 of those Falcons ... one for Monday thru Friday & the other for the Weekend ... bring those by for me would ya Greg.

[@bobbygibson2433]

Enjoyed that Guys. Well Done.

[@Bubbles4uk]

Just bought a Gretsch, these babies are beautifully designed. None of that silly relic business. I'm surprised there aren't more female artists listed on the website. KT Tunstall has a White Falcon.

[@jeffjacobson59]

I’m surprised there’s not any 1/8 black or Chinese artists. Where are the Transgendered?!Where are the the people with a relative missing a pinky finger? Enough of this millennial “woke” shit and enjoy the f$cking guitars!!!!

[@michalmikolajmaslowski3994]

Great video Wildwood Guitars, thanks! I’ve recently dabbled with the G6120SH and I have to say that I have not held a better crafted instrument in my whole life and I am not even that of a Brian’s fan; loved the pickups and the ergonomics of the design. In fact, I am picking my own Hot Rod in a few days. Gretsch is definitely something else and for all the wonderful reasons. Cheers!

[@nickwebb9290]

Really nice video, what great guys those two are. I must invite them round for dinner 😆

[@lance134679]

I've heard this story many times, but still enjoy it. Tell it again, grandpa :-)

[@TheBoscho]

love the story!

[@MarkKunie]

perfect!!

[@pifko87]

I think this is the longest I've ever seen Greg not speak :)

[@yarygork2334]

My guitar teacher in 63 had a few Gretsch models and Doug Torres always made my 63 Guild Starfire III sound anemic. I am shopping for a Gretsch but oh my Lord which one?

[@stepitupandgo67]

I want to meet Joey some day

[@gorillius]

i'd be happy to buy one or three

[@JFK1180]

Hi guys! I am going to buy a Gretsch G5420T in Fairlane blue! Going to use it as a allround guitar from jazz-country, rock and sounds from further into the forrest. I was reading a tip that i should replace the pickups right away with tv jones pickups. Is that a good idea? I have a feeling that it will transform the sound closer to a Gibson which i don't want. Is this correct? Feedback would be greatly appreciated!

[@EphICanIMite]

My goodness, that guitar sounds superb! I'm sure Mr. Kochs playing doesn't hurt! I wish I could play my G6120SSU Setzer Signature even remotely close to that good.

[@jimmyhansen5842]

I also have that SSU. One of the nicest guitars in the world. I feel so lucky👍

[@fposmith]

I had a 1958 6120 that I bought in 1965 for $250.00. That was a lot of money for a 16 year old kid to come up with back then. In 1969 I put it on a plane from Freeport in The Bahamas where I lived, to Fort Lauderdale Fl. I watched as it came off the plane on to the baggage truck. I went through Immigration then to baggage claim. It was no where to be found. Customs called the police and they questioned a bunch of baggage handlers. But nothing came of it. I filed a claim with Eastern Airlines but all I got was $60.00 which was their limit on baggage claim reimbursement at the time. It makes me sick to this day. Through the years I tried to replace it but could never find one or when I did it was way out of my price range. I sure loved that guitar and still miss it after all these years.

[@droptuned83]

Douglas Smith, my heart is sad at this story Doug I feel your pain.

[@yarygork2334]

Something similar happened to Crag Chaquico in Germany with the Starship tour with his beloved 1960 Les Paul. 35 years later he found it and had to sue the owner at the time for joint custody. Maybe fate will re-connect you to your lost treasure! Never give up hope and with the internet if its ever listed for sale you'll see it.

[@meatwad1]

I always thought of Gretsch as the Cadillac of American guitars.

[@andym28]

anyone know the intro tune

[@n2space4u]

+Andy M thank you

[@UmbertoRonco]

Give this man a glass of water! Poor Joe!

[@michaelgonzalez7304]

I love the Gretsch company and it's history especially because they started in my home of the Big Apple. I hope that someday that Gretsch will soon move production back to Brooklyn in my home of New York City but in a new facility because we have not had any normal musical instrument production and manufacturing here since 1969 (The year that Baldwin screwed up Gretsch and moved production from Brooklyn, NY to De Queen, Arkansas which resulted in 2 horrible factory fires which resulted also in decrease in their quality control). No offense to Gretsch in Asia, Ridgeland, South Carolina, and California at Fender Custom Shop but I really hope that someday standard musical instrument production and manufacturing will come back to my home in the Big Apple New York City. PS: I love the Gretsch Factory Condo Building at 60 Broadway in Williamsburg Brooklyn. #MAKEBROOKLYNGRETSCHAGAIN

[@maxbauer1633]

holy crow the White Falcon is same size as Malcolm Young head to toe, it looks like a frigging toy on gregs succulent lap, how big is this fella??

[@stepitupandgo67]

Well, hell, Greg too

[@NoCantsAllowed]

Brent Hinds

[@kevinosullivan1456]

I find the guy on the lefts cough hilarious

[@chums772]

gretsch is like the toyota of guitars

[@rdehn5799]

Ford - Chevy - Dodge....

[@davehopping7212]

Cars? I'd compare Gretsch to Packard! Only they survived.Too bad about Packard......

[@colaboytje]

4 Dumbles in the back?

[@withcranes]

I'll take a Billy Bo any time.

[@baileyva]

The lead guitarist of the Average White Band made this instrument know to me.... School Boy Crush.

[@elmuan]

Somebody get Joe a lozenge or a glass of water.

[@seangrexa4707]

You beat me to it, his throat sounds like a desert. Painful.

[@keithclark486]

@@seangrexa4707 That was 3 years ago He's since turned into a Sand Lizard.

[@oboyy]

Is this penguin from batman? :D

[@jimdeeds]

Hold n. This wasn't shot this month- February 2017. Greg is more svelte than this tight now. I call fake news on this video!!

[@whimpypatrol5503]

A shame all the rockabilly artists either died, were murdered, got drafted, were jailed, broke their necks, had car, plane or motorcycle accidents, recieved trauma from ectro-shock medical treatment or (to escape the industry wrath) switched to country or pop or, like cliff gallop, just got out of the music business. Except for the Beatles, CSNY, and Chet Atkins, Gretch was dead when rock came back to life 5 years later thru the fender playing beach boys.

[@joesasser752]

Modern Gretsch has really let me down. First they add solid blocks like Gibson, send the cheap stuff to Korea, now cheaper goes to Indonesia, while raising prices on Korean stuff. Don't want locking tuners, pinned bridges, or tone blocks. I'm keeping my Brooklyn made Gretsches, and for other hollow bodies, going with Epi. I've played them, they beat the socks off the crap coming from Gretsch.

[@edgerat]

on a side note, at least the necks stay attached on the newer Japanese and other Asian-built Gretsch's.

[@joesasser752]

edgerat couldn't stand the neck on my MIJ 6128 it lived in the case for 3 years, traded it for a Brooklyn CA Nashville and those luscious vintage filtertrons. Neck feels like butter.

[@edgerat]

fair enough man, just being a pecker :) I really like these Gretsch's, the MIJ ones are all I've ever really "played" I didn't have the guts to play the last legit one I saw.

[@bluewallinc7878]

Joe Sasser if you don't like them, buy a masterbuilt made from the custom shop to get what you're asking for. Gretsch is expanding like any business, so of course they are gonna change their recipes to meet demand and request