Gretsch Archtop

Subject: Gretch Archtop
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 03:51 PM

I have a Gretsch "F" hole arch top that I bought new in 1954. Over the years the pick guard has just fell apart. I need to replace it. Anyone know where I might find a replacement. I think it was made out of a material called "tortoise shell".

Ben

Subject: RE: Gretch Archtop
From: Ernest
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 03:55 PM

Where are you located, Guest?

Otherwise, a google search for "vintage guitar dealers" might help.

Good luck
Ernest

Subject: RE: Gretch Archtop
From: Peace
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 03:58 PM

Ben, it would be (might be) helpful if you had a model # for your Gretsch guitar. Or at least any other info.

Subject: RE: Gretch Archtop
From: catspaw49
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 04:00 PM

No. And now I'm sorry to say the entire guitar is worthless and as old as it is, well, you might just as well scrap it. Tell ya' what.....I'll give you 50 bucks for it. Aw, I feel generous and I know you probably want to buy new so I'll give you.......hmmmmm.......maybe, say, a hundred! Whaddaya' think? Hey! I'll even pay the shipping!

An old Gretsch like that is probably not worth more than 50 to begin with but I'm feeling good about you coming here and asking us for help. So......what the hell......Send it today and I'll not only pay the shipping, I'll kick in another 25 bucks for your trouble.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Gretch Archtop
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 04:01 PM

Located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Can do on the model number.
Thanks, Ben

Subject: RE: Gretsch Archtop
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 04:03 PM

Hey Spaw, You wouldn't take advantage on a good ole boy , now would you? I may be a redneck but it was a long time ago when I fell off the cotton wagon. Learned a lot since then.

Ben

Subject: RE: Gretsch Archtop
From: catspaw49
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 04:06 PM

Say, if its one of those white guitars they're kinda' funky looking so it'll be funny to have it......I'll give you another 10 bucks! So that'd be like $135. and I pay the shipping.....Sounds pretty good don't it!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Gretsch Archtop
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 04:10 PM

Not white, just plain ole blonde, all cracked up with a bowed neck and worn out frets and finger board. You'll have to do better than $135.00. I've been offered a little more than that several times.

Ben

Subject: RE: Gretsch Archtop
From: GLoux
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 04:14 PM

You've got a local Gretsch Guitar dealer:

Hubbards Music & More
108 Wyatt Drive
Las Cruces, NM 88005
Ph: 505 526 8884

Subject: RE: Gretsch Archtop
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 04:15 PM

Thanks for the lead on Hubbards. I give them a call.

Thanks again,
Ben

Subject: RE: Gretsch Archtop
From: Ernest
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 04:16 PM

http://www.acousticvibesmusic.com/index.php

should be relatively close to you. No vintage parts on the website, but they might know...

Subject: RE: Gretsch Archtop
From: catspaw49
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 04:17 PM

See if you can find it on the great GRETSCH SITE. You can match serial numbers which will help and perhaps even see your guitar.

Spaw (capable of the occasionally serious post)

Subject: RE: Gretsch Archtop
From: Wesley S
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 04:20 PM

Guest Ben - Good luck finding a real tortoise shell pickguard. Trade of any sort on that material was made illegal a long time ago. You might find something that looks like tortoise shell.

And Spaws trying to rip you. That guitar is worth $195.00. Easy.

Subject: RE: Gretsch Archtop
From: GLoux
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 04:38 PM

Some other ideas:

1. Call dealers who specialize in vintage archtops and ask their advice. At the top of my list would be:

Mandolin Brothers in NYC
Gruhn Guitars in Nashville
Vintage Instruments in Philadelphia

2. Go to a guitar show. A company called Bee 3 Vintage puts on huge guitar shows (on their website the only ones scheduled are on the east coast). You could possibly find another old Gretsch thats in worse shape than yours that you could buy for parts.

Hope this helps,
-Greg

Subject: RE: Gretsch Archtop
From: Big Mick
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 04:49 PM

Only one place to go with a vintage one like that. Send it to Elderly Instruments Repair Shop. They still have the best luthiers in the country, hands down. This is a vintage instrument, and you should absolutely have the work done by folks that get that and know what to replace it with.

And pay no attention to that con man Catspaw. He has pulled this aul load of shite before. That old box is should bring a good $300.00, and I have that much right here. Just PM and I will happily even pay for shipping.....

