Gretsch Guitar Serial Number 46231 Value

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Determine if the guitar was made after 1976 to 1978. If the serial number is somewhere other than the neck plate, the guitar was probably made after 1976. Production of Conrad guitars stopped in 1978. 1962 Chet Atkins serial number on side of head stock. Pre WWII to present. In 1883 Friedrich Gretsch, a German immigrant, set up a shop in Brooklyn for the manufacture of banjos, tambourines and drums.

Vintage Guitars Info's
Vintage Gretsch Guitars.
Model Information and Specs.

Gretsch Guitar Serial Numbers: Gretsch-GEAR: The Gretsch Pages The Guitar Dater Project - Epiphone Serial Number Decoder (Ver. 3.5) The Epiphone serial number decoder currently supports 12 serial number formats from 25 factories. Guitar Courtesy of Matt Riz/Photo by Rachel Thoele. Birth and a Sparkly Evolution. The Gretsch factory was known to have produced guitars in batches, typically 50 or 100 units of a particular model at a time. However, the debut 6128 batch consisted of 150 units with serial numbers from 11900 to 12049. Serial number-based dating and authentication guides are available for Gretsch, Ludwig and Ludwig Standard drums. Because the approach is serial number based, it only applies to Gretsch drums with serial numbers starting in about 1962, Ludwig main line drums with serial numbers starting in late 1963.

Gretsch vintage guitars history and collecting.Private vintage guitar collector. Model information, history for Gretsch vintage guitars.
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Hollowbody Electric Archtop Models:
  • 6189, 6190, 6191 Electromatic 16' cutaway & Streamliner
  • 6192, 6193, 6196 Country Club & Electro II cutaway
  • 6199 Convertible & San Salvador
  • 6185, 6187 Electromatic Spanish & Corvette model
  • 6104, 6105 Rally & Songbird

Hollowbody Acoustic Archtop Models:

  • 6030, 6031 Synchromatic & Constellation
  • 6038, 6039 Synchromatic & Fleetwood
  • 6040, 6041 Synchromatic 400 & Eldorado

Schematics:

  • Many other models withtwo pickups, three knobs, two (three-way) switches on upper bout, and possibly a standby switchnear the output jack (optional).

Solidbody Models:

Flat top Models:

  • Jumbo Synchromatic 125 flat top & 6021 Town and County
Archtop Electric Models

1955 Chet Atkins 6120 hollowbody

    6120 Chet Atkins Hollow Body.
    Collectibility Rating: Single cutaway models: B, Double cutaway models: D.

    The most popular of all Gretsch's, this model has been made famous by manyplayers including Duane Eddy, Brian Setzer and obviously, Chet Atkins. The body is 16 inches wide, with two bound 'F' holes, two pickups.

    1954 model 6120 Introduction specs:

    • Single Cutaway, 16' wide, 2 7/8' thick maple body finished in Amber Red or Orange.
    • Bound f-holes, double bound top/back, single bound rosewood fingerboard and peghead.
    • Two DeArmond single coil pickups.
    • Three knobs on lower bout (volume for each pickup, one tone knob), plus one master volume knob on cutaway.
    • 1 pickup selector switch on upper bout.
    • Compensating metal (aluminum) Bigsby bridge.
    • Gold Bigsby vibrato, fixed arm.
    • Signpost and signature gold pickguard.
    • Large 'G' branded into top.
    • Celluloid block inlays with engraved cows and cactus.
    • Longhorn steer inlay peghead.
    • Metal aluminum nut.
    • 24.5' scale length.
    • Gold plated parts.
    • White leather case with engraved brown 1' wide cow & cactus trim.

  • Unengraved block inlays.
  • Horseshoe peghead inlay replaces longhorn steer.
  • Aluminum colored, swing arm bigsby replaces gold fixed arm unit.
    • (Left) 1960 Chet Atkins 6120.
    (Right) 1956 Chet Atkins 6120 with 'G' brand.
    Notice the 1960 model has faded a bit. The 1956 model has also faded
    a little (notice where the Bigsby round felt pad was). But generally
    earlier 6120 models had a brighter orange than later models.
      1957 model 6120 specs:
      • 'G' brand gone.
      • 'Humptop' inlays replaces block inlays.

      1958 model 6120 specs:

      • Filter'tron humbucking pickups with 'pat pending' and smoothgold pickup rings replace DeArmond pickups.
      • Thumbprint (neoclassic) inlays replace humptop inlays.
      • Ebony fingerboard replaces Brazilian rosewood.
      • Bar style bridge.
      • Two switches on upper bass bout (tone and pickup selection; toneswitch replaces tone knob).
      • Two Separate pickup volume knobs, plus master volume knob on cutaway.

      1959 model 6120 specs:

      • Gretsch 'V' bigsby.
      • Zero fret.
      • Bone nut replaces metal nut.

      1960 model 6120 specs:

      • 2 1/2' thick body.

      1961 model 6120 specs:

      • 2 1/4' thick body.
    1964 Nashville 6120
      Late 1961 model 6120 specs:
      • Double cutaway
      • Simulated (painted) 'F' hole body.
      • Smooth Leather back pad.
      • Single mute added.
      • Signature (no signpost) on pickguard.
      • One added standby switch on lower treble bout (three switches total; pickup,tone, standby).

      1964 model 6120 specs:

      • Rename 'Nashville', nameplate on peghead.
      • Pebble grain vinyl backpad.

