The Chetboard

Dear All

I have a Gretsch Tennessean with serial number: 55425. Anyone knows manufacture date?

Any info much appreciated.
Thanks and Cheers

Cliff

Here's a link to the gretschpages essay on serial numbers

http://gretschpages.com/guitars/serial-numbers/

It looks like yours is a 1963 version but careful reading here will allow you to refine it.

This is a good link for all of you folks to keep on hand

If the number is etched into the headstock as well as a label inside the body, it should have been made in 1963. If no number on headstock it was probably made in 1962.
Jerry Makela

I'm gonna say mid-sixties...because I had one just like it!

David

thanks, Norm, Jerome & David

Much appreciated. Thanks for references. I have 'the gretsch book' by Tony Bacon & Paul Day. Couldn't find the info though. Jerome, the number is etched only on headstock. Fake F holes so can't peer through haha.
BTW, could you guys tell if saddle is original part? Looks very much an original part to me.An online company selling Gretsch parts reckons it's not.

Would very much like opinions from YOU guys!

Thanks again and cheers

Cliff
Perth, Western Australia

Cliff,
I have a '67 Tennessean I have owned nearly 30 years. My first Gretsch guitar.
I still love it but I really don't play it enough.....

I think yours is a '63.
I can tell you that the bridge and strap button are not original. They came with a rocking bar bridge. Not uncommon for bridges on these guitars to have been changed at some point. Some folks simply do not like them, or they may have issues with the high E string popping out of the bridge groove if they play "heavy".

I used to own a Country Gent that someone put a Gibson adjustable bridge on. I couldn't get any sustain out of it.
I ordered a stock rocking bar bridge, swapped out the Gibson bridge, and it was a totally different guitar. Much clearer and tons more sustain.

Your mileage may vary....

Nice guitar! Enjoy!

Hi Greg. Thanks for info. The strap button was a switch i did ... just fooling around. I have since replaced with original. I also own a Gibson CG, Gibson CEC, among others. In the mix is a Yamaha AES1500 I picked up in Singapore. It has Chet's signature on bottom. It came with note by Paul Yandell that authenticates Chet's signature. Am curious as to the story behind this. I did in fact write to Paul, who told me that Chet must have signed it but couldn't remember the circumstances.
Thanks again
cheers

Cliff