3 Pickup 6193

[Howitt]

I am not too knowledgeable about Gretsch instruments, but I'm fairly observant and can't remember ever having seen a 1950's Gretsch with 3 pickups.

Here's some pictures I lifted from a FB Market page listing for a vintage 6193. The owner says it is factory original.

If anyone is interested I'll find the listing itself, and if you are one Facebook you'll be able to open it.

Regards,
Howard Emerson

 

[Howitt]

For those who have FB accounts, here's the link to the instrument. It's on the south shore of Long Island in Wantagh.

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Happy hunting!

HE

 

[Pemberton]

Not sure why anyone would need three pickups and a dozen knobs and switches, but I like everything else about it, especially the warm-honey natural finish.

 

[j.s.c]

There are some others 3 pups ... Don't forget Gretsch was always ready to make a new prototype ! Thus everything is possible, but sadly no space left for 4 pickups...

 

[gasmoney]

That club was mine. I sold it to Doug awhile back. A great guitar. And all original.

 

[Pemberton]

And all original.

Interesting that original three pickup versions are out there. Good to know that they do exist.

 

[Electrosynthesis]

Beautiful instrument!

 

[drmilktruck]

That club was mine. I sold it to Doug awhile back. A great guitar. And all original.

What are all the knobs and switches?

 

[Henry]

Interesting that original three pickup versions are out there. Good to know that they do exist.

Iirc back in the day you could have Gretsch customize or special order, which may be the story behind this one.

Funny, sometimes people forget that I believe the best selling (or aleast among rhe best selling) guitar style (strat) has 3 pickups. No one ever seems to question why 3 are needed on an S style guitar.

 

[Pemberton]

(strat) has 3 pickups. No one ever seems to question why 3 are needed on an S style guitar.

Yes, now that you point that out, you’re right. I guess because it’s a solid body and the pickups are smaller, plus it’s been that way since the beginning, nobody thinks twice about it. But you don’t see it as often on a big hollowbody, and three pickups are much more noticeable.

 

[IPLAYLOUD]

The Tempos

 

[IPLAYLOUD]

View attachment 181468

There are some others 3 pups ... Don't forget Gretsch was always ready to make a new prototype ! Thus everything is possible, but sadly no space left for 4 pickups...

WOW!! It's still out there and safe!!

 

[afire]

View attachment 181468

There are some others 3 pups ... Don't forget Gretsch was always ready to make a new prototype ! Thus everything is possible, but sadly no space left for 4 pickups...

What what what! I had no idea that guitar's whereabouts were known, or whether it even still existed. What do you know about it, j.s.c.?

 

[TeleRooo]

Maybe it doesn't look so crowded on a Strat because they are Single Coils not Humbuckers. To me on a Gretsch 6120, a third pickup just doesn't look or seem necessary. IMHO. I remember solid bodies guitars with 5 or 6 pickups and a dozen switches and knobs. Mainly from Japan late 40's thru the early 60's. I always thought they were ugly and their necks were terrible and they were heavy. Just IMHO. Pawn Shops were full of them. I think David Lindley and Ry Cooder and those folks used to collect and play them.

 

[drmilktruck]

Maybe it doesn't look so crowded on a Strat because they are Single Coils not Humbuckers. To me on a Gretsch 6120, a third pickup just doesn't look or seem necessary. IMHO. I remember solid bodies guitars with 5 or 6 pickups and a dozen switches and knobs. Mainly from Japan late 40's thru the early 60's. I always thought they were ugly and their necks were terrible and they were heavy. Just IMHO. Pawn Shops were full of them. I think David Lindley and Ry Cooder and those folks used to collect and play them.

 

[Henry]

Maybe it doesn't look so crowded on a Strat because they are Single Coils not Humbuckers. To me on a Gretsch 6120, a third pickup just doesn't look or seem necessary. IMHO. I remember solid bodies guitars with 5 or 6 pickups and a dozen switches and knobs. Mainly from Japan late 40's thru the early 60's. I always thought they were ugly and their necks were terrible and they were heavy. Just IMHO. Pawn Shops were full of them. I think David Lindley and Ry Cooder and those folks used to collect and play them.

The guitar we are talking about has single coils too. Second pickups aren't necessary. Let alone second guitars and in most cases any guitar for that matter. Necessity is not a necessity in art IMO

 

[TeleRooo]

The guitar we are talking about has single coils too. Second pickups aren't necessary. Let alone second guitars and in most cases any guitar for that matter. Necessity is not a necessity in art IMO

Exactly! It ONLY has to please you....

 

[Highnumbers]

That is spectacular and super cool. I have a '56 Country Club that is the best vintage Gretsch I've ever played, if that's anything to go by.

I always wondered why you never see 3-pickup Gretsch guitars and this is the first one I've seen.

 

[BCRatRod73]

Not sure why anyone would need three pickups and a dozen knobs and switches, but I like everything else about it, especially the warm-honey natural finish.

Here’s my Riviera P93. Visually the design is a little busy for my tastes, but the versatility of the three pickups is amazing. Once the metal covers were off the tone improved. Overall, I can get so many tones out of this guitar. Epiphone did the controls just right. I dislike lots of knobs and switches as it gets to be a busy design.

 

[Randy99CL]

I wonder how all that magnetic pull on the strings affects the sound.

I've seen some reviews of single-pickup guitars where they raved about things like increased sustain and feeling stronger string vibrations in the body of the guitar.

No one ever seems to question why 3 are needed on an S style guitar.

Without three pickups we wouldn't have positions 2 and 4 and the most iconic Strat sound.
I wonder why other 3-pickup guitars don't quack???