“Some people think its gloss black top was a response to Gibson’s Les Paul Custom – but that didn’t launch officially until ’54”: The Duo Jet took Gretsch’s ’50s innovation to new heights – and was loved by George Harrison, Jeff Beck and Malcolm Young

Gretsch 6128 Duo Jet
(Image credit: Future / Phil Barker)

In the hagiography of rock ’n’ roll, Gibson and Fender guitars have the throne. In country, and particularly rockabilly, the big orange boxes of Gretsch are challengers. So spare a thought for an astonishingly good bit player, the Gretsch Duo Jet, which first appeared in 1953.

The ’50s were a time of extraordinary change and innovation in the musical instrument industry, with the electrification of guitars being the driving force.

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Bob Wootton

Bob Wootton is a British guitar player and vintage collector.

Towards the end of a successful – and long – career in advertising he started writing and now contributes to various media on marketing, advertising and guitar-related matters, notably for the world-leading Guitarist magazine.

As tech for his friend and mentor, highly-regarded guitarist Alan Darby, he was part of Eric Clapton’s core team at his 2019 Crossroads fundraiser festival in Dallas.  He now advises, mentors and assists other players.

He works regularly on the music scene around London, surrounding himself with better players to raise his game.  Not difficult, some might say. He runs a couple of YouTube channels too.