Do you still have your Gretsch?

[Rich Peterson]

No, I couldn't come up with cash to buy an Epiphone Caiola in 1972, so I traded away the 6119 my mom bought for me in 1962. That first year of the Electone body, the painted f-holes did not have the white outline. And I remember it being heavier than the later ones.

Quality control was a crapshoot back then. Mine played and sounded very good, but the "Gretsch" inlay on the headstock looked like it had been done by a rank amateur.

The current guitars are made by the Terada factory, which is one of the top Japanese makers. I like them a lot, but can't afford the pro line guitars anymore. The Syncromatics seem pretty good for the money.

But I learned 30 years ago that a hollowbody with Epiphone minihumbuckers can fool you in a blindfold test for the "Chet sound."

[Paul Norman (RIP)]

In 1962 or 1963 I went to the music shop to buy a
Tennessean Gretsch. The price was $330 and I couldnt afford it then so I bought a Gibson Les Paul
Jr. for $160. plus $15 for the case.
I think I will keep this one. The maroon guitar 2nd
left from the right.