      1971 model 7660 specs:

      • Renumbered to model 7660.
      • Adjustamatic bridge.
      • Squared pickguard.
      • No mute.
      • No nameplated on peghead.

      1973 model 7660 specs:

      • Open 'F' holes.
      • Red finish.

      Discontinued in 1980.

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    1967 Tennessean.

      6119 Chet Atkins Tennessean hollowbody.
      Collectibility Rating: D.

      This model was basically a slimmed down, single pickup 6120 from1958 to 1960. Then in 1961 the model stayed single cutaway (unlike the 6120 which went to double cutaway in early 1962) and changed to 2 pickups and a thinner body. In any varient, it's pretty much a student model with low-end trim.

      1958 model 6119 Introduction specs:

      • Single Cutaway, 2 5/8' thick by 16' wide maple body finished in cherryred.
      • One Filtertron pickup in the bridge position.
      • One knob on the cutaway, one switch on the upper bass bout.
      • Metal bar bridge.
      • Bigsby vibrato with no 'gretsch' logo.
      • Black pickguard with white Chet signature signpost.
      • Double bound top, single bound neck and back, unbound peghead.
      • Ebony fingerboard with thumbprint inlays.
      • Metal tuner buttons.
      • Chrome plated parts.
      1959 model 6119 specs:
      • Gretsch bigsby.
      • Zero fret.
      • Bone nut replaces metal.

      1961 model 6119 specs:

      • 2 1/4' thick single cutaway body with painted simulated 'f' holes.
      • 2 HiLotron pickups.
      • 2 knobs on treble bout, 2 switches on bass bout.
      • Double bound top, unbound back, single bound fingerboard.
      • Gray pickguard with Gretsch logo only.
      • Rosewood fingerboard with thumbprint inlays.
      • No zero fret.
      • Plastic tuner buttons.
      • Dark cherry walnut finish.

      1962 model 6119 specs:

      • 2' thick single cutaway body with painted simulated 'f' holes.
      • Standby switch added.
      • Chet Atkins signature and gretsch logo on grey pickguard.
      • Zero fret.
      • Metal tuner buttons.
      • Mahogany finish slightly redder than 1961 finish.

      1964 model 6119 specs:

      • Walnut top finish, mahogany back and side finish.
      • Nameplate on peghead.

      1967 model 6119 specs:

      • Uniform dark-stain top and body finish.

      1970 model 6119 specs:

      • Open 'f' holes.
      • Dark cherry finish.

      1971 model 7655 specs:

      • Renumbered 7655.
      • No nameplate on peghead.
      • Adjustable bridge.

      Discontinued in 1980.

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    late 1958 Country Gentlemen 6122.

      6122 Chet Atkins Country Gentlemen.
      Collectibility Rating: Single cutaway models: C, Double cutaway models: D+.

      Hollow body 17 inches wide electric archtop.

      Late 1957 Country Gentlemen Introduction specs:

      • Single Cutaway, 2' thick body finished in brown mahogany with 4 layers of font and back body binding.
      • Simulated painted 'f' holes, though this varies on models up to 1961.Some early models have inlaid black plastic f-holes. Also some haveopen f-holes!
      • Two Filter'tron pickups.
      • Thumbprint 'Neoclassic' fingerboard inlays.
      • Bound ebony fingerboard
      • Name plate on peghead.
      • Metal nut, 24 1/4 inch scale.
      • Stairstep tuner buttons.
      • 2 pickup volume knobs on lower bout (one for each pickup), 1 master volume knob on cutaway.
      • 2 tone switches on upper bout.
      • Bigsby vibrato and metal bar bridge.
      • Serial number on peghead nameplate.
      • Signature and signpost on pickguard.
      • Gold plated hardware (except Bigsby).

  • No signpost on pickguard.
  • Zero fret and Bone nut.
  • Gretsch 'V' Bigsby.

    • Late 1961 Country Gentlemen specs:

    • Double cutaway body.
    • Padded back.
    • Double mute with two large mute knobs on either side of bridge.
    • Standby switch added on lower bout.
    1962 Country Gentlemen 6122 (double cut).
    Ibanez

      1962 Country Gentlemen specs:

      • Gold plated Gretsch Bigsby vibrato.

      1963 Country Gentlemen specs:

      • Smaller lever-action mute knobs.

      1964 Country Gentlemen specs:

      • One Super'tron and one Filter'tron pickup.

      1965 Country Gentlemen specs:

      • Non-stairstep tuner buttons.
      • Serial number moved from nameplate to back of neck.

      1966 Country Gentlemen specs:

      • Single mute with 1 mute knob/lever.

      1970 Country Gentlemen specs:

      • 2 Filter'Tron pickups.

      1971 Country Gentlemen specs:

      • Renumbered to model 7670.
      • Adjustamatic bridge.
      • No mute.
      • No nameplate.
      • Walnut finish.
      • Open 'F' holes.

      Discontinued in 1981.

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    Super Chet 7690, 7691 Electric Hollow Body.
    Collectibility Rating: D+.

      1973 Super Chet Introduction specs:

      • 17' wide 2.5' deep rounded single cutaway body
      • Upper bass bout joins neck at a n angle towards body
      • 2 pickup
      • 5 knobs on pickguard: master volume plus individual tone and volume for each pickup
      • Abalone inlaid tailpiece insert
      • Model name on pickguard
      • Inlaid binding around the sides in the middle
      • 24.5' scale length, 25.5' scale optional
      • Abalone inlay on fingerboard and peghead
      • Zero fret
      • Gold plated parts
      • Bigsby vibrato optional (model number ended with '-B')
      • Autumn red (7690) or walnut (7691) finish.

