I have had a 1997 Brian Setzer 6120 for several years now. I have always been a big Setzer fan and love the guitar; however, ever since the FMIC-era began, I have wanted to trade it for a newer version because of the trestle bracing and TV Jones pickups. My 6120 is also the Tiger Flame finish, and I have always liked the Lacquer better (but the 6120 I bought was a deal that could not be passed up at the time, so I went with it).

Because of my desire to switch, I put my Setzer up for sale. Unfortunately, I have noticed that the pre-FMIC models do not hold their value too well - most selling betwen $1,200-$1,800 depending on condition. Given the fact that the newer versions are selling for $3,100 and there really is not used market for them yet (that I have seen), "trading" mine in isn't really an option since the price difference is double what I can get for mine by selling it privately.

So, that leaves me with the option of selling my Setzer and purchasing one of the Tim Armstrong Signature models. I have heard great things about them, and I actually play a lot of punk (Rancid) stuff which is cool. In addition, though, I also play a lot of classic rock, modern-rock (Avenged Sevenfold and similar) and some rockabilly.

Pricing things out, I could get the TA Signature with a B6 Bigsby installed for about the same price I can sell my Setzer Signature for. My question is: will I be disappointed by making this trade? I know they are fairly different guitars, but given the types of music I play will I be satisfied with the TA? I really don't have the money right now to fork over the difference for a FMIC Setzer model, and I also do not "want" my current Setzer anymore for the reasons listed above. My thinking was that I could swap it for the TA now and enjoy it for awhile, and when funds build back up buy a newer Setzer Signature within the next few years...

Why not just keep your Setzer and save up for a new one?

I wouldn't trade for a TA. They're cool, but not nearly as cool as yours.

The pre-FMIC 6120s may be slightly less desirable, but I don't think that the value much different from the Fender era guitars in the used market. I got my FMIC hot Rod with trestle-bracing and TV Jones for under 1500. I would do what Pappy says. The TA's are nice guitars, but a 6120 is a 6120.

If you watch eBay enough you'll see FMIC carries about a 30% premium.

Not sure how much is because pre FMIC stuff is used for over 10 years now.

I would definitely hang on to that 6120--you can pick up a used TA for like $800 if you watch GC's used gear section.

For me i's a no brainer. A cool Setzer model or a bland looking flat black guitar with non-Gretsch looking f holes... sorry but those Armstrong models don't do a thing for me.

As far as you asking will you be disappointed with the trade? Only you know the answer to that, but I know I would be!

Well, if you've played the TA and it's the greatest guitar you've ever played and you're going to keep it forever, then sure, make the trade but otherwise…

Bad trade. Now I have never played a TA but I do have several Prolines including a preFMIC and the preFMIC is a very good, well made guitar. You'd have an easier time selling a preFMIC Proline than an Electromatic (if you're asking the same thing for each).

When we get tired of our instruments, we tend to think that they are pieces of junk. All their faults, all the things we don't like about them become amplified and we think that the whole world sees the same things. Uninformed forum opinions only excacerbate these feelings.

But your crappy preFMIC 6120 is not a piece of junk and there are many guitar players who would want to fet their hands on it. It's a terrible time to be trying to sell a used guitar. You have to be very patient. You have to NOT be in a hurry. But a preFMIC G6120 is not the same thing as an Epiphone Les Paul. If you're patient, you'll find a buyer.

I know I've said it before but I love my G5191BK but I have never had a 6120 so I can't give a comparison all that I can say is that my TA is the closest thing I've ever played to a pro line in the electromatic series. You still may be comparing apples to oranges.

