Country Gent value?

[Gavanti]

I'm thinking about getting a hollow-body, and there's a late 60s Chet Atkins 6122 that looks interesting. It has some replaced/repaired parts, but appears otherwise in good, playable condition. Gretsch folks, any thoughts on a fair price for one of these?

[MrFingers]

depends if it needs a neck reset, and how much of the binding that did rot away.

[Gavanti]

depends if it needs a neck reset, and how much of the binding that did rot away.

Thanks. The binding has been replaced. My understanding is that the neck is good.

[DesmondWafers]

No idea, but I will say that out of all the brands I buy and sell, Gretsch are consistently the most over valued by sellers and under valued by buyers. They're not the most popular brand, particularly the vintage pieces as they're often inferior to the newer models. So make sure you get a good price because selling a gretsch is a MASSIVE pain in the ass if you ever change your mind. From reverb, I wouldn't pay more than 1.8-2k. There's quite a few around that range, and they've all been listed for months.

[Gavanti]

No idea, but I will say that out of all the brands I buy and sell, Gretsch are consistently the most over valued by sellers and under valued by buyers. They're not the most popular brand, particularly the vintage pieces as they're often inferior to the newer models. So make sure you get a good price because selling a gretsch is a MASSIVE pain in the ass if you ever change your mind. From reverb, I wouldn't pay more than 1.8-2k. There's quite a few around that range, and they've all been listed for months.

Thanks. That makes sense, and the ability to resell is definitely on my mind, so I'll have to take that into account. I've also been considering one of the 60s Voxes or a Coronado, but those have been easier to sort out.

[Squirrel]

Yeah, I'll agree with DesmondWafers that 1800-2000 is fair for a Baldwin-era one with some minor work done, as all original ones usually go for about 2200. FWIW though, a Coronado may be even more of a pain in the ass to sell.

[Gavanti]

Yeah, I'll agree with DesmondWafers that 1800-2000 is fair for a Baldwin-era one with some minor work done, as all original ones usually go for about 2200. FWIW though, a Coronado may be even more of a pain in the ass to sell.

Good to know. Yeah. Prices on Coros seem to have taken a dip, or at least that's what the Reverb gear guide suggests. I guess that's the case for a lot of stuff right now.

[Despot]

I'd take a Country Gent (or Tennessean) over a Coronado any day of the year.

Things to look out for:
- Binding rot (as others have mentioned)
- neck angle - I've seen so many of these that need a neck reset. Bad angle = too high action and a reset needed.
- radius - I've seen inconsistent fingerboard radius (radii?!) on these late 60s Gretsch guitars - from close to a vintage Fender radius to totally flat. I'm not a fan of the totally flat boards, but the more curved/closer to Fender ones I've played have been very nice.

The best value you'll get would be a neck reset and/or headstock break. I know of one guy who managed to pick up a Tennessean with a headstock break (repaired well) for 1,200 euro. I'd say an 'issue' Tennessean or Country Gent in the 2k range would be about right for Europe/Ireland - anything under that is a bonus.

[NelsonInstruments]

The Baldwin era Gretsch guitars certainly do get a bad rep with people and as with any brand and era there can be dogs for sure BUT in my opinion (with my years collecting and working in Vintage retail) overall I've found the Baldwin Gretsch guitars to be better made, and nicer to play than the "golden era" Gretsch stuff.

The other thing about Gretsch guitars is that they only had a few body styles and really it's just the colors and a few features that differentiated the models. With that being said there is a guitar out there right now that is worth considering.

Now I have ZERO connection with this guitar or the seller so no I'm not shilling here, but if I were looking for a vintage gretsch right now I would jump all over this one: https://reverb.com/item/4965217-vintage ... y-sunburst" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's got the same body as the double cut 6120 models, has Supertron pickups which are my personal favorites, an attractive finish, and also by this time gretsch had switched to a tune-a-matic style bridge.

Another overlooked model is the "Broadcaster" from the 70s. That one is more like a 335 if I remember correctly (center block).

Just my two cents...which may not even be worth that much! ;-)

[Gavanti]

Thanks all. I found another hollowbody for now, but if that doesn't work out (it's being put back together), a Gretsch is high on my list, and now I have a good sense what to look (and look out) for.