      Discontinued 1980.

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    1956 White Falcon single cutaway

      6136 White Falcon electric Hollow Body.
      Collectibility Rating: Single cutaway models: A, Double cutaway models: C.

      Seventeen inches wide, 2 7/8' deep, maple body, two pickups.

      1954 White Falcon Introduction specs:

      • Single Cutaway, body finished in white.
      • Two DeArmond single coil pickups.
      • 'Cadillac G' tailpiece.
      • Three knobs on lower bout, one knob on cutaway, 1 switch on upper bout.
      • Melita bridge (gold).
      • Clear acyrlic pickguard with engraved falcon, back painted in gold.
      • Pearl block inlays with engraved birds.
      • 25.5' scale, vertical Gretsch peghead.
      • Gold sparkle binding.
      • Gold plated parts.

  • 'Humptop' inlays replace blocks.

    • 1958 White Falcon specs:

    • Filter'tron humbucking pickups replace DeArmonds.
    • Thumbprint (neoclassic) inlays replace humptop inlays.
    • Bar style bridge.
    • Two switches on upper bass bout (tone and pickup selection).
    • Two knobs instead of three on lower treble bout (three total).
    • Project-o-Sonic stereo optional (switch config different than above).

    1959 White Falcon specs:

    • Standard horizontal Gretsch logo.
    • Nameplate on peghead.

    1960 White Falcon specs:

    • 2' deep body.
    • Double mutes with 2 large mute buttons.
    • Padded back.

    1962 White Falcon specs:

    • Double cutaway symmetrical body.
    • Gretsch Bigsby vibrato.
    • Small lever-action mute knob.
    • Zero fret.

    1964 White Falcon specs:

    • Gretsch vibrato with 'G' plate and straight tubular arm curving at tip.
    • Large non-stairstep tuner buttons.
    1965 White Falcon double cutaway
      1965 White Falcon specs:
      • Adjustable nut on vibrato arm.
      • T-zone tempered treble-end fingerboard with dot inlays from 15th fret.

      1966 White Falcon specs:

      • Tuning fork bridge.

  • Renumbered to model 7594, or 7595 for stereo.
  • Single cutaway model re-introduced as model 7593.
  • No mute.
  • Block fingerboard inlays.

    • 1975 White Falcon specs:

    • No T-zone fingerboard.

    Discontinued in 1980.

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    Alvarez guitar serial number

    Electro II Non-Cutaway electric hollowbody 6187 (sunburst), 6188 (blond).
    Collectibility Rating: D.

      16' inches wide, 'f' holes, 2 DeArmond pickups, 3 knobs on lower treble bout,stairstep bridge, trapeze tailpiece, unbound beveled edge pickguard, triple boundtop, single bound back and fingerboard, block finger inlays, 2 ply peghead veneerwith black outer layer and white underlayer beveled to look like binding, T-roof peghead logo engraved intoveneer, 'Electromatic' engraved vertically into peghead in zigzag pattern, peghead tapers to a point, sunburst (6187) or blond (6188) finish.

      Introduced: 1951
      Discontinued: 1955

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    Electromatic 16' Cutaway and Streamliner electric hollowbody 6189, 6190, 6191.
    Collectibility Rating: D, Jaguar Tan or Bamboo Yellow/Copper finish D+.

      1951 Electromatic 16' cutaway Introduction specs:
      • 16' inches wide cutaway body with laminated spruce top
      • 1 or 2 DeArmond pickups
      • Melita bridge
      • single bound top, back, and fingerboard with block inlays
      • 2 ply peghead veneer with black outer layer and white underlayer beveled to look like binding
      • Trapeze tailpiece
      • T-roof peghead logo engraved into veneer, 'Electromatic' engraved vertically into peghead in zigzag pattern
      • sunburst 2 pickups (6189), sunburst 1 pickup (6190), blond 1 pickup (6191).

      1955 Streamliner specs:

      • Renamed Streamliner.
      • 1 DeArmond pickup
      • Trapeze tailpiece replaces Melita bridge.
      • Maple top
      • 'G' tailpiece
      • 2 knobs on lower treble bout
      • Double bound top and back, single bound 'f' holes
      • 'Electromatic' on peghead but no zigzag pattern
      • Block or humptop fingerboard inlays
      • Available in Jaguar Tan or Bamboo Yellow top with Copper mist back (6189),sunburst (6190) or blond (6191).

      1957 Streamliner specs:

      • Double bound 'f' holes, single bound fingerboard and peghead

      1958 Streamliner specs:

      • Transition to Anniversary model which replaced the Streamliner.

      1959 Streamliner Discontinued. Re-introduced in 1969 as a thinbody double cutaway model.

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    Electro II Cutaway and Country Club electric hollow body 6192 (sunburst), 6193 (blond), 6196 (Cadillac Green).
    Collectibility Rating: 1950's models: C, 1960's models: D.

      Seventeen inches wide, 3 3/8' deep, F-holes, two pickups, gold platedparts, bound fingerboard and peghead.

      1951 Electro II Introduction specs:

      • Two DeArmond pickups.
      • Three knobs on lower treble bout.
      • Stairstep bridge.
      • Harp tailpiece.
      • Block inlays.
      • 'Synchromatic' on paghead.
      • Script 'Gretsch' logo.

