Plans were made, life (unexpectedly and repeatedly) got in the way, much time passed, frustration mounted, but eventually - just a few months ago, in fact - the clouds parted, opportunity knocked, a window opened, many replacement parts were ordered from a variety of suppliers, and I unscrewed the guitar down to a husk (including the original tuners, which had not yet been removed as of the taking of the photo immediately below).
It also happened to come with its OHSC and factory "O.K." card. I felt that, going forward, if I could ever find a significantly lighter example that'd be easier on the shoulder (I'm picky that way), it could be modded such that, if everything functioned as expected, I'd end up with a customized keeper inspired by the great Paul Pigat's Gretsch "Synchro-Club" (designed by Paul in conjunction with - and built for him by - the Custom Shop's Stephen Stern).Įventually, I stumbled across this one owner 3161, a Used Like New, bone stock 2006 example that was not only temptingly underpriced, but also - weighing in at well under six pounds - slightly undernourished (in a good way!).
GRETSCH PEERLESS GUITARS SERIES
While those initial two forays into Historic Series land fell short of my hopes, there were now a few things I knew: I loved the look, overall dimensions, playability and build quality of this Peerless-made model, but did not care for the (relatively) muddy tone of their stock "Gretschbucker" humbucking pickups - they certainly did not produce/deliver "That Great Gretsch Sound!" - nor for the single volume, single tone control set, which seemed a bit limited/limiting to me (though, of course, I don't make that complaint about my Tele!). Got the lightweight 3161 pictured above a few years back had owned two examples prior, but the first was very heavy and the second, while not quite as weighty, started to display finish crackling and peeling along the seam where the fretboard meets the neck (up by the nut, along the distance of the first few frets), and - not wanting to deal with a cosmetic repair that was likely going to cost at least half as much as I had paid for the instrument itself - I moved that one on, too.
For anybody following the thread on Epiphone Casino innards - here's a Link - and who might have more interest in the G3161 project I posted about over there (and who also never visits that "other" Gretsch forum), I thought I'd provide all the details over here, in a new thread dedicated to this long in the works project.