old vs new gretsch country gentlemen question

Joe Valenti · Post by **Joe Valenti** » 18 Mar 2013 10:29 pm

Can anyone comment on the newer Japanese Gretsch Country Gentlemans (e.g.G6122-1958)compared to the guitars from the 1970's?

Thanks.
Joe

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 18 Mar 2013 10:56 pm

I have owned Gretsches back to the early 50s models and up through the recent Japanese-made reissues.

The early guitars have an undeniable mojo. But quite a few of them had pretty major issues with bad neck joints, binding just falling off after 10-20 years, lackluster fretwork, and so on. The 60s saw, IMO, even more issues, and during the 70s, they tried to fix the problems. But the quality of the reissues is, IMO, excellent. I've owned a bunch from all eras over the years.

I suggest playing a bunch and deciding for yourself. I think Gretsch is even more, "You better play it and see how you like it." than most. Get the right old one and it can be magic. But the new guitars can also be excellent. My opinion.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 19 Mar 2013 2:27 am

I had a 61 PX6120. It never had any of the problems that were attributed to this model. I sold it in 1985 and it was still in VG condition.

The only thing not original on it was the spring in the Bigsby tailpiece. It still had Gretsch "Chet Atkins" strings on it (I had bought up a bunch of string sets before they stopped making them).

Dave Hopping · Post by **Dave Hopping** » 19 Mar 2013 10:20 am

All my Atkins guitars are vintage,but I do have a 2009 White Falcon-the base model MIJ 6136T.A little plastic-y but otherwise spot-on period correct.Excellent fit,finish,and playability,better than a '71 WF I had for awhile,although the '71 was so cool I couldn't bring myself to gig it...

Judging from all that I'd think from a working player's point of view a new one is a better choice than a '70s;from a collector's point of view the '70s is better,and a '60s or '50s better still,although even when new the '50s and '60s Gretsches had a certain fragility to them.Also cool,but too easy to relic into unusability.

Joe Valenti · Post by **Joe Valenti** » 19 Mar 2013 5:39 pm

Thanks everyone for the input.

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 24 Mar 2013 3:31 pm

I am the original owner of a 1960 6122 Country Gent. In 1994, I had it and my 1989 Gibson Chet Atkins Country Gent signed by Chet at the CAAS. How about two Chet Country Gents from two competing companies signed by the Man, himself?
My Gretsch is beside me next to my computer.
In 1960 after I bought it, I took it to Bakersfield and had Semie Mosely of Moserite Guitars dress the frets and it plays like a dream. When he saw the zero fret or fret-nut, he liked it so much that all of the Moserite guitars were equiped with the same feature from then on.
i guess you could say, my 6122 launched thousands of zero-fret Moserites.
The funny part of the fret dressing project, Semie was still running a small operation and we took the guitar to a park on 19th street in Bakersfield after buying a file, sanding block and paper, steel wool at a local hardware store, and it all took place on a picnic table.
The guitar almost plays itself. So, I can't answer for the new ones but I know this ia a guitar player's dream, especially if you're a Chet fan.

Jerome Hawkes · Post by **Jerome Hawkes** » 25 Mar 2013 5:05 pm

Everyone I know who has owned the newer Chet's loves them - and most of those guys are serious pickers. I'm an old gtr guy usually, but Dave is right with the old ones - necks, binding rot are problems.
Only thing I don't like on the new ones is that thick poly finish.