Gretsch Guitar Buyback and Used Sales

G6136 Black Falcon

Appraised Value: 220,000 yen

6120W Nashville

Appraised Value: 130,000 yen

6119 Tennessee Rose

Appraised Value: 120,000 yen

Founded in 1883, Gretsch began manufacturing instruments such as drums and banjos, and in 1954 launched the “6120,” a model named after country guitarist Chet Atkins.

Since then, Gretsch electric guitars have been favored by renowned artists both in Japan and abroad, including Brian Setzer of the Stray Cats, as well as Kenichi Asai (BLANKEY JET CITY), Yusuke Chiba (The Birthday / THEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT), and Ken Yokoyama (Hi-STANDARD), making it one of the most popular brands worldwide.

Gretsch guitars possess many distinctive features that make them instantly recognizable. It’s not just the body and headstock shapes; the unique styles of the inlays and hardware also add to their appeal, allowing them to continue shining as icons for countless guitarists.

In recent years, Gretsch has taken steps to improve playability and performance to appeal to a wider range of genres, with advancements in bridge stability mechanisms and bracing structures.
Additionally, the availability of series like the Electromatic Series, which allows players to try out Gretsch at an affordable price, is another factor that helps Gretsch appeal to a wide range of musicians.

Many Gretsch models feature the same full-acoustic construction as the Gibson ES-175.
However, in terms of sound, they possess a character entirely different from Gibson.

Because Gretsch has country music at its core, its mid-to-low frequencies are cleaner than Gibson’s, and one of its defining characteristics is a sound that combines a unique hollow tone with a light, airy quality.
Furthermore, by incorporating proprietary pickups such as the Filter'Tron and Hi-Lo'Tron, Gretsch has established a truly one-of-a-kind sound. Even when cranked up for a distorted setting, it never loses its character, and being able to fully experience that quintessential Gretsch sound is, in my opinion, the true joy of playing a Gretsch.

Models like the 6120 Nashville, 6119 Tennessee Rose, and White Falcon may look similar at first glance, but their subtle differences in parts and specifications appeal to the discerning taste of the buyer.
Take the 6119, famously played by Kenichi Asai: its F-holes are actually dummy holes, designed to minimize feedback. This shows that each model differs not just in appearance but also in the way it affects the sound.
That said, all models share that quintessential Gretsch sound character, making it easy to choose based purely on personal preference—which is part of their appeal.
Additionally, even non-semi-acoustic models like the Jet series feature a chambered body, giving them that signature Gretsch lightness and hollow resonance.
For those who prioritize playability, go for the Jet.
For those who simply love a dazzling look, we also recommend the White Falcon, often called “the world’s most beautiful guitar.”