Might be a pinch high $. Looks like a beauty though! Condition is awesome. Peace - Z Hope this link works!
53 6128 on the bay
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- Rated: 10 ↑
Sep 19, 2008 12:03 p.m. Zol:
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Sep 19, 2008 12:24 p.m. bigalthethird:
Wow.
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- Rated: 49 ↑
Sep 19, 2008 12:24 p.m. Ric12string:
The guitar does look to be in fine condition.
Although there is something about this statement that bothers me:
eBay advertisement (seller) said: I can tell you that when I first saw this outfit I opened the case and almost fell over on the floor. I then questioned the original owner about the date of purchase since I was under the impression this model was first made in 1954 like some of the books suggest. He looked straight at me through his spectacles and said "September 1953" as he pulled the original receipt out of the top pocket of his work shirt!
This sounds like a bit of hyperbole to me. Why would the seller have the original receipt in the pocket of his "workshirt?" (Note the attempt to make the original owner to be a bit of a hayseed.) Wouldn't the original owner simply have that in the case along with the guitar and any other case candy? Something strikes me as odd about this statement that would make me somewhat cautious in dealing with this seller.EDIT: I believe that I have seen this same guitar advertised on eBay before. I recognize the photograph of the older man holding the guitar.
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- Rated: 66 ↑
Sep 19, 2008 12:25 p.m. Walter Broes:
It's back! That's the "YIKES" jet!
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Sep 19, 2008 12:27 p.m. MR TROUBLE:
That guitar and amp has been showing up on Ebay for at least a year...possibly 2.
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Sep 19, 2008 12:36 p.m. Zol:
so it's not legit? or they haven't been able to sell it? I'm definitely not in the market for one - I'm a poor worker bee! Just thought it looked like a really well kept, clean example that probably plays and sounds great.
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Sep 19, 2008 12:38 p.m. Walter Broes:
Oh no, I think it's perfectly legit, it's just a little expensive.
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Sep 19, 2008 12:55 p.m. Zol:
I thought so too. She is a beauty though. Now i get the "YIKES"!!!
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Sep 19, 2008 1:00 p.m. KCeddieB:
This guitar has been on Ebay for more like 4 years! If you search the old GDP with the key word "Yikes" you'll see lots of great discussion over the years. If the guy dropped his price down to $10k, it would sell immediately (IMHO).
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Sep 19, 2008 1:47 p.m. audiodrome:
But '53 Duo-Jets are rare, yes?
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Sep 19, 2008 1:49 p.m. blauserk:
Personally, I PREFER a guitar that has more visible signs of playing wear, because sometimes the reason the guitar looks unplayed is it sounds so bad no one ever played it.
Interesting Melita tailpiece--whyzit mostly black?
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Sep 19, 2008 6:55 p.m. Scott:
I first got my computer in 2002...the same year I discovered ebay(for better or worse)...that guitar was on ebay back then!
I don't know why that dude thinks he's asking a reasonable price! A few years from now maybe, but not now...
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Sep 19, 2008 7:54 p.m. riz:
I would LOVE to have one of these early ones. I mean, a FIXED, BLACK Melita... it almost seems like the later editions took a step backward on the evolutionary scale... And I just adore the script logo.
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Sep 20, 2008 3:03 a.m. Danman:
Yes, I hadn't noticed the fixed bridge. How would that sound different than the normal bridges?
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Sep 20, 2008 7:34 a.m. Zol:
I'm with you riz - if I were very wealthy and the $ wasn't a consideration - I'd scoop it up overpriced as it is. Even priced fairly in today's market - it's out of my league!
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Sep 20, 2008 11:46 a.m. riz:
Danman, without ever having the chance to inspect one of these, I have to use my imagination and my knowledge of my own 50's jets. I'm imagining the fixed bridge model can't be much different, construction-wise. All of mine have two spruce shims between the top and the center block in the mahogany body. These are located approximately under the ends of the bridge base. I figure these '54 models have studs that anchor to that block. I am curious if they had the shims. It would change the acoustic response and feedback resistance quite a bit...don't you think? At the same time a little better sustain, at least that's what traditional guitar logic tells me. But I'll bet it's subtle. I would just love to have the chance to check one of these out and be able to give a better answer! Someone here had a scripty a while back...maybe he'll chime in.
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Sep 20, 2008 12:09 p.m. Danman:
Hi Riz,
Yes I know how they are built: My avatar is my 57! It is not really a centre block running along the body but you are right that it is a block under the bridge that is shimmed. Did you ever see this x-ray of a 50's jet?
But you are right that they will anchor there. Probably with a thicker stud than the screw thread that goes through a bridge.
I just can imagine that the sound is transported in a different way if it is screwed directly into the wood or has to go by a bridge that is laying on the top.
I can imagine it would have more sustain. But actually come to think of it (my memory....) a friend of mine has one and if I remember correctly it has a fixed bridge like that. I almost forgot. I can't really remember how it sounded because he has more jets and I tried them all. But only saw that one once. They all sound very different so it is hard to tell what causes what. I'll try to go see it soon again, would be interesting to see if they are built the same. -
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Sep 20, 2008 3:23 p.m. singlecutaway:
All of 4 yrs on the bay, Duo Jets are not Les Pauls or Telecasters, I wish they were worth that, but they just are not. It's always been botheresome to me why Gretsch's don't bring big $$$ on the vintage market they never have and by the way the market is and has been, they never will. I buy guitars to play not to retire on and in the end when you do get a hudge sum of money for a vintage piece, you better be able to explain to the IRS where that check came from, cause there going to get the cut. Try hiding a check for $150,000 on a les paul you just sold. The vintage market in anything is for the rich folks know, it's to bad but it's just greed, I still love getting my issue of V.G. every month.
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Sep 20, 2008 4:24 p.m. riz:
TRUE to all jets sounding different!! And I DID say I thought any effects would be subtle...
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Sep 20, 2008 4:32 p.m. Danman:
Hi Riz,
sorry, when posting I forgot to reread your post, you did mention more than I remembered. I am very tired, should just go to bed. Have been working too hard! -
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Sep 21, 2008 4:47 a.m. riz:
No worries Danman. I think maybe I didn't reread YOUR post either! When you play your friend's scripty next, maybe you can post your impressions! Does your Firebird have an original neck--dyna's and thumbprint inlays with no zero fret?
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Sep 21, 2008 5:23 a.m. Danman:
Hi Riz,
Exactly: Dyna's, thumbprints and no zero fret. I don't know exactly if the neck is original. The back of the body and neck have been refinished. I have a feeling the reason is that it has had a headstock break. I think I can see and feel it a bit. Might have had a neck reset though, I don't know. But a neck replacement it possible too of course, never really thought about it because there are more 57's out there with these features. It is a transition model.
I'll post when I get to play his jet again. Can't wait. It is one of those things: I think he has four or five vintage jets and when you get to see and play them all at once, you do miss out things every now and then because it is a bit overwhelming.
