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Gretsch Monkees Rock N' Roll Model
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:46 pm
by kennyhowes
Me: Big Monkees fan.
I had one of these, but it's long gone.
Thinking of getting another.
I bet someone here has one?
Re: Gretsch Monkees Rock N' Roll Model
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 2:27 pm
by kiramdear
Here's a picture:
The Monkees model didn't sell well because almost all their fans at the time were young girls, they had little cred with the real players. So the model evolved into the almost-identical Streamliner (minus sig-pickguard and TRC)
Re: Gretsch Monkees Rock N' Roll Model
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 3:03 pm
by octagon
Is that yours Kira?Those are very hard to find with the pickguard intact.
Re: Gretsch Monkees Rock N' Roll Model
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 3:22 pm
by kiramdear
No, Mitch, I grabbed this pic off the net. It's not my favorite style Gretsch. I prefer the big-bodied ones
Re: Gretsch Monkees Rock N' Roll Model
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 4:41 pm
by Ric O'Sound
kiramdear wrote:It's not my favorite style Gretsch. I prefer the big-bodied ones
Hmm...didn't have you pegged as a "Stetson and spurs" type, Kira. Now if I could only remember where I stashed those Slim Whitman records?
No, really...Gretsches are cool. But my preference goes in the opposite direction as yours far as size is concerned. I'm a huge fan of Gretsch Jets.
Re: Gretsch Monkees Rock N' Roll Model
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 5:42 pm
by jingle_jangle
Hmmm..the only thing larger than that Monkees, body-wise, would be a 6122-59 (18")...
Gretsches? I love (almost) all of them...
...including my Billy-Bo White Penguin.
Re: Gretsch Monkees Rock N' Roll Model
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 7:22 pm
by gellkeller
Re: Gretsch Monkees Rock N' Roll Model
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 10:55 pm
by antipodean
Given where the Aussie Dollar is, that's not Steve Jackson's normal markup....
Re: Gretsch Monkees Rock N' Roll Model
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 11:08 pm
by gellkeller
antipodean wrote:
Given where the Aussie Dollar is, that's not Steve Jackson's normal markup....
It plays OK. I like the control layout, it looks like a 370F.
Re: Gretsch Monkees Rock N' Roll Model
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 1:28 am
by collin
Yeah, the Monkees sig. model was a bit asinine because at the time, even the Monkees themselves couldn't play it!
Re: Gretsch Monkees Rock N' Roll Model
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 1:46 am
by kiramdear
collin wrote:Yeah, the Monkees sig. model was a bit asinine because at the time, even the Monkees themselves couldn't play it!
The article I found said that was the reason they didn't sell. The savvy players all knew that the Monkees were a TV construct, not a "real" band. Eventually we found out that they all had quite a bit of talent in spite of their beginnings.
Re: Gretsch Monkees Rock N' Roll Model
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 7:28 am
by Ric O'Sound
jingle_jangle wrote:Gretsches? I love (almost) all of them...
...including my Billy-Bo White Penguin.
Man, I've been jonesin' for one of those white Billy-Bo's for a while now (so far I've been able to resist the temptation to pull the trigger...but it's becoming increasingly difficult). How do you like it, Paul?
Re: Gretsch Monkees Rock N' Roll Model
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 1:08 pm
by shamustwin
Speaking of Gretsch, I am going to get one, someday.
Beside the Billy Joe Bob Jerry Jim Elmer Johnny model, what sayeth ye all as far as desirable features/models, non-vintage.
I am a fan of the Tennesseans.
Re: Gretsch Monkees Rock N' Roll Model
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 1:23 pm
by jingle_jangle
shamustwin wrote:Speaking of Gretsch, I am going to get one, someday.
Beside the Billy Joe Bob Jerry Jim Elmer Johnny model, what sayeth ye all as far as desirable features/models, non-vintage.
I am a fan of the Tennesseans.
That's yer stereotype classic orange Gretsch, Jerry. I'd go for one with TV Jones' Powertrons fitted, as its tone and punch are like a vintage Tenny on steroids.
The BIlly Joe Bob Bad Teeth HeeHaw Mr. T. special is eminently playable, with nice balance, great juicy Gretsch tone and punch (especially through any good vintage tube amp...) and appearance that's a love/hate thing. Can't get cooler than that in a non-Rick.
I don't much care for the regular issue red/black Billy-Bos. ZZTop did have some made up in odd colors. I recall a set in smoke green two tone that was reel niiiice.
Joel at Shanghai Music in OK is your only source for new B-Bs. The first run was 26 units. I'm not sure if they were all spoken for; I think not, because he's just listed six more with gold Melitta bridges on his web site, and Gretsch Terada's minimum special run order is something like 20 or 25.
But, a unique opportunity, as they say. These are antique white (like the Stills White Falcon) with full-on Falcon detailing (Gretsch calls it a Penguin, OK). Only thing (thankfully) missing is the Falcon headstock.
Re: Gretsch Monkees Rock N' Roll Model
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 2:52 pm
by paologregorio
I really like my Silver Jet and Duo Jet for every day playing and gigging. In addition, my `55 era DSW 6120 Chet Atkins/Nashville is amazing; the neck is really nice and slip-a dream to play. I have a `65 Tennessean as well, which was my first Gretsch. It's a winner as well. The only one that seems to sit in its case most of the time is an ancient, tobacco Sunburst `53 Electromatic, though it plays like a dream as well.
Good luck with finding a Monkees model Kenny. I'll keep my eyes open for one.
