1971 (?) Gretsch Country Gentleman available
A guy I know runs an auction house in Millbury, called Gina’s Antiques. In his upcoming auction (March 12), he’s got a Gretsch Country Gentleman.
Preliminary research by me approximates the date as March, 1971, but I’m not certain.
For starters, the guitar has the original case (handle missing) and is in pretty good shape, with significant crazing in the finish, a missing knob, and one tuner replaced. (The original is in the case.) The peghead plate is also missing, and there’s a crack on the pickguard at the forward screw hole. I didn’t plug it in, but I played it a bit, and it seems fine. (I can’t vouch for the electronics, though.)
You can view 2 pictures and get other information here:
This might be a chance to get ahold of a classic at a low price. (Normally he doesn’t sell instruments, and doesn’t attract an instrument collector crowd.
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Re: 1971 (?) Gretsch Country Gentleman available
drooling.
Re: 1971 (?) Gretsch Country Gentleman available
guesses on what this baby will go for?
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Re: 1971 (?) Gretsch Country Gentleman available
I think that it'll go real cheap. I've seen some online going for as much as 8k, but usually they were older and more pristine.
I doubt that any avid collectors will attend the auction, so it could go as cheap as you'd be willing to bid - unless someone has placed "left bids" before the fact. I think you can call Bill at Gina's Antiques and ask if any "left bids" exist.
I really think that someone could score this for next to nothing. I may attend just to see. If no one bids actively, I'll grab it.
Duke Levine's current CD cover features pictures of him on a Country Gent. I can't tell if it's vintage. Likely it is.
Re: 1971 (?) Gretsch Country Gentleman available
what are 'left bids'?
i'm almost inclined to go check this out as well.
Re: 1971 (?) Gretsch Country Gentleman available
Why don't we just have a steel cage match for it? I'll fight anyone.
Re: 1971 (?) Gretsch Country Gentleman available
A left bid is when someone calls ahead and leaves bids in their absence. so, if a guy offers $1000, even if he's absent, the bidding starts there.
Re: 1971 (?) Gretsch Country Gentleman available
Why don't we just have a steel cage match for it? I'll fight anyone.
...
Re: 1971 (?) Gretsch Country Gentleman available
I sent an email and it bounced.
Re: 1971 (?) Gretsch Country Gentleman available
Duncan, Did you send it here?
info@ginasauctiongallery.com
I'll look into it.
Re: 1971 (?) Gretsch Country Gentleman available
yes, I sent it from two different addresses and they both bounced. I was just asking if there was a bid already left.
If you talk to them, tell them they need to get that site looking better and I will trade them for that guitar. :)
Re: 1971 (?) Gretsch Country Gentleman available
They might take you up on that. Call him. His name is Bill LePan. He's a great, salt-of-the-earth type of guy.
I'll find out tomorrow if any bids have come in.
Re: 1971 (?) Gretsch Country Gentleman available
back off d! go find yourself a vintage slingerland or something. i'll paint the dude's house.
Re: 1971 (?) Gretsch Country Gentleman available
I spoke to the auctioneer today and he said that the email was working to the best of his knowledge and that you could try it again. Otherwise, you can call him at 508-755-1377.
He said that left bids are ordinarily confidential, but that at this time there weren't any, nor was there a reserve. That means the guitar will start at about $100 and go as high as the audience bids. He has had some calls voicing interest, though, and suspects that the guitar could bring as much as 2-3,000. I'm not convinced of this and think it could go a lot lower, though that's just my hunch.
Re: 1971 (?) Gretsch Country Gentleman available
I wish I was the only one that knew about this.
Re: 1971 (?) Gretsch Country Gentleman available
That's the bidder's dream.
Re: 1971 (?) Gretsch Country Gentleman available
Here's the thing, though. It's not ebay, where the world's collectors locate stuff by a simple keyword on Google and bid from their den recliner. It's still a small auction house in Millbury that rarely has much to interest musicians. (Believe me, I've watched this guy's auctions for years. It's mostly furniture, jewelry, old toys, ephemera, etc.)
If the auction takes place on a cold or stormy night, or one running an interesting re-run of House, there might not be many in attendance. It still requires people to show up.
There's the rub! If you're willing to sit in that room for three hours watching stuff go by, you might get lucky and grab the axe cheap. Then again, a dozen people might show up and drive the price beyond your limit.
In either case, I caution any interested parties to preview the item before the auction. I gave my description of it, but I don't want anybody to hang me if I missed anything or misidentified the vintage.
Re: 1971 (?) Gretsch Country Gentleman available
The guitar was auctioned last Wednesday. It went for $2,000, according to the auctioneer.
Re: 1971 (?) Gretsch Country Gentleman available
I am so happy to hear that it didn't go for $300 or something. I didn't have the money to take part in the auction and I was dreading that I would hear it went for a steal. $2000 is a good deal for whoever got it.
Re: 1971 (?) Gretsch Country Gentleman available
^ ^ ^ ^
my sentiments exactly.
if it's a '71 and needs any work i'd call it a fair deal.
Re: 1971 (?) Gretsch Country Gentleman available
It was definitely well worn. There was a gap in the neck joint, a missing knob (which I'd guess would be hard to replace), some cracks, and lots of crazing, plus the replaced tuner.
It will never be in a museum, but you could live out your Beatles-type dream on it.