6128 Gretsch Double Cut Duo Jet 1966 - Black

Very rare 1966 double-cut black lacquer Gretsch Duo Jet with gold hardware and trim. I've only seen 2 in my 60 years and I've been looking! I know more about this guitar than most. My first was a total wreck that I found in a Brooklyn, NYC apartment building basement in 1984. I rebuilt it to modern specs for my own gigging use. Then for about 35 years I looked for a mint specimen and finally found this one about 10 years ago. That's what you are looking at. (Note: 1963 in this model is more common, though still rare, but 1966 in this finish and model is super rare). I bought this 1966 about 10 years ago from the widow of a deceased collector, inspected it, played for a few hours, and then it sat in the case within a climate-controlled studio for 10 years except for the yearly restring/truss rod/upkeep. Inspection reveals all original electronics inside. Sounds awesome if you dig the tone of these guitars. Original case. Neck is straight, action is low, LP-like fretboard feel but thinner at the nut. Plays great. Parting with it to pay for a honeymoon. Please see 2 photos with an exhaustive description & tech specs from the original dealer Fretted Americana Inc in Calabasas, California. I can't describe it better than that. Only thing I would add is that the hairline crack near the neck joint is in the finish only. I've had 2 of these and IMO they all do this. It's the finish not the neck joint. The neck joint on these is solid as a rock and the top is high grade maple under the black lacquer (I know this from rebuilding the total wreck 6128). The real PITA is the floating violin bridge. But if you desire/appreciate/understand a vintage Gretsch, then that's something you should be willing to live with. It's a great collector's guitar and fun to play & show. I've seen photos of Malcolm Young (AC/DC) and George Harrison using these. But other than that, it's a very rare sleeper that appreciates in value quietly & fast as collectors realize how few of these are out there.