  • Knob mounted on cutaway.
  • Double bound 'F' holes.
  • 4 ply top, back, pickguard binding.
    • 1955 Country Club 6193

      1954 Country Club specs:

      • Renamed Country Club.
      • Melita bridge.
      • Unbound pickguard.
      • 4 ply peghead binding.
      • 7 ply body binding.
      • Stairstep tuners.
      • 'G' tailpiece.
      • Humptop block inlays.
      • No 'Synchromatic' on peghead.
      • Block 'Gretsch' logo.

      1958 Country Club specs:

      • Filter'tron pickups.
      • Roller bridge.
      • Triple bound fingerboard.
      • Thumbprint inlays.
      • Project-o-Sonic stereo optional.

      1960 Country Club specs:

      • 1 7/8' thick body.

      1963 Country Club specs:

      • 2 7/8' thick body.
      • Padded back.
      • Zero fret.
      • Mute control added.
      • Project-o-Sonic discontinued.

      1965 Country Club specs:

      • No mute.
      • 2 knobs and 1 switch on lower treble bout.

      1968 Country Club specs:

      • Green finish (model 6196) discontinued.

      1971 Country Club specs:

      • Renumbered model 7575 (sunburst), and model 7576 (natural).

      1974 Country Club specs:

      • 4 knobs on lower treble bout, 1 knob on cutaway, 1 switch on upper bassbout.
      • Wooden tailpiece insert with model name.
      • Block fingerboard inlays.

      Discontinued in 1981.

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    1962 Single Anniversary 6125
    in smoked green.

      Single Anniversary 6124 (sunburst), 6125 (smoked green) and Double Anniversary 6117 (sunburst), 6118 (smoked green), and Double Anniversary Stereo 6111 (sunburst), 6112 (smoked green) Electric Hollow Bodies.
      Collectibility Rating: D.

      Named for Gretsch's 75th anniversary. 16' wide, 2.5' deep, 1 pickup (single Anniversary 6124/6125), or 2 pickups (Double Anniversary 6117/6118/6111/6112), 24.5' scale length, 'G' tailpiece, single bound top and back, thumbprint fingerboard inlays.

      1958 Anniversary specs:

      • FilterTron pickups.
      • Sunburst (6124/6117) or 2-tone Smoked Green (6125/6118) finish.
      • Unbound fingerboard.

      mid-1959 Anniversary specs:

      • Nameplate on peghead.

      1960 Anniversary specs:

      • Hi-lo Tron pickups.
      1961 Anniversary specs:
      • Stereo (1 pickup per channel) optional on Double Anniversary (6111=sunburstdouble anniversary, 6112=smoked green double anniversary).

      1963 Anniversary specs:

      • Bound fingerboard on Double Anniversary only.
      • Stereo models 6111/6112 discontinued.
      • 2-tone tan finish available.

      1968 Anniversary specs:

      • Zero fret on Double Anniversary only.

      1971 Anniversary specs:

      • Models renumbered to 7560.

      Discontinued in 1975.

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    Monkees Electric Hollow Body.
    Collectibility Rating: C+.

      Introduced in 1966 and discontinued in 1969, this thin body,double cutaway guitar had 2 Super Tron pickups, bound top and back,bound f-holes and fingerboard, thumbprint inlays on both edgesof the fingerboard, a 'Monkees' guitar shaped logo on the pickguardand truss rod cover, a Gretsch Bigsby vibrato, and a peghead platewith the Monkees model name and 'Rock n Roll'. Red translucent finish.
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    1967 6082 Van Ep 6 string in
    'walnut' finish.

      Van Eps Electric Hollow Body 6079 (7 string sunburst), 6080(7 string walnut), 6081 (6 string sunburst), 6082 (6 string walnut).
      Collectibility Rating: C+.

      A 17' wide, single cutaway body with either 6 or 7 strings. Two'eared' Filter Tron pickups with extra heavy covers, triple bound top, fingerboardand peghead, 25.5' scale, thumbprint fingerboard inlays, zero fret,nameplate on peghead, gold plated metal parts, unusual top edge shapeon peghead. The first year (1967) models are the most valuable.The rarer 6 string version is more valuable, although Van Ep himselfplayed the 7 string model.

      1968 Van Eps Introduction specs:

      • Metal roller bridge with floating tuning fork
      • 'G' tailpiece.

      1969 Van Eps specs:

      • Wood bridge with no tuning fork.
      • Tailpiece straight across from string anchors.

      1971 Van Eps specs:

      • Super Tron pickups
      • Renumbered to 7580.

      1972 Van Eps specs:

      • All models discontinued except 7 string sunburst model.
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    6199 Convertible and Sal Salvador Electric Hollow Body.
    Collectibility Rating: C.

      Seventeen inches wide, F-holes, one pickup, two knobs mounted on oversizedpickguard, gold plated parts, bound fingerboard.

      1955 Convertible Introduction specs:

      • Lotus ivory top with copper mist body finish.
      • One DeArmond pickups.
      • Rosewood fingerboard.
      • Adjustable rosewood bridge.
      • 'G' tailpiece.
      • Humptop block inlays.

      1958 Sal Salvador specs:

      • Renamed 'Sal Salvador'.
      • Ebony fingerboard.
      • One Filter'tron pickup.
      • Thumbprint inlays.

      1965 Sal Salvador specs:

      • Knobs mounted into top.
      • Large block fingerboard inlays.
      • Zero fret.

      Sal Salvador discontinued 1968.

