Gretsch "Clipper" FAN CLUB

[LesB3]

Like many folks, my first Gretsch was a Clipper, and I've since come to admire them for what they are: good, cheap, fun. They never get much attention 'round here, so now is yer chance to show 'em off. High-falutin' Streamliner and fancy-dancy single Annie folks need not apply!

I'll go first... '65 6186 on the left, '58 6187 on the right...

 

[wildeman]

I'm in!!!! I don't have one, I have it's dressed up sister (Streamliner), but I'm a fan.

 

[drmilktruck]

Clippers are great simple hollow bodies.

 

[afire]

And great modding platforms. Did Bax ever post pictures of his clipper project? I know he mentioned the specs, but I don't recall ever seeing the finished product. IIRC, it was to have a lotus ivory top and platinum gray back and sides. Ever since then I've had an inkling of an idea to do something similar. One of these days I might go after a derelict Clipper and see if I can't develop at least some modest skillz. That said, I went to work on a 100 year old watch last night and lost one of the applied gold numerals from the dial irretrievably and nearly lost one of the hands. Luckily I have a donor for the lost numeral, but this one is going to a professional next. I'm not tempting fate any further. It's possible that I'm better suited to thinking than to doing. The same might apply to guitars as well.

 

[GretschPlayer101]

Not quite the same but probably sound similar to your 1956 6187 -

 

[loudnlousy]

I used to own the one end-50s model with the rare white soapbar on it.
That was a nice guitar. But not the best choice for heavy rock music.

 

[gretschbigsby]

Here's mine... from '62. Added a Bigsby and a TV Jones bridge pickup.

 

[LesB3]

Here's mine... from '62. Added a Bigsby and a TV Jones bridge pickup.

Nice! How did you wire the controls, master volume / master tone? Or?

 

[LesB3]

And great modding platforms. Did Bax ever post pictures of his clipper project? I know he mentioned the specs, but I don't recall ever seeing the finished product. IIRC, it was to have a lotus ivory top and platinum gray back and sides. Ever since then I've had an inkling of an idea to do something similar.

I want to say yes (on GDP) but can't honestly remember...

I've seen a few good looking projects, here's a 50's "upgrade" that was on Reverb:
'58 Clipper (Modified)

...and a 60's model done the same way:

'66 Clipper (Modified)

I almost made an offer on the '66, but then noticed the neck separation at the heel and figured it was headed for a neck reset.

I would never mod my 50's Clipper, but if I knew someone that could spray sparkly paint and source a new headstock overlay, I wouldn't think twice about sinking serious $$$ into the 60's model. I'd probably keep the back / sides black and do the top in silver or red sparkle, 2x S-D Dynasonics, B6, etc. Don't know whether I would change the electronics or add a switch, might just make the existing knobs volume controls -no tone, no switch.

As a completely hollow thinline, it has a great sound all it's own. I bet it would sound fantastic with P-90's too...

 

[gretschbigsby]

Nice! How did you wire the controls, master volume / master tone? Or?

Like a Tele... switch for the pickups, volume, tone.

 

[drmilktruck]

There's one on Reverb now, at a very good price, with an added Bigsby.



https://reverb.com/item/64657417-gretsch-6186-clipper-60s-sunburst-top-black-back

 

[slk230red]

Here's my 1963 6186 Clipper. I saw it advertised on the USF bulletin board in 1978 for $20. What the heck, so I bought it. The '76 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman also has an interesting story.

 

[Pemberton]

I don’t own a Clipper. However, I saw this beautiful ‘57 (213xx Batch) at the Pittsburgh Guitar Show last September. I played it and thought it played wonderfully. It was in excellent condition. I remember it having a thicker neck profile.

 

[CheapGretschLover]

Not quite the same but probably sound similar to your 1956 6187 -

I sure like his style