1980s Gretsch Traveling Wilburys guitar

The Traveling Wilburys are number 1 on the charts after their Collection CD/DVD release. So I thought if anything, it was at least timely to show this Traveling Wilburys guitar I found on eBay made by Gretsch in 1988.

Gretsch Traveling Wilburys guitar

Gretsch created 3 different TW model guitars, each with different pickup and electronics set ups.

Gretsch mentions on their website that “While these are hoarded avidly by a few collectors, they bear little resemblance to any Gretsch models. In fact, they are more like Danelectros.”

The owner of the guitar for auction says “Simple and fun one pickup one volume knob design. Electric Twangy type of near country sound one would expect for a Traveling Willbury. Telecaster-ish maybe. No Metalica here. Issues revolve action and short scale limitation ie translation, set it up and get it to play well and it will sound good for twang.”

Gretsch Traveling Wilburys guitar

Gretsch Traveling Wilburys guitar

Gretsch Traveling Wilburys guitar

They also mention that some grunge kids graffitied the the back of the guitar with phrases such as:

1) Nirvana Rules!!

2) Grunge will live!!!

3) Enumclaw (a city near Seattle)

4) Eat McDonalds!!!

5) Loveline Rules (a late nite sex- relationship show hosted by Dr Drew)

6) Mike Hunt Has B$LLS!!! (a controversial late night public access guy who has nudity on his show in the Seattle area)

6) Rap Sucks!!

7) A Stick figure drawing with Band Geek Spiffy written under it!!

8) A Star drawing with rock star written under it!!! (a popular energy drink)

…Amongst others

Gretsch Traveling Wilburys guitar

Click here for auction page. It's now over, but didn't sell.

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68 thoughts on “1980s Gretsch Traveling Wilburys guitar”

  1. TW100 with tremolo
    Carrie

    Hi I just purchased my first TW! yeay! I found this site and was wondering how many of you still have yours or what they may be worth now. I’ve read each have their own design, pickups were picked out by the band and only 1000 were made and only sold as Merch at the venues they played at as collector merchandise. I’ve seen the for 3000$ down to 350$. Any thoughts?? Thanks Carrie

  2. My son gave me a TW 100T for Christmas last year. Funky little thing, love it. Planning to do some work on her tomorrow so I can use her on my gigs. So I learned some TW history today.

  3. Hy guitar-friends! I have a TW 500 as a original owner. When i first played the guitar, it was terrible, because it coudn’t hold the tune. The mechanics were verry cheap. I changed them and used automatic-lock mechanics. Now i have no problems with the tuning, it’s really 1000% better!!! Not original, but you can play !

  4. tuning keys
    anth_

    i’ve got a TW300 i think. it’s got 1 humbucker, 1 tone, 1 vol. plays great. But i’ve got a Tw100 that will not stay tuned. i want to change the tuning keys but can not find ones that are true to the guitar’s style. does anyone know if Gretsch or Danelectro carries replacements ?

  5. I have a tw 300 which, only
    Werner

    I have a tw 300 which, only has a pick guard that says the traveling wilburys. It looks like it was just glued on at the factory. On the body it just has “The” writin on it by the volume and tone nob. Anybody know how much that bitch is worth? It’s in excellent shape.

  6. Yep, I have one, bought from a derogatory dealer who couldnt wait to shift it….I remember he advertised it had been designed by Coco the Clown, the cheek! I love it as a piece of memorabilia, didn’t get a box with it though. Hardly played, but then it never sounded that healthy.

  7. I have an original TW 300 guitar in mint condition still in the original box which is in good condition.
    I no longer play it but I might sell it if I got a good offer.

    BJ
    Northern Ireland

  8. Traveling Wilbury Guitar
    Rob Jacobs

    Hello,
    Is there someone who knows how many different picture there on the Traveling Wilbury guitar? I own 8 Wilbury`s. 8 different pictures.
    with kind regards
    Rob Jacobs
    Holland

  9. TW guitar
    david dorton

    i have one but am not sure which one it is.it has the one double pu near the bridge and no whammy bar but there is the theaded hole for it.plays great and stays in tune.i really enjoy it.by the way george harrison is playing one in the “handle with care” video.

  10. I am looking into collecting the guitars. Anyone willing to give or sell please write me. If sell offer a price. I have a beautiful TW 100 and i wish to aquire the box for it as well. I would like the guitars to be in or with the box but if that is not the case, fine. I’m looking for any and all types, colors and shapes this collection has to offer. I will also accept slightly damaged. If parts were replaced at any time during use of previous owner(s) I would like the pieces you replaced to come with it (if they are in working order.) You may contact me at [email protected] Thanks, Kristen

    1. For Sale
      Anonymous

      I have one still in the box that I bought in the 80’s. Never really played. Even still has the poster that came with it. The box is in pretty good condition considering it’s 20 or so years old. Let me know if you would like me to send you some photos. Cheers

  11. Re: The Traveling Wilburys are number 1 on the charts after... 1980s Gretsch Traveling Wilburys guitar
    Jonathan

    I have a Traveling Wilburys guitar in the original box that I’ve never opened.

    scotch taped to the outside of the box is a Traveling Wilburys cassette tape. With the boxed guitar inside the bigger shipping box is a rolled up Traveling Wilburys poster.

    My parents got it for me when I was a little kid with the intention of giving to me for Christmas — I got caught looking for presents before Christmas, so they witheld giving it to me and it remained stored safely out of reach for years (it was of little interest to me) until the other day, when I helped my parents move.

