Special Thanksgiving poll! Would you ever buy a Gretsch?

[BigAlTheBird]

This is the best thing America has ever done:

[danglybanger]

THAT's the tailpiece.

[claydots]

The Astro-Jet on the first page is an awesome guitar. Very Heavy as they are fiberglass coated but do they ever sing.

I have a 6128 TGC the only two things I don't like is the gold hardware and open back tuners (but they have settled in and do hold tune quite well now)

[BigAlTheBird]

I'd prefer chrome hardware too (my only qualms with the Penguin/Falcon line), but Gold still is ok. Why don't you replace the tuners with closed back Gretsch tuners?

AWESOME guitar though.

[Kindred_Spirits]

This is the best thing America has ever done:

Gretsch guitars are made in Japan dude...

[BigAlTheBird]

Gretsch guitars are made in Japan dude...

That's fine. I didn't say America built them, now did I?

Fred Gretsch was from Brooklyn dude.

[subanots]

Gretsch guitars are made in Japan dude...

really?

why so much money?

[SonofaMitch]

yes I would buy one, Either a Penguin or a Duo Jet...they just kick soo much ass

~Mitch~

[BigAlTheBird]

really?

why so much money?

They are made in Fender's best factory in Japan, in Terada. I don't know why they're as expensive as they are, but the QC seems pretty top notch across the board.

[claydots]

Why don't you replace the tuners with closed back Gretsch tuners?

The only reason I won't change them is I'm 56 years old, I can see this guitar going away in ten years. I don't wish to spoil the resale value of it. I know replacing them would be an improvement but I don't wish to become a thread on some board in 10 years with a title that says "Look what this fool did"

Japan made Gretsch guitars are excellent, the fit and finsh and electronics are top notch. Like a CIJ Strat... I will argue that point all day long about the quality of them.

The ones made in Korea or China (wherever they are made) are about on the same level as a STANDARD mexi Fender Strat if that. They glue the PUP's in for gawds sake!

IF/When the economy makes a comeback, I'm unloading everything except my Martin 6 and Martin 12 stringers. I know I will not want to do the band thing by then, hell, I'm sick of it now. The drama factor seems to go up the older musicians get. The band I am in now, we are all in our 50's, get along well but at times, it get's real scratchy and drama laden.

[BigAlTheBird]

The only reason I won't change them is I'm 56 years old, I can see this guitar going away in ten years. I don't wish to spoil the resale value of it. I know replacing them would be an improvement but I don't wish to become a thread on some board in 10 years with a title that says "Look what this fool did"

Japan made Gretsch guitars are excellent, the fit and finsh and electronics are top notch. Like a CIJ Strat... I will argue that point all day long about the quality of them.

The ones made in Korea or China (wherever they are made) are about on the same level as a STANDARD mexi Fender Strat if that. They glue the PUP's in for gawds sake!

IF/When the economy makes a comeback, I'm unloading everything except my Martin 6 and Martin 12 stringers. I know I will not want to do the band thing by then, hell, I'm sick of it now. The drama factor seems to go up the older musicians get. The band I am in now, we are all in our 50's, get along well but at times, it get's real scratchy and drama laden.

Great post, gotcha about the tuners. I understand 100%. I'm keeping my original pickups from the Duo Jet when I put TV's in for that reason. It's a first year Fender (2003), and so some day these pickups might be worth some money. If I ever need to resell it, 50 years down the road, you gotta believe the 2003 models are gonna sell for a lot if they're all original. All I gotta do is reinstall the original pups before I sell.

[Rich_T]

Gretsch guitars are made in Japan dude...

Really? Wow, I never knew that. I thought they were one of those classic all-American brands. They are certainly marketed that way. The Levis of the guitar world then.

[BigAlTheBird]

Well they used to be made in America. There was a period between 81 and 88 where no Gretsches were made. Then the Gretsch family bought it back from Baldwin in 88, and started production in Japan with American and European parts. In 2003, Fender bought Gretsch and took over production. They manufacture out of their best Japanese plant, the Terada factory (like I said somewhere). In 2003, Gretsch's quality took a dramatic jump, and the Fender models are universally preferred (playability/fit & finish-wise) to the 88-02 models.