Solid-Bodied Gretsch Corvette Guitar

The Solid-bodied Corvette (not to be confused with the Corvette hollow-body arch-top electric, produced from 1955-1959) was Gretsch's answer to the Les Paul Jr. by Gibson. Introduced in 1961, the Corvette Solid-body was a small, light-weight, comfortable electric guitar that was just right for the budding musician.

This killer guitar, with a solid mahogany body, solid mahogany set neck, and a rosewood fret board with pearl dots, originally came with a single HI-Lo 'Tron pickup. The earliest examples had a trapeze tailpiece. By 1963, the Corvette was sporting a Burns' flat-arm vibrato tailpiece. (Yes! That Burns! Good old Jim Burns from England), and came with a choice of either one or two of those Hi-Lo 'Tron pickups. By mid-1963 to 1964, Gretsch changed the standard 3/3 headstock (3 tuners on each side) to a scooby-rific 4/2 headstock design (4 tuning keys on one side, two on the other). Most Corvettes were finished in "cherry" red mahogany and had black pick guards. Some came with red and white striped pick guards and a more opaque red finish to the body. This version is known as the "Twist" model. Early Corvettes were also available in platinum gray finish with black pick guards, but this color was officially discontinued in 1963. Also in 1963, Gretsch started beveling the edges of the guitar's body and sharpened the cutaway points.

Variations of the Gretsch Corvette were the Silver Duke (1964-66) which was sparkle silver, the Gold Duke (1964-66) - you got it - in sparkle gold, and lest we forget, the Princess (1963-64 - made for the ladies) which was available in many color combinations such as white with purple sparkles, blue with white sparkles, pink with white sparkles, and white with gold sparkles - phew! The Princess also differed from the others in that it had a Palm vibrato tailpiece rather than the Burns', gold-plated hardware in lieu of the standard nickel/chrome hardware, and a shiny belly-pad on the back.

By 1968, you could no longer get single pickups on the Corvettes, the Burn's vibrato was replaced with a Bigsby vibrato tailpiece, and the HI-Lo 'Tron pickups were replaced with Super 'Tron pickups. Production of the Gretsch Corvette wound down in the early 70's. (The Corvette did make a brief reappearance from 1976 to 1978 with different specs - humbuckers, etc. It was not the same.)

The Gretsch Corvette (1961-early 70's) can still give you some bang for your buck in today's vintage market. You get the vintage sound and vibe, with great playability for less than you'd pay for a Paul, Jr.

Allen has 25 years of experience working with guitars and is the Vintage Guitar Pro in residence at http://www.VintageGuitarPro.com - a website for the vintage guitar enthusiast specializing in online vintage guitar appraisal. Find out more about Allen and Vintage Guitars at http://www.VintageGuitarPro.com

Latest News


CTV.ca

Getting to Carnegie via YouTube
New York Times, United States - 13 hours ago
That second option is the main feature of a new marketing project by Google to bolster the organized presence of classical music on YouTube and promote the ...
Thomas signs on for YouTube symphony project San Francisco Chronicle
Bedroom Bach? YouTube starts a cyber symphony The Associated Press
Classical musicians get shot at fame on YouTube Reuters
Digitaltrends.com - Toronto Star
all 250 news articles

E! Online

Bono Launches Digital Music Service as AIDS Charity
People Magazine - 12 hours ago
In honor of World AIDS Day on Monday, Bono launched the digital music service (RED)WIRE, the music offshoot of his (RED) charity, featuring exclusive songs ...
World's Greatest Artists Help Launch (RED)WIRE, (RED)(TM)'s New ... MarketWatch
Bono Gets the (RED) Out for World AIDS Day E! Online
Music service will help fight Aids The Press Association
Malaysia Star - Queerty
all 133 news articles

WHDH-TV

BSO launches its own music download service
Boston Globe, United States - 6 hours ago
Four albums of music created under the baton of BSO music director James Levine will be available in February. (Michael J. Lutch) By Geoff Edgers After ...
BSO offers music downloads at its Web site Boston Herald
Marketing style leaves maestro miffed Toronto Star
all 9 news articles

Online seen claiming 41 pct share of US music market
Reuters - 11 hours ago
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Digital music sales account for 18 percent of the US music market and that figure will grow to 41 percent in five years, ...
Music Industry Decline Accelerates U.S. News & World Report
Digital music to drastically grow by 2013 CD Freaks.com
all 18 news articles

Singersroom News

Music retailers report bleak sales on Black Friday
Reuters - 9 hours ago
By Ed Christman NEW YORK (Billboard) - Music merchandisers weren't sharing the general optimism of most retailers during Thanksgiving weekend. ...
Kanye, Guns N' Roses Post Slow Debut-Week Sales Billboard
Kanye West To Receive Slow 'Heartbreak' Debut ? Singersroom News
News & Reviews Billboard
all 14 news articles

Chris Brown a big hit with on-demand viewers
The Associated Press - 12 hours ago
The TV on-demand service Music Choice said Monday the soul singer was its most requested artist in a one-year period ending in September. ...

Washington Post

Verge Ensemble Celebrates Carter, Mumford
Washington Post, United States - 4 hours ago
Carter has produced a wide variety of chamber music for both standard genres and unique mixed ensembles. Verge presented works dating from 1949 through 2006 ...
Insane Skillz: Guy Beats Guitar Hero III with Drums PC World
As Gas Prices Fall, Transit Still Popular Washington Post
Room at the Top for More Diversity Washington Post
all 79 news articles

New Music Download Site - PositiveMusicandDownloads.com ...
MarketWatch - 21 hours ago
"Too often the industry has dictated what type of music we should be listening too. Artists who have a more positive message can't always get past music ...

Seattle Post Intelligencer

Costello and friends in a fine 'Spectacle'
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA - 4 hours ago
But the show is far from incestuous, unless you consider its guests all united in the family of music. Lou Reed (He speaks! He's funny! ...
Elvis Costello puts serious eye on music in Sundance Channel's ... New York Daily News
Music on TV This Week: Spectacle Film.com
Elvis Costello's new TV show 'Spectacle' offers different look at ... The Canadian Press
Hartford Courant - Chicago Daily Herald
all 128 news articles

Personal Tech: Music lovers have lots of portable options
Salt Lake Tribune, United States - 11 hours ago
AP The Microsoft Zune sports a touch pad and sharp screen that make it easy and fun to check out all your music, photos and videos. ...

Resources