Need help identifying an OLD Gretsch

[JordanM82]

So here's the situation guys, my Grandfather-in-Law is very sick with alzheimer's, and into dimentia. My Grandma-in-Law has not and cannot afford the medical cost to keep him in the nursing home anymore, and since they are immigrants from the UK they are having a VERY hard time qualifying for medicare/caid.

Recently while cleaning out their Attic my Mom-in-Law came across her Dad's old guitar. It is a mint condition (and I mean like New in Box mint), very old, Gretsch Duo-Jet. A local guy told my Mom-in-Law that it is a 1959 Duo Jet. But I was hoping you guys could help me confirm that, and approximately what price they should be looking to sell this for. I know there is a plethora of knowledge about vintage instruments on this forum, so if you can lend a hand please do. They have to sell this to pay the bills and I want to make sure they don't get ripped off...

Here is the serial and model no.
Model # 6128
Serial # 30520

I am trying to get pics to upload, I know that will help a lot too but the guitar is in MN with my wifes family and I am in TX. Let me know what you guys think. Estimated value and what is the right way to go about selling this kind of instrument, where should it be listed, how do I get it certified, etc. Thanks a ton guys.

-Jordan

 

[dd12939]

Re: Need help identifying an OLD Gretsch

According to this page, the guitar is indeed a 1959
http://gretschpages.com/serial-numbers/

 

[JordanM82]

Re: Need help identifying an OLD Gretsch

Thanks for the link, that does help to confirm at least that it appears to truly be a '59 Duo Jet, I am waiting for pictures still from mother-in-law...

 

[beandip]

Re: Need help identifying an OLD Gretsch

- single cutaway routed mahogany body, triple-bound maple top, mahogany neck, 22-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearloid block inlay, bound black face headstock with logo and three-per-side tuners, Melita bridge, G logo trapeze tailpiece, raised gray pickguard with logo, two exposed DeArmond pickups, three knobs on lower treble bout (v1, v2, tone), one knob on upper treble bout (MV), three-position pickup switch on upper bass bout, chrome hardware, available in Black or Sparkle finish, 13.25 in. body width, 2 in. body depth, 24.5 in. scale, mfg. 1953-1971.
View Historic Prices
Grading 100%
NEW 98%
MINT 95%
EXC+ 90%
EXC 80%
VG+ 70%
VG 60%
G
1953-1957 DeArmond Pickups N/A $7,000 $5,750 $4,750 $3,750 $3,000 $2,350
1958-1960 Filtertron Pickups N/A $6,500 $5,500 $4,500 $3,500 $2,800 $2,150
1961-1964 Double Cutaway N/A $5,500 $4,500 $3,500 $2,750 $2,250 $1,800
1965-1967 N/A $4,250 $3,250 $2,700 $2,200 $1,800 $1,450
1968-1971 N/A $3,500 $2,700 $2,200 $1,750 $1,400 $1,150
Add 25-50% for Cadillac Green finish.
Add 10-25% for Sparkle finishes (1963-1966).
This model was available as a custom order instrument with Green finish and gold hardware. In 1955, a different Grestch logo was introduced (T-roof). In 1956, humptop fingerboard inlays replaced block inlays. In 1958, the body was widen to 13.5 in., Filter-tron pickups replaced DeArmonds, thumbnail fingerboard inlays replaced humptops, a roller bridge replaced the Melita, and a three-position tone switch replaced tone control and was mounted on the upper bass bout. In 1959, a zero fret was introduced. In 1961, a double cutaway body was introduced. In 1962, a gold plastic pickguard, bent flat-arm Burns vibrato, standby switch, and gold hardware were introduced. Between 1963 and 1966, sparkle finishes were offered (prior to 1963, sparkle finish models were called Silver Jets). In 1968, Super'Tron pickups were introduced, a Bigsby vibrato replaced the Burns, and a treble boost switch was added. Between 1959 and 1960, a Duo-Jet Tenor (Model 6127) was available.

 

[JordanM82]

Re: Need help identifying an OLD Gretsch

Thanks for the info beandip that helps a lot...

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Need help identifying an OLD Gretsch

1958 ..... scroll down to 3rd pic.

http://images.google.com/imgres?img...images?q=1959+gretsch+duo+jet&hl=en&sa=N&um=1

 

[El CHupacabra]

Re: Need help identifying an OLD Gretsch

That's gotta be pretty valuable now.

 

[Guest]

Re: Need help identifying an OLD Gretsch

I hope someone here snags it and plays it instead of a colector...

 

[firebirdV]

Re: Need help identifying an OLD Gretsch

Check out vintage guitar guy's website. According to him, there should be a zero fret on '59 models.

http://www.provide.net/~cfh/gretsch2.html#6128