To Buy or Not to Buy: 2012 Gretch Brian Setzer Sig Ed

[JayinLA]

 

 

One of my lifelong bud's has kinda hit the skids fincancially and wants to sell his 2012 Gretch Brian Setzer sig model. Guess he's in the middle of a divorce and lost his job all in the same month. Poor guy. But he wants $2000 for it. I know he spent a rediculous amount for it, but I don't really have the money right now.

 

However if that's as good of a price as he claims, I might buy it. There are not a bunch of them around, and I do expect it to appreciate in the long haul, but he claims a used music store will give him $2250 for it.

 

The other issue is if I do in fact buy it, it means no '58 re-issue in my near future.

 

I would welcome any directions for any folks who know the market on Gretch guitars. It sounds great by the way. Never had a git with a Bigsby. The stock pups are great, don't think I'd change em, but for me it's between that and a 2016 '58 LP re-issue from the custom shop. (Brand New) vs. this Brian Setzer.

[cookieman15061]

Used you'll find them anywhere between $1800 and $2200 depending on condition, so I doubt the music store would give him that much.

Great guitar though and more versatile than most people think.

Of course I'm a Gretsch lover so....

[JayinLA]

Used you'll find them anywhere between $1800 and $2200 depending on condition, so I doubt the music store would give him that much.

Great guitar though and more versatile than most people think.

Of course I'm a Gretsch lover so....

 

Hey thanks man. That's a quite helpful. Given that this is a Gibby forum, and you have an affinity for Gretch, may I ask. As a guy who already owns 2 LP's, would it be wise to go Gretch this time? And also, would it in your opinion be awkard to be on stage with someone else's signature guitar?

 

I say this because years back I had a Steve Steven's Washburn, and felt a little funny playing it. Nothing I can't get past though. The guitar is orange. It is in mint condition, well cared for. Cased almost always and no visiable wear anywhere, unlike my guitars. (if you look at the other post your guitar pics.)

 

I would save me about 50% over the '58 and I wan't something other than a LP. Have an LTD (ESP) 400 S with fabulous hardware, and a bolt on, which is unique for ESP, but I just don't have that Gibson Nashville type or Gretch that lends itself more to the music that I am playing these days.

 

Thanx

 

JayinLA

[cookieman15061]

It never bothered me to play sig models and I've played Clapton Strats, a Lennon Casino and a Gibby Slash model Les Paul.

 

I've actually taken more heat for playing a Mex strat than anything else but it was a sweet little player so I didn't give a flip anyway.

[cody78]

Don't let the fact it's not made in the USA put you off them FZ Fan. I've never tried the Setzer model, but I have tried a couple of White Falcons and they were crazy good, equally up to the standard of the best Gibson's, Fender's or other makes.

 

Jay, the difference between the Setzer and the '58 LP RI is huge as you probably are aware! It's a tough call as they are both as good as each other in different ways. As you already have a couple of LP's maybe it would be a nice change to have a hollowbody?, but then again an R8 is a spectacular guitar. The only Gretsch I own is a G5120 Electromatic. It's a sweet guitar for the price. A Country Club and Tennessee Rose have been on my list of guitars to buy for years, but I generally prefer Gibson archtops as they suit jazz styles better which is what I play most, but Gretsch are versatile and have an awesome unique sound for other styles.

 

Go with what you feel speaks to you the most

[aliasphobias]

Yup, whether they appreciate in the long run..anyones guess.(my Pete Rose rookie card has taken a beating the last 20 years). If a store would give him $2250 he should have taken it IMO. Not to be a jackass. Sorry about the dudes job loss that does suck. Gretsch are great guitars, but the not made in USA will be slow to appreciate.