A lot of musicians who are looking for new guitars often ask the same question: is Gretsch better than Fender? Although both of these brands are absolutely legendary, they both have their own admirers and haters. If your’e struggling with making the right choice, today’s blog article will give you a huge boost of knowledge about these companies and why they are so popular among all-level guitarists. So which company makes better guitars? Here’s the answer:
It depends on what you’re looking for. While Fender makes amazing solid body guitars (such as Stratocaster, Telecaster and Jazzmaster), Gretsch is a leader when it comes to hollow and semi-hollow models. Both brands offer top shelf guitars made for professional players, as well as cheaper models that are ideal for beginner players.
Since their offering is so broad and they both offer great quality guitars, it is really difficult to choose which company is better. In the end, it really comes down to choosing between solid and hollow body models. Which guitar type will be better for you? Let’s find out a little bit more about Fender and Gretsch. In addition, let’s dive deeper into the pros and cons of solid and hollow body guitars.
Is Gretsch Cheaper Than Fender?
In terms of pricing, both brands offer more or less affordable guitars. If you want to buy the cheapest guitar by Gretsch, you will have to spend around $300-$400 for a new guitar from Streamliner or Electromatic series. Is that a lot? Well, when you think about the overall quality of these guitars, you can say that it’s a bargain. The cheapest models include for example G2210, G5421 or G2217. On the other hand, the most expensive models (such as Gretsch Falcon) can cost over ten times more! So as you can see, the prices really vary.
Similarly, Fender also offers cheaper and more expensive guitars. The lowest series of their guitars is called Player Series and it features great guitars made in Mexico. If you’re on the hunt for the best Mexican made Strat, feel free to check out my list of top recommendations. The more expensive models are manufactured in California and they offer the best possible sound quality. Undoubtedly, the American Professional Series is made for intermediate and pro players who are looking for the best gear as possible.
Still, Fender also owns a brand called Squier. Guitars with a Squier logo on the headstock are basically budget versions of Fender guitars. The majority of these guitars is made in Indonesia and China. Hence, some Squier guitars cost around $100-$200 and in fact, they sound pretty good! Squier guitars are definitely cheaper, but they don’t feature as great quality as lowest Gretsch models.
About Fender
We all know and love Fender guitars. The company created some of the most important and influential guitars in the history of music. Think about all the Stratocasters, Telecasters, Mustangs and Jaguars. They have such a massive impact on the music industry! In addition, they manufacture some of the best guitar amplifiers in the world. Undoubtedly, their position on the market is not a coincidence and they truly deserve all the love and recognition that they have right now. Their gear is loved by the best guitarists in the world – for example John Mayer, Eric Clapton, Johnny Marr and many, many more other talented musicians.
The company was founded in 1946 in California by Leo Fender. Currently, the headquarters of the company are in Los Angeles. If you’d like to find out more about the history of the most famous Fender guitar – a Stratocaster – make sure to check out the video below.
About Gretsch
Gretsch is a leader in the music industry when it comes to hollow and semi-hollow guitars. What’s more, they’re very often used by some of the most famous guitarists in the world. Think about Chet Atkins, Eddie Cochran, Bono, ZZ Top, Richard Hawley or Temples – they all use Gretsch guitars in their recordings! When you look at these names, you can be sure that this brand is associated with a really high quality and professionalism.
What’s interesting, the company has a really interesting history. Can you imagine that Gretsch was founded in 1883? That’s almost 140 years ago! Friedrich Gretsch, who was a German immigrant, decided to open a small shop in Brooklyn, New York. It all began with banjos, drums and tambourines. Twelve years later, Friedrich died. The company was in hands of his son, Fred. Still, Gretsch was on the rise. By 1916, the company was a leader in America. And they keep that reputable place until today!
If you’d like to find out more about the history of Gretsch Guitars, make sure to check out the video below.
Solid Body or Hollow Body?
The main difference between Gretsch and Fender guitars is the fact that Gretsch produces semi-hollow and hollow body guitars, while Fender mostly focuses on solid body guitars. Of course, Fender also has a few hollow models in their offer, for example Fender Starcaster. Still, their main and most popular gear that really defines the spirit of the company, is made of solid wood.
When it comes to sound, the major differences between these guitar types are:
- solid body guitars tend to have a longer sustain and a tighter sound
- semi-hollow body guitars sound more resonant than solid body guitars, but they have a slightly less focused low end
- hollow body guitars tend to have problems with feedback, since they’re completely empty inside
Most often, solid body guitars are used by players who love classic rock. If you’re one of them, you should probably choose a Fender guitar rather than a Gretsch guitar. Nevertheless, semi-hollow guitars also sound really good in this genre! They’re actually really versatile. When it comes to hollow body guitars, they are usually recommended for players who love warm, acoustic sounds. So if you’re a fan of The Beatles, you should definitely choose a hollow body Gretsch guitar!
Summary
As you can see, it is really tough to say if Gretsch is better than Fender. Both companies offer amazing quality and absolutely stunning guitars! Still, if you’re on a low budget, getting one of the cheapest models from Squier by Fender will be much easier than buying any model of Gretsch. On the other hand
Thanks for checking out Best Guitars Now. Which guitar brand would you choose – Gretsch or Fender? Leave a comment in the comment section below! In addition, if you enjoyed this article, you may also like:
