Looking for a left handed Gretsch guitar? You are in the right place, my friend!
Gretsch Guitars was founded in the USA in 1883 by Friedrich Gretsch, a young German immigrant who initially started the company selling banjos, tambourines, and drums.
From humble beginnings, the company has grown to become one of the biggest players in the guitar world, with several high-profile names endorsing the brand.
Throughout this article we will briefly look at every left handed Gretsch guitar that is currently available.
At the end of the guide, we will also answer a few general questions that you may have about the brand itself.
Left Handed Gretsch Guitars
Does Gretsch Make Left Handed Guitars?
Yes! At the time of writing, there are 13 left handed Gretsch guitar models, or 15 if you count all of the different color options! These are spread out over the Streamliner, Electromatic, and Professional Collection ranges.
Unfortunately, there are no left-handed Gretsch acoustic or bass guitars at the moment – looking at the website you will quickly notice that the brand concentrates heavily on their electric guitars over anything else.
Luckily they do offer some unquestionably gorgeous 6-strings to the southpaw guitar players of the world, featuring absolutely stunning attention to detail.
Let’s take a look…
Left Handed Gretsch Streamliner Guitars
The Streamliner Collection is Gretsch’s most affordable range of electric guitars and is built in Indonesia.
These instruments are styled on models from the 1940s, 50s, and 60s but add innovative new features aimed at modern players.
G2622LH Streamliner Center Block
Gretsch has recently redesigned the G2622LH, and this model is brand new for 2023. The previous iteration of this guitar was available left handed in 3 different colors, but so far this upgraded design is only available in gunmetal.
On the plus side, I do think this new model is a big upgrade in terms of aesthetics. The tortoise-shell scratchplate, offset thumbnail inlays, and old-school radio knob styled control knobs give this guitar a lot of extra character compared to the previous models.
The left handed Gretsch Streamliner G2622LH has an all-maple body, resulting in a wonderfully bright and snappy tone.
You’ll have no trouble cutting through the mix thanks to a pair of powerful Broad’Tron humbuckers that offer up a very balanced sound.
This semi-hollow is also fitted with a center block that will allow the guitar to handle higher levels of gain without unwanted feedback issues. In addition, this center block improves sustain and resonance, as well as the overall clarity of your sound.
Other key features include a comfortable soft c-shaped nato neck with 20 fret laurel fingerboard, a Gretsch V-Stoptail tailpiece for fantastic tuning stability and sustain, and 3 volume controls and a single tone control allow for a huge variety of tonal options.
- Body : Maple
- Neck : Nato
- Fingerboard : Laurel 12″ Radius
- Bridge : Adjusto-Matic with Gretsch V Stoptail
- Pickups : Broad’Tron BT-3S
- Tuners : Die-Cast
- Case : Optional
- Colors : Gunmetal
Left Handed Gretsch Electromatic Guitars
The Electromatic Series is Gretsch’s most popular range of guitars thanks to their quality construction and affordable price point.
These guitars are built in either Korea or China depending on which model you opt for.
As you would expect from the most popular series, the range of left handed Gretsch Electromatic guitars forms the most significant section of this buyer guide.
Let’s take a look!
G5222LH Electromatic Double Jet BT
Enjoy vintage Gretsch stylings at an affordable price with the new G5222LH solid body from the Electromatic series. AC/DC fans will notice that it has a very similar look to Malcolm Young’s (much more expensive) signature model.
Indeed, many players have modded this guitar to emulate the G6131-MY.
A chambered mahogany body provides a deep and rich tone that is somewhat brightened up thanks to the guitar’s maple top, while the blacktop Broad’Tron humbuckers ensure that you have plenty of ’50s-era spank on tap.
Other features include a comfortable and thin u-shape neck, a v-stoptail bridge for excellent sustain and tuning stability, and classic Gretsch thumbnail fretboard inlays.
- Body : Chambered Mahogany /w Maple Top
- Neck : Mahogany
- Fingerboard : Laurel 12? Radius
- Bridge : Adjusto-Matic with Gretsch V Stoptail
- Pickups : Blacktop Broad’Tron
- Tuners : Die-Cast
- Case : Optional
- Colors : Aged Natural
G5232LH Electromatic Double Jet FT
The iconic double-cut solid body Gretsch Jet is supremely easy to play, with exceptional access to the higher frets.
Like the G5222LH, this model features a chambered mahogany body and a laminated maple top for warmth and sustain with extra clarity and brightness.
A pair of blacktop Filter’Tron humbuckers adds to that classic bright and airy Gretsch sound, with an almost single-coil crispness to them.
