Editing Gretsch (section)

===1950s & 1960s===
[[File:Gretsch 6120 G- Brand 1955 vintage.jpg|thumb|right|200px|1955 [[Chet Atkins]] 6120.]]
[[File:Bono-guitar-U2 360 Tour.JPG|200px|thumb|[[Bono]] playing a Gretsch Irish Falcon.]]
[[File:NesmithLive2018.jpg|right|thumb|Former [[The Monkees|Monkees]] guitarist [[Michael Nesmith]] plays his signature model Gretsch Model 6076]]

By the mid-1950s the company introduced several models, including the [[Gretsch 6120|6120]] "Nashville," and the [[Gretsch 6128| 6128]] Duo Jet chambered "solid body", which was played by [[Bo Diddley]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.vintageguitar.com/14362/gretsch-jet-firebird/ |title=Gretsch Jet Firebird |last=Hilmar |first=Jim |date=2013-12-31 |website=Vintageguitar.com |language=en-US |access-date=2018-02-23}}</ref> Two other models were introduced - the Country Club, and the [[Gretsch White Falcon|White Falcon]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-05-15|title=Gretsch History|url=http://chasingguitars.com/gretsch-history/|access-date=2021-09-17|website=ChasingGuitars|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=March 2021|first=Dave Hunter 24|date=2021-03-24|title=Classic Gear: Gretsch 6196 Country Club|url=https://www.guitarplayer.com/gear/classic-gear-gretsch-6196-country-club|access-date=2021-09-17|website=Guitar Player|language=en}}</ref><ref name="BriefHistory"></ref>

In 1954, Webster suggested adding the sparkle finishes from Gretsch drums onto their guitars, resulting in the Gretsch Sparkle Jet. He was also inspired by the American cars of the era in introducing new finishes to their guitars.<ref name="135Years"></ref><ref name="JimmieWebster">{{cite web|url=https://guitar.com/features/jimmie-webster/ |title=All About… Jimmie Webster| website=Guitar.com|first=Huw|last=Price|date=2018-08-24|access-date=2024-11-26}}</ref><ref name="HallOfFame">{{cite web|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2016/01/14/gretsch-exhibit-opens-country-music-hall-fame/78253102/ |title=Gretsch Exhibit Opens At Country Music Hall Of Fame|website=[[The Tennessean]]|first=Juli|last=Thanki|date=2016-01-14|access-date=2024-05-12}}</ref>

During this time, [[Chet Atkins]] became an endorser of Gretsch and they sold guitars with Atkins' name on the pickguard.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://gretschpages.com/guitars/6120-models/ |title=Gretsch 6120 models: Gretsch-GEAR: The Gretsch Pages |website=Gretschpages.com |access-date=2018-02-23}}</ref> Atkins' endorsement, along with the use of Gretsch guitars by rock n roll artists such as [[Eddie Cochran]] and [[Duane Eddy]], helped increase sales of Gretsch guitars.<ref name="HallOfFame"></ref>

After [[The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show|The Beatles first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show]], Gretsch sales soared overnight, due to George Harrison playing a Gretsch Country Gentleman for the performance.<ref name="135Years"></ref><ref name="HallOfFame"></ref>