The Gretsch Pages: Discussions: Vintage Gretsch Guitars: Bring My 69 Gent Back To Life

Bring My 69 Gent Back To Life

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- Rated: 5 ↑
May 23, 2009 2:05 p.m. Gretsch6123:

I haven't been on here in a while work has been taking up my time but I still seem to find time to buy guitars. The Gretsch bug has bit me and good, I bought a basket case CG, its in tough shape but I want to bring it back to life. Can anyone refer me to a good shop to send it to or talk to someone and see what my options are. The neck is off it, the binding is toast. It just kills me to look at it in that shape. Any help would be great! Thanks
- Rated: 58 ↑
May 23, 2009 2:45 p.m. JazzBoxJunky:

Do yourself a favor and do the binding while the neck is off. It's way easier to do the binding this way, and then search for a reputable guy to reset the neck, preferably with Gretsch experience.
- Rated: 45 ↑
May 23, 2009 6:07 p.m. Bryan K.:

Gretsch6123, be sure to post before & after pics as you go. I'd like to see the neck heel & block while it's still apart. Thanks!
- Rated: 5 ↑
May 28, 2009 8:20 p.m. Gretsch6123:

Here is link to some pics of it, should be a funny project I hope http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t165/Gretsch6122/100_1500.jpg
- Rated: 5 ↑
May 28, 2009 8:23 p.m. Gretsch6123:

Here are some more..... http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t165/Gretsch6122/100_1502.jpg http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t165/Gretsch6122/100_1508.jpg http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t165/Gretsch6122/100_1513.jpg http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t165/Gretsch6122/100_1522.jpg http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t165/Gretsch6122/100_1530.jpg http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t165/Gretsch6122/100_1527.jpg http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t165/Gretsch6122/100_1502.jpg
- Rated: 120 ↑
May 28, 2009 8:45 p.m. Curt:

PM Jack Daniels on the board.
- Rated: 5 ↑
Jun 4, 2009 7:44 p.m. Gretsch6123:

Well good news, looks like I found someone locally that is going to look at my CG. Going up this weekend and let him look at it,if all goes well it will start its long road to recovery. Thanks Curt for letting me know about Jack Daniels, and thank you Jack for some suggestions maybe next post will be some pics of the work
- Rated: 45 ↑
Jun 4, 2009 10:50 p.m. Bryan K.:

Hey Gretsch6123, thanks for posting the photos!
- Rated: 5 ↑
Jun 6, 2009 2:36 p.m. Gretsch6123:

I'm back from getting the CG looked at, good news and bad news. Good news first its going to get fixed bad news is I won't be playing it anytime soon. Looks like it could be close to a year until I get it. I know this sounds crazy but the price is right and the work he does looks very good so I can trust him. I will keep everyone updated with pics as I get them stay tuned....
- Rated: 73 ↑
Jun 6, 2009 2:37 p.m. J(ust an old Cowboy)D:

"Good things happen to those who wait"
- Rated: 38 ↑
Jun 7, 2009 1:03 a.m. dbirchett:

Looks like it needs a neck reset! (Among other things)
- Rated: 11 ↑
Jun 7, 2009 2:02 p.m. Bryherb:

Gretsch6123, So is Jack Daniels doing the rehab/repair on your CG? What all is being done? Please do tell. When you got this, was the neck off already? If not, how'd you remove the neck? It looks like a nice and clean neck removal.
- Rated: 5 ↑
Jun 7, 2009 5:34 p.m. Gretsch6123:

Well Bryherb, nice clean neck removal...with a crowbar Some of the heal of the neck was removed to get the neck off and is gone. So some of it has to be rebuilt. I got as a basket case the neck was off. Who ever did the neck removal didn't do it right and ended up cracking the fret board too. No Jack Daniels isn't doing the rehab/repair, I found some locally that does good work and I can go check on it when I want to so I will be able to get some pictures to show whats happening with it. Its too bad I couldn't do the work because it would be a great project.
- Rated: 11 ↑
Jun 8, 2009 12:00 a.m. Bryherb:

Gretsch6123, so the jpg pic #1513 is indicative of the cracked heel during neck removal? Ouch, but that's what epoxy and dowels are for. These Gretsch neck joints have such a sloppy fit and have very thick shims to tighten them up for gluing. You would think that a neck joint that is fit together so shoddily and has shifted and failed over the years to cause such a poor neck set/pitch would steam off with hardly any problems. What probably causes them to be so ornery in removal is that each shim has its own glue joint that must be softened and loosened as opposed to a nice tight neck joint with 1 shim. So on these wonderfully "crafted" Gretsches with "superior" workmanship you actually have to loosen 4 glue joints instead of 1 or 2. I've had one Gretsch neck removal go easy and text book. It was a '69 Anniversary and it took only 2-3 minutes of steam in the joint to remove.
- Rated: 5 ↑
Jun 24, 2009 6:08 p.m. Gretsch6123:

Hey Guys Does anyone know of anyone that sells the right width of binding? Have a small issue with getting the right thickness. It seems that its sitting a little to high.
- Rated: 11 ↑
Jun 25, 2009 5:30 p.m. Bryherb:

Gretsch6123, how wide binding do you need? I believe I've experienced your same problem in rebinding a 60's Country Gent.
- Rated: 5 ↑
Jun 29, 2009 8:07 p.m. Gretsch6123:

I'm not sure I will have to ask the guy who is fixing the guitar, what size did you use Bryherb
- Rated: 11 ↑
Jun 29, 2009 11:36 p.m. Bryherb:

The binding job I did on this one Country Gent was challenging because I could not find binding with the right dimension. The existing rotted binding was just a tad over 1/4" wide. I could only find binding in the proper thickness to laminate it all up in 1/4" width. I ran across another clients Country Gent that had binding leprosy and this binding was only just under 1/4". So it looks like Gretsch just couldn't keep the depth adjustment the same on their binding channel routing jig/machine. Go to a place in Minnesota called Axiom (763-479-6605). They sell binding that is .020" thick that is 3/8" wide. They sell mainly mandolin repair stuff but it works on Gretsches. I'm curious to know what is the scope of work on your Gretsch and what is the estimate.
- Rated: 5 ↑
Jul 3, 2009 7:15 p.m. Gretsch6123:

Total overhaul on it, binding,frets,neck reset. I don't have a total bill yet but I'm looking around a grand or so
- Rated: 5 ↑
Jul 12, 2009 2:32 p.m. Gretsch6123:

Here are some update pics of the CG getting patched up http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t165/Gretsch6122/Applyingtheledge.jpg http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t165/Gretsch6122/FBdneck.jpg http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t165/Gretsch6122/Ledgeinplace.jpg http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t165/Gretsch6122/Neckheelcleanedup.jpg
- Rated: 98 ↑
Jul 13, 2009 8:18 a.m. sassy:

I hope it turns out to be a nice playable guitar for you 1 up
- Rated: 5 ↑
Jul 13, 2009 5:49 p.m. Gretsch6123:

I'm keepin' my fingers crossed I hope so too!
- Rated: 5 ↑
Jul 24, 2009 3:43 p.m. Gretsch6123:

Here are some more picks for your enjoyment http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t165/Gretsch6122/Neck5.jpg http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t165/Gretsch6122/neck4.jpg http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t165/Gretsch6122/neck6.jpg
- Rated: 48 ↑
Jul 24, 2009 4:07 p.m. tommy59:

Fascinating to follow this. Keep the photos coming. Thanks.
- Rated: 5 ↑
Jul 24, 2009 7:51 p.m. Gretsch6123:

I know I can't wait to get it back!