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    Electromatic Spanish, Electromatic 6185, 6187 and Corvette Electric Hollow Body.
    Collectibility Rating: D.

      Electromatic models do not have specific model names until 1955.

      1940 Electromatic specs:

      • 17 maple non-cutaway body with 'f' holes.
      • 1 pickup
      • 2 knobs
      • sunburst finish.

      1949 Electromatic 6185 specs:

      • 1 DeArmond pickup
      • 2 knobs on lower treble bout
      • rosewood bridge
      • trapeze tailpiece
      • unbound beveled edge pickguard
      • triple bound top, single bound back, unbound fingerboard with dot inlays
      • 2 ply peghead veneer with 'electromatic' engraved vertically over zigzag pattern.Edges of peghead veneer beveled to similate binding.
      • peghead tapers to a point.

      1951 Electromatic 6185 specs:

      • Blond finish available.

      1955 Corvette 6185 specs:

      • Named 'Corvette' model
      • double bound top and back
      • 'Electromatic' on peghead with no zigzag pattern.
      • rounded peak peghead.

      1957 Corvette 6185 specs:

      • Ivory top finish with grey mist back and sides optional (model 6187).
      • Rounded cutaway on model 6187

      1959 Corvette specs:

      • Corvette hollowbody model discontinued.
      • Later Corvette name used for solidbody models.
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    1959 Rambler.

    Rambler 6115 Electric Hollow Body.
    Collectibility Rating: D-.

      1957 Rambler introduction specs:
      • 13' wide pointed single cutaway cutaway body
      • 1 DeArmond pickup
      • 2 knobs on lower treble bout
      • Adjustable rosewood bridge
      • 'G' tailpiece
      • Single bound top and back and peghead
      • 23' scale length
      • rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays
      • ivory top finish with green or black back and sides finish.

      1960 Rambler specs:

      • Rounded cutaway
      • Hi-lo tron pickup
      • Red truss rod cover

      Discontinued 1961.

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    Clipper 6185, 6186, 6187 Electric Hollow Body.
    Collectibility Rating: D-.

      1958 Clipper introduction specs:
      • 16' wide, 1 3/4' deep body
      • 1 pickup with slothead screw poles and oveal cutout in cover
      • 2 knobs on lower bout
      • adjustable ebony bridge
      • trapeze tailpiece
      • double bound top and back
      • 24.5' scale length
      • dot fingerboard inlays
      • sunburst finish (6186)

      1959 Clipper specs:

      • Blond finish available (6187)

      1960 Clipper specs:

      • Hi-lo tron pickup

      1961 Clipper specs

      • Blond finish (6187) model discontinued.

      1963 Clipper specs:

      • Short arm palm vibrato available.

      1971 Clipper specs:

      • Renumbered 7555

      1972 Clipper specs:

      • Sunburst (6186) model discontinued, 2 pickup model (6185) introduced

      Clipper discontinued in 1975.

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    1968 Viking.

    Viking 6187, 6188, 6189 Electric Hollow Body.
    Collectibility Rating: D.

      1964 Viking introduction specs:
      • 17' wide 2' deep double cutaway body
      • 2 Super tron pickups
      • 2 control knobs and 1 switch on lower bout, 1 knob on upper treble bout,2 switches on upper bass bout.
      • Single mute with 1 small lever on lower treble bout
      • Roller bridge
      • Floating tuning fork bridge
      • Model name on pickguard (earliest models with also a viking ship on pickguard)
      • Ebony fingerboard with thumbprint inlays
      • T-zone tempered treble-end fingerboard with dots from 15th fret
      • Zero fret
      • Nameplate on peghead
      • Padded back
      • Available in sunburst (6187), blond (6188) or Cadillac Green (6189)

      1971 Viking specs:

      • Renumbered 7585 (sunburst) and 7586 (blond)
      1972 Viking specs:
      • No tuning fork on tailpiece
      • tubular arm Gretsch bigsby
      • 6189 green finish discontinued.

      Discontinued 1975.

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    1967 Rally

    Rally 6104, 6105 Electric Hollow Body.
    Collectibility Rating: D+.

      1967 Rally introduction specs:
      • 16' wide 2' deep double cutaway body
      • 2 Hi-lo tron pickups
      • 3 knobs and 1 switch on lower treble bout and 1 knob on upper treble bout
      • Standby switch and treble booster switch on upper bass bout
      • Bar bridge (some with roller bridge)
      • Plate on back for active electronics
      • Gretsch Bigsby vibrato
      • Rally stripe on pickguard and truss rod cover
      • Double bound top, single bound back and fingerboard
      • Thumbprint fingerboard inlays and zero fret
      • T-zone tempered treble-end fingerboard with dot inlays from 15th fret
      • Songbird same model as Rally buy with 'G' soundholes and no rally stripe
      • Green finish (6104) or Bamboo Yellow top and copper mist back finish (6105)

      Discontinued 1970.

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    Solidbody Electric Models

    6121 Chet Atkins Solid Body.
    Collectibility Rating: Single cutaway models: B, Double cutaway models: C.

      The solid body version of the 6120. Les Paul shaped and sized, the body is 13 1/4 inches wide, maple top, two pickups. Very similar tothe 6130, but has Chet Atkins trim including Bigsby vibrato and aluminumbridge, metal nut, gold pickguard with Chet's signature, maple top.

