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Average Price: $1,750

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$400

$1001+

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Description

In the world of electric guitars, the 1963 Gretsch Corvette stands out as a quintessential blend of vintage charm and rock-solid performance. Originally introduced in the early '60s, this model captures the essence of a bygone era with its iconic Hi-Lo'tron single-coil pickups. These pickups deliver a bright, clear tone that is both versatile and unmistakably Gretsch, making it a favorite among guitarists looking for that classic sound.

The Corvette's unique design features a sleek, lightweight body, offering comfort and ease during long jam sessions or live performances. Its 3x3 headstock design, a hallmark of pre-1964 models, adds a touch of nostalgia while ensuring precise tuning stability. Whether you're a collector, a seasoned player, or a newcomer eager to explore vintage tones, the 1963 Gretsch Corvette is a timeless piece that won't disappoint.

With a production history that includes various configurations, this model's versatility is evident in its adaptability to different playing styles. From blues to rock and everything in between, the Corvette's sound is as dynamic as it is distinctive. This guitar is not just an instrument; it's a piece of music history waiting to be rediscovered.

Key Features:

  • Iconic Hi-Lo'tron single-coil pickups for bright, clear tones
  • Lightweight solid body design for comfort and playability
  • Classic 3x3 headstock for vintage flair and tuning stability
  • Versatile sound suitable for a wide range of musical styles

Product specs

Brand Gretsch
Model 6132 Corvette, 6133 Corvette
Finish Cherry, Cherry Red Sunburst, Mahogany, Platinum Gray
Year 1961 - 1963
Made In United States
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Brown, Red, Silver
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Gretsch Corvette
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 21
Number of Strings 6-String
Offset Body Offset Body
Pickup Configuration S
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.5"
Wood Top Style Opaque, Plain

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the Gretsch 1963 Corvette like?

The Gretsch 1963 Corvette features a set-neck construction with a slim neck profile, making it comfortable for fast playing and easy access to higher frets.

What kind of tones can I expect from the Gretsch 1963 Corvette's pickup?

The Gretsch 1963 Corvette comes with a single-coil pickup, offering bright, clear tones suitable for rock, blues, and surf music.

Is the Gretsch 1963 Corvette suitable for beginners or advanced players?

The Gretsch 1963 Corvette is versatile enough for both beginners and advanced players, thanks to its comfortable playability and classic, straightforward design.

What is the body material of the Gretsch 1963 Corvette?

The body of the Gretsch 1963 Corvette is made from mahogany, providing a warm, resonant tone with good sustain.

What is the scale length of the Gretsch 1963 Corvette?

The Gretsch 1963 Corvette features a 24.5-inch scale length, which contributes to its smooth playability and slightly softer string tension.

Voodoocreek

Voodoocreek

$50 1963 Gretsch Corvette with horribly broken neck. Can I repair it?

Video thumbnail for $50 1963 Gretsch Corvette with horribly broken neck. Can I repair it? by Voodoocreek

$50 1963 Gretsch Corvette with horribly broken neck. Can I repair it?

Voodoocreek

Voodoocreek

Video thumbnail for Gretsch Corvette, Bj. 1963 by GregsGuitars

Gretsch Corvette, Bj. 1963

GregsGuitars

GregsGuitars

Video thumbnail for GRETSCH Corvette Electric Guitar Model-6135 Made in USA- 1963 Demo from Igor Emelyanenko by DMB STUDIO

GRETSCH Corvette Electric Guitar Model-6135 Made in USA- 1963 Demo from Igor Emelyanenko

DMB STUDIO

DMB STUDIO

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gretsch 1963 Corvette.

Features and functionality

  • The Burns vibrato is good for subtle vibrato but has an awkward arm angle, making it less comfortable than a Bigsby for some players.

    Source
  • There is curiosity about modifications that involve drilling into the wood, suggesting some Corvettes may have been altered from their original state.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • It's common to replace the original bridge with an ebony archtop bridge for better performance; original bridges are hard to find and expensive.

    Source
  • Some suggest using a Jazzmaster tremolo to cover the original tailpiece holes due to its larger size, though compatibility concerns are noted.

    Source

Build quality

  • The guitar's pickguard is often praised for being intact and in great shape despite its age.

