In 2017, 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, Yako (China; city unverified), Fender Corona and PT Samick Indonesia, Cileungsi (Japan, China, USA and Indonesia).[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
A Gretsch guitar from 2017 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], 134 years before.
Nothing changed in 2017. Every era running that year carried on from an earlier year, so a Gretsch from 2017 is the same version as one from 2016.
Where Gretsch was built in 2017
Fender Corona, Yako (China; city unverified), Terada Gakki and PT Samick Indonesia, Cileungsi. 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 2017: owners and plants
In late 2002 a deal was struck for Fender Musical Instruments Corp. to handle Gretsch Guitars manufacturing and distributionGretsch in 2017: 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 2017: 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 2017: 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 2017: 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 2017: owners and plants