[Steadfastly]

I seem to be seeing more of these lately. I don't know how good they are as I have never played one.

What I am wondering is, are they a Fender clone? Since Fender runs Gretsch, I'm wondering if Gretsch acoustics are actually Fenders in Gretsch coverings.

 

[colchar]

Well Fender has expanded their acoustic line recently, but to my knowledge they are all made in China. I expect that the Gretsch ones will be too.

 

[Bubb]

.

 

[jdto]

From what Gretsch has on their website, they don't look to be the same as the Fender lines.

 

[DaddyDog]

Fender runs Gretsch

Not true. Gretsch runs Gretsch. Gretsch has a contract with Fender for production and distribution.

I haven't tried both, so I can't comment on how similar they may be. Also, I haven't looked closely at all of the Gretsch acoustics except for the Falcon Ranchers. They are made in Indonesia. I was very impressed right from the first one I played. To me, it was noticeably better than the previous Korean builds. Typically I hear people say they are great value, and sound better amplified than not.

 

[High/Deaf]

Not true. Gretsch runs Gretsch. Gretsch has a contract with Fender for production and distribution.

I haven't tried both, so I can't comment on how similar they may be. Also, I haven't looked closely at all of the Gretsch acoustics except for the Falcon Ranchers. They are made in Indonesia. I was very impressed right from the first one I played. To me, it was noticeably better than the previous Korean builds. Typically I hear people say they are great value, and sound better amplified than not.

Absolutely correct. The post you replied to is not. It's a hands-off financial/distribution deal.

 

[jdto]

It does seem as though Fender is involved in the design process, as well as manufacture and distribution and marketing.
From here: Gretsch History: The Gretsch Pages
The Fender era
In the fall of 2002, Gretsch began yet another new era as Fender Musical Instruments Corporation secured an agreement that basically gave them all control over the manufacturing and distribution of Gretsch. Fender immediately went to work addressing some longstanding complaints of Gretsch fans, and quickly began introducing a full range of new and improved models.

 

[Robert1950]

Here you go Steadly...

 

[High/Deaf]

It does seem as though Fender is involved in the design process, as well as manufacture and distribution and marketing.
From here: Gretsch History: The Gretsch Pages
The Fender era
In the fall of 2002, Gretsch began yet another new era as Fender Musical Instruments Corporation secured an agreement that basically gave them all control over the manufacturing and distribution of Gretsch. Fender immediately went to work addressing some longstanding complaints of Gretsch fans, and quickly began introducing a full range of new and improved models.

I read somewhere that Fender had some input on the manufacturing process in the Terada factory, sorting out a few issues, but didn't have anything to do with any design aspects. But I don't really know beyond that.

Many people consider instruments built in the new FMIC era bit of an improvement. Again, only hearsay, but I do like my post-FMIC Terada build. Great guitar.

 

[jdto]

I read somewhere that Fender had some input on the manufacturing process in the Terada factory, sorting out a few issues, but didn't have anything to do with any design aspects. But I don't really know beyond that.

Many people consider instruments built in the new FMIC era bit of an improvement. Again, only hearsay, but I do like my post-FMIC Terada build. Great guitar.

It does seem that Fender has provided technical input and design expertise to help improve the product lines. The new Gretsch guitars that I've played recently have been impressive, both Electromatics and the high level ones.

 

[High/Deaf]

It does seem that Fender has provided technical input and design expertise to help improve the product lines. The new Gretsch guitars that I've played recently have been impressive, both Electromatics and the high level ones.

I played quite a few 60s and 70s Gretsches when I worked in the music store in the late 70s. You couldn't give them away at the start of the EVH / pointy guitars era.

And I was so blindered by my own bias, I never gave them a fair shake. In particular, I didn't much like the snap-on back protector. I defer to Mr Bachman's brains and experience. Smart guy with a good sense of the market.

 

[cboutilier]

I spent some time with a modern Gretsch wood body resonator acoustic. I found the nut width uncomfortably narrow.