The Gretsch Pages: Discussions: Vintage Gretsch Guitars: Dating My Guitar

Dating My Guitar

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- Rated: 1 ↑
Feb 5, 2008 10:50 p.m. Markster:

Hey, I figured this could be the place to go. I've had an old Gretsch for 8 or 9 years now that I would like to date. I bought it cheap and it had been repaired. No serial number left. Any suggestions? Painted on f holes, v cut out in bigsby. Sys Gretsch by Bigsby on it. Headstock logo with the top of the "T" going across. Gs with arrows going through. Imprinted, not sure thats the right word, actually pressed into the knobs. I can send pics if someone could help. Thanks a ton.
- Rated: 1 ↑
Feb 5, 2008 10:53 p.m. Markster:

Forgot, thumb print fret markers.
- Rated: 83 ↑
Feb 5, 2008 11:03 p.m. Mark Synchro:

You can post pics right here, just click the little camera icon. So far I have you narrowed down to a sub 20-year range but I'm sure we can come closer with pics.
- Rated: 1 ↑
Feb 5, 2008 11:09 p.m. Markster:

Hope this works
- Rated: 1 ↑
Feb 5, 2008 11:11 p.m. Markster:
- Rated: 1 ↑
Feb 5, 2008 11:13 p.m. Markster:
- Rated: 56 ↑
Feb 5, 2008 11:24 p.m. otterbean:

I don't know Mark, but I'll gladly give you $5 for it. I think it is a cool guitar.
- Rated: 1 ↑
Feb 5, 2008 11:26 p.m. Markster:

haha I need a few more 0's.
- Rated: 24 ↑
Feb 5, 2008 11:34 p.m. GreTschocaster:

Personally....I think you should stick to dating girls. But if you really want to date your guitar you could take it to a nice restaurant and wine and dine it. But don't expect it to put out on the first date!

Dave
- Rated: 1 ↑
Feb 5, 2008 11:35 p.m. Markster:

You never know Dave, she's a bit of a whore.
- Rated: 19 ↑
Feb 6, 2008 1:33 a.m. Adam:

Are those plastic tuners?
- Rated: 13 ↑
Feb 6, 2008 1:50 a.m. LDC:

Pull one of the pickups; then pull the master volume pot on the cutaway through the opening. There should be a number on it like "137YYWW" The Y numbers are the year, the W numbers are the week. Other than that buy it chocolates and flowers and compliment it on it's shoes.
- Rated: 32 ↑
Feb 6, 2008 2:32 a.m. fws6:

I'd say it is an approx. 1963 Tennessian (model # 6119)

Taking out the pots would be rather drastic measure as you can also see from the outside what it is ? Still has the thick bar bridge, but no headstock plate yet, so was made between 62 and mid 64.

The serial number should be impressed on the top side of the headstock. The kill switch tip and master volume knob seem replacedand the guard is missing. Current value somewhere between $ 1800-2400
- Rated: 1 ↑
Feb 6, 2008 8:39 a.m. Markster:

Thanks fws6 As I said, no serial number on headstock. I bought the guitar cheap and the neck has been repaired. The headstock was cracked. I have the original volume knob and pickguard. Just took them off. Thanks for all the help guys.
- Rated: 56 ↑
Feb 6, 2008 9:21 a.m. otterbean:

SHHHHH fws6, I was going to add two zeros to my 5 from earlier. Now you have let the cat out of the bag.
- Rated: 30 ↑
Feb 6, 2008 1:50 p.m. JackDaniels:

The serial number is not printed or painted on the back of the headstock by the tuners, it is impressed (stamped) into the top edge of the headstock. It would take a shit load of sanding to make them completly disapear. Take a look again at the very top edge as if you were going to look down the neck. If you can't see it, take a picture and change the hue/saturation of it until it pops out.

JD
- Rated: 1 ↑
Feb 6, 2008 2:04 p.m. Markster:

No luck JD
- Rated: 30 ↑
Feb 6, 2008 2:46 p.m. JackDaniels:

very interesting. I tried to enhance the pic to get some number to pop, but nothing. I guess if you really want to know, you have to take a pot out...that is, if it has the original pots.

JD
- Rated: 10 ↑
Feb 6, 2008 2:50 p.m. cardesnr99:

"Hey, I figured this could be the place to go. I've had an old Gretsch for 8 or 9 years now that I would like to date."

Well, ask her out, for Pete's sake. (Ducks and runs...)
- Rated: 32 ↑
Feb 6, 2008 2:52 p.m. fws6:

Yes a pot code would be good evidence ... Can I bet a $100 on 1963 still ?

1963 BTW is a good year for the Chet Atkins Tennessean Model, as George also used one: http://www.thecanteen.com/harrison4.html

Still a cracked headstock take 40% of the price I mentioned. If its done well it will still be a good guitar but much of the collectability is gone.
- Rated: 1 ↑
Feb 6, 2008 3:06 p.m. Markster:

fws6 Thanks a ton. All the research I did I had it at 64 for some reason. Not interested in how much its worth. Bought it for 200. Learned to play on it. Just wanted some more input.
- Rated: 8 ↑
Feb 6, 2008 3:44 p.m. SideLakeBob:

200 was a great deal.
- Rated: 41 ↑
Feb 6, 2008 10:29 p.m. bwallace1:

hi Markster. welcome to the GDP. as you can tell we have a few "clowns" on here. it is a very friendly place to hang out. there's alot of good information and good advice on here as well. once again, welcome.brent
- Rated: 56 ↑
Feb 6, 2008 11:30 p.m. otterbean:

Yep Markster- That is a great guitar. Hope you have fun playing it. Looks like you already have it well trained. After 8 years of playing, I bet that it is an old friend.

I think you got it for a steal.

I wonder if the serial number was lost when the headstock was repaired. If you ever have to get into the guts of the guitar, you will be able to have a more definintive answer on the production date. Until that becomes necessary, I would just keep on playing that joker as much as possible.
- Rated: 42 ↑
Feb 7, 2008 9:08 a.m. JC:

200! How long ago was that?

Sweet deal all the same