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Gretsch Electromatic (model 6185) in amazing condition and has probably spent most of its life under a bed or in a closet. There is no inside label and the serial number and model number are written in pencil. The serial number is 4692 which would date it as 1951. $1100 plus $50 insured shipping.

COSMETICS: On the back there is a one-inch scar that trails off a half-inch (pic 7). There are a few minor scratches around the bridge area. Other than that the guitar is in excellent condtion. However, in full disclosure I want to point out the following: There is some finish checking that can be seen only if you hold it up to the light, some minute binding separation in three areas (top-1/2” at bottom, back-3” on bass-side upper bout, back 2” on treble side waist curve), the binding has some hairline cracks, the heel cap shows shrinkage and was re-glued, the truss rod cover has warpage, the base of the tailpiece has some corrosion, and there is a crack in the pickup mounting ring. These superficial age-related issues are hardly noticeable and none detract from the beauty of this 60-year-old guitar. The case is also in excellent condition and still has sheen.

PLAYABILITY: There is a lot of fret--they’ve been lightly sanded and buffed (because of those many D, G, and A chords) and now look like new. The finish on the neck is like new, the neck is straight, the truss rod works, and it plays perfectly all the way up the neck. It is set up with medium-low action and a new set of GHS 11-52. It sounds great dry and when plugged in it is rich and full. The tuning gears are still like new and all turn smoothly. The guitar also comes with an old (original?) American-made 10-foot cord that still works.

ALTERATIONS: It is totally original with these exceptions: Small divots on the fingerboard have been filled in on frets 2 and 3 (due to the playing of lots of G, D, and A chords), the original plastic dot inlays have been replaced with mother of pearl inlays, the tone and volume pots have been replaced with new genuine Gretsch replacements, and the input jack has been replaced with a new Switchcraft jack.

scale length: 20 frets (25 3/8”)
overall length: 42”
body length: 20 1/2”
upper bout: 11 3/4”
lower bout: 16 1/4”
body: maple laminate
top: spruce laminate
binding: white/black
neck: 2-piece maple with center stripe
fingerboard: rosewood
neck width at the nut: 1 3/4”
bridge: rosewood
pickup: Rowe Industries (DeArmond) DynaSonic 2000 single coil w/adjustable poles
made in: United States

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Listed6 years ago
ConditionExcellent (Used)
Excellent items are almost entirely free from blemishes and other visual defects and have been played or used with the utmost care.Learn more
Brand
Model
  • Electromatic
Finish
  • Natural
Categories
Year
  • 1951
Body Type
  • Hollow Body

Tom's Gear Depot

Boca Raton, FL, United States
Sales:19
Joined Reverb:2016

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