I'll have to agree, the Armstrong guitar doesn't do anything for me either. I know there is a huge inventory of unsold and used ones on the bay and dealer lists. Not bashing here, but its very China thing at that price is a leave it for someone else. Just a very ugly guitar to go along with its Fender Armstrong acoustic model. If I get tired of a guitar I just leave it alone for a while, how many times do we see ourselves and others regretting the sale of guitars we lost interest at the time to sell, trade for another that never lived up to what you thought it would be or wanted it to be. I would really think this one hard.

just going off of the money, you would take a big loss because used tim armstrongs are going for 800 like mentioned above but thats because they are still kinda new. by the time you get tired of it they might go for way less and thats just too big a loss for a sweet 6120. i think

I'll be contrarian.

A flat black guitar is not my personal idea of beautiful - but the TA is a great guitar by any definition. It's a thoroughly sorted-out, solid, smooth, well-made instrument that feels 100% professional in the hands, plays like butter, and has its own fat juicy Gretsch tone. Anything from rock to jazz comes out of it effortlessly.

If it had been introduced as part of the pro line, no one would have questioned it.

I didn't expect to like it, but when I played one, I was instantly convinced. It's just a fine instrument.

It doesn't have the Setzer cachet of the '97 6120, but in this case that's slightly reduced by the pre-FMIC build and lack of trestles anyway.

ktrain doesn't say straight up, but I get the sense he's not entirely happy with the Setzer, might not be getting as much use out of it as he'd like, maybe isn't completely bonded with it – and likes the idea of the TA on its own merits.

Given all that, I don't think it's a stupid trade. To get a great guitar you'll use more in exchange for one with a higher market value – but which you're not crazy about – is a good thing. To me, these decisions are not ultimately about the money, they're about musical satisfaction.

Having said that, I think it would probably be possible to sell off the '97, save a couple-three hundred dollars to add to the fund, and pick up a used FMIC-era Setzer. Probably in two transactions, and maybe not instantly. Might be without a 6120 for awhile. So if ktrain LOVES the Setzer concept, and just wants bracing, that doesn't seem a terribly expensive problem to me.

But I see no horror in swapping around for the TA either. My own approach to the process would be to sell the Setzer for what I could get, then buy the TA outright. That way I wouldn't leave any dollars on the table.

And my favorite thing about the flat black finish? It's perfect undercoat for a re-fin of my choice.

Don't do it!

The pre FMIC guitars are still desireable and well made guitars. Just ask Tavo, I believe he prefers them for their tone post as opposed to the trestle bracing. My White Falcon and DSW both have a tone post and they have a really nice open sound where my trestle braced FTW is tighter.

I prefer lacquer as well but the poly also has some advantages such a durability. If you really want lacquer don't get the Tim Armstrong. It is not lacquer it is mat Urethane

Personally I would keep the Setzer and upgrade the pickups and wiring harness to TV Jones.

Proteus is the voice of sanity and reason once again. Couldn't agree more.

They're both quality guitars, but I don't see why it has to be an 'either or' situation...unless you have a rule about only owning one Gretsch at a time and in that case I'm afraid I can't do much for you

I've never played a 90's 6120 - let alone one that was made for us backward folks - and I may be a little biased since the reason I found out about Gretsch was Tim Armstrong, but I believe that they are great guitars.

It covers all the ground I want it to really well. It doesn't feel like a cheap guitar by any means and I really like the flat black finish; nothing against the orange.

It's not a 6120 by any means. Its a replica of a Baldwin 'Club. That means 17" body, baldwin style filters, byobigsby and no mud switch.

I added a v cut bigsby and a RBB to mine and Its my workhorse.

Play one. Play a couple. Then decide.

In addition, I want a 6120 to compliment my TA.

I am not the least bit disappointed with my TA Sig. I sold my 1999 Annie about a month after i got the 5191. It didn't make sense for me to keep the more valuable guitar if it didn't sound and play better. You should be able to get enough for your Setzer 6120 to pick up a getnly used 5191 and a B6 and maybe a new bridge and a few sets of strings.