    If anyone on here is especially interested in acquiring this, I’m willing to sell it. I still have not opened the box to see the actual guitar. Email me!

    neosonic7[at]gmail.com

  12. Re: The Traveling Wilburys are number 1 on the charts after... 1980s Gretsch Traveling Wilburys guitar
    wilbury girl

    I have one. It was in beautiful shape into some dork caught it on a door 🙁 So now there is a thin crack in the side. A friend of mine told me not to worry about the damage, since it’s likely an easy repair and probably won’t effect the sound at all.

    I don’t know if it’s worth repairing though…? I bought it as a collectors item and know nothing about guitars. I have a 300 model. Haven’t seen the same design around anywhere. Were they all different?

    If anyone is interested, let me know. Or if anyone knows how much repairing it might cost and the value of the guitar, that would be helpful as well!

  13. Re: The Traveling Wilburys are number 1 on the charts after... 1980s Gretsch Traveling Wilburys guitar
    Ger Warink

    I own a TW-600 Gretsch. I’ve replaced the original pick-ups for Seymour Duncan STK-4. It’s in a great shape, and sometimes use it. Watch the youtube channeel. Search for the band Hail Gewoon, and the the title Weldut mit mie. It’s in Dutch. There you can see my TW-600 in action.

    Gr Ger

    1. left handed traveling wilburys guitar
      Monte Gondles

      Was just wondering if you still have the left handed traveling wilburys guitar? If so, how much? Hope to hear from you soon.

  14. Re: The Traveling Wilburys are number 1 on the charts after... 1980s Gretsch Traveling Wilburys guitar
    Paul Senior

    Hi. I have 5 TW’s- A TW100T which has a smaller body tat the others, 2x TW300T, a TW500 and a TW200. Great place to start a guitar collection, cheap and there are plenty around. Haven’t got the full set though as there is a left handed version as well.

  15. Re: The Traveling Wilburys are number 1 on the charts after... 1980s Gretsch Traveling Wilburys guitar
    Shandra

    Mine never stayed in tune 🙁 I changed the bridge on it and took off the whammy bar and it stays in tune a little better now. I never play it anymore though, so it is in mint condition except for the bridge. The one I have also has a different pattern…I have seen 3 patterns now. Unfortunately, I threw the cardboard (case) box out, it was an original in itself.

    1. :) Designs
      Kristen

      I myself have seen at least nine designs! i so badly want to collect so if you know anyone getting rid of theirs could you please write me 🙂 sinc., Kristen

      1. TW300 Guitar (Traveling Wiburys Limited Edition)
        Chris Cruise

        Hello Kristen-

        I just saw your post.

        My TW300 has been displayed in my home studio for 15 years or so.

        I’m moving and considering selling it.

        Are you still interested?

      2. traveling wilbury's Guitar
        Anonymous

        Hi, I ran across your post. It was dated 2011. So I have no idea if this is still relevant to you or not. I have the Traveling Wilbury’s tw-100 single coil model. In original box…mint condition as far as I can tell. It has difeerent graphics on the front than most I have seen. If you are still interested in them ,,,holler back…thanks

  16. Re: The Traveling Wilburys are number 1 on the charts after... 1980s Gretsch Traveling Wilburys guitar
    Andre

    Well I bought mine a few weeks ago buy now on the shore 😉
    … it is a tw-500 with two single coils … one neck … and one bridge … you cant adjust the height to the strings … very bad … and the strings are ringing when tuned to E … so I tuned it up to G … now it has a nice Banjoesque/Mandolin kind of sound … … It is a collectors Item for TW Fans but I do not really think it should be labeled Gretsch … hmmm … no not really … its sort of danelectro silvertone … and I like it that way … anyway I wont sell it — A G Tuned 3/4 Guitar is cool 🙂

  17. Re: The Traveling Wilburys are number 1 on the charts after... 1980s Gretsch Traveling Wilburys guitar
    Jacob

    I got my Traveling Wilbury’s guitar as my first electric guitar on my 14th birthday(20 years ago). I don’t play it much, something happened and it won’t stay in tune, I take it out sometimes, just because I have it. I used to take it to my friends house to play guitar.

    1. the guitar and why it has problems
      Kristen

      My friend told me that i should change the tuning pegs in mine because it slipps and dosent tune well because of it…..so maybe that will help. 🙂 i to own a TW guitar and wouldnt trade it for the world. i hope to collect as many of the designs as possiable so if you know anyone who wants to rid of theirs write me. sincerly kristen

      1. Tw100 gretsh traveling wilbury guitar
        Tandy bias

        I have one for sale its in fair condition no strings or case does have a whammy bar dont know much about it found it in the garbage and brought it home and cleaned it up it looks like its still new

      2. traveling wilbury guitar
        Bill Last

        Hi Kristen,
        I just discovered you on this Traveling Wilburys guitar webpage.
        I have a TW guitar w/box that I would like to sell at a fair price.
        Get back to me if interested.
        Thanks,
        Bill

        1. traveling wilburys guitar
          Monte Gondles

          Was wondering if you still have your traveling wilburys guitar for sale.If so, how much? Thanks hope to hear from you soon.

  18. Re: The Traveling Wilburys are number 1 on the charts after... 1980s Gretsch Traveling Wilburys guitar
    [email protected]

    i’ve got one also.

    its a fun lil guit,great for slide we find, or strsigh on blues solos

    have a different part of the design, i will send you pix if you send me yr e mail.

    have case and is in mint cond mostly, bought it new,DAMARK cut out catalog, $79.00 and it is not for sale.they were made to sell at the concert t shirt booths originally [where they could get 2-400$ for em..] but it fell through or something, so grtsch dumped to discounters like damark.

    i have seen vales between 150-600.00 on these over the lsat coupl years, they dont pop up as often lately. yours has grrafitt, still should sell ok .

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