Gretsch 6128-1957 Duo Jet, black, made in Japan in 2000. These seldom hang around long in the shop, and it's easy to understand why: it's all class, punks. This is a 'rebirth era' Gretsch: Fred Gretsch Jr bought the company back off Baldwin and restarted production in 1989, before selling to Fender in 2002... this was made in 2000 towards the end of that period. The build quality on these Terada-made Gretsch models is eye-wateringly good: this is built and finished to a standard USA builders dream of. The neck is a moderately slim, rounded profile, which feels great in the hands and allows for easy movement around the midnight-dark rosewood fretboard. The chambered body is a big part of the Gretsch signature sound, and also means this weighs in a fair bit under a regular Les Paul style guitar. The DynaSonic pickups are a dream: fat and full with a gorgeous weighty low end, but sparkling and clear through the top end. The tone sits somewhere between a fat proper 50s style Tele and a juicy P-90 equipped Les Paul, but with a certain airiness and breath to it that's unmistakably Gretsch. Now, do I need to tell you it looks good, or did you figure that out on your own?

Model: Gretsch G6128T Duo Jet
Made: Japan, Terada factory, 2000 (serial 008128-2330)
Body: mahogany, chambered, arched laminate maple top
Neck: mahogany, rosewood board, slim C profile
Mods: neck pickup re-wound with original-style wire
Weight: 3.925kg
Pickups: Gretsch Dynasonic single coil x2
Case: Gretsch hard case, excellent quality and condition

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has a couple of very minor dimples on the end. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, very minor dimples on the back only. The back has a couple of light scuffs in the elbow area and top horn, no major marks. The sides have no major marks, just some very light dimples near the jack. The front has some small dimples in the elbow area, some scuffs around the bridge and some play wear on the guard and horns, nothing nasty. Overall: excellent condition (9/10)

Playing condition notes: Neck is straight, action is low, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. Frets have minor wear only, 8/10. Wearing fresh 10/52 Moonshiners strings.