Interesting ‘56 6120 on Reverb

[Pemberton]

Has both “G” brand and hump block inlays. According to Ed Ball’s 6120 book, this is a “very rare confluence of features” from the 208xx batch.

Seller says it has some non-original parts: pickups and pickguard. Although the bridge, Bigsby and one knob also appear to be non-original.

Although the body, finish, and binding looks to be in great shape (can’t see back and sides) the price (12k) seems a bit high to me for a model without original pickups, etc., but what do I know.

But the question is: why would someone remove the original DeArmond Dynasonic pickups? But I suppose if the originals were gone, and period correct ones not available, replacing them with TV Jones T-Armonds would be the modern equivalent, they are great pickups.

However, all of the non-original parts would be a dealbreaker for me at that price. But it is a beautiful looking guitar.

Gretsch 6120 Chet Atkins 1956 Orange | Reverb

Vintage Gretsch guitars can be hit or miss, but this one has THE VIBE...one of the best sounding guitars I've ever played. Even un-plugged, this guitar is inspiring...you can hear the sound of the dry and seasoned wood! There are a handful of things that are not original on this guitar...The...

reverb.com

 

[thunder58]

View attachment 183987

Has both “G” brand and hump block inlays. According to Ed Ball’s 6120 book, this is a “very rare confluence of features” from the 208xx batch.

Seller says it has some non-original parts: pickups and pickguard. Although the bridge, Bigsby and one knob also appear to be non-original.

Although the body, finish, and binding looks to be in great shape (can’t see back and sides) the price (12k) seems a bit high to me for a model without original pickups, etc., but what do I know.

But the question is: why would someone remove the original DeArmond Dynasonic pickups? But I suppose if the originals were gone, and period correct ones not available, replacing them with TV Jones T-Armonds would be the modern equivalent, they are great pickups.

However, all of the non-original parts would be a dealbreaker for me at that price. But it is a beautiful looking guitar.

Whats your take on this @Wayne Gretschzky ?

 

[thunder58]

Would you have the Reverb link ?

 

[Pemberton]

Would you have the Reverb link ?

I would've added the link, but I wasn't sure how. Is there an easy way to do it? I'm not overly smart with the computer stuff. Thanks.

 

[thunder58]

I would've added the link, but I wasn't sure how. Is there an easy way to do it? I'm not overly smart with the computer stuff. Thanks.

Do you have an Apple computer ?

 

[Pemberton]

No Apple.

 

[thunder58]

I'll PM you ....stand by

 

[thunder58]

Check your pm ( email on forum )

 

[Pemberton]

Check your pm ( email on forum )

Okay, got it. Thanks. I added the link to the 1st post. Now I know for next time.

 

[thunder58]

TA-DA ... you did it !

 

[Pemberton]

TA-DA ... you did it !

Yes, thanks for your help. It was very easy. Silly me.

 

[Wayne Gretschzky]

Whats your take on this @Wayne Gretschzky ?

By my count only three of the knobs and (maybe) the tuners are original hardware. I would want to see the serial number before blessing it as a legit 6120. Hump-block with G-brands do exist on a small population of 6120s, but those inlays were standard on Streamliners of the era. The face of the headstock is odd, and finish is has some weirdness too. Get the serial number. If it's a legit 6120 it's worth half the asking price. If it's a conversion it's worth 1/10 the asking price.

 

[thunder58]

By my count only three of the knobs and (maybe) the tuners are original hardware. I would want to see the serial number before blessing it as a legit 6120. Hump-block with G-brands do exist on a small population of 6120s, but those inlays were standard on Streamliners of the era. The face of the headstock is odd, and finish is has some weirdness too. Get the serial number. If it's a legit 6120 it's worth half the asking price. If it's a conversion it's worth 1/10 the asking price.

Thank you sir .
@Pemberton , hope Wayne Gretchkys info is of value to you

 

[Pemberton]

. . . If it's a conversion . . .

Now that you point that out, and with so many non-original parts, yes, it’s now questionable without a serial number for verification. I hadn’t thought of that. That would explain the replacement modern pickups.

I love the knowledge and insight from fellow members on this forum. Thanks @Wayne Gretschzky. I’m going to ask the seller, we’ll see if I get a response. Because now I’m really curious.

You know, I wish more sellers would include the serial number in their listings (or at least the batch number). A photo would be even better. It’s kinda important for us vintage Gretsch enthusiasts.

 

[afire]

Although the body, finish, and binding looks to be in great shape (can’t see back and sides) the price (12k) seems a bit high to me for a model without original pickups, etc., but what do I know?

You know something, because you're absolutely right. Mine was 100% original, 100% legit, bought for $10,000 and sold for $10,000.

 

[Pemberton]

Well, seller was quick to respond. Which is nice. So here’s a photo of the serial number. @Wayne Gretschzky, what do you think? Slightly hard to read. But it does appear to be 20857.

 

[Wayne Gretschzky]

Ok... so that confirms that it's a legit 6120 from the last batch of the 1956 model year. Why would a body in such decent condition be stripped of (almost) all the hardware?

Interestingly enough, I have all the period correct parts needed to bring this guitar back to factory spec. Now... if they could only drop the price by 6 or 7 grand.

 

[afire]

By my count only three of the knobs and (maybe) the tuners are original hardware.

Looking closer at my old 208XX 6120, it had G-arrow knobs. So I'm guessing even the three seemingly old knobs are also not original. Unless this batch was exactly when they made the switch.

 

[Pemberton]

. . . my old 208XX 6120, it had G-arrow knobs . . .

Interesting. Ed Ball wrote in his books that 216xx (‘57 model year) was the first full 6120 batch with G-indent knobs.

Other Gretsch models between the two 6120 batches of 208xx and 216xx started possessing the G-indent knobs.

So it seems that the 6120 late ‘56 model year batch 208xx was the very beginning of the transition from Arrow-only to G-indent knobs, as evidenced from your old example.

I’m only guessing because @Wayne Gretschzky would know more on this.

 

[Wayne Gretschzky]

Interesting. Ed Ball wrote in his books that 216xx (‘57 model year) was the first full 6120 batch with G-indent knobs.

Other Gretsch models between the two 6120 batches of 208xx and 216xx started possessing the G-indent knobs.

So it seems that the 6120 late ‘56 model year batch 208xx was the very beginning of the transition from Arrow-only to G-indent knobs, as evidenced from your old example.

I’m only guessing because @Wayne Gretschzky would know more on this.

That's plausible... as Gretsch was known to use up every list part of a previous design before installing the newly designed versions. Many examples of mid-batch feature transition are known. The hump-block inlays and horse-shoe headstock inlay o the above 6120 are perfect examples of Gretsch starting to use the new style components at the end of an otherwise old style (model year) batch.