(RGD) Just got my 6120 back from the doc!

[erikullvin]

Hi all!
My dad bought this 6120 new in 1965 and I got to use it as mine from the late nineties into 2005 or something like that when he wanted it back home. I tattooed the guitar on my forearm and told him I wanted it back when he was done with it (jokingly that it). Two years ago he passed away and I got the guitar back. Not a great trade off, but that's life.
Last year I started noticing that the guitar lost its treble sparkle and started looking into it. I found out that the neck was loose and that the fret board had started coming loose as well (on the treble side by frets 1-3). Also the frets were non-existant.

I left it a great shop and they fixed all of the problems (including recreating 7 cm of binding that seemed to have been knocked of the headstock).

I'm really happy with how it came out.

I'm eagerly waiting for the 6120 book so I can learn more.


The beauty


The binding on the treble side is the new one.


The 80's wasn't great on this guitar. Holes from a MIDI-pick up.


Serial number stamped, but quite hard to read.

And of course I've got the warranty card, In case anything happens.


Have a Gretsch day!

 

[radd]

I love it.

Sorry about losing your dad but I suspect you have a part of him with you every time you pick up that beautiful guitar.

 

[Pemberton]

Beautiful guitar! It’s so cool that your dad bought it brand new and now you still have it. Plus it’s all fixed up and playing nice!
—enjoy!

 

[afire]

Last year I started noticing that the guitar lost its treble sparkle and started looking into it. I found out that the neck was loose...

Over the years I've encountered the occasional vintage Gretsch that just sounded dead compared to most. In retrospect, I wonder how many of those just suffered from a bad or sloppy neck joint. I suspect most of them.

 

[erikullvin]

Over the years I've encountered the occasional vintage Gretsch that just sounded dead compared to most. In retrospect, I wonder how many of those just suffered from a bad or sloppy neck joint. I suspect most of them.

In this case I eventually got all strings off and it was like a loose tooth. Just the screw keeping it in place.
I should get a new bridge bottom part (the wooden thing) as it seems to be sanded down quite a bit at some point and it doesn't mate perfectly with the body. The tech didn't want to try to make it fit better as there was to little material to work with.

 

[thunder58]

Welcome friend . That guitar is as beautiful as your dad's memory

 

[malc]

Hi all!
My dad bought this 6120 new in 1965 and I got to use it as mine from the late nineties into 2005 or something like that when he wanted it back home. I tattooed the guitar on my forearm and told him I wanted it back when he was done with it (jokingly that it). Two years ago he passed away and I got the guitar back. Not a great trade off, but that's life.
Last year I started noticing that the guitar lost its treble sparkle and started looking into it. I found out that the neck was loose and that the fret board had started coming loose as well (on the treble side by frets 1-3). Also the frets were non-existant.

I left it a great shop and they fixed all of the problems (including recreating 7 cm of binding that seemed to have been knocked of the headstock).

I'm really happy with how it came out.

I'm eagerly waiting for the 6120 book so I can learn more.

View attachment 200736
The beauty

View attachment 200737
The binding on the treble side is the new one.

View attachment 200738
The 80's wasn't great on this guitar. Holes from a MIDI-pick up.

View attachment 200739
Serial number stamped, but quite hard to read.
View attachment 200740
And of course I've got the warranty card, In case anything happens.


Have a Gretsch day!

I think the centre hole is the remains of the string damper. One of the best playing Gretsch models.

 

[Baba Joe]

Definitely a keeper. It’s nice to have a family connection.

 

[Back in Black]

Hi all!
My dad bought this 6120 new in 1965 and I got to use it as mine from the late nineties into 2005 or something like that when he wanted it back home. I tattooed the guitar on my forearm and told him I wanted it back when he was done with it (jokingly that it). Two years ago he passed away and I got the guitar back. Not a great trade off, but that's life.
Last year I started noticing that the guitar lost its treble sparkle and started looking into it. I found out that the neck was loose and that the fret board had started coming loose as well (on the treble side by frets 1-3). Also the frets were non-existant.

I left it a great shop and they fixed all of the problems (including recreating 7 cm of binding that seemed to have been knocked of the headstock).

I'm really happy with how it came out.

I'm eagerly waiting for the 6120 book so I can learn more.

View attachment 200736
The beauty

View attachment 200737
The binding on the treble side is the new one.

View attachment 200738
The 80's wasn't great on this guitar. Holes from a MIDI-pick up.

View attachment 200739
Serial number stamped, but quite hard to read.
View attachment 200740
And of course I've got the warranty card, In case anything happens.


Have a Gretsch day!

Eric,

Sorry about the loss of your Dad, I've been there as well, 34 years ago now.

I'm not sure if he was doing this for himself or me as I don't remember who had the car out first after it was washed.

Your guitar is one of my all time favorites, been looking for one for years and have yet to find the right one.

That's a fabulous memory of your Dad.

Best,

BIB.

 

[Wayne Gretschzky]

I'm eagerly waiting for the 6120 book so I can learn more.

