For years, car makers have slapped an unusual paint scheme and/or stripes on whatever wouldn't sell, added a badge that read "GT" or "Rally" and waited for the lowly Escorts and Sunbirds to start rolling off the lots.
It's tough to figure out if that's what Gretsch was trying with the Rally model, but as the Magic 8 Ball is prone to saying, "All indications point to Yes."
At any rate, the 6104 and 6105 Rally models rolled out in 1967, adding another guitar equipped with dual HiLoTron pickups to a product line-up already heavy with similarly-equipped guitars.
The Rally's big claim to fame, besides the sporty stripes on the pickguard and truss rod cover, was the colors. Combinations that hadn't been seen since the early '50s — like Bamboo Yellow and Copper Mist — turned up on Rallys. Even the colors were a bit off, though. Instead of using the gorgeous Cadillac Green used on Country Clubs and other Gretsch guitars, Gretsch introduced Rally Green, which was more of a stain, with the wood showing through and is generally much more drab than Cadillac Green.
Another odd choice was the onboard active treble booster switch. Since HiLoTrons already tend to be trebly, it wasn't a particularly useful feature.
In the Rally's favor, it was inexpensive. Retailing for $395 when new, it sat squarely at the lower end of Gretsch's hollowbody line.
Although rarely seen, a Songbird model was reportedly also offered that was identical to the Rallys except it had "G" soundholes and no rally stripe. The Rally was discontinued in 1970.
Bamboo Yellow
Copper Mist
— May 4, 2007 8:24 p.m.
— May 1, 2008 4:49 p.m.