Gretsch Historic Series Resonator

Similar to a National estralita or a gibson dobro.
2000
12 fret to neck
looks like something that could have been built in 1960.
very solid and authentic looking.
nothing comes close under $1000.00

Best sounding reso I ever played. I've had nationals and gibsons,
3-4 times the cost, and none compare. This thing is freaking loud, warm and very complex sounding.
I LOVE IT.

Plays better than my taylor 610. Neck like my les paul, slim taper.
set up perfect when I got it.
I was honestly amazed at the workmanship and quality of this reso

so far so good.
I think shes built like a rock.
appears to be a thicker top than normal.
hope she stays around for 50 years.

never dealt with them

I had read a couple of good reviews, but had no idea this thing could be this hot.
wouldn't trade it for the world.
I'm planning on putting barcus pickup in it at some point.
records fantastic now though....

steal it?- you better not let me find you with it.
From what I've read these are now VERY rare.

Gretsch Historic Resonator (quite famous actually)..
Just made for a couple of years
traditonal looking national type spider bridge
12 fret to body, neck like a les paul.
mini grovers.
beautiful sunburst.
cannot find a flaw anywhere.
neck dressed perfectly.

I have owned 3 nationals, (radio-tone, delphi, and estralita), a dean, and a couple of regals. I have been playing electric for the last few years but was always looking for another great reso at a good price. Friend of mine told me he knew a guy that had a national that sounded better than any other reso he had heard, guy lost his job and was going to sell it. So I went over to check it out- and it was this gretsch. First of all I was very dissapointed thinking I was going to get a national for around 600-700 bucks. But..... this gretsch was beautiful, and the absolute coolest looking headstock/tuner combo I have seen on a reso.
And then I played it...
OMG. This is the most woody,earthy open toned reso I have ever played. I couldn't believe it. I hadn't read the reviews about this, actually didn't know it existed, but I guess you other folks know the same. But my gretsch is a f. gem. Even balanced, extremely warm, sounds like a fine cigar tastes, warm, thick and very robust. I was extremely surprized.
My was dead mint/new condition and I gave $685.00 for it. And it was worth every penny.

Secondly, I couldn't believe the neck on this thing. Feels ALOT like my slim taper les paul neck. Plays like butter. I have mine set up in between finger and slide, and it handles both perfectly. I also have a taylor 914, and this guitars neck is as easy to play as the taylor which costs me 5 times the bread. Can't find anything on the neck, frets, or fretboard that doesn't look like top quality components and workmanship. I play this reso 4-5 hours at a time, and can't do that with many guitars.

I have noticed that the top wood on the gretsch is thicker than the nationals and others I have had. I don't know if this helps, but it certainly feels and sounds much more robust that the others I have owned. This reso is built like a tank, so I don't think there will be any issues. I think it's a 2002, looks brand new. So we will see.
I will update this is 1 year, but as of right now- can't forsee any issues and I'm extremely happy.

Called the gretsch fellows to get some info on this model, which I didn't know existed. They were very nice and helpful and seemed to be very proud of this model. Made me want to buy some gretsch shirts so I did!

I've been playin 25 plus years. Toured, and recorded on over 10 albums. I currently own 18 electrics, 2 acoustics and this gretsch.

I'm actively looking for another one of these- just to see if it's as nice, and I would certainly buy another if I could find one.
If someone stole my gretsch, I would steal his wife, dog and home.

Not sure I've ever been happier for the return/value on what I had to give for this thing. I love it.

Sunburst
Spider Bridge Resenator
Mini Grovers tuners on a solid headstock
Roundneck (looks like it may be maple)
Neck meets the body at the 12th fret
Other reviewers say its lamenated maple and it probably is
No pickups
No case with it when I bought it used

I've play for about 35 years, mainly for my own pleasure. I always liked the sound of resenators and started out with an Epiphone several years ago. I don't have that one anymoe but do have several others, including a National, Gibson Dobro, and Tennessee Crafters. I like each of them for the different tone they have. A played a used Gretsch Historic Series Resenator about a month ago in a local store and went back to buy it today. My Dobro, which I like a lot because it has that classic Dobro sound, chimes more. I liked this Gretsch, though because has a nice mellow woody sound.

All my resenators are roundnecks. I play my resenators mostly in open tuning, either G, D, more often these days in E. I use a heavy brass slide nowadays but also use glass and ceramic, too. The neck on my Gibson Dobro is a little narrow for me and I don't have large hands. I liked the Gretsch because it has more of a regular neck and it tunes up and plays easily in standard tuning. Unlike a lot of other resenator plays, I use light gauge strings instead of medium or heavy. Since I bought it used I don't know how close it was to a factory set up. The finish is very good with any visable flaws. I plan at some point to replace the tuners (not that these are usable) but I like the butterbean style. The only thing about the guitar I don't like is that the bridge is plastic and I plan to replace it because plastic just isn't the right material for a resenator bridge.

I'm not sure how old this guitar is but it has seen a fair amount of play from its previous owner. I judge that to be true by the wear on the frets. Nevertheless, the finsih is very good and nothing is loose or out of place. I don't expect any problems as this seems to be solidly constructed. I plan to use it as a travel guitar. I think it is very gig-worthy.

N/A

I've been playing since 1971. I've have had or currently have Martins, Larrivees, Taylors for acoustics and Fenders, Epiphones, and Burns for electric. I like this Gretsch resenator because it is a quality instrument that I was able to get at what a considered to be a great price. I won't be afraid to travel with it--it is solid with a good resenator tone. It compares well with bigger brand name instruments. I'd look for another if something happened to it.

