1959 Spruce top Gretsch Country Club (6193) ???

[Zippy]

Pics can be found on facebook page here - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&notif_t=like

Condition is 9.5/10

Goal is to sell this guitar for a widow. Research says this could be VERY valuable being a natural spruce top. Google does not say much about the natural Spruce top in 1959. Does anybody have accurate info about this guitar that would help give an accurate description and appraisal for sale?

Thank you.

[Phil_S]

I can understand the resistance to referencing eBay, particularly when you think that it doesn't represent the market for a rare guitar. Ignoring the use of it as a source of setting value, take a look at the ad copy for a couple of real vintage ones:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1962-Gretsch-61 ... 2573beed91
http://www.ebay.com/itm/UBER-RARE-1959- ... 460f33b104
For valuation, you may need to go to a legit vintage guitar dealer. I'm sure there are many who can competently discuss this guitar over the phone and may be willing to do so just because you ask nicely. I have no dealings with any of them, but in NY there is Mandolin Bros (Staten Island), in Chicago - Elderly Instruments, and somewhere in CA George Gruhn. There must be several in Nashville, too, where a guitar like this may have been considered the cat's meow.

I am thinking that properly handled, you will be able to get a premium price for it. You are wise to be cautious. Make a few phone calls and see what you uncover.

[martin manning]

Ahem... Elderly is in Lansing, Mi., and Gruhn is in Nashville. Chicago Music Exchange is in Chicago. I remember Elderly being a little tiny storefront on Grand River Ave in East Lansing.

[Phil_S]

I guess guitar geography isn't my strongest point For an Easterner like me, MI and IL don't seem so far apart At least I got Mandolin Bros <shrug> and it wasn't such a bad list was it? So who is the goto guy in CA? I think maybe Norman's? Given my bad on location, I'm going to quit here.

IIRC, there used to be several amazing guitar stores on the same street as Manny's in Manhattan (used to stare at the eye candy as a teen in the '60's) but those have all been sold or closed AFAIK.

[ToneMerc]

Ahem... Elderly is in Lansing, Mi., and Gruhn is in Nashville. Chicago Music Exchange is in Chicago. I remember Elderly being a little tiny storefront on Grand River Ave in East Lansing.

I'm with Martin here, I would have one of these appraise it.

TM

[martin manning]

Phil's suggestion really, and it's a good one. Maybe take some pics, send them to a couple of these dealers and ask for offers.

[Leo_Gnardo]

somewhere in CA George Gruhn. There must be several in Nashville, too, where a guitar like this may have been considered the cat's meow.

Gruhn moved to California? I never knew... Thought he was a Nashville fixture, on the big corner just down the street from the Ryman Theater - Grand Ol' Opry. Hmm I guess not. Googled and found in the Tennesean an article 22 Dec 2012 that claims Gruhn was planning a move to 8th Ave. from his former Broadway location scheduled for @ Apr-May 2013.

http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2012 ... -42-years/

Gruhn Guitars website says their 8th Ave location is open for business. Still a long way from California.

edit: Guess the matter of Gruhn's location is settled. Good thing you didn't drive to California to look for him.

[Reeltarded]

I have a 59 caddy green CC. Umm.. The $4,500 price on the first ebay listing is very hopeful, the $25k price on the second is absolute insanity.

Gretsch doesn't sell very often. Never have.

I can't get to the pics of the blondey. 59-60 last of the thin body Retsches.

[Zippy]

Gotta love, love, love Facebook.

Here's a more active link.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 615&type=1

Thanks for the responses.

[Structo]

Beautiful guitar!

[tele caster]

"Tennessean" Model 6119 just came up for sale in Toronto. Not as nice as yours. Just for reference.

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/msg/3916098022.html