I recently acquired a guitar from an estate. I am having difficulty in determining what it is, due to conflicting numbers I have a partially destroyed receipt which states it is a 1965, but there are 2 conflicting numbers on the instrument. One is a stamped brass plate on the front under the Gretsch inlay: THE CHET ATKINS COUNTRY GENTLEMAN 79706. There is also a faint stamp on the back of the pegboard which says MADE IN USA 19327, looks to have been refinished but I don’t know this for sure. ANY HELP WOULD BE VERY WELCOME!!!
Country Gentleman Serial # problem
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Oct 1, 2008 11:03 a.m. toymaker:
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Oct 1, 2008 11:10 a.m. afire:
Does it have one or two mute levers? The SN on the nameplate suggests 1965, which should have double mutes, but it shouldn't have the stamp in the back of the headstock. The number on the back of the headstock suggests January, 1969. I guess there are two possibilities. One is that somebody put a 1965 nameplate on a 1969 guitar. Another less likely scenario is that, if it was 1965 guitar refinished at the factory in 1969, maybe Gretsch would have put a new SN stamp on the back of the headstock. The easiest way to date it is by the mutes. If you could post some pictures, that would make it really easy.
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Oct 1, 2008 11:26 a.m. toymaker:
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Oct 1, 2008 11:33 a.m. toymaker:
doesnt seem to upload my picture here, so I added the picture as my avatar... or I can send you a file as email?? thanks so much
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Oct 1, 2008 11:36 a.m. Bear:
- Find a free picture hosting service like photobucket
- Set up an account at your site of choice and load your photos there (very simple)
- Once your photo is loaded, click on “Direct Link” and the word “copied” will pop up.
- Come back to GDP and click the add photo button
- Put your cursor in the top box, hold down the control and “v” key at the same time
- Click okay and your picture will be loaded and shown in your post.
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Oct 1, 2008 12:26 p.m. afire:
Toymaker emailed me some pics. It's a single mute model, thin bridge, so it's not a '65. It's probably a '69 based on the SN on the back of the headstock. The pickguard has been replaced, and the tuners have been swapped for earlier stairstep Imperials, and the knobs are pre-'68 brass ones. It looks to me like somebody had a '69 Country Gent and wanted it to look more like an earlier one, so swapped out some parts.
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Oct 1, 2008 12:35 p.m. toymaker:
Thanks! I was pretty sure it was not what it was presented as. I guess I will find someone who wants it now, as it isnt much good to me. Thanks for all your help!