      1954 model 6121 Introduction specs:

      • Single Cutaway, body finished in Amber Red, Orange, or Mahogony Brown.
      • Two DeArmond single coil pickups.
      • Three knobs on lower bout, one on cutaway, 1 switch on upper bout.
      • Compensating metal (aluminum) bridge.
      • Gold Bigsby vibrato, fixed arm.
      • Signpost and signature gold pickguard.
      • 'G' branded into top.
      • Sides covered with wester-motif tooled leather.
      • Celluloid block inlays with engraved cows and cactus.
      • Metal nut, 24 3/4' scale, longhorn steer inlay peghead.
      • Gold plated parts.

      Mid 1956 model 6121 specs:

      • Unengraved block inlays.
      • Horseshoe peghead inlay replaces longhorn steer.
      • Aluminum colored, swing arm bigsby replaces gold fixed arm unit.

      1957 model 6121 specs:

      • 'G' brand gone.
      • 'Humptop' inlays replace blocks.

      1958 model 6121 specs:

      • Filter'tron humbucking pickups replace DeArmonds.
      • Thumbprint (neoclassic) inlays replace humptop inlays.
      • Bar style bridge.
      • Two switches on upper bass bout (tone and pickup selection).
      • Two knobs instead of three on lower treble bout (three total).

      1959 model 6121 specs:

      • Gretsch bigsby.
      • Zero fret.
      • Bone nut.

      1961 model 6121 specs:

      • Double cutaway symmetrical body finished in orange.
      • Standby switch added.

      Discontinued in 1963.

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    1955 Roundup

      6130 Roundup Solid Body.
      Collectibility Rating: B+.

      Very simular in features and appearance to the 6121 with solid body 13 1/4 inches wide. Has knotty pine top (instead of maple on6121), western 'belt buckle' tailpiece (instead of Bigsby), Melita bridge(instead of aluminum bridge), tortoise pickguard with engraved steer head, and a bone nut (instead of an aluminum nut). The color also sometimesis more brown and less orange, but this is not always the case.

      Late 1953 Roundup 6130 Introduction specs:
      • Single Cutaway, body finished in Amber Red, Orange, or Mahogony Brown.
      • Two DeArmond single coil pickups.
      • 'Belt Buckle' western tailpiece.
      • Three knobs on lower bout, one on cutaway, 1 switch on upper bout.
      • Melita bridge (gold).
      • Tortoise pickguard with engraved steerhead.
      • 'G' branded into top.
      • Sides covered with wester-motif tooled leather.
      • Celluloid block inlays with engraved cows and cactus.
      • 24 3/4' scale, longhorn steer inlay peghead.
      • Gold plated parts.
      • Discontined in late 1955 due to the redundance with the 6121 model.

      1957 Roundup 6130 specs:

      • A single batch of 6130 Roundups was made in 1957.
      • 6130 discontinued after this, not made after 1957.

      Discontinued in 1957.

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    1958 Jet Firebird 6131

    6128 DuoJet, 6129 SilverJet, 6131 Jet FireBird solid body.
    Collectibility Rating: Single cutaway models: C (SilverJet: C+), Double cutaway models: D.

      Les Paul shaped and sized, this model competed directly with Gibson'sLes Paul model. It is the identical body as the 6121 and 6130 withoutthe western theme. The body is 13 1/4 inches wide, maple top, two pickups.

      1954 DuoJet Introduction specs:

      • Single Cutaway, top finished in black (most common) or CadillacGreen (rare).
      • Sparkle silver top available (model 6129 SilverJet).
      • Red top available (model 6131 Jet FireBird) with black pickguard.
      • Clear acyrlic pickguard, back painted in silver (except on 6131).
      • Two DeArmond single coil pickups.
      • Three knobs on lower bout, one on cutaway, 1 switch on upper bout.
      • Melita bridge.
      • 'G' tailpiece.
      • Celluloid block inlays.
      • 24 3/4' scale.
      • Chrome plated parts.
      1957 DuoJet specs:
      • 'Humptop' inlays replace blocks.

      1958 DuoJet specs:

      • Filter'tron humbucking pickups replace DeArmonds.
      • Thumbprint (neoclassic) inlays replace humptop inlays.
      • Bar style bridge.
      • Two switches on upper bass bout (tone and pickup selection).
      • Two knobs instead of three on lower treble bout (three total).
      • Bigsby vibrato.

      1959 DuoJet specs:

      • Zero fret.

    1964 Jet Firebird 6131 double-cut

      1961 DuoJet specs:
      • Double cutaway symmetrical body.
      • Standby switch added.
      • Burns vibrato replaces Bigsby.

      1963 DuoJet specs:

      • SilverJet model dropped, sparkle tops available as custom DuoJet finish.
      • Sparkle top available in different colors: gold, champagne, burgundy,tangerine, silver.

      1966 DuoJet specs:

      • Sparkle finishes discontinued.

      1968 DuoJet specs:

      • Super'Tron pickups.
      • Treble booster switch.
      • Gretsch bigsby vibrato.

      Discontinued in 1971.

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    1956 White Penguin

      6134 White Penguin Solid Body.
      Collectibility Rating: Single cutaway models: A, Double cutaway models: A-.

      Essentially a white, fancy DuoJet. Solid body 13 1/4 inches wide, maple top, two pickups.

