Never-played 1989 Gretsch Traveling Wilburys white-bodied electric guitar (TW-100T), produced in the late 1980s as an instrumental nod to the iconic collaboration of rock legends Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne, George Harrison, and Bob Dylan. The body front features stylized graphics and the back features a “This Traveling Wilburys Guitar Designed by Gretsch” seal that contains facsimile signatures of each band member. Includes its attractive original box, which bears scattered wear and scuffs. In fine condition. An uncommonly attractive example of this limited-run TW guitar.
The consignor worked in the music industry in the 1980s and states that a number of these guitars were given to Warner Brothers Records as promotional pieces. The consignor was presented with this guitar by a Warner Brothers rep.
The Traveling Wilburys TW-100T (and the larger TW-300T) served as a launching pad for the new and improved Gretsch brand. Released between 1987 and 1990, Gretsch's Traveling Wilburys guitars were released in four different models, each with different pickup and bridge configurations: the TW-100T featured a tremolo bridge and a lone single coil pickup; the TW-200 featured a string-through bridge and single humbucker; the TW-300 featured a tremolo bridge and a single humbucker; and the TW-500 used a string-through bridge and a pair of single coil pickups.
A large, full-color montage of vintage music instrument-based imagery was screen printed in random positions on the top of each guitar produced. Because of this technique, every pattern is unique and no two Gretsch TW-100T Traveling Wilburys tops are the same. These guitars are not master builds. Traveling Wilburys TW-100T's were intended by Gretch as playable collectibles.
The funky Gretsch Traveling Wilburys TW-100 T models, which were manufactured to mimic 1950s Danelectro U-2 guitar bodies and headstocks, exist as an important piece of Gretsch history. After the Gretsch family had sold the company to new owners who made some questionable business decisions, Fred Gretsch re-acquired his family's brand in 1988. This model, the Traveling Wilburys TW-100T, served as the launch pad for the new Gretsch brand, and the company was once again placed under Gretsch family ownership.
