A Piece of Gretsch History You Can Take Onstage
Gretsch has been building instruments since 1883, and the G9121 A.C.E. Tenor Ukulele is a direct nod to that legacy — part of their Roots Collection, which revives classic designs with modern playability in mind. It's the kind of uke that feels at home strummed at a backyard gathering or plugged into a PA at an open mic night.
The A.C.E. stands for Acoustic-Cutaway-Electric, and those three letters tell you exactly what this instrument is about: acoustic warmth, upper-fret access thanks to the single cutaway, and onboard electronics for when you need to be heard in a room. It's a genuinely versatile package for a tenor-sized instrument.
Whether you're a dedicated uke player looking to step up to a performance-ready instrument, or a guitarist curious about adding a tenor uke to your setup, the G9121 A.C.E. covers a lot of ground without making you compromise.
Solid Mahogany Top with That Warm Open-Pore Feel
The top is solid quartersawn mahogany — not a laminate — which makes a real difference in how the instrument resonates and opens up over time. Quartersawing the wood adds stability and gives the grain a tighter, more uniform look. The back and sides are laminated mahogany, a practical choice that keeps the instrument durable and consistent.
Gretsch finishes the whole body in an open-pore semi-gloss urethane in Honey Mahogany Stain. That open-pore treatment lets the wood breathe rather than sealing it under a thick coat, and the warm reddish-brown stain gives it a classic, vintage-adjacent look without going over the top.
Fishman Kula Preamp — Full EQ Onboard
The Fishman Kula preamp system is the heart of the A.C.E. setup. It gives you onboard volume control plus bass, middle, and treble EQ — enough to dial in your tone for different room acoustics without relying entirely on a board or amp. There's also a built-in tuner with an on/off switch, which is genuinely useful at a gig.
When you're playing unplugged, the Fishman system stays out of your way. Plug in, and you get the natural character of the mahogany body translated directly to your amp or PA with a full suite of controls to shape the sound as needed.
Hardware and Playability Details
The neck is one-piece mahogany with a medium "U" profile — a shape that feels substantial without being bulky. The Ovangkol fingerboard has 19 frets (14 to the body), with abalone snowflake position markers that are a classic Gretsch visual touch. Nut width comes in at 1-3/8" (35mm) with a 17" scale length, which is standard for tenor ukuleles and gives you comfortable string spacing for both strumming and fingerpicking.
Tuning is handled by Grover 9NB Sta-Tite geared tuners, a step up from friction pegs that makes staying in tune noticeably easier. The bridge is also Ovangkol, and both the nut and saddle are genuine bone — details that contribute to sustain and intonation accuracy. The headstock follows the 1920s Gretsch 2x2 layout, a design that goes all the way back to the company's early instrument-making days.
Product Features:
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Size: Tenor with single cutaway for upper-fret access
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Top: Solid quartersawn mahogany with open-pore semi-gloss urethane finish
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Back & Sides: Laminated mahogany
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Neck: 1-piece mahogany, medium "U" profile, 17" scale length
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Fingerboard: Ovangkol, 19 frets (14 to body), 1-3/8" nut width
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Electronics: Fishman Kula preamp with volume, bass, mid, treble EQ, built-in tuner, and low battery indicator
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Tuners: Grover 9NB Sta-Tite geared tuners
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Nut & Saddle: Genuine bone
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Bridge: Ovangkol
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Position Markers: Abalone snowflake inlays
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Finish: Honey Mahogany Stain, open-pore semi-gloss
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Series: Gretsch Roots Collection
Brand: Gretsch
Model: G9121 A.C.E. Tenor Ukulele with Gig Bag
SKU: 2732042321
Condition: New
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