      1954 White Penguin Introduction specs:

      • Single Cutaway, body finished in white.
      • Two DeArmond single coil pickups.
      • 'Cadillac G' tailpiece.
      • Three knobs on lower bout, one on cutaway, 1 switch on upper bout.
      • Melita bridge (gold).
      • Clear acyrlic pickguard with engraved penguin, back painted in gold.
      • Pearl block inlays with engraved birds.
      • 24 3/4' scale, vertical Gretsch peghead.
      • Gold sparkle binding.
      • Gold plated parts.

  • 'Humptop' inlays replace blocks.

    • 1958 White Penguin specs:

    • Filter'tron humbucking pickups replace DeArmonds.
    • Thumbprint (neoclassic) inlays replace humptop inlays.
    • Bar style bridge.
    • Two switches on upper bass bout (tone and pickup selection).
    • Two knobs instead of three on lower treble bout (three total).

    1959 White Penguin specs:

    • Standard horizontal Gretsch logo.
    • Zero fret.

    1961 White Penguin specs:

    • Double cutaway symmetrical body.
    • Standby switch added.

    Discontinued in 1964.

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    1969 Corvette 6135
    (picture Kevin Barry).

      Corvette 6132 (1 pickup mahogany), 6132 (1 pickup cherry red), 6133 (1 pickup platinum grey), 6134 (1 pickup cherry red sunburst vibrato),6135 (2 pickup cherry red sunburst vibrato).
      Collectibility Rating: D--.

      1961 Corvette introduction specs:

      • 13.5' wide asymmetrical double cutaway slab body with bass horn slightlylonger
      • 1 hi-lo tron pickup
      • 2 knobs
      • rosewood bridge
      • trapeze tailpiece
      • rectangular plate neck to neck
      • no binding
      • 24.5' scale
      • dot fingerboard inlays
      • narrow peghead
      • mahogany (6132) or platinum grey (6133) finish.

      1963 Corvette specs:

      • Beveled body edges with sharper cutaway points
      • 3/8' diameter bar bridge
      • Larger pickguard that covers routing for metal plate.
      • Cherry red sunburst finish and 1 pickup no vibrato model (6132).
      • Cherry red sunburst finish and 1 pickup with Burns flat arm vibrato model (6134) introduced.
      • Cherry red sunburst finish and 2 pickups with Burns flat arm vibrato model (6135) introduced.
      • Platinum grey finish model (6133) discontinued.
      1964 Corvette specs:
      • 2 tuners on bass side of peghead, 4 tuners on treble side.

      1966 Corvette specs:

      • Few models made with glitter gold or silver finish.

      1968 Corvette specs:

      • 1 pickup models (6132, 6134) discontinued.
      • Bigsby horseshoe vibrato replaces Burns vibrato.

      1970 Corvette specs:

      • Super tron pickups.

      1976 Corvette specs:

      • Model renumbered 7623 and 7632 (Deluxe Corvette).

      Discontinued 1978.

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    Princess 6106.
    Collectibility Rating: D--.

      1963 Princess introduction specs:Corvette style assymetrical double cutaway body with beveled edges, 1 hi-lo tronpickup, 2 knobs, 3/8' diameter bar bridge, short arm palm vibrato, trapezetailpiece, padded back, 22.5' scale, dot fingerboard inlays, gold platedparts, optional body/pickguard colors (white/lavender, blue/white, pink/white,white/gold). Available only in 1963.

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    Astro-Jet 6126.
    Collectibility Rating: D--.

      1965 Astro-jet introduction specs:Double cutaway assymetrical body with pointed horns and beveled body edges, 2 Super tron pickups, 3 knobs, 3 switches, rollter bridge, Burns straight arm vibrato, thumbprint fingerboard inlays, 4 tuners on bass side of peghead and2 tuners on treble side, red top finish and black back and sides.

      Discontinued 1968.

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    Bikini 6023 (guitar), 6024 (bass), 6025 (double neck).
    Collectibility Rating: D.

      1961 Bikini introduction specs:Removable neck-body shaft and foldup 'butterfly' back and wings, hi-lo tronpickups, dot fingerboard inlays, black finish.

      Discontinued 1963.

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    Acoustic Archtop Models

    Synchromatic 160 Acoustic Archtop 6028 (sunburst) and 6029 (blond).
    Collectibility Rating: D.

      Introduced in 1939 with 17' wide, non-cutaway body with maple back and sides, double bound cat-eye sound holes, stairstep bridge, harp tailpiece, bound pickguard that almost covers the treble soundhole, 4-ply fingerboard binding, 26' scale, chrome plated parts, 5 piece neck of maple and rosewood, rosewood fingerboard pre-war, ebony fingerboard post-war, script 'Gretsch' logo, 'Synchromatic' above E-string posts, single bound peghead, large block inlays. Blond finish with tortoise binding available in early 1940's. Available until 1943 when production stopped for World War II. Production resumed in the fall of 1947 with gold platedparts. Discontinued in 1951.

    Gretsch Guitar Serial Number Decoder

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    Synchromatic 200 Acoustic Archtop.
    Collectibility Rating: D.

      Introduced in 1939. 17' wide, non-cutaway body with maple back and sides, double bound cat-eye sound holes, stairstep bridge, harp tailpiece, doublebound pickguard that almost covers the treble sound hole, bound rosewood fingerboard, 26' scale, gold plated parts, script 'Gretsch' logo, 'Synchromatic' above A and B-string posts, single bound peghead, humptop block inlays. Available in sunburst or blond.Discontinued in 1949.

    Cataloged as Synchromatic 6036, 6037 in 1951. Specs changed to double bound F-holes, 'G' tailpiece, slashed humptop block inlays,'Synchromatic' on peghead. Discontinued in 1955.