Why not sell the 6120 and get a used Setzer Hot Rod? That should be in the same area money-wise and seems to fit your musical style perfectly.

just going off of the money, you would take a big loss because used tim armstrongs are going for 800 like mentioned above but thats because they are still kinda new. by the time you get tired of it they might go for way less and thats just too big a loss for a sweet 6120. i think

just going off of the money, you would take a big loss because used tim armstrongs are going for 800 like mentioned above but thats because they are still kinda new. by the time you get tired of it they might go for way less and thats just too big a loss for a sweet 6120. i think

I really don't see how I would be taking a "big loss." Let's do the math here:

G6120 Setzer Signature RETAIL: ~$3,000 G6120 Setzer Signature USED MARKET: $1,500 Net Loss: ~$1,500

G5191BK RETAIL: $1,150 G5191BK USED MARKET: $800, according to you. Net Loss: ~$350

I really appreciate all the input here. I honestly didn't expect so many replies! I noticed many of you said similar things, so I would like to address this topic as a whole rather than quote each post.

First thing I guess I forgot to mention is that I haven't touched my Setzer in a very long time. Not necessarily because I don't "like" it, but because...just because. It has also been on sale for quite some time. For those saying that it holds its value - I have had it on Ebay, Amazon, and Craigslist, and all the offers I get are around $1,200-$1,300. Considering the guitar sold for about $3k when it was new, that is quite the hit. I have recently received a high offer of $1,400 which I am heavily considering taking. This is also why "trading" mine in for a newer FMIC model isn't really an option, because that would leave me with a $1,500 difference to pay and I just don't have the money. I have also not seen any newer models sell on Ebay recently, so I don't know what the used market prices for them look like. I don't know if there is something wrong here, but these are just the numbers I am getting...

I would love to own both guitars, but I really just don't have the money to do so at this point in time. This is the same reason why I won't pay the difference for a FMIC Setzer - it's just too expensive. A few years down the road, yes. I plan on owning both. But for the mean time, I can only have 1 and I want to be "happy" with it. I am not currently satisfied with my non-trestle braced, non-TV Jones equipped, non-lacquered finish Setzer Signature.

And as far as the Setzer Hot Rod that was mentioned - it just seems "fake" to me. I like the Setzer Signature because it is a Setzer Signature - like his "real" and original 1959 6120. I like it because its THE Brian Setzer guitar. The Hot Rod does not fit this bill.

And on a final side note - because of reasons listed above^ here, I was actually also considering the 6120-1959LTV. As dumb as it may sound, Setzer started playing with a 1959 G6120, not a "Brian Setzer Signature." I think it would be kind of cool to do the same...

I really appreciate all the input here. I honestly didn't expect so many replies! I noticed many of you said similar things, so I would like to address this topic as a whole rather than quote each post.

First thing I guess I forgot to mention is that I haven't touched my Setzer in a very long time. Not necessarily because I don't "like" it, but because...just because. It has also been on sale for quite some time. For those saying that it holds its value - I have had it on Ebay, Amazon, and Craigslist, and all the offers I get are around $1,200-$1,300. Considering the guitar sold for about $3k when it was new, that is quite the hit. I have recently received a high offer of $1,400 which I am heavily considering taking. This is also why "trading" mine in for a newer FMIC model isn't really an option, because that would leave me with a $1,500 difference to pay and I just don't have the money. I have also not seen any newer models sell on Ebay recently, so I don't know what the used market prices for them look like. I don't know if there is something wrong here, but these are just the numbers I am getting...

I would love to own both guitars, but I really just don't have the money to do so at this point in time. This is the same reason why I won't pay the difference for a FMIC Setzer - it's just too expensive. A few years down the road, yes. I plan on owning both. But for the mean time, I can only have 1 and I want to be "happy" with it. I am not currently satisfied with my non-trestle braced, non-TV Jones equipped, non-lacquered finish Setzer Signature.

