In 2004, Fender Musical Instruments Corporation controlled the Gretsch name under Fred Gretsch Enterprises, Ltd. (Fred W. and Dinah Gretsch). Its 5 lines on record were built at Terada Gakki, Dyna Gakki (Gretsch Japan, early Fender era; unverified), FujiGen, Peerless (Korea; city unverified), Yako (China; city unverified) and Fender Corona (Japan, South Korea, China and USA).[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]
A Gretsch guitar from 2004 belongs to whichever era was running on its product line that year. An era is a stretch when the company that controlled the name and the plant that built the line both stayed the same. If you know the line, the table below tells you which version of Gretsch you have. The name dates from 1883[1], 121 years before.
Gretsch Custom Shop: a new era begins under Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, built at Fender Corona[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]
Gretsch Custom Shop: the 2003–2004 era ends (Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, US custom builder for Gretsch before Fender Custom Shop (location unverified))[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8]
Where Gretsch was built in 2004
Fender Corona, Peerless (Korea; city unverified), Yako (China; city unverified), Dyna Gakki (Gretsch Japan, early Fender era; unverified), FujiGen and Terada Gakki. See every brand each plant built for, and every plant in the same country:
Every numbered marker on this page points here: the document, its grade and the passages relied on. An era is computed, so it cites the facts it was derived from. A fact marked “no source” has no claim attached yet.
"In 1984, Fred W. Gretsch… purchased Gretsch back"Gretsch in 2004: owners and plants
In late 2002 a deal was struck for Fender Musical Instruments Corp. to handle Gretsch Guitars manufacturing and distributionGretsch in 2004: owners and plants
In 1984 Fred made good on his promise when he and his wife Dinah bought the Gretsch Company back from Baldwin.Gretsch in 2004: owners and plants
In 2002 Gretsch and Fender announced an alliance that granted Fender exclusive rights to develop, market, and distribute Gretsch guitars.Gretsch in 2004: owners and plants
His offer was accepted, and in November 1984, Fred was able to fulfill his 17-year dream of buying back the Gretsch Company.Gretsch in 2004: owners and plants
With Stern tied up with Benedetto, Fleming and Fender’s George Blanda were tabbed to build the first-ever custom U.S.-made Gretsch models, which debuted at the 2004 winter NAMM Show.Gretsch in 2004: owners and plants