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Conference napalm::guitar

Title:	GUITARnotes - Where Every Note has Emotion
Notice:	Discussion of the finer stringed instruments
Moderator:	KDX200::COOPER

Created:	Thu Aug 14 1986
Last Modified:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	3280
Total number of notes:	61432

2959.0. "Gretsch Country Gentleman" by SMURF::SALISBURY () Mon Aug 01 1994 21:26

    I have a question that I'm sure someone out there can answer!  Back
    in the early-mid 60s, my husband played lead guitar in a band.  His
    favorite guitar was a Gretsch Country Gentleman.  Does anyone know
    where I could find one and what it might cost?  I would guess they 
    might be pretty pricey -- his cost around $1000 in 1963 (he used his
    National Student Defense Loan to buy the guitar and dropped out of
    college for a couple of years).  I now have a teen-aged daughter who
    is a serious blues/jazz vocalist, guitar & piano player.  I'd love to
    get my husband a new edition of his favorite old guitar so that they
    could play together.
    
    Any suggestions would be most appreciated.
    
    Thanks,
    Ellen

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
2959.2	great idea, but...	EZ2GET::STEWART	an E-ticket ride at Neuro-Disney	`Mon Aug 01 1994 23:34`	11
	This is the kind of thing that really requires the player's participation. If you want to surprise him, a gift certificate might be the way to go...or just hand him a blank check and let him do the shopping. BTW, you might point out to him, at some opportune time, what a lucky guy he is to have a partner like you!
2959.3	when I grow up I wanna be a musician	LEDS::BURATI	Human Crumple Zone	`Tue Aug 02 1994 01:45`	6
	.0> (he used his .0> National Student Defense Loan to buy the guitar and dropped out of .0> college for a couple of years). I love it. Is this music thing nutty or what? It makes everybody do silly things. God bless us all.
2959.4		ICS::CONROY		`Tue Aug 02 1994 15:44`	3
	-< when I grow up I wanna be a musician >- well, you can't do both Ron....
2959.5		KUZZY::PELKEY	Life, It aint for the sqeamish!	`Tue Aug 02 1994 16:26`	18
	Back in them days, there was only a few guitars you could count on,, the Country Gent was popular BACK THEN.. Today, it's like buying stereos.. the choices are overwhelming.... the previous reply hit the nail on the head, this needs the player to decide what he wants.. Back in April, my wife almost bought me a telecaster as a surprise gift,,, (and it would have been cuz I wasn't expecting it..) Instead, the guy at the shop said to do us both a favor, just let 'me' know what she was planning, and let me pick it.. Turns out it was the best advice, even though I didn't buy a fender HE had in stock...
2959.6		LEDS::BURATI	Human Crumple Zone	`Tue Aug 02 1994 16:46`	6
	Many, if not all, reputable vintage dealers have a refusal period during which they'll take the item back. This allows customers to buy pieces sight-unseen. Maybe you can have it both ways, surprise him and if it's not exactly what he wants he can exchange/return it. Just be sure that he'd be honest and up-front about it and not be afraid to tell you if it's not like the one he's dreamed of.
2959.7		RANGER::WEBER		`Fri Aug 05 1994 11:24`	14
	Gretsch Country Gents varied in features and quality over the years, so there is a range of prices from $1-3k. If you don't know anything about them, it will be easy to spend too much for an inferior instrument. There are several reputable vintage dealers that might have one or two in stock--although you will pay top dollar, at least you will get what you pay for. Current Gretsch production is imported from Japan and is of very high quality. As pointed out in a previous reply, the "Country Gentleman" name now belongs to Gibson, but there is currently a Gretsch double cutway that is similar to an early '60's Gent, except that it is of better quality and costs less. You might consider one of these. Danny W.