Help identifying this 60s Gretsch

[MattBlair]

I recently bought this and the seller told me it was made in the 60s but that literally all the info I have! It looks like an ES125 in size etc.

Here's some photos, any insight would be great



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[Steve DeRosa]

To my eyes there are a few things that aren't quite right for a '60s Gretsch:

• Pickup: old P-90 type and Gibson-style knobs added later - Gretsch never used a pickup of that type
• Body shape/f-holes: closest corresponding model in the '60s was the New Yorker, which not only had differing body contours but the "oversize" F-holes characteristic of '50s/60s Brooklyn-made instruments
• Headstock: Again using '60s Gretsch production as a reference, the New Yorker would have boasted a laminated/engraved black plastic overlay with the words "Gretsch New Yorker" in white, on a large single-hump headstock - and no truss rod; this one's clearly an attempt to cop some of the '30s "Gretsch American" mojo with the tapered headstock (BTW, the style of script used never appeared on any production model TMK)
• Fingerboard: at a minimum there would have been dot inlays as used on the period New Yorker and entry-level Clipper electric, otherwise the "thumbnail" Neo-Classic inlays characteristic of the mid/high-end models

That said, IMO it's either a '30s model with some serious mods including a possible refin (the patina doesn't look like vintage Gretsch, even in the photos) as well as a replacement fingerboard and truss rod installation, or an off-brand (some rather nice wood there. though) with a collection of parts-bin replacement hardware - in no way/shape/form is that a '60s Gretsch; if you paid a good price and it has the sound/feel you want, I say enjoy it as a utility piece and don't sweat the collector value...

[pbekkerh]

The body shape and the thin F-keys looks exactly like this one
https://www.gbase.com/gear/gretsch-a...-model-35-1930


The bridge and the endpiece plates and 2 pot positions match this one:
http://www.vintageandrare.com/produc...4-Blonde-34059



Same body and alomost same endpiece, same F-keys, different headstock
http://ie.picclick.com/Exceptionally...284559429.html


Additional info
http://gretschpages.com/guitars/
http://www.gretsch-talk.com/threads/...d-help.127920/
http://www.guitarhq.com/gretsch.html