(new) Gretsch Mandolins officially here

[MacStevenXIII]

Along with the rest of their roots collection. Solid Mahogany.

http://gretschguitars.com/products/rootscollection

[MikeEdgerton]

There's an interesting detail. Somebody took the the inexpensive clamshell tailpiece and punched it out with a Waverly Cloud outline. Nice detail, I wish they had just built the entire tailpiece.

Looking at it again it has that Harmony/Regal vibe. I wonder if it is all solids? Any idea of the prices?

[MikeEdgerton]

Got it.

[wellvis@well.com]

According to the website link above:

A. G9300 NEW YORKER™ "STANDARD" MANDOLIN $329.00
B. G9320 NEW YORKER "DELUXE" ACOUSTIC/ELECTRIC MANDOLIN $379.00
C. G9310 NEW YORKER "SUPREME" MANDOLIN $399.00

[MikeEdgerton]

I don't know, I know they were copying their own branded mandolins that were made by somebody else but they will be competing with the originals branded with other brand names. Those were solid instruments.

[Clement Barrera-Ng]

I remember these from this year's NAMM show photo screen that Ted @ Jazzmando posted on his facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...type=3&theater

The tailpiece sure looks interseting...

[brunello97]

The tailpiece sure looks interseting...

Don't be fooled. Mike is right, it simply the slotted, single folded tailpiece cut with the Waverly "cloud" profile. I was never a big fan of the clam tailpiece, but this one smacks of the SOB: it 'looks' like the real thing, but isn't. Those old double folded Waverly (and Gibson) tailpieces were a nice piece of work.

We've walked on the moon. I have a cell phone with a camera, GPS and an Italian-English dictionary. But we're offered cheesy repro-tailpieces. Why not just do things right? Pressed mahogany tops and backs? I guess that is what the 'originals' had as well. At those prices, I'll bet they'll find a niche. But why all that nostalgic marketing if they are being made in a factory overseas? Sorry for being cranky, I just don't get it.

Mick

[MikeEdgerton]

Here's the posting from Ted's Facebook page. I didn't know Fender owned the Gretsch name. I'm currently on a Fender quest but I'm more interested in what was going on between 1951 and 1956 right now

[MandoSquirrel]

My understanding is that the Gretsch name is still owned by the family, and Fender is only authorized to market the instruments the family has built.

[MikeEdgerton]

Wikipedia Page on Gretsch. It looks like Fred still owns the company but that Fender is doing the development and marketing.

[MacStevenXIII]

Yeah, FMIC took over development and marketing in 2003. Fred Gretsch is still HEAVILY involved with everything Gretsch though, the family has not just taken a back seat or anything. He's at all the NAAM shows and comes out to the Gretsch Roundups that happen around the country. Joe Carducci is the head of Sales and an awesome guy.

[MikeEdgerton]

They might make a buck or two on their mandolins, I don't see them setting the world on fire with them or being the next mandolin du jour. The mandolin they are copying wasn't earth shattering to begin with and the original with a different label is still avalable for less.

[OldSausage]

Well, I think it works for someone who's up for a folk-jammy-I-sorta-play-guitar-but-heck-why-not-hey-cheap-too vibe. I have a feeling Copperhead Road is going to get quite a workout on these babies.

[fernmando]

....and Wagon Wheel.

[WayneLetang]

Bought one

[Marty Jacobson]

Well, it sounds like it has a solid mahogany top. :-)

[Elliot Luber]

Well, I think it works for someone who's up for a folk-jammy-I-sorta-play-guitar-but-heck-why-not-hey-cheap-too vibe. I have a feeling Copperhead Road is going to get quite a workout on these babies.

Right. That's where they'll make money blowing out these low-cost instruments. The hope is that those who get bitten by the bug will want to upgrade as they learn the differences. Yeah, that's what I thought when I heard the demo -- these are pop/folk, not legit BG instruments, but they could wet some appetites.

[Darren Bailey]

What do you think of it Wayne? I'm looking for something to have in car boot without any accompanying anxiety. What's your impression of the usual stuff?

[dcoventry]

Right. That's where they'll make money blowing out these low-cost instruments. The hope is that those who get bitten by the bug will want to upgrade as they learn the differences. Yeah, that's what I thought when I heard the demo -- these are pop/folk, not legit BG instruments, but they could wet some appetites.

Not LEGIT BG instruments? Whoa, we have a new police officer.

[Darren Bailey]

I still can't find any buyers' reviews online, only company descriptions. As I won't be able to handle one before buying has anyone got experience of these things?

[Chip Booth]

Was that supposed to convince me I will like the instrument?

[almeriastrings]

Probably.

[Nick Triesch]

Wow! Give the guy a break! He probably plays better than most folks on the Cafe. I thought it was nice.

[Mike Bunting]

No problem with his playing, the mandolin sounds like crap.

[Jim]

Well, Gretsch guitars are hardly the holy grail of tone ( or playability) either.