[BobZ]

Is there anything written about the Baldwin era guitars?

Any one thread that deals with issues that I should look for in a 1977 (Baldwin) Country Gentleman... or is it just that Gretsch didn't do right by Baldwin (think I said that right) and there is no specific problems with guitars of that era....

... and one should just forget "Baldwin" and just judge the guitar on its own merits...?

... but are there any major documented problems .. or is it just that the name "Baldwin" connotates bad images...?

[S Macp]

You might find this a useful summary.

[BobZ]

Originally Posted by S Macp

You might find this a useful summary.

Yeah but do they necessarily suck?

[S Macp]

No - overall, there's poorer quality & consistency from that period compared to the current output. But that doesn't mean that all Baldwin-era guitars suck.

Ultimately, it's for you to decide. Helps to have a 2nd opinion, if you can take someone along with you.

[Bengal65]

Originally Posted by BobZ

... and one should just forget "Baldwin" and just judge the guitar on its own merits...?

I'd go with it. Only once you play one, you will know. My Super Chet is a fine example from this period.

[hartwell]

I have a 77 Nashville - great guitar.

[gretschcrush]

In my experience this is not true. I have a mix of 50s, 60s and 70s Gretsches and own 4 Baldwin era. They are all fantastic guitars and in my opinion as good as the japanese guitars of today. I have also played many other baldwin era Gretsch guitars and never found them to be badly made. My only criticism is the heavyness of the 75 Country Club I own. I cannot understand why people dislike them. I have never seen one with binding rot like the 60s ones get and in my view they are decent well made USA Gretsch guitars.

[Anni_Lover]

I've owned 2 Gretsch guitars from the Baldwin era - the 6127 Roc Jet and the 7176 Southern Belle. I absolutely loved the Roc Jet with the Super 'Trons and wish FMIC/Gretsch would create a re-issue model. However, I wouldn't touch a later Roc Jet with the diMarzios and stop tailpiece.

It depends on the guitar itself. I also don't like the trussrod cover at the heel of the neck. But that's me. Try the '77 Country Gent and if you don't like it, there's always the current G6122. The 7176 was heavy too, and it appears as if the construction had moved to a 5-ply lamination. Again, try the guitar, and if you like it, that's all that matters.