Gretsch Releases Limited Edition John Gourley Electromatic Broadkaster
Gretsch® has unveiled the latest model in their artist signature series, the Limited Edition John Gourley Electromatic® Broadkaster®, a signature guitar model paying homage to John Gourley, the lead vocalist and guitarist for the experimental, indie rock and Grammy-winning band, Portugal. The Man. Gourley joins a roster of iconic Gretsch® signature artists including legends like AC/DC’s Malcolm Young, George Harrison, Billy Duffy, and more recently, indie group boygenius. The Alaska native and Gretsch® have a shared commitment to inspiring musicians of all levels and styles and hope this launch will inspire new creative forces within the music industry.
As the founding member, lead singer and songwriter of Portugal. The Man, Gourley has captivated audiences with his distinctive vocals and innovative musical style. With a dynamic and eclectic approach to his craft, Gourley continues to leave an indelible mark on music through his genre-agnostic contributions and his commitment to driving meaningful transformations through activism. Gourley has been influenced by his affinity for hip-hop and his exploration of different music genres that have shaped his unique style and approach. His positive impact goes beyond music, first by helping create the PTM Foundation — which focuses on building community resilience, empathy and awareness through music, stories, art, education and connectivity — and through the Frances Changed My Life initiative, which honors his daughter Frances and aims to provide support for other families dealing with rare disease diagnoses. Now, boasting a signature guitar bearing his name, Gourley aspires for his Broadkaster® to become a go-to choice for musicians of all levels, providing an accessible entry point for players seeking to attain their desired sound.
“The first time I heard a Gretsch® was when I walked into a guitar shop in Memphis and I knew instantly that that was the sound I’ve been looking for this whole time. It was such a cool experience when I finally got to design my own,” explains John Gourley. “I knew I’d want to go with the Broadkaster® shape and I specifically opted for Broadkaster® pickups, though the standout feature for me is the Bigsby®. Choosing a thinner body was intentional; it grants me greater mobility on stage, providing a heightened level of control over the sound. As for the artwork, I’ve been following Cleon’s work in some form since I was a kid. He has had so much influence on my personal style. His art represents humans. I love his honesty, his views and interpretation of the world.”
The Limited Edition John Gourley Electromatic® Broadkaster® was built for musicians from every genre in mind. The guitar boasts a double-cutaway maple body featuring a chambered spruce center block for enhanced resonance and tonal richness. Its thin “U”-shaped maple neck features a 12”-radius laurel fingerboard, hosts 22 medium jumbo frets and pearloid “cloud” inlays for a touch of style. Equipped with USA Full’Tron
humbucking pickups, the guitar delivers a powerful and versatile sonic range. The control layout includes a master volume with treble bleed circuit, master tone, individual pickup volume controls and a three-position pickup selector switch, offering precise tonal shaping. The Anchored Adjusto-Matic bridge ensures stable tuning while the Bigsby® B70 vibrato tailpiece adds expressive pitch modulation. Additional features include a Graph Tech® NuBone® nut, silver sparkle binding, locking tuners, strap locks and nickel hardware.
“John Gourley’s connection-driven passion for making music, combined with his support for empowering artists to find their own musical identities, perfectly aligns with our mission to foster and uplift at Gretsch®,” said Jason Barnes, VP of Product at Gretsch. “His commitment to his craft was evident in our entire journey together as he actively participated in every stage of development, paying meticulous attention to each specification. With the double-cutaway body and chambered center block combined with his USA Full’Tron humbucking pickups, this Broadkaster® is a real powerhouse.”
For technical specs, additional information on new Gretsch® products and to find a retail partner near you, visit www.gretschguitars.com. Join the conversation on social media by following @OfficialGretsch on Instagram and @GretschGuitars on YouTube.
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Limited Edition John Gourley Electromatic® Broadkaster® ($1,199.99 USD, £1,099.00 GBP, €1,249.00 EUR, $1,999.00 AUD, ¥214,500 JPY) The Electromatic® Limited Edition John Gourley Broadkaster celebrates the ‘force of nature’ creativity that fuels Portugal. The Man’s John Gourley. Featuring pro-inspired specs and classic Gretsch® stylings, this guitar is a powerful representation of John’s expressive force and was built for musicians from every genre in mind. The Broadkaster®boasts a double-cutaway maple body featuring a chambered spruce center block for enhanced resonance and tonal richness. Its thin “U”-shaped maple neck features a 12”-radius laurel fingerboard, hosts 22 medium jumbo frets and pearloid “cloud” inlays for a touch of style. Equipped with USA Full’Tron humbucking pickups, the guitar delivers a powerful and versatile sonic range. The control layout includes a master volume with treble bleed circuit, master tone, individual pickup volume controls and a three-position pickup selector switch, offering precise tonal shaping. The Anchored Adjusto-Matic bridge ensures stable tuning, while the Bigsby® B70 vibrato tailpiece adds expressive pitch modulation. Additional features include a Graph Tech® NuBone® nut, silver sparkle binding, locking tuners, strap locks and nickel hardware. Available in Iridescent Black.
ABOUT GRETSCH:
Since 1883, Gretsch® guitars have been the guitar of choice for musical revolutionaries due to the rich, full sound, smooth playability, and boldly classic visual style it offers. From modern versions of legendary Gretsch® instruments to artist tribute models, Grestch’s emphasis on hand-craftsmanship and commitment to quality has pioneered new designs and manufacturing techniques, winning endorsements from some of the music industry’s most respected artists and creating what is known among performers as “The Great Gretsch Sound!TM.” Throughout the 20th century, Gretsch® guitars were seen and heard on the biggest stages in rock ‘n’ roll and played by some of the most iconic guitarists in music history, from Chet Akins and Duane Eddy to Bo Diddley and Malcolm Young. Today Gretsch is a licensed brand under Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) and together, they’ve expanded the Gretsch footprint across musical genres, sprawling demographics and diverse geography while maintaining its unique sound, distinctive style and authentic legacy. For more information, visit www.gretschguitars.com. Join the conversation on social media by following @OfficialGretsch on Instagram and @GretschGuitars on YouTube.
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Source: musicinstrumentnews.co.uk