Compared to the Broad’Trons in the G5222LH above, these Filter’Trons have a slightly lower output with a touch more of that legendary Gretsch twang.
I wasn’t able to find a demonstration video featuring the new Midnight Sapphire color, but check out Chicago Music Exchange’s video below to get a good idea of what this guitar sounds like.
Other main features include a thin u-shape maple neck, 22 fret laurel fingerboard, and an ultra-stable adjusto-matic bridge with v-stoptail.
The midnight sapphire finish paired with all chrome hardware gives this particular guitar a really classy and sophisticated appearance.
- Body : Chambered Mahogany /w Maple Top
- Neck : Maple
- Fingerboard : Laurel 12? Radius
- Bridge : Adjusto-Matic with Gretsch V Stoptail
- Pickups : Blacktop Filter’Tron
- Tuners : Die-Cast
- Case : Optional
- Colors : Midnight Sapphire
G5220LH Electromatic Jet BT
If you favor the looks of a single-cut over a double-cut then the left handed Gretsch Electromatic G5220LH may just tick your boxes.
This model has been available left handed in a Dark Cherry Metallic finish for a while, but Gretsch has just recently introduced a new Jade Grey Metallic version as well.
It features a chambered mahogany body with a maple cap, a mahogany neck and laurel fingerboard with 22 medium-jumbo frets, and an ultra-stable anchored adjusto-matic bridge.
The brand has opted to use their Broad-Tron humbuckers in this model to ensure that all of that legendary Gretsch growl and grit is present and accounted for.
You’ll also be able to coax some absolutely pristine clean tones from the guitar when required.
- Body : Chambered Mahogany /w Maple Top
- Neck : Mahogany
- Fingerboard : Laurel 12? Radius
- Bridge : Adjusto-Matic with Gretsch V Stoptail
- Pickups : Blacktop Broad’Tron
- Tuners : Die-Cast
- Case : Optional
- Colors : Jade Gray Metallic or Dark Cherry Metallic
G5230LH Electromatic Jet FT
The final solid-body lefty from the Electromatic series is the Gretsch G5230LH, a beautiful single-cut that is available in two classy finishes – Airline Silver and Black.
Aside from the obvious visual differences, this guitar is essentially the same as the G5220LH above but with Filter’Tron humbuckers equipped rather than Broad’Tron.
These are slightly lower output with a moderately more ‘twangy’ sound.
As with the other solid body Electromatics above, this model features a chambered mahogany body and a laminated maple cap.
This combination helps to produce a rich and full tone that is ideal for a multitude of musical genres.
The thin U-shaped mahogany neck is super-easy to play coupled with the smooth 12″ radius laurel fretboard with its classic thumbnail inlays.
- Body : Chambered Mahogany /w Maple Top
- Neck : Mahogany
- Fingerboard : Laurel 12? Radius
- Bridge : Adjusto-Matic with Gretsch V Stoptail
- Pickups : Blacktop Filter’Tron
- Tuners : Die-Cast
- Case : Optional
- Colors : Airline Silver or Black
G5420LH Electromatic Classic Hollow Body
Moving on to the left handed Gretsch Electromatic series hollow bodies, we have the G5420LH single-cut.
This guitar has previously been available as a lefty, but has recently been updated with a raft of cool new features.
One of the latest upgrades includes a switch from Gretsch’s Broad-Tron humbuckers to their new FT-5E Filter-Tron pickups.
These humbuckers are designed to give you that bright and chimey 1950s-era archtop tone, with almost single-coil type qualities.
Gretsch has also redesigned the guitar’s bracing to offer improved sustain and resonance without succumbing to that unwanted feedback some hollow-body guitars are known for.
You’ll also notice a newly designed tailpiece that is the key visual giveaway between this new model and the previous one.
- Body : Laminated Maple
- Neck : Maple
- Fingerboard : Laurel 12? Radius
- Bridge : Adjusto-Matic with Gretsch G-Cutout Tailpiece
- Pickups : FT-5E Filter-Tron
- Tuners : Vintage-Style Open Back
- Case : Optional
- Colors : Orange Stain
G5422GLH Electromatic Classic Hollow Body
The G5422LH has to be one of the classiest looking models from the current southpaw stable with its all-white finish and gold hardware.
There are some heavy White Falcon vibes going on here, albeit without the iconic Bigsby tremolo.
Main features include a lightweight laminated maple body, classic ‘c’ shaped maple neck with 22 fret laurel fingerboard, an adjusto-matic bridge with a Gretsch G-Cutout tailpiece, and vintage style tuners.
