The Chetboard

I saw this Country Gent at Gruhn's web site- a stereo model. I always wanted to play one of these stereo Greteches, but I never had the desire to own one - except the CGP of course. I think I would like that stereo set up. The others seem really complicated to use.
Ray

http://www.gruhn.com/photo/EG3272.jpg

Did he ever play one of those? Not for long if ever. Those four switches on the upper bout are mud switches for each section of pickup (two switches, bass and treble, for each pickup.

Chet didn't like the gretsch tone switches to begin with so it's not likely he would have more than a passing interest in that gem.

Paul said Leona let him go through some of the parts Chet had in his basement. There were a couple of pickups that had been wound for split/stereo application. Chet had a coil winder and could (and probably did) wind his own pickups.

The gretsch stereo system on that guitar was one of Jimmie Webster's ideas and, as you imply, was too much fooling around required to make it work.

__that's how it looks to me.

I never did know what those switches were. Thanks for the info. I've only seen photos of the set up and could never figure out what was what. I did read where one player who tried them said there were 20 or so switch selections that don't do anything.
Ray

Those four switches are not that complicated. They work the same way as a Gent with two switches except the top two are for the three bass strings, and the bottom two are for the three treble strings. The first switch lets you play the front pickup , the back pickup, or both pickups , but only on the three bass strings. the second switch is a tone switch. The bottom two work the same way but only for the three treble strings. Example , you can play the bottom three strings on the front pickup and the top three strings on back pickup , or the reverse.It is a fun guitar to play. Stan.

Stan, thanks for the information. I had no idea how those switches worked, but it is logical the way you explained it. I would like to play with one for a while, but, as trifling as I am, I probably would never use the stereo feature if I owned it. I did save your explanation to my hard drive for future reference.
Thanks again,
Ray

The idea of a separate pickup for the lower strings appeals to me quite a bit although I would prefer a 2/4 split with the low E and low A separated. My idea was always to run those strings through an octave box and subsequently a bass amp. The limitations of the guitar, as a solo instrument, wouldn't change but the bass notes would really come in handy.

I agree with the 2/4 split. I had a Stereo White Falcon and I ran the bottom three strings through an octave box. When II hit that fourth string it just didn't make it. It still was a great guitar.What a full sound.There is a photo of it in Jay Scott's book,"The Guitars of The Fred Gretsch Company" page 111. Stan.

pattie surman wrote:I agree with the 2/4 split. I had a Stereo White Falcon and I ran the bottom three strings through an octave box. When II hit that fourth string it just didn't make it. It still was a great guitar.What a full sound.There is a photo of it in Jay Scott's book,"The Guitars of The Fred Gretsch Company" page 111. Stan.

I know that when I play a bass guitar I stay on the lower three strings most of the time and many parts could be easily played on two strings. On a stereo guitar a 2/4 split seems like it would be about perfect with an octave box to enhance the effect.

Steven King used to come to the C.A.A.S. conventions. One year he came with an archtop that had a bass pickup for the lower two strings. He is a great player and it sounded really good. Here is a link to his web site which has a section on his bass pickup called Bass Expansion. Click on the Instruments link and space down to the Bass Expansion explanation.
Ray

http://www.kingofguitars.com/

I found a Youtube video of Steven King using his bass pickup. I think he has a great sound.
Ray

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cpq2nkR_bk