Download the entire eight-page 1978 Gretsch Electric Guitars Catalog:
DOWNLOAD: GretschElectricGuitars1978Catalog
Models covered, in text and photo: include: Gretsch #7595, 7594, and 7593 White Falcon; #7680 and 7685 Super Axe and Atkins Axe; the usual #7690 super Chet, 7670 Country Gentleman, 7660 Nashville, and 7655 Tennessean; The Gretsch Committee #7628 and 7629 bass; Roc Jet #7611; Country Roc #7620; TK 300 #7625 and Bass #7627; Broadkaster #7609; and Country Club #7576.
The late 70’s were hardly the most lauded period in Gretsch history; were it not for the lingering (after-after-after) effects of ‘Beatlemania’ I doubt they would have even lasted this long. Interesting to see that they have kept most of the circa 1964 classics intact; but more interesting is the scattered approaches to innovation that they assumed with their newer models, like the Alembic-influenced Committee models seen above. BTW; an etymological question: when did the phrase ‘designed by committee’ become synonymous with ‘bad design’ rather than ‘this is a positive feature’?
Not really sure where they were going with the TK300 line… Punk/new wave maybe? Odd-shape-for-the-sake-of-odd-shape? Then figure in the oft-noted ‘Super Axe’ with its built-in phaser and compressor, already several years into production (feel like they beat Gibson to the party here… feel like the RD artists came later…).
Did anyone really think that phase-shift was such a fantastic effect that you would want it around for ever and ever and ever in your guitar? As much as I dislike 80’s guitar design, at least people had the good sense not to market high-end guitars in the 80’s with built in chorus and flange effects (prove me wrong here people…).
6 replies on “Gretsch Guitars 1978 Full-Line Catalog”
buy a used guitar Gretsch model # 7680 and I have problems with phaser effects where I can get the diagram or schematic for these effects in this guitar
The TK300 body looks suspiciously like the inspiration for 90’s-era Zon Legacy bass, which makes it seem cooler. But that god-awful gretch headstock is shockingly grotesque.
The TK300 is a beautiful bass. Fun to play – great sound. It is the a great short scale bass. If I ever see a red one I would buy it in a flash. Great gigging bass. Like all Baldwin era Gretsch basses. that whole thing about Gretsch’s dark period helps to keep these high quality instruments prices down.
I have one and I like it!
There must have been revues of the “Committee “ model guitar when it was new in the trade magazines. Was there ever a mention of who was on that committee? Any print articles you can steer me toward? I’d really appreciate your help.
Hofner made a Commitee guitar and bass. No bad mouthing of ‘Commitee’ then. Most of the language about Baldwin and ‘dark days” is 100% BS largely promoted by butt hurt Fred Gretch Jr. Baldwin era instruments are well built and often better built than the earlier models – design is personal taste – not personal.