The Chetboard

Hi Guys, Which would you prefer mid 60's country gentleman at a great price below 1500. or a 6122-59 at the best price you can find which of course will be above the 1500. figure?


Thanks

6122-59

Because it is what it is

You could get the mid sixties gent and add the TV Jones pickups but you wouln't have the wider fingerboard which makes for a better playing experience.

'mid-sixties' implies a double cut. Personally I never cared for the double cut. Two or three reasons, all personal. Main one being it 'sits' better

I think I'd go for the new 6122-1959 too. It's getting harder and harder to find a mid 60s gent excellent shape w/ 0 issues. The postive with the new Gretsch guitars is that they are making them really well now and its a bit harder to find a lemon. Not that the old ones are bad...Sometimes it just seems like a good majority of the good old ones are in the hands of those who don't want to let em' go.

All I know is that if something happened to my 6122-59, I would get another one. In fact, there are several people who have sold theirs, and then eventually ended up buying another one. Out of my 9 guitars, it is easily my favorite one. I'd love it if my acoustic had the same exact neck, but it's not only that. It is so well built, and it has a unique sound. I kind of liken it to the exhaust tone of an early muscle car compared to the more modern vehicles, in a musical sense. It is a wonderful guitar.

Bill B.

I'm assuming (like most everyone else) that you're talking about buying something "to play". The old 60's Gretschs are fun to collect and nice to look at. Having said that, the newer 6122-59 will beat them all if you're wanting a "player" . . . .hands down, no comparison, AND they are beautiful to look at also. When I first got an NC, right after Paul Yandell and Gretsch designed them after Chet's old '59, I would put it on a guitar stand right beside the T.V. so I could look over at it all the time, it IS a classic you will never be sorry you bought.
Gayle Moseley

Hi Guys, Yes I am looking for a player and your replys will certainly help me with that decision.



Thanks Again

Tom

I do wish they would use the same finish and color as the 1958 Gent model.
But it is one great guitar.
I plan on getting another one.
I would not have sold mine but the heat pump crashed and
you know the rest.

Here is a quite interesting article and some good advice from "The Other Gretsch Guy".

http://www.guitaraficionado.com/from-the-magazine-brian-setzer.html

For example...

"“Vintage Gretsch guitars need to be maintained and refurbished,” he says. “You can’t play a stock Gretsch from 1959. It probably won’t play in tune and the fretboard will probably be warped and pitted. You can get it refurbished to make it playable, but that takes away some of its value. The new Gretsch guitars are pretty much spot on. I’m glad..."

Randy

That's a pretty broad and brash statement Brian makes about the older guitars. I have a 61 Gent and outside of having it refretted (reasonable for such an old guitar) I haven't had any in-tune issues with it. I can't imagine anyone breaking a Bigsby.

Gretsch quality control has, until Terada started making them, always been an issue but still... Brian had a '59 that gave him trouble. This does not mean all '59's don't play well.

Seems to me, Chet's played pretty well over the years

I agree with you Norm, my 58 and 60 gents play in tune, sound great, and look great. Stan Surman.