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    Synchromatic 400 Acoustic Archtop 6040 (sunburst), 6041 (blond).
    Collectibility Rating: Early archtop model: B, later models: C-.

      Introduced in 1940. 18' wide, non-cutaway body with maple back and sides, double bound cat-eye sound holes, stairstep bridge, harp tailpiece, pickguard with white and gold sparkle binding that almost covers the treble sound hole, white and gold sparkle fingerboard and body binding, 26' scale, gold plated parts, 5 piece neck of maple and rosewood, ebony fingerboard, slanted script 'Gretsch' logo, crossed 'Synchromatic' chili-pepper inlayornament, slashed humptop block inlays. Available in sunburst or blond.

      By 1948 the crossed peghead ornament is gone.

      In 1951 Cataloged as Synchromatic 6040, 6041 with the following specs: F-holes, 'G' tailpiece, crossed peghead logo returns. Seventeeninch version created and called models 6038 (sunburst) and 6039 (blond), and models 6030 (sunburst) and 6031 (blond).

      In 1955 replaced by the Eldorado with the same specs EXCEPT now singlecutaway. Seventeen inch wide version renamed the Fleetwood models 6038, 6039. Models 6030, 6031 renamed the Constellation.

      In 1959 specs change to thumbprint inlays, 'Gretsch' only on peghead.Discontinued in 1970.

      Flat top version available called Synchromatic 400F. Simular specs to 1940-1954 Synchromatic 400 except flat top, triangle sound hole, arched back, natural top, sunburst back and sides. Available 1947 to 1955.

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    New Yorker 6050 acoustic archtop.
    Collectibility Rating: early models with block fingerboard inlays: D, latermodels: D--.

      1946 New Yorker Introduction specs:

      • 16' wide non-cutaway body
      • Adjustable rosewood bridge
      • Trapeze tailpiece
      • Tortoise grain pickguard
      • Tripe bound top and single bound back and fingerboard
      • Block fingerboard inlays
      • Stenciled 'Gretsch' T-roof peghead logo thru circle and 'New Yorker'vertically
      • Rounded top of peghead with rounded corners
      • Sunburst finish

      1949 New Yorker specs:

      • Single bound top and back
      • Unbound fingerboard with dot inlays
      • T-roof logo with 'New Yorker' and lightning bolt vertically on peghead

      1955 New Yorker specs:

      • Rounded peak peghead with sharper corners

      1968 New Yorker specs:

      • Some with rectangular peghead or 'Gretsch' plaque on peghead

      Discontinued 1970.

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    Flattop Models

    1956 Town and Country.

      125F Jumbo Synchromatic, 6021 Town and Country Flat top.
      Collectibility Rating: D-.

      17' wide body, maple back and sides, triangle sound hole, arched back, height adjusting bridge on a triangle rosewood base, metal stringanchor plate, single bound rosewood fingerboard.

      1947 Synchromatic 125F Introduction specs:

      • 'Synchromatic' on peghead above A and B-tuners.
      • 26' scale.
      • Natural top, sunburst back and sides.
      • Optional translucent white finish with tortoise binding.

      1954 Town and Country specs:

      • Town and Country replaces 125F.
      • 25 1/2' scale.
      • No 'Synchromatic' on peghead.

      Discontinued in 1959.

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    1955 Rancher

    Gretsch Drum Serial Number Chart

    Value
      Rancher 6022 Flat top.
      Collectibility Rating: C.
      This could be one of the worse sounding and constructed flat tops by anyof the US manufacturers during the 1950's. BUT due to its totallyunique western 'look', it has some collectible value.

      The western version of the Town and Country 6021.17' wide body, maple back and sides, laminated spruce top,ladder bracing, triangle sound hole, arched back, height adjusting bridge on a triangle rosewood base, metal stringanchor plate, 25 1/2' scale, single bound rosewood fingerboard, gold platedparts.

      1954 Rancher 6022 Introduction specs:

      • Body finished in Amber Red or Orange.
      • Tortoise pickguard with engraved steer head.
      • 'G' branded into top on bass side.
      • Celluloid block inlays with engraved cows and cactus.
      • Longhorn steer head peghead inlay.

  • Clear acyrlic pickguard, back painted gold.
  • Humptop block inlays with no engraving.
  • Horseshoe peghead inlay.

    • 1959 Rancher 6022 specs:

    • Thumbprint inlays.
    • No 'G' brand in top.

    1969 Rancher 6022 specs:

    • Zero fret.

    1971 Rancher model 6022 renumbered to 7525.
    1973 Rancher model 7525 discontinued.

    1975 Rancher 7525 Re-introducition specs:

    • Pointed pickguard.
    • 'G' brand on treble side instead of bass side of body.
    • Block inlays engraved with cows and catus.
    • Standard pin bridge.
    • Horseshoe peghead inlay.

    1978 Rancher 7525 specs:

    • 3 piece saddle, semi-circle bridge pin configuration.

    1980 Rancher discontinued.

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    Burl Ives 6004 Flat top.
    Collectibility Rating: D-.

    Alvarez Guitar Serial Number

      1952 Burl Ives introduction specs:
      14 1/4' wide, round sound hole, mahagany back and sides, teardroppickguard, double bound top, single bound back, 9 ply soundhole ring,rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, T-roof logo with 'Burl Ives'on peghead and inside label, natural finish.

      1955 discontinued.

    Gretsch Guitar Serial Number Guide

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