[Larry Warcup]

Hey folks,
I have used this darn thing to 'death' almost, and every time I play somewhere, some guy will come up and ask "What the heck is the model of this guitar?"
Now, let me tell ya, I have 'used' this guitar....it's scratched and battered and bruised.
Other than it having great action, a great sound, for the old tunes ya know, I don't know a darn thing about this instrument. I know it's a Gretsch model, and that it looked real nice when it was new! Someone here must know something about this guitar!

Like me, the guitars I own now have been retired for awhile...

Here's some pics:







What the heck have I got here? I also have some other guitars that I have accumulated over the years...but I do know more about them. They've had their 'butts kicked' as well.
Let's please just start with this one.

Thanks for the site!

Larry Warcup

[Scott]

First off, welcome! You've come to a great place to hang out and talk about cool guitars. And yours is no exception. Going from memory(I've read several books about Gretsches over the years), it looks like a mid-60s Corvette. If you have any luck accessing the Gretsch Pages at all, Baxter has an excellent resource showcasing most(if not all) current and vintage Gretsches. I'm sure you would be able to track down any pertinent info there.
Also, if there's a control access on the back of your guitar, you could probably open her up and find a model number along with a serial number.
Again, very nice well-used guitar you have there. The pickguard wear looks neat, and I'm noticing the tuners were changed also. I bet she sounds great.

Once more, welcome to Gretsch Talk!

[Larry Warcup]

Here are some more pics...I'm not a 'photograper'...I don't see any access to the back, at all...:







The tuners were changed when I was a young guy. The original ones wouldn't 'hold a tune' when I went to .009 strings. These ones turned out better.
You know, I just never considered the guitar being a 'collector's item'...just a guitar to 'use'...and that's what I did.
Like I said, this guitar has served me well and now has a place on my wall.

Larry

[rcboals]

It is definately a 61 or 62 Corvette. To bad it's not the Princess model same identical guitar with gold pickup and gold hardware also had muting vibroto bar and Princess on the gold pickguard. The princess was designed to encourage the girls to play.

[Larry Warcup]

I've found the serial # etched into the top of the headstock...it's 68868 stamped. Does that help to narrow down the model # ?

I took the pad off the back years ago...kept getting caught on my belt.

It does have 'gold' hardware, but no muting or vibroto bar. You can see the black paint worn off...

If I had known that it was a 'girl's' guitar, that would have been it...I would never have even played it!

[Larry Warcup]

Except that this is a beautiful example, the pickguard is a different color (painted black over the amber/gold) and I changed the control knobs to gold (to match the other hardware), this is exactly like mine!

http://gretschpages.com/guitars/6106-princess/

[unbridled]

Well, since it's a "Girl's Guitar," I'm sure you can't stand playing it and need to find a source to get rid of it. Only because you're a new member and I want to help you feel welcome, I would be willing to take it from you so you don't have to deal with it any more. I won't even charge you! All you'll have to do is pay to ship it to me and I'll take it from there.

Welcome to the forum!

[Larry Warcup]

This guitar has always been my favorite! I still love it...even if it is a 'girls' guitar.
You are so kind, Thank you very much for the offer!

[tartanphantom]

Larry, your guitar IS a Princess model... or rather, it began life as one. Let me explain-- the 3x3 headstock makes it a pre-1965 model-- sometime in 1965 all Corvettes were changed to the 2x4 tuner configuration. Yours also features a bullet truss rod cover, and truss rod access at the peghead instead of at the body.
The Princess model was made for 3 years, from 1962 to mid-1964. Your serial number of 68868 dates your guitar to mid-1964.

Now it is known that some of the later Princess models did NOT have the "Princess" logo engraved in the pickguard. Also, The Princess is the ONLY single-pickup Corvette model to feature a backpad. It looks like yours may have been one of those final Princess models after she was "stripped of her title."

[Larry Warcup]

Thank you, tartanphantom.
I haven't even 'tuned' this guitar in 5-6 years. When I took it off the wall just yesterday (to do 'investigative' work for you guys), it was in 'perfect' tune. That's why I have loved this instrument so.

Thanks again for your help. Can I post your info with my pictures, tartanphantom? Is that cool?

Larry

[rcboals]

This is TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!

[unbridled]

Originally Posted by Larry Warcup

This guitar has always been my favorite...for over 40 years! I still love...even if it is a 'girls' guitar.
You are so kind, Thank you very much for the offer!

You bet! Anything I can do to help!

Very cool guitar. You can't buy vibe like that!

[Scott]

Glad you tracked down the serial number. A 1964 Princess without the Princess trim, eh? Very nice...