Gretsch® unveils 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. Take a closer dive into the array of features included in the signature guitar.
“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.”