    Source

User experience

  • The guitar's chunky neck is a notable feature, often mentioned by users as both a positive and a unique characteristic of the model.

    Source
  • One owner expressed surprise at acquiring the guitar in an unexpected manner, highlighting its potential value as a rare find.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Burns tremolos are often considered pricey, sometimes more expensive than the guitar itself, making them a significant investment.

    Source

Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Justin Vernon uses Gretsch 1963 Corvette

Justin Vernon

Singer, Guitarist

Bon Iver

...
Verified via Stereogum

Justin uses a Gretch Corvette, most likely a 62/63 in his at home stream for the bernie sanders online rally.

See how Rory Gallagher uses Gretsch 1963 Corvette

Rory Gallagher

Singer, Guitarist

Taste

...
Verified via The Official Site of Rory Gallagher

A 1963 Corvette is featured in its own page on Gallagher's official website, in which his brother Donal recalls its acquisition. It is also mentioned in an interview in Kerrang No. 15, May 6-19 1982.

Gallagher's website

Purchased for $50-80 in a Pawnshop in the late 70s. This eventually became a substitute guitar for the Esquire.

At present I’m using a Gretsch Corvette for slide instead of the Esquire. The Corvette is Gretsch’s attempt at a Les Paul Junior, but I took off the Gretsch pickup because it was too weak and I put on a P90, which is an old black Gibson single coil pickup.

Beat Instrumental, March 1979

But for most of the open tuning things I’ve been using a Gretsch Corvette with the heavy strings. It’s a very tough guitar —my brother got it for me for 75 dollars in a pawn shop in Los Angeles. I took the pickup off that and put a P90 on. I should have hung on to it, in retrospect, because they’re very good pickups — similar to the Tennessean. But, in my opinion, the P90 is the best pickup for slide —it has the right overtones.

Guitarist Magazine, June 1987

Donal Gallagher:

While on a guitar shopping therapy session in downtown LA, we went into a store called Guitar Village, after a few minutes of the other customers blasting the same guitar riff over and over through mega amps, my head caved in and I told Rory I was going outside to feed the parking meter. Inadvertently, I had parked in front of a pawn-shop so, as an excuse to stay out of the ‘cacophony canyon’, I entered the shop to inquire about the Gretsch guitar wedged into their window.

“That’ll set you back $75” the keeper told me from behind his cell like grill, “You wanna look?” “Not sure I can afford it anyway” I haggled, with no intention of buying it but to waste time. “What you wanna spend?” “Around $50” I replied. Unknowingly I left the shop with a rare Gretsch ‘Corvette’ and put it in the car.

“No luck” Rory said when he finally returned to the car. “I picked something up, but if its no good the case will come in handy” I said and showed Rory what I had bought. “You’re kidding, how much?” he asked “$50” I said meekly “Quick let’s get out of here before they find out what they gave you and want it back” Rory said with glee.

The guitar would become a Rory favourite and would travel in Guitar Trunk 1 thereafter.

Kerrang

'I play a lot of slide guitar too and for that I often use a Gretsch Corvette, which I found in pawnshop in Los Angeles for 90 dollars. Most of the best slide players are dead now. The old bluesmen and people like Lowell George and Duane Allman, but Johnny Winter's still around and Schenker plays a bit and does the Edge in U2. But they're not really in the blues tradition like I am.

See how Brix Smith uses Gretsch 1963 Corvette

Brix Smith

Guitarist

The Fall

...
Verified via YouTube

Gifted to Brix her in New York by Eric Ambel (Of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts) during her time at Bennington College.

She tells the story in the linked video starting at 8:10

See how Harry Howard uses Gretsch 1963 Corvette

Harry Howard

Singer, Guitarist

The Birthday Party

...
Verified via Photo

Harry and his Gretsch playing with The NDE

See how Ash Reiter uses Gretsch 1963 Corvette

Ash Reiter

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Baeble Music

In a feature on Baeble Music, Ash Reiter discusses the 1963 Gretsch Corvette, noting its slim, solid body reminiscent of a Gibson SG. She praises its perfect neck, well-balanced feel, and ease of play, highlighting the impressive sound of its pickups and its compatibility with her pedals.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gretsch 1963 Corvette, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Diamond Vibrato v1
Diamond Vibrato v1 Vibrato Effects Pedals
1

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