And as far as the Setzer Hot Rod that was mentioned - it just seems "fake" to me. I like the Setzer Signature because it is a Setzer Signature - like his "real" and original 1959 6120. I like it because its THE Brian Setzer guitar. The Hot Rod does not fit this bill.

And on a final side note - because of reasons listed above^ here, I was actually also considering the 6120-1959LTV. As dumb as it may sound, Setzer started playing with a 1959 G6120, not a "Brian Setzer Signature." I think it would be kind of cool to do the same...

I really appreciate all the input here. I honestly didn't expect so many replies! I noticed many of you said similar things, so I would like to address this topic as a whole rather than quote each post.

First thing I guess I forgot to mention is that I haven't touched my Setzer in a very long time. Not necessarily because I don't "like" it, but because...just because. It has also been on sale for quite some time. For those saying that it holds its value - I have had it on Ebay, Amazon, and Craigslist, and all the offers I get are around $1,200-$1,300. Considering the guitar sold for about $3k when it was new, that is quite the hit. I have recently received a high offer of $1,400 which I am heavily considering taking. This is also why "trading" mine in for a newer FMIC model isn't really an option, because that would leave me with a $1,500 difference to pay and I just don't have the money. I have also not seen any newer models sell on Ebay recently, so I don't know what the used market prices for them look like. I don't know if there is something wrong here, but these are just the numbers I am getting...

I would love to own both guitars, but I really just don't have the money to do so at this point in time. This is the same reason why I won't pay the difference for a FMIC Setzer - it's just too expensive. A few years down the road, yes. I plan on owning both. But for the mean time, I can only have 1 and I want to be "happy" with it. I am not currently satisfied with my non-trestle braced, non-TV Jones equipped, non-lacquered finish Setzer Signature.

And as far as the Setzer Hot Rod that was mentioned - it just seems "fake" to me. I like the Setzer Signature because it is a Setzer Signature - like his "real" and original 1959 6120. I like it because its THE Brian Setzer guitar. The Hot Rod does not fit this bill.

And on a final side note - because of reasons listed above^ here, I was actually also considering the 6120-1959LTV. As dumb as it may sound, Setzer started playing with a 1959 G6120, not a "Brian Setzer Signature." I think it would be kind of cool to do the same...

During the Rockabilly Riot shows Brian plays a Hot Rod for more than half the show. Seems to make that guitar pretty legit in my opinion.

If you'd put this thread up a month ago, I'd have gladly traded you my 5191 for your 6120, but I purchased a 6120 SSUGR from street sounds and now have both. Oh well.

I also want to point out one more thing (sorry!): I kind of feel like the Setzer is "too much" for me. I am by no means a "great" guitar player. I consider myself intermediate at best. I play by myself and just for fun because I enjoy it. I do not write originals - just stick to my covers.

I purchased the Setzer because it was on sale and I love Brian Setzer. It was always my dream guitar and I had the chance to own it. But, now that several years have gone by (and given me time to "mature" with the situation a little bit), I can't help but feel it's overkill. Like I have already mentioned a few times - I am short on money to begin with. I feel guilty sometimes that I have a guitar that is "too good" for me because I am not getting full use out of it. This also weighs in and makes me want the "lesser" TA Signature because it is more "on my level," and I would be saving the Setzer Signature for when the time is right and when I am "ready."

On a purely practical note, are you going to be comfortable moving up to a 17" body?

So I would sell the 6120 and look for a used TA. I don't think a straight trade is such a good idea unless you need a guitar right now.

I've seen current G6120's go as low as $1350 (not too often) and have seen a few at $1800 so your preFMIC for $1400 is not too bad.

These days, when you buy a Gretsch new and then try to sell it used, you're going to take a pretty big hit.

On a purely practical note, are you going to be comfortable moving up to a 17" body?

On a purely practical note, are you going to be comfortable moving up to a 17" body?

Yes - I have played them, and while they seem "different," it was not enough to make it a deal-breaker for me.