Think it's from AD2000; swapped it with a friend unplayed, in 2004, for a Fender Mustang reissue bass. Resembles a Dobro I had, 12 frets to the body, excellent 'burst finish, but solid headstock. String spacing at the bridge is spot on for fingers, but not too wide for quick plectrum usage. Maple laminate body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard. Open headstocks look fine to me but this solid one works. Came with one strap button. Take care fitting one near - not in - the heel. Balances well on a strap or without one.

Fitted .12 string set for versatility. This is one seriously versatile guitar. Folky fingerpicking, digging in for blues and ragtime, LOUD flatpicking, this just does it. I don't play slide, but I have no doubt it will do that very well indeed. Sweeter than the Dobro, and it provokes many comments on account of its lovely tone. It's the kind of sound you don't tire of. To amplify, just poke a tie - clip mic through the resonator cover.

No finish quibbles. I cut the top - string groove in the bridge a bit deeper to prevent slippage during brutal fingerpicking. Fast, even action, responsive and a joy to play. Frets came perfectly finished. Combining speed with an action high enough to hit it a bit is a trick many guitar makers don't do, but here's a good example.

I thing it will last and last. It's a solid gigging tool as well as a joy to own. The hardware is quietly efficient and reliable. It stays in tune at both indoor and outdoor gigs.

Never thought to ask about the warranty, and I can't see this instrument letting me down.

Been playing nearly 40 years, owned many guitars of various kinds, and only a hand - made beauty even came close. After 8 months and a variety of gigs I am sure that this is the one, and I know of no suitable replacement other than another one of these. Otherwise, I would have to buy two guitars - solid top and resonator - and I would not willingly choose that option. Perhaps a branded case would have been nice.

I bought this guitar new in 1999
Maple Laminate Body,Solid Maple neck
Rosewood Fretboard
12 frets to the body
Spider Bridge

This was my first resonator, when I first played this guitar I found THE guitar. I have played all types of Resonators, from the old Nationals to the new Gibsons. I would choose this guitar over any of them. It fits my playing style perfectly, I play a lot of fast hotrod blues, stright up blues and bluegrass.Usually tuned to open G or D I use .13 strings with a Heavy Brass slide. Without an amp or PA I can fill a room with it's sound.

The action was perfect off the shelf - fast and even with .13 stings fretting isn't a problem. It plays much better than resonators 4 times the price.

I preform with this guitar almost exclusively. I play it hard and have a very heavy right hand. I play on streets, in small venues, parties, and jam sessions. I have traveled around the country with this guitar in all types of climates. I take it on Road trips, and long plane rides - The only problem I have is breaking strings.

Never delt with them.

I have been playing for 25 years. Have owned a lot of Acoustics and Electric guitars - this one is by far my favorite to play. I would definitly buy another one if something happened to this one (I may just buy another one as a backup) My favorite thing about this guitar is that it sounds like no other resonator I have ever heard - that sweet Gretsch twang.

Nice tobacco sunburst finish with high gloss sheen.Thumbnail markers on fretboard and classy headstock with binding and logo inlay.12 frets to the body.Spider bridge without soundwell,post type supports for the cone.All maple constuction,round neck,ebony fingerboard.

Sound is really good out of the box.I normally put Quarterman cones in my resonators but this sounds very good as it is.A great guitar for just finger picking but I bought it for sliding,You can have both with this guitar as the inside has no soundwell it projects really impressive thru the body great tone.

I received the guitar with a low action great if you just want to finger pick or with a pick.But I will set it up for slide and pickin thus raising the saddle.Guitar came with a taller saddle and shims if you want make adjustments.Saddle is made out of same type of hard plastic which works alright.

The guitar seems to be well built and should hold up well.Internal work looks sound and professional done.

Have not delt with the company, whoever they will be this week

I've had my share of guitars and resonators:Takamine,alvarez,Suzuki,Fender,yamaha,Liberty,Michael Kelly,and others.This guitar has really impressed me.

Maple Laminate Body,Solid Maple neck
Rosewood Fretboard
Solid Headstock,Bone Nut.
12 frets to the body,19 overall.
Spider Bridge w/a Soundwell.(Yes,a real Soundwell.)


Beautiful Sunburst finish with a fabulous-looking Flame.
MOP inlay on headstock and Fretboard.

This Reso sounds great.
Its not the first Reso I've owned and probably not the last.

I compared it side by side with a Gibson 60-series and the Gretsch ate it for lunch in terms of Fit,Finish,Playability,Tone and overall performance.

The Gibson Resonators are really horrible instruments,it was obvious that I was gonna have to do some serious upgrades to the Gibson if I purchased it.
The Gretsch is perfect right off the shelf.
I will add a pickup,but thats it.

I always replace the Cones in my Resonators with Quartermans,but not this time.

The guitar was setup perfectly when I pulled it down off the wall at my local store.
I put a set of 12's on it and tuned it up to Open A.

The Top is Bookmatched very well.
No flaws anywhere,I've already opened it up and I found the craftsmanship to be flawless.

It has the fastest neck I've seen on a Resonator guitar.
Perfect for "Eric Sardinas" licks.

Nice thick finish,Hardware seems to be good,no tuning problems.
I have been gigging with this guitar as my only Reso and will continue to do so.

I've been playing professionally for 17 years.
I love everything about this guitar,I'm the type of person that is never satisfied with a Stock instrument.
I can't find anything that I don't like about the Gretsch.
When I change the Saddle,I'll go with Ebony-capped Maple.

I compared it to Gibson,Dean,Regal,Johnson resonators and found that it out-performed all of them.

When is Gibson going to wake up and realize they can't add $800.00
to the price of an inferior instrument and expect people to buy it just because it says Gibson on the Headstock????