Ricochet
Senior Gretsch-Talker
Is Fender doing a Gibson and requiring dealers to order a minimal amount of Pro-lines?
Availability of pro-series Gretsch guitars
- Thread starter Lucky Jim
- Start date
Randy99CL
Country Gent
Carrying expensive stock is always a dilemma for any retail store.
If they have one in stock should they hang it on the wall? Some buyers don't want the "open box" without a discount.
And who can afford thousands of dollars tied up that may not sell for a year or more?
I have no practical experience but I could see stocking one of the most popular models as an example of the build quality and sound. Then keep a good relationship with the distributor so you can get them quickly.
If they have one in stock should they hang it on the wall? Some buyers don't want the "open box" without a discount.
And who can afford thousands of dollars tied up that may not sell for a year or more?
I have no practical experience but I could see stocking one of the most popular models as an example of the build quality and sound. Then keep a good relationship with the distributor so you can get them quickly.
Mr Swisher
Country Gent
It's interesting that in the UK, in most shops, everything hangs. It's all open box, at full price.
I find it really annoying. I'd rather not pay full retail on something that's been hung, and played by all sorts, but that's just how it is here.
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Randy99CL
Country Gent
I checked the Anderton's website and expected them to have some in stock. They seem to love Gretsch and feature them in a lot of videos.
Maybe there is a problem getting them. I'd call Lee and ask him.
Maybe there is a problem getting them. I'd call Lee and ask him.
Randy99CL
Country Gent
Yeah, I don't want to buy off the wall. All within reach have scratches or more, but GC is quick to offer 10% off.
But it still ticks me off that they throw away the box and all in it.
But I have bought two from GC that were the last in the company when on sale...and they were both perfect. Plastic still on, both had light dust, no fingerprints and were probably hanging up where it took a ladder to get them down so they were untouched.
Falconetti
Gretschie
PM sent
BohemianLikeMe
Synchromatic
I don't ever think I've seen a brick and mortar store besides Chicago Music Exchange that carried any appreciable amount of prolines tbh. And CME can go kick rocks, for that matter, absolutely awful to deal with in real life.
Uncle Daddy
Friend of Fred
Sensible money this-
Gretsch 6120SH Brian Setzer Hot Rod Model 2000 Candy Apple Red MIJ Japan Pre FMIC | Reverb
Gretsch 6120SHA red hot signature guitar! The Brian Setzer Hot Rod is a rockabilly's dream; a modified take on a classic silhouette with a jaw dropping metallic finish and a healthy amount of shiny metal on display! It's no slouch in the musical instrument department either, this Japanese ma...
reverb.com
Falconetti
Gretschie
Yeah I saw that but wasn't sure it had the right pick ups in it for what I am after but certainly a sensible price I wouldn't be against a chat and a drive to take a look at it. The others I have turned up are around the £2K mark which is too rich for me.Sensible money this-
Gretsch 6120SH Brian Setzer Hot Rod Model 2000 Candy Apple Red MIJ Japan Pre FMIC | Reverb
Gretsch 6120SHA red hot signature guitar! The Brian Setzer Hot Rod is a rockabilly's dream; a modified take on a classic silhouette with a jaw dropping metallic finish and a healthy amount of shiny metal on display! It's no slouch in the musical instrument department either, this Japanese ma...
THISISDINOSAUR
Electromatic
I’ve been eyeing this one for a while, it stood out as good value compared to other listings, shame there’s so few like thatSensible money this-
Gretsch 6120SH Brian Setzer Hot Rod Model 2000 Candy Apple Red MIJ Japan Pre FMIC | Reverb
Gretsch 6120SHA red hot signature guitar! The Brian Setzer Hot Rod is a rockabilly's dream; a modified take on a classic silhouette with a jaw dropping metallic finish and a healthy amount of shiny metal on display! It's no slouch in the musical instrument department either, this Japanese ma...
Mellowcat
Gretschie
My local shop has 8 prolines in stock. They have 3 hotrods. They always have hotrods.
Falconetti
Gretschie
On the face of it yes but why does it have Filtertron pick ups ? Maybe the earliest manifestation of a Hot Rod but I want Brian Setzer “Signature” TV Jones pickups and the lack of them is a deal breaker for me. Also probably why this is a mere £1400 and has been around for quite a while. Not for me.
Falconetti
Gretschie
Then what are you waiting for ? Buy at least one.
McIrish
Electromatic
I couldn't find any Prolines locally. They carry a lot of the Electromatics but not a single Proline. I ended up taking a chance and buying online. It worked out for me and I love my 6118T-PE. Much better than I thought it would be. On the other hand, I have a 5220 as well as a 6128T-59. That 5220 is actually a really nice guitar. They could make it perfect if they offered it with a standard U neck shape (instead of the thin U) and had the option for thumbnail inlays. I'm not a hump fan. oooh, that sounded bad... I replaced all the pots on the 5220, which made it much better and smoother for volume fades. I'm OK with the Blacktop BT pickups but they don't compare to the TV Jones Classics in the 6128.
Overall, Gretsch is making some great guitars in their China, Korean and Indonesian factories, but the Prolines are quite a step up. No need to replace anything. I feel like all the Electromatics I've played or had, could use some parts swaps. Swapping out all the electronics does improve them vastly but unfortunately doesn't really help with resale, if you decide to upgrade later. The Prolines hold their value better.
Overall, Gretsch is making some great guitars in their China, Korean and Indonesian factories, but the Prolines are quite a step up. No need to replace anything. I feel like all the Electromatics I've played or had, could use some parts swaps. Swapping out all the electronics does improve them vastly but unfortunately doesn't really help with resale, if you decide to upgrade later. The Prolines hold their value better.
Mellowcat
Gretschie
I have one already. Lol. Just sharing that they aren't scarce everywhere. I still haven't seen a Setzer Smoke in person yet.
BohemianLikeMe
Synchromatic
Huh, I would have bet Rock n' Roll Vintage would have carried them, and I would have put actual good money on CME having them in stock. But it's been almost 10 years since I left Chicago, miss it.
tartanphantom
Friend of Fred
I can go to at least four shops within a 40 mile radius which all stock at least 3 or more new Pro line models at any given time. And that doesn't include another 4-5 different shops that almost always have at least a few vintage/used Pro line models on the walls.
But then again, I'm in the Nashville, TN area, so that likely has something to do with it.
But then again, I'm in the Nashville, TN area, so that likely has something to do with it.
mister rain
Synchromatic
uhm. custom shop is not actually mij, it’s made in the states. and also not proline. far higher price bracket.
Chris MC
Gretschie
Lockdown, no gigs, no professional musicians, no pro lines?
Pro line sales slow, less stock available.
High Street retail dying off, no holding expensive stock for 12+ months.
Recession, and living costs up by 10% and wages by 1-2%.
However I think there will always be demand for trickle of 6120’s and the other major types even in the worst of times.
Pro line sales slow, less stock available.
High Street retail dying off, no holding expensive stock for 12+ months.
Recession, and living costs up by 10% and wages by 1-2%.
However I think there will always be demand for trickle of 6120’s and the other major types even in the worst of times.
