The first-ever custom U.S.-made Gretsch models debuted at the NAMM Show in January. The stunning new limited-edition versions of original-era classics—a G6136CST White Falcon and G6120WCST Nashville Western were warmly received and earned much acclaim, and with that the Gretsch Custom Shop was up and running.

Senior Master Builder Stephen Stern officially took the custom design and production reins, and with a small crew, a little upstairs corner workshop at the Fender factory in Corona, Calif., became the Gretsch Custom Shop.

The Gretsch Custom Shop released the G6136TCST-R White Falcon LTD Custom Relic (2007-2009), the G6120WCST-R Nashville Western LTD Custom Relic and the G6118T-R-CST Anniversary Relic (2007-2009).

The original 2004 G6120WCST Nashville Western was re-christened the G6120WCST Chet Atkins Hollow Body in January 2007 and remained so until the model was discontinued in December 2009.

The Gretsch Custom Shop duly honored Stray Cats rockabilly icon Brian Setzer with the first Custom Shop “Tribute” model, the G6120SSC Brian Setzer Tribute Nashville. Stern and his crew hand built 59 of the instruments, which were virtually indistinguishable from Setzer’s beloved 1959 6120, right down to their thin nitro finish, dice control knobs, black cat and “Lucky Lady” body stickers, headstock skull sticker, and every last nick and scratch.

The Gretsch Custom Shop released the G6128TDS-R Duo Jet™ Relic with Bigsby® (2008-2009).

The gorgeous G6120-125 Chet Atkins 125th Anniversary Hollow Body enjoyed a single-year run.

The Gretsch Custom Shop debuted the G6129BZ Billy Zoom Tribute Custom Shop Silver Jet, designed for X guitarist Tyson “Billy Zoom” Kindell.

The G6120DSW-R Chet Atkins Relic Hollow Body was introduced in early 2009 and available through mid-2010.

The Gretsch Custom Shop began building specially commissioned one-off instruments, starting when Morrissey guitarist and musical director Martin "Boz" Boorer contacted Stern with a special request—a custom pink Penguin guitar. Stern obliged, and Boorer delightedly received the beautifully crafted pink Penguin—the first Gretsch Custom Shop one-off model—in spring of this year.

The meticulously crafted G6120EC Eddie Cochran Tribute Hollow Body was also introduced in honor of the “Summertime Blues” artist. Only 50 of these replicas were released, accompanied a fascinating wealth of reproduction Cochran memorabilia that paid fitting tribute indeed.

The G6128T-GH George Harrison Tribute Custom Shop Duo Jet was introduced in January 2011 in a limited edition run of 60 guitars, immediately drawing great acclaim and glowing press. Stern had worked closed throughout 2010 with his estate to spec out the all-black 1957 Duo Jet that Harrison bought second-hand at age 18 in summer 1961. It was the guitar that Harrison played during the historic three-year period when the Beatles went from local favorites to U.K. sensations to worldwide phenomenon; the guitar used to record first Beatles album Please Please Me and the title song that was the group’s first No. 1 hit.

The Gretsch Custom Shop received its biggest personnel boost with the arrival of five more builders including Chad Henrichsen and Gonzalo Madrigal.

The Gretsch Custom Shop celebrated its 10th Anniversary. To mark the occasion, the Gretsch Custom Shop released the 10th Anniversary Duo Jet NOS guitar. A limited edition run of only ten of these very special Duo Jet models were created for the global market.

This year saw the creation of the monstrous G6136B-TP Custom Shop Tom Petersson Signature White Falcon™ 12-string bass. As the bassist for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame power-pop outfit Cheap Trick, Petersson pioneered the use of a 12-string, multi-octave instrument and his stamp on the classic White Falcon bass design resulted in a truly jaw-dropping model.

At long last, the Gretsch Custom Shop brought the world the G6131MY-CS Custom Shop Malcolm Young “Salute” Jet™ in honor of the AC/DC rhythm guitar legend, who passed away in November of that year. As early as 2008, the Gretsch Custom Shop team had begun to painstakingly examine Young’s iconic No. 1 guitar, a battle-worn well-traveled ’63 Jet Firebird™. Limited to a 40-piece run, the G6131MY-CS Custom Shop Malcolm Young “Salute” Jet faithfully paid homage to Young’s beloved instrument, right down to every last nick, scratch and dent acquired over his long and raucously illustrious career.

The Gretsch Custom Shop promoted Gonzalo Madrigal to Master Builder, and also welcomed two new builders in Bill Jancar and Kyle Keesler.

The Gretsch Custom Shop celebrates its 15th Anniversary.