What the deal was with the floating pickup setup on a Convertible? I have for years. I've always wanted a 6199 and it's happened. I'm in love...the big body(next to little ole me), the incredible neck and finger board, that lovely old DeArmond and the streamlined pickguard with mounted controls. Check out this '55.

Thanks to Jazzboxjunky, Knavel, & KCEddie for info and insight on this model. This is my first official custom color Gretsch: Lotus Ivory/Jaguar Tan...not counting my Gold/natural '57 Duo Jet.

Couple of screws and bridge, strap knobs not original. Plays wonderful with a low action and sounds incredible. Just hope I can do it justice one day. This one will be with me for a long long time. A shout out to Bevete for working with me. I've had my eye on this one for some time.

One thing...anybody got an old Gretsch drum key layin' around anywhere?

Incredible guitar, Paul! Is this the same Bevete, he of the $15,000 scripty Jet?

by the way , check your setzersigns email-- sent you a message earlier today.

Very cool addition, Paul!

Rob, I just fired a reply back over the mountain. Yep it was Brads. We wheel and deal some Lol.

Thnx Andy!

Way cool, Paul.

How is that a floating pickup if it's screwed in?

Now THAT'S cool. Hope you bring it to the Roundup - can't wait to hear it!

John it's not. There are really short 4-40 screws that hold the pickup in the brass bracket...see photo above with the penny wrappers?

I do however have a traditional Dyna screw going into the top(bass side closest to the neck so the pickup) to keep it stationary. It had a hole there before, not sure if it came from the factory that way or not. That is yet to be determined. There are no other screw holes around the Dyna route! Without pinning it it tends to flop when you lean over and the strong pull of the sexy Gold DeArmond.

Will do Tim & thanks! I tried the special hollow TruArc on it and it sounded sweet! I'm still in the tweaking stage with bridges. I'll tell ya this; a Melita will not fit. The leg hits the control box under the guard. If it was not for that it would work fine.

Guess I need to snap a photo of the pickup installed on the bracket.

I'll try to upload some videos when I get some free time so y'all can hear how it sounds.

The late 1957 one I had, actually had a PAF filtertron cover for the shielding around the pots! Looks great Paul, good job! I remember seeing this one on ebay when it first showed up, it had a shield or crest type badge on the headstock face where those 3 screw holes are.

JBJ, do you recall what, if anything, was on that badge, a name?

This one looks like it uses another model Rowe case for the control pot shield.

Paul, that is just awesome. I am so happy for you. I hope I can make it to Nashville to see it in person.

Paul, my recollection is that as long as you don't want the banjo Gretsch key where "GRETSCH" is written the entire length of the handle, and instead want the more common drum one where "GRETSCH" is written leaving some blank space on either side they are $10-15 items.

Are you sure you can get that key in place though to adjust the rod? How can it turn with those wings on top pressing into the headstock?

Also I'm a bit shocked to learn that bevete can be dealt with in a reasonable commercial capacity. Great!

Thanks for starting this thread. I promise one day--whenever that may be--when I make it to Utah I'll do photo detail of my brother's 6199 and add to it. It may be some years as I find myself less and less in USA.....

Thanks Steve!

Mark, thanks for the tip and please do add to this thread and is yours in the registry?

That pick guard alone is a thing of beauty! I love the little knobs & the way they extended the pick guard to get those knobs down & out of the way.
I assume there is a hole in the top of the guitar for the pole adjuster clearance?

Wow, super cool Paul! Congratulations!

Beautiful instrument Paul, bet you'll be happy for years in each other's company.

Paul, it's been many years, but as I recall the badge was black and silver and may have had 2 initials on it? You can still see the shape of it's outline on there, probably owner added I'd guess.

That's one cool guitar, Paul. Thanks for posting and enjoy!

I love that color combo. Great guitar Paul. Congrats!

congrats that's awesome looking, i've been wanting a tan/copper streamliner

congrats that's awesome looking, i've been wanting a tan/copper streamliner

You and me both Johnny.

What's that extra outline around the tailpiece?

My brother's isn't in the registry Paul.

Thats actually metal around the tailpiece. There was a short period of time when these appeared, they appear to be a sandwich of old style mounting under the modern bolt layout. Seen a few over the years, mostly on 16" bodies though.

My old Fat body Clipper had a beefed up tail but not like the Convertible's

JBJ the intials...maybe S.S. ?

Thanks guys for the replies!