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Post new topic 1940 Console Grand at Retrofret
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Author Topic:  1940 Console Grand at Retrofret
Andy Volk


From:
Boston, MA
Post  Posted 12 Jun 2018 5:05 pm    
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As vintage standard guitars have reached unbelievably high prices, steels have remained under the radar. That has slowly been changing.

http://retrofret.com/product.asp?ProductID=8311
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Doug Beaumier


From:
Northampton, MA
Post  Posted 12 Jun 2018 6:52 pm    
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Prices do seem to be rising. A couple of things though... the price listed in that ad is an Asking price. Selling prices are often lower. And that guitar is exceptionally clean. That adds to the value.

I'm glad I'm through with the buy-try-sell phase. I think I finally got that out of my system! And just in time. Cool
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Brad Davis


From:
Texas, USA
Post  Posted 12 Jun 2018 7:07 pm    
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Whoa! Yes that is an exceptionally nice clean guitar and I expected prices on them to rise, but that price seems a little out there. There is some binding delamination showing in the photo of the jack. I'm not even certain how these early pre-War models sound, and remember they don't have neck selector switches. It's also an 8+7. Not sure how much of the case candy is vintage stuff, or what is up with the bag of old strings. But you have to start negotiating from somewhere I guess.
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Clyde Mattocks

 

From:
Kinston, North Carolina, USA
Post  Posted 12 Jun 2018 9:05 pm    
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That is the earlier three leg model that Don Helms used. Don was trying to buy another and he told the guy the price was too high. The guy says, "But this is the Don Helms model. Don says, "Hell, that don't impress ME none."
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Andy Volk


From:
Boston, MA
Post  Posted 13 Jun 2018 1:15 am    
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As pretty as they are, for some reason, Console Grands have never appealed to me. About a week ago, Elderly had a refinished walnut Fender Dual Pro with re-mag'd PUPs for $1200. Man, that thing looked great! I love the beauty in simplicity of the Fender look, miss my former triple, and ran for my credit card but it was sold.

Like Doug, I've bought and sold too many and wish I'd kept a few that are long gone.
These days, I walk down the street muttering to myself: "No more G.A.S. impulse buys!" Smile
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John Rosett


From:
Missoula, MT
Post  Posted 13 Jun 2018 5:01 am    
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Retro Fret is one the most expensive vintage shops in the country.
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C. E. Jackson


Post  Posted 13 Jun 2018 5:35 am    
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Here is a photo of my GIBSON CONSOLE GRANDE (v.2b) 7-8 CC (U-magnet) PU: 1940




See Duchossoir, "Gibson Electric Steel Guitars 1935-1967", for photos, model specs and additional information.
Since records indicate that only 40 of the 1940 models were shipped, they are rather rare.

C. E. Jackson
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Andy Henriksen

 

From:
Michigan, USA
Post  Posted 13 Jun 2018 5:56 am    
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Andy Volk wrote:
As pretty as they are, for some reason, Console Grands have never appealed to me. About a week ago, Elderly had a refinished walnut Fender Dual Pro with re-mag'd PUPs for $1200. Man, that thing looked great! I love the beauty in simplicity of the Fender look, miss my former triple, and ran for my credit card but it was sold.

Dang I wish I had known! I work about 4 miles from Elderly. I would have liked to play that thing...but it's probably for the better, as I might have been tempted to buy it.
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Joe Breeden

 

From:
Virginia, USA
Post  Posted 13 Jun 2018 9:02 am    
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Quite often, the asking price will not be the selling price.
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Loren Tilley


From:
Maui, Hawaii
Post  Posted 13 Jun 2018 10:54 pm    
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Retrofret tends to be a little on the high side on most things, so I don’t know how representative they are of the broader market.
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Steve Allison

 

From:
Eatonton,Ga. U.S.A.
Post  Posted 14 Jun 2018 6:44 pm    
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I believe Don Helms famous "old red" had the oval pickups,see through color dot fretboards, and console Grande gold decal under the sprayed laquer. A post war Gibson.
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Steve Allison

 

From:
Eatonton,Ga. U.S.A.
Post  Posted 14 Jun 2018 6:45 pm    
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I believe Don Helms famous "old red" had the oval pickups,see through color dot fretboards, and console Grande gold decal under the sprayed laquer. A post war Gibson.
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Jean-Sebastien Gauthier


From:
Quebec, Canada
Post  Posted 15 Jun 2018 4:27 am    
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Doug Beaumier wrote:
Prices do seem to be rising. A couple of things though... the price listed in that ad is an Asking price. Selling prices are often lower. And that guitar is exceptionally clean. That adds to the value.

I'm glad I'm through with the buy-try-sell phase. I think I finally got that out of my system! And just in time. Cool


Haha same for me! Now that I have my Clinesmith I don't feel the need to buy other guitars and my bank account and girlfriend are very happy about that!!!
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C. E. Jackson


Post  Posted 16 Jun 2018 10:24 am    
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Steve, you mentioned "Ol' Red", Don Helms' famous Gibson Console Grande. Here are some photos which
I took during visits in his home that show limited details of that steel.










C. E. Jackson
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Jack Hanson


From:
San Luis Valley, USA
Post  Posted 16 Jun 2018 11:47 am    
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Thanks for sharing those awesome pix, Mr. Jackson!
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C. E. Jackson


Post  Posted 16 Jun 2018 1:45 pm    
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Glad you enjoyed the photos, Jack. If you are interested in more information on
this great man, you might enjoy this video of memories of my visits with Don.

Don Helms-Memories of my Visits With Don

C. E. Jackson
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