Like the G5420LH above, this model features the new Gretsch FT-5E Filter-Tron humbuckers.
These pickups are all about creating that hollow-body punch and chime whilst eliminating any of the dreaded hum and crackle.
- Body : Laminated Maple
- Neck : Maple
- Fingerboard : Laurel 12? Radius
- Bridge : Adjusto-Matic with Gretsch G-Cutout Tailpiece
- Pickups : FT-5E Filter-Tron
- Tuners : Vintage-Style Open Back
- Case : Optional
- Colors : Snow Crest White
G5191BK Tim Armstrong Signature Electromatic
As punk godfather Tim Armstrong is a fellow lefty, it would only be fair that a left handed version of his signature axe was available.
Experience huge tone and take no prisoners!
Main features include a fully-bound maple body, a maple neck with a 22 jumbo fret rosewood fingerboard, powerful Black Top Filter’Tron humbuckers, an adjusto-matic bridge with harp-style tailpiece, and Grover Sta-Tite tuners.
It has a slightly flatter fretboard radius than the other guitars on this list at 12.6″ which makes it ideal for fast runs and heavy riffing.
The G5191BK also features a slightly shorter scale length at 24.44″, making for easy bends and smaller stretches.
- Body : Laminated Maple
- Neck : Maple
- Fingerboard : Rosewood 12.6? Radius
- Bridge : Adjusto-Matic with Harp-Style Tailpiece
- Pickups : Blacktop Filter-Tron
- Tuners : Grover Sta-Tite
- Case : Optional
- Colors : Matte Black
G5622LH Electromatic Double-Cut
The final left handed Electromatic model currently available is the G5622 Center Block, a semi-hollow beauty that comes in an eye-catching Georgia Green finish.
With its laminated maple body and Gretsch Broad’Tron humbuckers, this guitar is perfectly capable of pumping out all of the thick and powerful tones that Gretsch is famed for.
And thanks to the guitar’s center block, this model will reward you with excellent sustain as well as the ability to handle higher gain levels without causing unwanted feedback from your amp.
Other features include a thin and comfortable u-shaped maple neck with 22 fret laurel fingerboard, a v-stoptail tailpiece for exceptional tuning stability, and Gretsch’s classic thumbnail fretboard inlays.
- Body : Laminated Maple
- Neck : Maple
- Fingerboard : Laurel 12? Radius
- Bridge : Adjusto-Matic with Gretsch V-Stoptail Tailpiece
- Pickups : Blacktop Broad-Tron
- Tuners : Die-Cast
- Case : Optional
- Colors : Georgia Green
Left Handed Gretsch Professional Collection Guitars
The Gretsch Professional Collection forms the flagship range of guitars offered by the brand.
All instruments are crafted to exacting standards in Japan by Gretsch’s top luthiers.
At present, all of the left handed Gretsch Professional Collection models fall under the ‘Players Edition‘ series.
These guitars aim to pay homage to the classic Gretsch guitars from years gone by, but also add a raft of newer and more innovative features aimed at modern players.
G6120TG-LH Players Edition Nashville
The left handed Gretsch Professional Collection G6120TG-LH lets you enjoy that classic hollow body sound and feel whilst adding a raft of performance-focused modern upgrades.
At just 2.5 inches deep, the slim body design helps to eliminate unwanted feedback when playing live.
Despite its slim construction, the G6120TG still manages to nail that iconic hollow body tone thanks to its newly customized ‘ML’ bracing pattern.
Newly designed FT-67 Filter’Tron pickups help to capture that legendary Gretsch tone whilst adding a more well-balanced sound that modern players will appreciate.
A Bigsby B6GP vibrato is ideal for expressive licks, and the string-through design makes it super-easy to change strings and also helps to improve sustain and note clarity.
- Body : Laminated Maple
- Neck : Maple
- Fingerboard : Ebony 12? Radius
- Bridge : Adjusto-Matic with Bigsby B6GP String-Through
- Pickups : FT-67 Filter’Tron
- Tuners : Gotoh Locking
- Case : Hardshell Case Included
- Colors : Orange Stain
G6228LH Players Edition Jet BT
If you adore the G5220 Electromatic above but yearn for something a little higher end, then Gretsch has you covered with the G6228LH from their Professional Collection.
This guitar is dripping with rich tones thanks to its select 1.85″ thick mahogany body and the maple cap.
The body is also strategically chambered to help define the instrument’s wide and smooth sound as well as to reduce overall weight.
