The Chetboard

Did Chet ever play a Club or Falcon ? I don't see any vids of him playing either.

When he played guitars publicly it stood to reason to play his 'signature' guitars to sell them. If he'da palyed a Club then the rumor would spring that he "secretly" used Clubs for recording. I've had people look me in the eye and tell me he Never used Gretsch for recording but used fenders.
He had three main guitars... the D'Angelico, the 'red top' that the CGP is based on, and the 59

Those were his recording guitars, his personal guitars. He might have playe other Gretsch's but I would understand if he didn't. He tended to get one instrument and modify it to taste. He probably wasn't all that curious about the other Gretsch models.

Except for the Gibsons and the ones he really like in that line was the electric classic

He still had the D'Angelico when he died as well as the 59. The CGP? I was thinking the other day maybe he got rid of it to avoid temptation to use it as a recording guitar. It had such a different tone that the factory could not easily replicate.

Personally I think the Falcon is very overrated. the Clubs allegedly have solid (as opposed to laminated) tops. He may have had one for a while. One of his album covers has a Van Eps 7 string on it I think that wasn't in his guitar room when he died.

Chet went through a lot of guitars with Gretsch and gave most of them away...

It's a shame the original CGP is probably in a display case somewhere. Probably overseas.
I know Paul tried to find out who had it.

I still like the tone he got with that guitar better than everything but his D'Angelico.

What tracks / album(s) did Chet use the CGP on ? I've toyed with the idea of getting one, but a couple other guys have expressed 'not bonding' with them... I'd love to know the specifics of the non-love for the CGP ?

Claes Neeb sure makes his sound pretty darn good !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HDmzqTv55k

...as does Guy Van Duser...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSk3NUhr ... re=related

Chet had a Delvechio that he liked a bit. I would think he would like trying new guitars because you never know what you will hear. The Studio Classic and Sand guitars come to mind.
GaryL

MitchC,
Check out the fingerstyle guitar album. I think most of the songs were with the CGP.
GaryL

Regarding some not warming to the CGP.

The metal nut at first is a little tight and loosens up with more playing.
Some guys are used to a longer scale. I record and perform with my CGP
and everyone says what a great tone it has.

The pickups are bright. Paul said they were a little to bright but he still liked it.
I know Paul changed the metal nut to a bone one and he liked that better.

GaryL wrote:Chet had a Delvechio that he liked a bit. I would think he would like trying new guitars because you never know what you will hear. The Studio Classic and Sand guitars come to mind.
GaryL

Not quite the same thing.... The DelVecchio caught his ear and he hunted it down. I think the Kirk Sand guitar came about from discussions between Chet and Kirk but we know Gibson's promise to build the electric classic is the main reason Chet went with Gibson. He may have tried other models of Gretsch but he had the run of the company and they would build him what he wanted. The WF is gaudy looking but it's not a remarkable sounding guitar. The Club is nice, but again, not particularly exciting. IMO not enough reason to stray from his signature models