Give Me Your Opinions On This Vintage Gretsch

[HAVN]

May try to negotiate on the price. Always wanted one with a single humbucker and simple electronics.

http://saginaw.craigslist.org/msg/5346304952.html

[HAVN]

Also, any idea as to what the switch does? Some kind of coil split?

[Chankgeez]

Well, those're exactly the kind of Gretsches I love. The lower-end models. Single Anniversary, Double Anniversary, Clipper, Electromatic. Stuff like that.



Never understood Gretsch switching.

That looks like a HiLo'Tron which's a single coil pickup.

I think the important thing to look for in a Gretsch of that age is binding rot or signs of potential binding rot.

That price isn't too bad though.

[HAVN]

Well, those're exactly the kind of Gretsches I love. The lower-end models. Single Anniversary, Double Anniversary, Clipper, Electromatic. Stuff like that.



Never understood Gretsch switching.

That looks like a HiLo'Tron which's a single coil pickup.

I think the important thing to look for in a Gretsch of that age is binding rot or signs of potential binding rot.

That price isn't too bad though.

Thanks! I have zero experience. Always loved the look of these. The fellow doesn't much seem like he's motivated to sell.

[Chankgeez]

Yeah, $800 would be a real score for that. Still, it's a reasonable price. Those late Sixties Gretsches aren't as coveted as earlier ones.

[HAVN]

Yeah, $800 would be a real score for that. Still, it's a reasonable price. Those late Sixties Gretsches aren't as coveted as earlier ones.

That's what I was inclined to offer.

[Nelson Instruments]

The pickup is indeed a single coil hilotron.
The switch is a "tone" switch. (Some call it the "mud" switch and its settings are normal, muddy, muddier)

The anniversary models used the same body as the pre '62 6120 models.

Check the bindings for shrinking and crumbling. Check the metal parts for signs or corrosion. If there is corrosion built up then that is evidence that the bindings are offgassing and deteriorating.

Check the neck angle. Gretsch neck sets are hitt and miss. That's why you'll see a round black dot on the back or side of the neck joint. Under that black dowel is a screw to help solidify the joint.

If the action is high but the brige is all the way down it needs a neck reset.

All in all a cool guitar.
If playable $1k is a fair price. If it needs binding work and neck reset (and check for fret problems) etc then it will be a labor of love to get it back in shape.
Nice guitars and worth the effort but it is always a question of if someone wants to sink the cash into it.

Hopefully it is in solid, playable condition!!

[Nelson Instruments]

Also that isn't a '67, it's a '65. By '67 they were stamping "made in the usa" on the back of the headstock. Also the serial number system changed mid '66. Serial numbers up to 84xxx were still '65.

'67 seems to be a really bad year for binding rot. While they are all vulnerable to it I think a '65 might be a safer bet.

[Chankgeez]

Good info, Bobby.

[Nelson Instruments]

All in a days work here at Nelson Instruments!
EXCELSIOR!!!!!!

[WayToHip]

Wow, Mr. Nelson Instruments comes in for the kill(er info). I'd give it a look over to see if there's issues and offer $800 and walk away if you get denied. Some old guitars have weird quirks that some people call "mojo".

[Nelson Instruments]

If the guitar has been sitting unsold for awhile then it either has issues OR there is just no interest in your area.
Either can work to your advantage. Single pickup guitars are certainly less desirable than double pickup guitars.
If the guitar hasn't been listed long then making an offer may not work.
But if $800 is all the money you have then go look at it. Check it over carefully and make sure you want it. Then pull out the wad of cash and just be honest and say "all I have is $800. If you'd take $800 we've got a deal"

Now if you have $1,000 to blow, and if the guitar is in good shape obviously you can still make the offer. If the seller says no then ask if they'll meet you in the middle at $900?
If they say no but the guitar is in really solid, playable shape then pay the $1K asking price.
Were this a lesser model like a "clipper" I'd say $1k is a tad optimistic, but for a single anniversary that looks clean and has the case (provided it's in good condition) $1k is absolutely reasonable!

[Nelson Instruments]

Sorry one more thought.
With old gretsches the specific issues they face are really binding rot and neck resets.
Otherwise just check for the things you'd check any other guitar for: worn frets? Neck warped or twisted?
Is the top caving in? (Which would indicate loose braces)
Does the truss rod work?

A tip for anyone with a guitar that uses a compression rod with the acorn nut on the end (gibson, gretsch, guild, even old fenders)
Before you do anything with the truss rod, gently unscrew the nut. Check the threads. Clean the rod and the nut, lube the threads and then reinstall and adjust.
A little maintenance like that can spare the heartbreak of a broken truss rod.

[HAVN]

If the guitar has been sitting unsold for awhile then it either has issues OR there is just no interest in your area.
Either can work to your advantage. Single pickup guitars are certainly less desirable than double pickup guitars.
If the guitar hasn't been listed long then making an offer may not work.
But if $800 is all the money you have then go look at it. Check it over carefully and make sure you want it. Then pull out the wad of cash and just be honest and say "all I have is $800. If you'd take $800 we've got a deal"

Now if you have $1,000 to blow, and if the guitar is in good shape obviously you can still make the offer. If the seller says no then ask if they'll meet you in the middle at $900?
If they say no but the guitar is in really solid, playable shape then pay the $1K asking price.
Were this a lesser model like a "clipper" I'd say $1k is a tad optimistic, but for a single anniversary that looks clean and has the case (provided it's in good condition) $1k is absolutely reasonable!

Thanks a bunch for taking the time to share all of these thoughts, which will no doubt be useful to many here. The fellow selling this guitar proposed a bit of an impractical meeting place (where I would have no way of plugging in), so I suspect lack of interest and difficulty are at least part of the reason why it's been for sale so long.

[Nelson Instruments]

A lot of folks will suggest a public meeting place. I've heard of local police or sherrif offices suggesting people meet in their parking lots for safety reasons.
The seller might just be playing it safe and if they have other vintage guitars might not want folks knowing where they live.

Wiring or pickup issues are no big deal. Maybe yoy have a battery powered amp you can bring to test it?

Just check for the issues I mentioned and proceed accordingly.