No COA... Dealbreaker?

[Bluesidae]

Hi,
I am considering two Gretsch 6120 guitars. The first is a 2003 (Terada). It is beautiful and comes with all of the paperwork. Is this too early in the transition to FMIC? The second is a 2010. Immaculate condition. It is $300 less than the 2003. However, it does not come with any paperwork. I assume this would make it less desirable if I try to sell it in the future?

Your thoughts, advice and expertise are appreciated!

Thx!

 

[thunder58]

Welcome friend .

However, it does not come with any paperwork.

Case candy IMO is not a deal breaker with me . Most of us keep it because we're Gretsch fanatics . When buying a used guitar , say at Guitar Center , 90% of the time there's no paperwork with the guitar . Sometimes your even lucky to get a case with a used guitar

 

[radd]

My opinion, you are not buying a vintage guitar, the COA means nothing. Buy the guitar you want and just confirm the serial number.

 

[Bluesidae]

Thx for the quick reply. This will be my first Gretsch, so I am new to all of this. I am a player, not a collector, but so many post that the guitar comes with a COA.

 

[Bluesidae]

My opinion, you are not buying a vintage guitar, the COA means nothing. Buy the guitar you want and just confirm the serial number.

I totally agree! Thx. Any thoughts on a 2003?

 

[cielski]

I've bought three new Gretsches and none of them came with any case candy. They still play the same with or without a piece of paper.

2003 was a transition year where Gretsch and Fender signed a deal where Fender would handle much of the logistics. Fender doesn't own Gretsch, but they work hand in hand.

 

[BrianW]

The recently acquired Penguin arrived with no case candy or CoA. I was browsing the forums a few days after it arrived and I stumbled across a thread where a member had contacted Gretsch and they had supplied a new CoA. I decided to try and see if they'd do the same for me... I emailed the 'Gretsch Consumer Relations' email address on the website on the 10th Feb and got a nice reply from a very helpful lady at Fender called Lizzy a couple of days later. She requested the serial number of the guitar and a few photos which I provided.

I just got a text from DHL saying they have a parcel for me in the U.K from Fender! I'm really surprised how simple and quick the process has been. If you have bought a second hand Gretsch with no certificate, it's well worth contacting them. (Also slightly surprised they're sending a certificate via DHL, but I'm pleased I'll have it in a day or so!)

Rob

Hi,
I am considering two Gretsch 6120 guitars. The first is a 2003 (Terada). It is beautiful and comes with all of the paperwork. Is this too early in the transition to FMIC? The second is a 2010. Immaculate condition. It is $300 less than the 2003. However, it does not come with any paperwork. I assume this would make it less desirable if I try to sell it in the future?

Your thoughts, advice and expertise are appreciated!

Thx!

Something to consider, the first quote is recent - a CoA issued very quick and no problems after a purchase.... no guarantee that is always going to be the case mind you.

Good luck with whatever you decide to go with!

cheers

 

[speedicut]

I don't have any paperwork for the 7 Gretsches I've bought over the last 12 years but not an issue with me.

it's nice to get 'case candy' with a Gretsch but it's not really needed.

 

[Bluesidae]

I've bought three new Gretsches and none of them came with any case candy. They still play the same with or without a piece of paper.

2003 was a transition year where Gretsch and Fender signed a deal where Fender would handle much of the logistics. Fender doesn't own Gretsch, but they work hand in hand.

Thx. What is meant by a transition year? I know that there were changes when Gretsch joined with FMIC. For example, would the 2003 be a 3 ply top and sides?
Thx

 

[cielski]

Thx. What is meant by a transition year? I know that there were changes when Gretsch joined with FMIC. For example, would the 2003 be a 3 ply top and sides?
Thx

It's the year where Fender took over the distribution from Gretsch; a limited partnership of sorts.

 

[Bluesidae]

Ok, so the FMIC 'changes' may not have been fully implemented?

 

[wildeman]

On a normal production guitar it's not a concern, I do like to see all the stuff with a Custom Shop though, but still not a deal breaker for me, heck, if the deal is good, it don't even need a case.

 

[Ricochet]

Someone on this forum very recently emailed a request to Fender/Gretsch for a certificate, since he bought a used Gretsch that didn’t come with one, and got it.

 

[BuddyHollywood]

Ok, so the FMIC 'changes' may not have been fully implemented?

I think they may have been implemented. If you are able play both guitars and see which one suits you best regardless of specs and documentation.

 

[nickurso]

Welcome friend .

Case candy IMO is not a deal breaker with me . Most of us keep it because we're Gretsch fanatics . When buying a used guitar , say at Guitar Center , 90% of the time there's no paperwork with the guitar . Sometimes your even lucky to get a case with a used guitar

Funny because a lot of people trade in guitars with the case. Guitar center just separates them into a different pile and will sell it back to you for an additional cost

 

[General_Lee]

Funny because a lot of people trade in guitars with the case. Guitar center just separates them into a different pile and will sell it back to you for an additional cost

I find this type of rip-off maneuver very disingenuous and greedy indeed...

 

[JC higgy]

Some 2003 guitars may have a slightly different neck to body join,i have a Falcon from May 2003 and it's different than late 2003's for example.

 

[G5422T]

Personally, I would go for the '10.

 

[Muinarc]

Personally, I would go for the '10.

I would do the same. The 2003 guitars will be more "correct" than the 2002 guitars but if the 2010 is a lower price I'd probably pick that one.

 

[juks]

Funny because a lot of people trade in guitars with the case. Guitar center just separates them into a different pile and will sell it back to you for an additional cost

Things is they pay $0 for the case. When I've traded stuff with them, I've kept the cases and gig bags. It appears that if somebody gave them a case for free they normally sell the guitar with the case. As I've received few with a case.