I am new here so be gentle please. I have two Gretsch's a 1967 model 6123 and a 1962 model 6119. I have loved Gretsch's since I saw one on the cover of Uncle Chet's Albums. Anyway I have a "Monkees" model that has a silver/gray pickguard with the "Monkees Logo" on it and a plain black Truss Rod Cover. I bought it used and never thought to ask about what happened to the "Monkees Logo" Truss Rod Cover. I know that a lot of covers and guards where tossed when the guitars where originally purchased. I also know that Chris Mirabella has made many white/cream covers and guards. And most of the ones I have seen on 6123's on the net seem to have matching white covers and guards. My question is, do you think the silver cover is an early reproduction? Mine looks old and is the same color as the one on my Tennessean except for the "Monkees Logo". Has anyone seen a silver one before...and if so what was the color of the truss rod cover? Thanks!
Gretsch 6123 Monkees
-
- Rated: 3 ↑
Sep 29, 2008 8:05 p.m. GretschBubba:
-
- Rated: 6 ↑
Sep 29, 2008 8:36 p.m. partsman:
-
- Rated: 83 ↑
Sep 29, 2008 8:37 p.m. Synchro:
Silver sounds OK to me. You actually related to Chet? If so, you may be the target of adulation around here.
-
- Rated: 83 ↑
Sep 29, 2008 8:40 p.m. Synchro:
One hard and fast rule about Gretsch specs is that there are no hard and fast rules. If it looks original it probably is.
-
- Rated: 22 ↑
Sep 29, 2008 8:43 p.m. gretschiam:
Because I'm slow, I didn't catch it the first time through. I second Synchro's inquiry: are you related to Chet?
-
- Rated: 13 ↑
Sep 29, 2008 8:50 p.m. Spartanman:
By the bio in his profile it appears so...
-
- Rated: 18 ↑
Sep 29, 2008 9:15 p.m. CharlieL:
Mine had a silver guard when I bought it. (It's THIS ONE for sale on ebay).
As far as I know those are repros. The Monkee guitar had a cream color guard and truss rod cover. They weren't made long, and in all the vintage photos they're cream over red.
-
- Rated: 41 ↑
Sep 29, 2008 9:32 p.m. bwallace1:
welcome to the GDP, GB. you'll find alot of friendly, helpful folks on here. in other words, you've found your second home.
brent
-
- Rated: 3 ↑
Sep 29, 2008 9:50 p.m. GretschBubba:
CharlieL-Did your silver guard have the Monkee's Logo on it? It's my guess mines also an early reproduction, but I don't have a reproduction or original to compare...I have a repro set being made but I thought I would ask those who have been around Gretsch's longer than me. My aunt Leona Johnson married Chet in the mid 40's when he was on WLW...she and her twin sister Lois were on the same radio program Midwestern Hayride with him. Leona married Chet and Lois married Kenneth Burns (Jethro of Homer and Jethro). Most people didn't realize they were brothers in law. (Nashville String Band) Aunt Leona is still living in the Atkins home in Nashville. She is a bit fragile and their only daughter Merle (guess who she is named after) is taking care of her. Not being a blood relative is evident in my lack of picking skill but not my lack of pride in his accomplishmnets. Being related gave me the opportunity to get lots of free tickets for his concerts, albums/cd's and to talk with the master. When I was deployed during Desert Storm he sent me a whole box of Gibson strings and a box of Goo Goo Pies...LOL! He was a gentle quiet man who is missed for many many reasons. BTW, Jethro was a hoot! He was quite a very good mandolin player and a riot to be around! He passed as did Lois in 1989. Thanks for your input...
-
- Rated: 18 ↑
Sep 30, 2008 1:19 a.m. CharlieL:
Yeah, it was a Monkees guard, but I don't think it was original. It was very well done -- the logo was nice and sharp, but it was silver.
BTW, the original guards were not a decal. I'm not sure if they were silkscreened or engraved, but they weren't a decal. If you can feel the raised logo on the back then it's a repro.
Post a picture -- I'd love to see it!
-
- Rated: 40 ↑
Sep 30, 2008 7:21 a.m. JC:
Welcome aboard GretschBubba!
It must have been amazing growing up around Chet
I tried to vote you up but its not working!
-
- Rated: 43 ↑
Sep 30, 2008 2:27 p.m. Ric12string:
Welcome to the GDP, GretschBubba.
And, no need to request gentle treatment when you first arrive...it is after you have been around for a while, and you express an opinion, that you will get attacked.
-
- Rated: 26 ↑
Oct 4, 2008 12:47 p.m. audiodrome:
Welcome GB - great story!
-
- Rated: 6 ↑
Oct 4, 2008 1:05 p.m. googoobaby:
I think that Jethro was a great mandolin player. He played everything with style, verve, and most of all fun!