Glad to hear that you're investing in this guitar's future, and have gotten her back to top playing condition again! One thing you'll learn upon receiving your 6120 book, is that author's research has revealed that Gretsch models made after the #78xxx serial number range typically contain pots dated from November of 1965. With that in mind, all those guitars (and certainly yours with its #804xx number) are to be considered 1966 model year production. The other indicator that helps us is the black colored felt under the mute lever, which was red in the '63-'65 model years. Enjoy your Gretsch 6120... it's a classic!

 

[SAguitar]

I'm so glad you have restored your dad's guitar to its glory. May you play it long, in his honor, and in good health.

 

[erikullvin]

I think the centre hole is the remains of the string damper. One of the best playing Gretsch models.

Yep, that's true. The damper is intact inside, but the outside part is missing. The small holes is from the MIDI-thing. The other part was stuck on with double sided tape on the Bigsby...

 

[erikullvin]

Glad to hear that you're investing in this guitar's future, and have gotten her back to top playing condition again! One thing you'll learn upon receiving your 6120 book, is that author's research has revealed that Gretsch models made after the #78xxx serial number range typically contain pots dated from November of 1965. With that in mind, all those guitars (and certainly yours with its #804xx number) are to be considered 1966 model year production. The other indicator that helps us is the black colored felt under the mute lever, which was red in the '63-'65 model years. Enjoy your Gretsch 6120... it's a classic!

So it's made in -66? He always said it was bought in -65 (and wrote it on the warranty).

 

[gfirob]

I have the same guitar from early ’67. These are really wonderful guitars (I had to replace all the binding) and I can’t tell you how many times, when playing out, I have been complimented just on the way it looks, the double cuts and the faded orange. I also find it a remarkably comfortable guitar to play.

Congrats on a great guitar and a family heirloom.

 

[DasherF]

Hi all!
My dad bought this 6120 new in 1965 and I got to use it as mine from the late nineties into 2005 or something like that when he wanted it back home. I tattooed the guitar on my forearm and told him I wanted it back when he was done with it (jokingly that it). Two years ago he passed away and I got the guitar back. Not a great trade off, but that's life.
Last year I started noticing that the guitar lost its treble sparkle and started looking into it. I found out that the neck was loose and that the fret board had started coming loose as well (on the treble side by frets 1-3). Also the frets were non-existant.

I left it a great shop and they fixed all of the problems (including recreating 7 cm of binding that seemed to have been knocked of the headstock).

I'm really happy with how it came out.

I'm eagerly waiting for the 6120 book so I can learn more.

View attachment 200736
The beauty

View attachment 200737
The binding on the treble side is the new one.

View attachment 200738
The 80's wasn't great on this guitar. Holes from a MIDI-pick up.

View attachment 200739
Serial number stamped, but quite hard to read.
View attachment 200740
And of course I've got the warranty card, In case anything happens.


Have a Gretsch day!

I'm sorry for your loss, erik...you have a great looking guitar and it was good of you to cherish his memory buy having the 6120 repaired...enjoy his memory...!

 

[audept]

Welcome to the forum, @erikullvin !

 

[JC higgy]

My condolences on the loss of your father Erik,i lost my dad 23 years ago to the day on the 14th Feb.

Beautiful guitar ya got there,i have the same guitar from very early in the 800's s/n's ,8002x. Binding has started to go ,which makes me sad,this was the first Gretsch i ever bought when i was 17,wouldn't have been possible without the help of my parents and grand parents.

 

[duojet55]

Your 6120 is a lovely example! What kind of music did your Dad play? Any pictures of him with his guitar? I've had mine since December, 1978 and it's still one of my favorites! It is serial number 72253 with pot codes 1376516 (CTS, 1965, 16th week) on all three.
Occasionally, you can find the string muffler on Reverb or eBay if you decide to replace it. The rubber muting pads get gooey or crumbly eventually. You can clean off the residue, lightly sand it and use a new Fender Jaguar mute strip to replace it. I did it with this guitar and the mute works as good as new.

 

[erikullvin]

Your 6120 is a lovely example! What kind of music did your Dad play? Any pictures of him with his guitar? I've had mine since December, 1978 and it's still one of my favorites! It is serial number 72253 with pot codes 1376516 (CTS, 1965, 16th week) on all three.
Occasionally, you can find the string muffler on Reverb or eBay if you decide to replace it. The rubber muting pads get gooey or crumbly eventually. You can clean off the residue, lightly sand it and use a new Fender Jaguar mute strip to replace it. I did it with this guitar and the mute works as good as new.
View attachment 200815

Thank you.
He was an all-round player, but he played mainly Chet-stuff, jazz and beatles at that time.
I used it mainly for punk rock and indie pop when I had it before and will continue to play whatever comes up.
I don't have any pictures handy if I have any at all and the only recordings I have are the ones I released under my own name last year (Erik Ullvin, can be found on all streming sites) and that's me playing off course. I'm particularly happy with the outro on Melt My Mind.

The damper isn't an issue as I don't see when I would use it.


Your guitar looks pristine!

 

[LivingMyDream]

Welcome to Gretsch-Talk, Erik!

Thanks for sharing the story of your 6120, and the connection that it still gives you to your dad. It's really special to have a such a memento.