BirdofParadise wrote:Thanks everyone. I'm looking at a Gretsch CG with Filter Trons in both positions. The guitar was made at the Terada factory in Japan and advertised as a 6122-1959.
Not being able to see the 'advertised as' posting limits response commentary.
All the modern Atkins Gretsch guitars are made by Terada. The 6122-59 comes stock with the wider neck.
The term "Filter Tron" refers to the Gretsch 12 pole pickup. It is their version of the hum cancelling style of pickup and it meters out at 4K
It has variants. The Filter Tron with the two straight bars replacing the twelve screw poles are called "Super Tron", They still meter out at 4 K and on the 6122-59 are stock at the fingerboard position.
On the 6122-59 bridge position is a twelve pole Filter Tron version that has more output, metering at around 8 K.
From what you say at least the fingerboard pickup has been replaced. Again, not seeing the guitar or being able to put a meter on it I would say the instrument is mis-described and is either a different model or has been modified either by its current owner or at the dealer/factory which seems unlikely because I don't think Terada makes custom alterations. I could be wrong.
It's your money. If you like the price and as long as the guitar is using genuine Gretsch parts you'll probably be OK but as I already said, I'm hoping the price is reasonable.
One other thing... if it has two toggle switches on the upper bout it is definitely NOT a 6122-59. Chet eliminated the so called "mud switch" on his unit, the guitar the 6122-59 is based on.
Caveat Emptor (Latin for "Let the buyer beware")