For shame, Spaw, you old rip off artist....cluck, cluck, cluck...

Mick

Subject: RE: Gretsch Archtop
From: GLoux
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 04:53 PM

I screwed up the link to Mandolin Brothers above.

This one should work: Mandolin Brothers

Sorry about that.
-Greg

Subject: RE: Gretsch Archtop
From: PoppaGator
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 05:10 PM

Is it an electric or acoustic archtop? Just curious.

Subject: RE: Gretsch Archtop
From: Songster Bob
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 09:13 PM

If it's a Single or Double Anniversary, in that smoke grey, that's a loverly guitar. "Tortoise Shell" pickguards haven't been real tortoise shell for years, and replacements are available from several sources -- Stewart MacDonald, Real Parts, Elderly Instruments come to mind (in addition to the ones listed above.

Bob

Subject: RE: Gretsch Archtop
From: GUEST,Guest, RS
Date: 31 Jan 08 - 03:51 AM

I too have a '54 Gretsch archtop - a Synchromatic - that was missing its pickguard; I ended up making a new one from a sheet of plastic/tortoiseshell, by studying pics of original ones - had to buy a bracket to attach it, but it was a cheap fix, & looks very effective, might be worth considering if you're ok with basic craft skills?

Subject: RE: Gretsch Archtop
From: deadfrett
Date: 31 Jan 08 - 08:17 AM

Ben- If you still have the hardware from the old pickguard, you can get pickguard material from International Luthiers Supply in Tulsa, and make a new one. Dave

Subject: RE: Gretsch Archtop
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Jan 08 - 02:38 PM

The box is a Synchromatic, model # 6039, as near as I can find out at this time. It is stored away in a safe place at this time so I don't have immediate access. The tone from the guitar is equal to that ole fiddle, a strat------ or something. It is listed as a class "C" on the collectors list. I really want to replace the guard and have it appraised for insurance purposes and I still have the hardweare. May not be worth the high bid of $195.00 but its going to my oldest son one of these days.I'll keep looking and keep you guys posted. I do appreciate all the help and leads.

Ben

Subject: RE: Gretsch Archtop
From: Peace
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 10:07 AM

"but its going to my oldest son one of these days"

Thanks, dad.

Subject: RE: Gretsch Archtop
From: Big Mick
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 10:09 AM

He always liked you best, Bruce. Not fair.

Subject: RE: Gretsch Archtop
From: Peace
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 10:15 AM

Sorry, brother.

Subject: RE: Gretsch Archtop
From: PoppaGator
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 10:29 AM

Joking aside, what kind of money is a guitar like this worth? Approximately, of course; I realize there is plenty of wiggle-room due to condition, etc.

I looked up the "GRETSCH SITE" for which 'spaw provided a link the other day (see above). There was a strong implication that most of these instruments are worth more to collectors (for their iconic "looks," apparently) than to players (because they don't really sound all that great).

Comments?

One of my distant acquaintances at college was a daughter of the Gretsch guitar family. I don't claim to have known her well at all; she didn't hang out with the guitar-player crowd. (Her folks may well have warned her off!) Believe it or not, her parents named her Gretchen.

Subject: RE: Gretsch Archtop
From: Peace
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 10:54 AM

Ben,

Further to PoppaGator's post, when you do resolve this whole thing, would you be kind enough to come back and let us all know? I wish you well with it, and thank you for starting a thread that is interesting and has been fun at the same time.

Subject: RE: Gretsch Archtop
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 06:01 PM

Found a site thru Google and then lost it. They had listed pick guards to match the original. Price made me choke. Maybe thats why I lost it. Trying to pick my self up off the floor I must have hit a delete key or something. The price for the guard I needed was around $300.00. Yep, $300.00 not $30.00. Don't know if the guitar is worth that much except to me. Still shaking from the shock. Will keep you informed.
Ben

Subject: RE: Gretsch Archtop
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 06:29 PM

There are two synchromatics for sale on EBay right now. Along with a pick guard. They are not selling for $300.00 dollars.

Don

Subject: RE: Gretsch Archtop
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 07:12 PM

Thanks fot the heads-up. Looked thru the e-bay listings and found the synchromatics but they were not the same model as mine. Also the pick guards were for electrics. Will keep looking.

Ben