Brand: Gretsch
Instrument Categories: Archtop, Electric, Guitars, SOLD
This one is a real treat – an almost all original Gretsch Clipper 6186 from 1958, the first year of its production. It’s a full bodied, single deArmond archtop in great shape.
The Gretsch Clipper was built from 1958 to 1975 as a lower-priced, entry level model. The model number was 6186 as a single pickup sunburst, and in 1959 the 6187 natural top version was introduced. In 1972, a second pickup was added and that model number was 6185.
Structurally, the Clipper 6186 and 6187 are very close to the classic 6120 and Anniversary models, but the bracing differs and the body laminates may be a bit thinner. Except for Trestle-braced 6120 versions, all four models use tone bars but the other 6120 and Anniversaries also have a sound post the bridge, coupling the top and back to dampen feedback.
The Clipper uses an unbound rosewood fingerboard with mother of pearl dot position markers. For hardware it uses a single deArmond pickup with volume and tone controls and G-Arrow knobs, and Rosewood bridge. This exzample has a G-cutout tailpiece, but others seem to use a trapeze. On this example, the original tuners have been replaced with Gotoh models, almost certainly a practical improvement. The pickguard is likely non original.
Overall, this guitar is in very nice condition, plays well as is, and the deArmond pickup has a wonderful sound. There are a few minor areas where it could use some attention. The controls are a little scratchy and should be cleaned. At the headstock, the ‘wings’ show some separation lines on the back and it’s possible that when the tuners were replaced, the holes weren’t enlarged quite enough. It’s a simple matter to remove the gears, stabilize the wings, and refit the tuners.
A non-original hard shell case is included.
- Model: Clipper 6186
- Year: 1958
- Finish Sunburst
- Class: Vintage
- Serial Number: 27516
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Good
- Date Posted: 13/08/2018
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Required CITES documentation
- Including Hard case
- Instrument Weight: 5.98lbs 2.72kg
- Scale Length: 24.75in 628.6mm
- Nut Width: 1.69in 43mm
