geordiefl Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 what do you think of this custom vintage gretsch body with gibson top, it has ermen massie in the fretboard, any ides on what i should pay for it thanks newbie colin. what year is the gibson neck and from what http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm106/geordiefl/P1000335.jpg http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm106/geordiefl/P1000336.jpg http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm106/geordiefl/P1000337.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
335guy Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 That is a very interesting guitar. At first, I thought fake. But the wear on the bigsby like trem looks old. Plus why fake a "one of" ? What you may have is a "one of" custom made guitar made by Gibson for the guy who's name is engraved on the neck. At one time, many country music stars did this. I am not sure this is a marriage of a Gibson neck to a Gretsch body. But I agree it has some of the appearances of a Gretsch body. When Chet Atkins hooked up with Gibson in the 80's, they did make some Chet Atkins models that had a more Gretsch look to them. This isn't one of those however. I believe it is truly an individual, custom made guitar. If Gibson did not make it, then a very good luthier did. You might consider contacting Gibson to see if they have any records of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
335guy Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 As I looked at the photos again, some things don't look right. The pick guard and truss rod cover plate look cheap with the over-sized white borders. The pick guard does not fit well either. The tuners look nearly new while the trem looks worn. While hard to see, some of the binding looks inferior to Gibson custom shop. It may be a custom Asian made guitar. Leave it up to the counter fitters to meld a Gibson neck onto a Gretsch body. Does it have any serial #'s or decal inside the body? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitar slinger Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 All you've got to do is e-mail Gibson support. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MReynolds Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 I just went through my Vintage Price Guide and the Chet Atkins models don't look like that. They all have the Humbucker pickups. Those in the picture look like they're supposed to be Gretsch Filtertrons but they still don't look right. None of the other embellishments look right either like the binding, neck, inlay on the head. To me it screams "cheap knockoff". I could be wrong, but send an email as Guitar slinger stated, they'll set you straight. If they don't have an answer check out George Gruhn Guitars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordiefl Posted December 23, 2008 Author Share Posted December 23, 2008 thanks for the reply's, it is quit a mismash of bits , but does look like an interesting guitar i have another pic of a more modern guitar with ermen massie in the fret board too, its either a customiser or a wealthy mans toys lol.This guitar belongs to a 84 year old pastor who bought 20 years ago from previous owner who he says played with barbera mandrell and the mandrell sisters and dolly parton but is not the person on the fret board.He wants $700 for this guitar, i am sure the neck is of a 70's les paul artisan and the body is gretsch as i can just make out the label when i looked at it, thanks Colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MReynolds Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 It looks like the head from an Artisan, but the neck isn't. The Artisan neck also had flower type patterns where the dots are on the one you're looking at. The inlay work on the head is similar, but from what I can see...and looking at an Artisan right now...there are some differences. In my opinion it is not an Artisan head or neck. I still say it looks like a cheap knock off...I'd be VERY careful about spending money on this guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdservis1 Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 I was looking thru the forum and ran across your questions about this guitar. I knew Erman personally, he was my guitar instructor. If you receive this you can contact me at klservis1@gmail.com. Thanks, Mark what do you think of this custom vintage gretsch body with gibson top, it has ermen massie in the fretboard, any ides on what i should pay for it thanks newbie colin. what year is the gibson neck and from what http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm106/geordiefl/P1000335.jpg http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm106/geordiefl/P1000336.jpg http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm106/geordiefl/P1000337.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 Looks like someone went through alot of effort to make it what it isnt. Not a Gibson.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveg Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 Here's a precedent - Gretsch Black Falcon body - Gibson S400 neck: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimi55lp Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 The neck look Gretsch also in the binding so maybe someone added a vintage Gibson script headstock veneer? I've only seen Dynasonic pups on Les Paul's personal 1952 GT in the neck possision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AzmaraAmunet Posted September 27, 2020 Share Posted September 27, 2020 (edited) Ermen Massie was my uncle. He customized guitars and had played with Chet Atkins. My dad could probably tell you much more. Edited September 27, 2020 by AzmaraAmunet Photo with more info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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