The Gretsch Corvette family of solidbodies never became the Gibson and Fender-killers Gretsch had hoped, but the many variants remain both affordable and fairly popular.
Intending to be Gretsch's inexpensive solidbody models, the first Corvettes rolled out of Brooklyn in 1961. The first ones used an unsculpted body fitted with huge, heavy-looking lucite pickguards and a large rectangular truss rod cover next to the pickguard. The 6132 was cherry-red mahogany, and the 6133 was platinum grey. Both had one HiLoTron, near the bridge, and unlike the better-known Jets, they were true solidbodies. No weight-saving routs were allowed anywhere near the Corvette body.
It only took about a year for Gretsch to offer a second-generation Corvette, with a sculpted body that was both easier to play and easier on the eye. Later in the year, Gretsch moved the truss rod cover (and truss rod adjustment) to the headstock and fitted a less slab-like pickguard to further help the 'vette's looks.
The platinum gray 6133 was no longer offered, but the Burns-vibrato-equipped 6134 model joined the lineup for 1962. Bar bridges also replaced the inexpensive ebony piece used on earlier Corvettes. Revamped 'vettes weren't the only big news for '62, though. Gretsch took the newly attractive sculpted body and came out with a wide array of variations.
One of these new models, the 6106 Princess, was aimed at, marketed to and "designed for the feminine guitarist." Essentially a pastel-colored Corvette with a padded back, the Princess was actually offered in four different color combinations, complete with matching amplifiers (a 6150-type was shown in the ads) and straps.
The Princess didn't exactly introduce millions of women to the wonders of guitars, though, and after 1963 it was gone. The few that are seen today are almost always found in a white with gold pickguard color scheme. The matching amps, straps, alternate colors and other Princess-y stuff are just never seen anymore.
Like the Princess, the Twist model was also the result of a doomed marketing gimmick. In this case, Gretsch was hoping to cash in on the "Peppermint" Twist craze with the 6109 and 6110 Twist, which featured a bright red body and a candy-striped pickguard. Like the Princess, it survived through 1962 and '63. One extra twist in the Twist stoy: some were painted yellow and fitted with the red and white candy-striped pickguard. Obviously, these are quite rare.
One bit of weirdness common to the Corvette, Princess and 6109 Twist was Gretsch's "Tone Twister" device, which was supposed to induce vibrato by wiggling the strings between the bridge and tailpiece. As a vibrato, it wasn't particularly good, but it was spectacular at breaking strings.
For those who weren't interested in getting Tone Twisted, the 6110 Twist and 6135 Corvette offered a slighly more conventional Burns Vibrato.
The 6135 topped the Corvette line beginning in 1964, with two HiLoTrons and a Burns vibrato.
Across the range, the headstock was changed in 1964 from three-on-a-side to an odd, two on one side and four on the other design, and some minor changes were made to the body, including a recessed strap button on the butt end of the 'vette.
The silver-flake finished Silver Duke and gold-finished Gold Duke models were produced in limited quantities in 1966 for California dealer Sherman Clay. Although the models were reportedly made to honor Duke Kramer, one of the most important men in Gretsch's history, Kramer himself denies any connection with the models.
By '68 only the 6135 remained, and it was offered with a Bigsby "horseshoe" tremolo. Production ended in 1970, although a "Super Corvette" briefly revived the name in the '70s.
Black-Red sunburst
Silver Sparkle
Gold Sparkle
— May 28, 2008 9:34 p.m.