Fender’s resident pickup guru Tim Shaw is responsible for designing the all-new Broad-Tron BT65 humbuckers that Gretsch describes as being ‘the perfect mixture of wall-shaking power and full-spectrum fidelity‘.
The video below demonstrates the sounds that the G6228LH is capable of, but also compares it to the G6128TLH that we’ll look at next.
These two guitars are very similar with the main difference being that the G6128TLH below adds a Bigsby tremolo system.
- Body : Chambered Maple
- Neck : Mahogany
- Fingerboard : Rosewood 12? Radius
- Bridge : Adjusto-Matic with Gretsch V-Stoptail
- Pickups : Broad’Tron BT-65
- Tuners : Gotoh Locking
- Case : Hardshell Case Included
- Colors : Cadillac Green Metallic
G6128TLH Players Edition Jet FT
As I’ve already mentioned above, this model is very similar to the G6228LH with a few key differences – the main being the addition of a Bigsby B7P tremolo.
Other differences include slightly lower output High Sensitive Filter’Tron pickups, thumbnail style fingerboard inlays, and larger Gotoh locking tuners.
As explained in the video, the variations between the two are subtle, so the decision will most likely come down to whether or not you’d like a Bigsby!
Main features include a select chambered mahogany body with maple top, a classic u-shaped mahogany neck with 22 fret rosewood fingerboard, Gotoh locking tuners, and a string-through design Bigsby B7PLH tremolo system.
Check out the video for the G6228LH above to also hear this guitar in action.
- Body : Chambered Maple
- Neck : Mahogany
- Fingerboard : Rosewood 12? Radius
- Bridge : Bigsby B7PLH String-Through Tremolo
- Pickups : High Sensitive Filter’Tron
- Tuners : Gotoh Locking
- Case : Hardshell Case Included
- Colors : Black
G6136TG-LH Players Edition Falcon
The final left handed Gretsch guitar currently available is also one of the most desirable – the White Falcon!
This Players Edition Falcon mixes the classic hollow body features loved by generations with new and innovative appointments aimed at modern players.
Updates include a slimmer and lighter body design to help reduce feedback, no-load tone pots that won’t color your sound, a string-thru Bigsby Vibrato for improved sustain and clarity, Grover locking tuners, and all-new FT-7 Filter’Tron humbuckers.
It even has Luminlay side dots that glow in the dark!
The new Filter’Tron pickups were designed to offer a bell-like top-end, smooth mids, and a thick lower end. The result is a guitar that can easily sit in the mix and blend well with all other instruments.
Check out this incredibly gorgeous left handed Gretsch White Falcon in the video below.
- Body : Laminated Maple
- Neck : Maple
- Fingerboard : Ebony 12? Radius
- Bridge : Bigsby B6GP String-Through Tremolo
- Pickups : FT-67 Filter’Tron
- Tuners : Grover Imperial Locking
- Case : Hardshell Case Included
- Colors : White
Special Run Models
But wait, there’s more! If none of that considerable list tickles your fancy, you might also be able to spot a few more lefties dotted around the interwebs in the form of special run models.
One store that instantly comes to mind is Jerry’s Lefty Guitars in Florida, USA.
Jerry often commissions special editions of various Gretsch models that you won’t find anywhere else!
For example, at the time of writing, he has the incredible G5230 with vibrato that you can see below.
He’ll also often have unique colors available – sometimes the finishes aren’t even available on the right handed models!
Gretsch Website
Check out the Gretsch website for more information on all of these guitars.
There is a left handed filter but I found that some of the models are absent, so make sure to read this entire guide so that you don’t miss out on any!
You can also type ‘left’ into the search bar on the Gretsch website to throw up a list of all current southpaws.
For more information:
Gretsch Guitars Website
FAQ
Who Plays Gretsch Guitars?
Famous players that initially helped to cement the Gretsch name include Bo Diddley, Duane Eddy, and Chet Atkins, all of whom had signature guitars. Current Gretsch artists include Brian Setzer, Billy Duffy, Bono, Billy Gibbons, Tim Armstrong, and Patrick Stump to name just a few.
Where Are Gretsch Guitars Made?
Custom Shop Gretsch guitars are built in the USA, whilst the high-end Professional Collection is crafted in Japan. As far as the Electromatic series is concerned, the hollow and semi-hollow guitars are made in Korea, whilst the solid body and Jet models are built in China. The budget Gretsch Streamliner range is built in Indonesia to help keep costs low.
Is Gretsch Owned By Fender?
Although the Gretsch family still retains overall ownership of the company, Fender currently has the final say when it comes to the marketing, manufacturing, and distribution of all of the guitars.
