View Full Version : Gretsch New Yorker?
mrmando
Nov-09-2009, 2:26am
Any ideas on the value of a vintage Gretsch New Yorker mandolin?
Looks to be somewhere between a Gibson A40 and a Stradolin in terms of quality.
Jill McAuley
Nov-10-2009, 9:40am
Not necessarily a reflection of the value, but I missed out on one on ebay last year that ended up going for around $380 if I remember correctly.
Cheers,
Jill
acousticphd
Nov-10-2009, 10:46am
To me, these mandolins have a lot of resemblance to the high-end Harmony-made instruments of the '50s-'60s - for eg, the solid spruce-topped Monterrey and Patrician mandolins. Though there was no connection as far as I have ever heard between Gretsch and Harmony
Goodin
Nov-10-2009, 11:50am
Lets see some pics!
Michael Lewis
Nov-11-2009, 1:33am
High end Harmony . . . . . I know what you meant but that obvious oxymoron just strikes me in a humorous way.:)) Sorry;)
fredfrank
Nov-11-2009, 6:49am
Lets see some pics!
Here's one:
John Kinn
Nov-11-2009, 9:13am
Looks a lot like my old A40...Nice!
John Kinn
Nov-11-2009, 9:15am
Longer neck, though..
MikeEdgerton
Nov-11-2009, 9:27am
I think Gretsch farmed the work out and Harmony doesn't look like a bad guess.
Big Joe
Nov-11-2009, 1:38pm
We sold one this summer, but I can't remember what it sold for. It was a very nice mandolin and had a very good tone. It was all solid woods and was actually decent quality. I don't believe it was a Harmony product or Kay but I really don't know who made it. It certainly looked much like Gretsch built it from all I could tell. Very many similarities to the guitars from that era. All in all, a very cool mandolin!
billkilpatrick
Nov-11-2009, 3:02pm
... bronx, maybe - queens ... could be someplace out on the island ... just doesn't say "manhattan" - know' i mean?
mrmando
Nov-11-2009, 5:42pm
At least it doesn't say Buffalo or Schenectady.
acousticphd
Nov-12-2009, 2:00pm
My money is (well, would be) on Harmony - the fingerboard is exactly like the Harmony style; same tailpiece. This pic is from the Thin Man music store. Looks a lot like a Monterrey except with a more Kay-shaped headstock.
acousticphd
Nov-12-2009, 2:02pm
Come to think of it, I think I'd be apt to spend the money on the "high-end" Harmony.
delsbrother
Nov-12-2009, 2:17pm
I'd have to comb through my Gretsch reference books but I think they were made by another company, not Gretsch itself (i.e. not the same makers as the cats' eye Synchromatic guitars).
I also seem to remember someone (Stan Jay? Banana?) making a snide comment akin to, "they'll never be confused with the D'Angelicos of the same name.."
Not necessarily a reflection of the value, but I missed out on one on ebay last year that ended up going for around $380 if I remember correctly.
Cheers,
Jill
Was I bidding against you on that one? I didn't get it either. :grin:
Very many similarities to the guitars from that era. All in all, a very cool mandolin!
I was originally interested because I have acess to a Gretch New Yorker guitar player, and I thougt it would be cool to play together.
Anything to justify MAS I suppose.
gsmalz
Jan-28-2010, 2:34pm
We recently got a Gretsch NYC mandolin on a trade deal.
I can't find any info on this instrument anywhere.
It's an A style, with pointy F holes.
The pick guard is missing.
Any clue as to it's age or history.
thanks,
Gary
BradKlein
Jan-28-2010, 2:51pm
Well THAT'S an interesting ff hole design. Otherwise, I'd have said Stradolin, and it still seems like a strong family resemblance. Is that a plywood top?
Spruce
Jan-28-2010, 3:50pm
I'd have to comb through my Gretsch reference books but I think they were made by another company, not Gretsch itself....
I just read a book about Gretsch, and as I remember, they built everything themselves back when the New Yorkers were being made...
They had a 7-8 story building in Brooklyn, and each floor was doing something different...
Drums, guitars, etc...
Then the Beatles hit, and all hell broke loose... ;)
But let me have another look to see if they say anything about the mandolins...
I had a New Yorker way-back-when, and it was a fine beginner's instrument...
Rob Gerety
Jan-28-2010, 4:19pm
Its a little unusual to have the bridge placement so far back isn't it? Usually the bridge is located near the middle of the f holes.
gsmalz
Jan-28-2010, 5:25pm
The bridge appears to have been moved 1/2 inch longer, (from a mark on the top.)
The Scale from nut to bridge is now approx 13 7/8".
If the bridge was centered on the F hole it would only be a 12 inch scale.
I cannot tell if the top is plywood or solid.
The sides do show some evidence of a maple flame.
This Gretsch NYC mandolin has been refinished.
It plays well, in tune and has a very warm tone.
Just wondered if anyone had ever seen one before, or might have an idea of how old it is.
I have added a photo of the tail piece and a clearer photo of the head stock logo.
thanks,
Gary
zombywoof
Jan-28-2010, 5:40pm
To me, these mandolins have a lot of resemblance to the high-end Harmony-made instruments of the '50s-'60s - for eg, the solid spruce-topped Monterrey and Patrician mandolins. Though there was no connection as far as I have ever heard between Gretsch and Harmony
Both Harmony and Kay made archtop guitars for Gretsch in the late 1930s and 1940s. Not sure if they were still building for Gretsch inthe 1950s when the New Yorker mandolin was available.
8ch(pl)
Jan-28-2010, 6:55pm
That is a Waverley Cloud Tailpiece, sans cover.
brunello97
Jan-29-2010, 6:44pm
I'm in a New York state of mind.
Mick
Spruce
Jan-30-2010, 10:19am
I'm in a New York state of mind.
Mick
Yeah, that looks like the one I used to have...
Built in-house by Gretsch in Brooklyn, me thinks....
zombywoof
Jan-31-2010, 9:24am
Surprized that National did not go after Gretsch for using the New Yorker moniker. Would have been fair turn around as Fred Gretsch made his pal Leo Fender stop using the Broadcaster name
mrmando
Feb-01-2010, 5:02pm
They'd have had to go after D'Angelico and Chrysler too...