Have these things recently gone through the roof? The Vintage Guitar Book seems to be a pretty accurate reflection of the market...except in the case of Country Clubs. everybody seems to be asking 50% or so over book value. I'm looking for one, but the way my finances go, I would probably have to sell it in the future. I'm not depending on making money on it, but I don't want to take a beating, either. Any insight on this?

Wiat for one to come up on eBay as a true auction with no reserve, not buy it now. They're common enough that you shouldn't have to wait too long. That's the only way to get a decent price, other than FSBO classified. Buy it now prices and dealer prices aren't a reflection of market value. They're a reflection of what a handful of people want them to be worth.

And call site sponsors Rocky at Streetsounds and Joel at Shanghai. Many members have gotten very generous deals from them. Never heard a bad story about either. Tell them what you need and see what they can do.

Maybe Clubs are finally getting their due.

I'd also dig an Electro II. They seem to be more scarce.

All I know is if you fall for yours like I did, you'll be selling something else later.

not sure what the book lists them for but I'm chasing down a 57 at rumble seat that's out of reach unless i do some financing or lawayay and even then i cant quite get there at the 6500 price tag. thats steep and im wondering what fair value actually would be ....

I'd also dig an Electro II. They seem to be more scarce.

Yes they are. For me, they are the Holy Grail of Gretschdom.

All I know is if you fall for yours like I did, you'll be selling something else later.

Uh huh. There's something about Country Clubs (at least for me). There's no substitute for one, once you get it. I missed my old, caddy green 2003 'Club, after I sold it. As much as I liked my Annie, it just wasn't the same. So, once I had the money, I had to get another Country Club - even though it meant strading in my Annie for it. My 'Club will definitely be the last guitar standing in my guitar herd, if heaven forbid, I have to sell guits, due to a money crisis.

$6500 is way out of line. I've seen them go for quite a bit less lately. And if you are serious Charlie or Ellen, I might be ready to move mine.

$6500 is way out of line. I've seen them go for quite a bit less lately. And if you are serious Charlie or Ellen, I might be ready to move mine.

add me to your list, Spike!

PM me with your email.

I've been saying it for years... Country Clubs are the best deal in Gretsches, no, in vintage guitars, period. They should be worth a lot, but for whatever reason the prices are reasonable. Dealers ask a lot, but no-reserve ebay prices give you a lot of bang for the buck.

All I'm gonna say at this point is, Spike is a heckuva nice fella....

not sure what the book lists them for but I'm chasing down a 57 at rumble seat that's out of reach unless i do some financing or lawayay and even then i cant quite get there at the 6500 price tag. thats steep and im wondering what fair value actually would be ....

Punch "Gretsch Country Club" into Gbase. There's a natura one at a dealer in Brooklyn. Early one with Dynas. Neck re-set and added Bigsby. Asking 4500. Seems fair and they're probably willing to negotiate. Let me know if you can't find it and I'll dig it up.

The gbase prices may seem reasonable, but time and again decent examples sell in the $2500-$3000 range. Don't ask me why, but it's a fact. Even the rarest of the breed, including some really ornately appointed early Electros, sell in that range at no reserve auctions. By all rights, they ought to go for more, but if you find one in a no reserve eBay listing, you'll get a great deal. For whatever reason, they just don't bring much (relatively speaking). Country Clubs and Tennesseans are the best deals in vintage guitars.

I do have a gbase search set for Clubs already, saw that one The Caddy i mentioned was nice as I got to play it personally, their shop is here. Im not necessarily set on vintage, just looking for the Next Right Club

For some reason , Jets are holding an interest for me too at the moment.

This gorgeous beast has been floating out there on Ebay for some time... it has the "make an offer" option, perhaps they are ready to get serious about the price?

'56 Cad green Club

I've played both of those Brooklyn Clubs, and they're both very nice guitars with cool dealers. Sure, guitars sell cheaper on ebay than with a dealer, which is the way the world works. A dealer gives you the luxury of finding out if you like it without paying first, or with an option to return from somebody who won't hassle you about it.

The Electro IIs may be cool guitars, but they're worth less, not more, than Clubs. The general vibe among collectors is that Gretsch hadn't quite hit their stride, and that the "golden era" starts a few years later. I'm not saying I agree or disagree with that, but I'm not surprised that they go for even less on ebay. I'm sure some of them are fantastic.

I think the issue with the Electro II models (for some guys) is the lack of truss rod adjustment on the headstock. The introduction of that feature correlated with the emergence of the Country Club.

So, where is the truss rod adjustment on an Electro II?

I assume he means that there is no adjustable rod at all, just a reinforcing bar of some sort. That's common, but gives you less flexibility to set up the guitar the way you want. It's not a problem if you like how it plays already.

The truss adjustment is at the back of the neck just below the fingerboard, and you have to remove the front Dearmond pickup to adjust it. You can just barely see it on THIS HERE guitar.

Ah so it's like on a 50s/60 Fender, gotcha.

I can live with that. Actually...a couple of the most resonant, alive guitars I've ever played...ones that felt like they could jump out of my hands...had no truss rod at all.