Brian Setzer’s signature Gretsch models played a vital role in the 1990s in reviving Gratch’s reputation and promoting the company’s new line of high-quality, Japanese-made guitars.

As front man for the Stray Cats, Setzer had led a rockabilly revival in the early 1980s, playing hot guitar licks on his 1969 Gretsch Chet Atkins 6120. In the 90’s, he reinvented himself in a swing band setting, and the Brian Setzer Orchestra led a new wave of interest in big band music with their remake of “Jump, Jive an’ Wail”. Gretsch took advantage of Setzer’s second round of fame by giving him a signature model in 94′ that was based on his vintage 6120.

The Brian Setzer Hot Rod followed in 1999, featuring vintage-style “trestle” top bracing along with such Setzer specs as oversized soundholes, locking tuners, and custom-wound humbucking pickups (or, as an option, pickups made by TV Jones). In the best Gretsch tradition, the Hot Rod was offered in an array of flashy finish colors ranging from Lime Gold to Purple to Tangerine.