I am looking for info on a vintage Grestch guitar. It is my mother in laws but she is now in her 80's and has alzhiemers so she can't tell us about it. My wife was there and took some pics if I zoom in on one I can read part of the tag on the inside of the body from what I can see it says Model No. 6199 and was made in Brooklyn. If anyone could tell me what year or years these were made or any other info it would be great. I will try to add the photos here.
Need some help......
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Sep 29, 2008 5:08 p.m. shayno:
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Sep 29, 2008 5:11 p.m. otterbean:
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Sep 29, 2008 5:27 p.m. shayno:
Thanks for the quick reply! That looks almost like it except for the fretboard. On hers the the inlays are only along the top edge of the board not all the way across it. and hers is the Sunburst color. I found one on Google that looks identical and is the Sal Salvador convertible, was this a mass produced model? Sorry I couldn't get the pics up I will try Photobucket if needed. Thanks again!
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Sep 29, 2008 7:59 p.m. KCeddieB:
shayno, Multiple batches of these were made, but I would not call it a common Gretsch model. Your description of the fretboard inlays suggests a later model year than the one otterbean posted. This is a great vintage guitar, if it's in good condition. Enjoy!
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Sep 29, 2008 8:15 p.m. JazzBoxJunky:
I used to own this one, it had a special red finish, 57' serial number with 58' features. I think I saw the one you are talking about for sale on EBay not too long ago. Two tone and Sunburst finishes are the most common.
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Sep 30, 2008 11:27 a.m. shayno:
Thanks again, here is a link to photobucket to view the guitar maybe it will give you guys a better idea. http://photobucket.com/shaynomac_2008
jazzbox the one you linked to looks to be the one, the fret board is the same. it is stored in the case in the pics which i think is the original and has the cables in there to hook it up to the amp. not sure where the amp is hiding though. is there anything we should be doing to help preserve it other than storing it in the case? sorry about all the questions but i am not a guitar guy. we just want to keep it in one piece as it will never leave the family and there will be a huge fight over it when the day comes. and from doing some research online these look like they bring some money and i know a couple of the sisters would try to sell it if they thought they could get something for it! thanks again!
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Sep 30, 2008 11:38 a.m. shayno:
I figured out the pic thing here they are!
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Sep 30, 2008 11:40 a.m. JazzBoxJunky:
Shayno, nice guitar...this one looks to be about 1961-62ish, it is a Sal Salvador model. The convertible ended in 1957/58, and 6199 models then got renamed as Sal Salvador models. If you do decide to sell it, message me I might be interested. Southworth guitars has one almost like yours and it's been for sale quite awhile now at $2950.00, so I'm guessing it's worth less than that. I'm almost sure I saw this very guitar for sale on ebay awhile back.
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Sep 30, 2008 12:19 p.m. KCeddieB:
Interesting! I never knew that these were outfitted with a Hilotron pu. Was that change made when the model was re-named?
I can't think of another model with a gold Hilo... Princess maybe?
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Sep 30, 2008 12:39 p.m. shayno:
yeah i have been doing alot of research today and from what i am finding out i think you guys a right 1961. but like KC said it has the hilo tron pickup and what i found says it should have the filtron pickup. in the pics my wife took i can't see the serial number which would tell us exactly. JazzBox i am sorry to say this will NEVER be for sale if my wife and i have anything to do with it. my wife has some much history and fond memories of her mom and this guitar that we could never get rid of it, hopefully my wife will end up with it and learn how to play it to relive her memories! and man i sure hope it was not this paticular guitar that you saw on ebay but i wouldn't put it past one of my wife's sisters, if so thankfully i didn't sell!
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Sep 30, 2008 12:53 p.m. JazzBoxJunky:
You most likely will never see a Sal with the filtertron pickup. In all the years I've been collecting, I've only seen Dearmond's and Hilotron pickups on the 6199's. The way the bracket goes under the pickup and attaches to the pickguard, it would be more difficult, but not impossible to get a Filtertron in there. On the Dearmond version they cut a hole in the top to clear the pole screws, on the Hilo version I think it's thin enough clear the top.
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Sep 30, 2008 1:47 p.m. Ric12string:
Shayno said: is there anything we should be doing to help preserve it other than storing it in the case?
Yes, Shanyo, the best way to preserve a guitar like this is to store it in the case, and ship the case directly to my house where I will be pleased to safekeep it for you. I'll even promise to keep it under my bed, just like your mother-in-law did.
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Sep 30, 2008 2:12 p.m. shayno:
Ric12string, Thanks for the kind offer but I think I will have to declne.
It was worth a shot though!
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Sep 30, 2008 2:13 p.m. sassy:
I'll pay you to let me store it in my Guitar room
