Gretsch PX-6129 Champagne Sparkle Jet Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1962)
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Gretsch PX-6129 Champagne Sparkle Jet Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1962), made in Brooklyn, NY, serial # 46394, Champagne sparkle top, natural back and sides finish, mahogany body with laminated maple top, mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original blue-grey tolex hard shell case.
This is simply one of the coolest, flashiest and rarest of all Gretsch guitars, the early 1960s Duo Jet in "Champagne Sparkle" finish. This is a perpetually sought after model among connoisseurs of the Brooklyn company's instruments, admittedly primarily for cosmetic reasons! This example dates to 1962, when all Jet model were being produced in smaller quantities than their 1950s ancestors. The most distinctive features is of course the new double cutaway body style introduced in late 1961, which changed the character of the guitar and updated it to a more "modern" '60's aesthetic. The double cut Jets were produced in dwindling numbers up through the end of the 1960s, but never really caught on with players the way the 1950s single cut models had. Although always described by Gretsch as solidbodies they are in fact semi-hollow, with extensive chambering in the bodies giving them a rather unique sound and feel.
A number of other changes happened to the Jet line around the same time as the body re-styling including gold plated hardware, a "comfort cushioned" back pad and the UK-designed Burns tremolo made standard; a slightly strange fitting for an American instrument! Other typical appointments are the twin patent-number Filter'Tron pickups, "Space Control" bridge and 3-knob, 3 switch wiring scheme. The neck is slim and round backed with a bound ebony fretboard inlaid in the "Neo-classic" pattern particular to Gretsch. The back and sides are finished in natural, the top is 4-ply bound and the neck and slim headstock single bound.
The eye-catching "Champagne Sparkle" top was a special order feature at the time. The catalog offered "The perfect way to match your guitar's color to your band's color; The Duo Jet is available on special order with spotlight sparkle top in the following popular colors: Silver, Gold, Champagne, Burgundy, Tangerine. The price is the same as for the standard Duo Jet".
These tops were made from sheets the same Nitron plastic material Gretsch used to cover drum shells; Gretsch was also a drum factory after all. Even in the Populuxe 1950's this could be seen as gaudy; by the 1960's this concept seems to have never made much of an impression at all. The option was cataloged up through the mid-60s but in practice seems to have very rarely been ordered. All double cut sparkle-topped Jets are very rare; the silver is the one that usually surfaces but some (Burgundy?) may never have been ordered at all. Only a relatively few known examples exist of this "Champagne Sparkle" version.
Apart from its dazzling cosmetics this Jet is simply fun to play. Both pickups sound spectacular with the traditional Filter 'Tron mix of ring and crunch, accentuated by the light chambered body. The double cut Jet is today mostly associated with Malcom young of AC/DC who powered the band's entire output with a single much-modified jet for over 40 years. Overall this is a cool example of this super rare Jet model, a standout in any company!
Overall length is 39 3/4 in. (101 cm.), 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 in. (5.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 1/2 in. (622 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
Overall this is a nice example of this rare Gretsch Jet, with some general wear but no visible damage or repairs. There are dings, dents and scrapes to the lacquer finish overall, with some more noticeable scratching to the back is one more feelable ding in the back of the neck behind the 4th fret. The top has shrunken up all along the lower edges as is common with the Nitron material, but is not peeling or crumbling. The Celluloid binding is fully intact with no rot at all, which is increasingly harder to find these days.
The hardware is original except the pickguard is a correct style repro and the arm for the Burns trem is missing. This is not really a tragedy as this is not a particularly useful trem in action. The gold plating shows some fairly light loss and the treble pickup ring has one crack at the corner. The upper strap button appears to be a correct reissue and has been moved down slightly from the original position. The original label is intact glued to the underside of the plastic switch cover plate. This guitar is a good playing and fantastic sounding Jet, and nothing beats the way it looks! It includes a solidly preserved OHSC. Overall Excellent - Condition.
This is simply one of the coolest, flashiest and rarest of all Gretsch guitars, the early 1960s Duo Jet in "Champagne Sparkle" finish. This is a perpetually sought after model among connoisseurs of the Brooklyn company's instruments, admittedly primarily for cosmetic reasons! This example dates to 1962, when all Jet model were being produced in smaller quantities than their 1950s ancestors. The most distinctive features is of course the new double cutaway body style introduced in late 1961, which changed the character of the guitar and updated it to a more "modern" '60's aesthetic. The double cut Jets were produced in dwindling numbers up through the end of the 1960s, but never really caught on with players the way the 1950s single cut models had. Although always described by Gretsch as solidbodies they are in fact semi-hollow, with extensive chambering in the bodies giving them a rather unique sound and feel.
A number of other changes happened to the Jet line around the same time as the body re-styling including gold plated hardware, a "comfort cushioned" back pad and the UK-designed Burns tremolo made standard; a slightly strange fitting for an American instrument! Other typical appointments are the twin patent-number Filter'Tron pickups, "Space Control" bridge and 3-knob, 3 switch wiring scheme. The neck is slim and round backed with a bound ebony fretboard inlaid in the "Neo-classic" pattern particular to Gretsch. The back and sides are finished in natural, the top is 4-ply bound and the neck and slim headstock single bound.
The eye-catching "Champagne Sparkle" top was a special order feature at the time. The catalog offered "The perfect way to match your guitar's color to your band's color; The Duo Jet is available on special order with spotlight sparkle top in the following popular colors: Silver, Gold, Champagne, Burgundy, Tangerine. The price is the same as for the standard Duo Jet".
These tops were made from sheets the same Nitron plastic material Gretsch used to cover drum shells; Gretsch was also a drum factory after all. Even in the Populuxe 1950's this could be seen as gaudy; by the 1960's this concept seems to have never made much of an impression at all. The option was cataloged up through the mid-60s but in practice seems to have very rarely been ordered. All double cut sparkle-topped Jets are very rare; the silver is the one that usually surfaces but some (Burgundy?) may never have been ordered at all. Only a relatively few known examples exist of this "Champagne Sparkle" version.
Apart from its dazzling cosmetics this Jet is simply fun to play. Both pickups sound spectacular with the traditional Filter 'Tron mix of ring and crunch, accentuated by the light chambered body. The double cut Jet is today mostly associated with Malcom young of AC/DC who powered the band's entire output with a single much-modified jet for over 40 years. Overall this is a cool example of this super rare Jet model, a standout in any company!
Overall length is 39 3/4 in. (101 cm.), 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 in. (5.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 1/2 in. (622 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
Overall this is a nice example of this rare Gretsch Jet, with some general wear but no visible damage or repairs. There are dings, dents and scrapes to the lacquer finish overall, with some more noticeable scratching to the back is one more feelable ding in the back of the neck behind the 4th fret. The top has shrunken up all along the lower edges as is common with the Nitron material, but is not peeling or crumbling. The Celluloid binding is fully intact with no rot at all, which is increasingly harder to find these days.
The hardware is original except the pickguard is a correct style repro and the arm for the Burns trem is missing. This is not really a tragedy as this is not a particularly useful trem in action. The gold plating shows some fairly light loss and the treble pickup ring has one crack at the corner. The upper strap button appears to be a correct reissue and has been moved down slightly from the original position. The original label is intact glued to the underside of the plastic switch cover plate. This guitar is a good playing and fantastic sounding Jet, and nothing beats the way it looks! It includes a solidly preserved OHSC. Overall Excellent - Condition.