Gretsch vs. Australia

When I was buying my guitar at the local shop, I asked why they carried Gretsch drums but not Gretsch guitars. I was told that Gretsch guitars fall apart in the dry Australian climate, and that's why there is no Australian Gretsch wholesaler. The lass told me that she had two Gretsches that she bought while living in the US and upon returning to Australia the laminate started coming apart.

I know there are plenty of authorised Gretsch dealers in this country and plenty of Aussie bands that play them. Anyone care to comment?

I still want one

I know the humidity is bad for guitars in general, I learnt that the hard way.


Kid.

Hey andi,
I've had my Gretsch since '99, no problems. My mate Chris from "The Saucermen" has had his for the same time. The guitarist from "The Flat Trackers" the same. They're all the same year tangerine Hot Rods! My mate Terry From "Twang Central Guitars" (guitar shop that specializes in vintage guitars, amps and effects) has 2 '57 6120 with DeArmonds, 1 no problems, 1 with slight cracking/crazing in the binding. But you're talking about 52 year old guitars, built with wood thats obviousily older again.
I don't see that keeping your guitars indoors 99% of the time is going to affect them? If you left them outside, no matter what brand, then that's another story.
Me thinks price and specialized market may be the real factor! Most of us that have Gretschs don't leave them lying around, we tend to look after them.
Cheers Pete.
P.S. If anyone is interested, Twang Central Guitars will soon be carrying TV Jones pick ups.

Not an Aussie, but i think that lass was talking out her *ss. hahah
Btw kid, Humidity is relative. You want some moisture but not too much. Like keeping a cigar. Treat your guitars like cigars and your good! haha
IF you don't smoke thats ok! neither do I

Mike wrote:

Not an Aussie, but i think that lass was talking out her *ss. hahah
Btw kid, Humidity is relative. You want some moisture but not too much. Like keeping a cigar. Treat your guitars like cigars and your good! haha
IF you don't smoke thats ok! neither do I

Haha no I don't smoke... but I'll take that information on board


Kid.

Kid Setzer wrote:

Mike wrote:

Not an Aussie, but i think that lass was talking out her *ss. hahah
Btw kid, Humidity is relative. You want some moisture but not too much. Like keeping a cigar. Treat your guitars like cigars and your good! haha
IF you don't smoke thats ok! neither do I

Haha no I don't smoke... but I'll take that information on board


Kid.

.....also....dont smoke your guitars...

Very good point Vinny!!! maybe i should be a little more specific eh? If i ever smoked a guitar, i'd hope the laquer would kill me!
1. I'd deserve it!
2. Why live without a guitar???

If Gretsch can stand the humidity in North Carolina I think it'll stand up to anything! Ugh!

Vinny wrote:

Kid Setzer wrote:

Mike wrote:

Not an Aussie, but i think that lass was talking out her *ss. hahah
Btw kid, Humidity is relative. You want some moisture but not too much. Like keeping a cigar. Treat your guitars like cigars and your good! haha
IF you don't smoke thats ok! neither do I

Haha no I don't smoke... but I'll take that information on board


Kid.

.....also....dont smoke your guitars...

...But it's ok to play a smokin' guitar!

Eddie Lee wrote:

...But it's ok to play a smokin' guitar!

touche' Eddie

my gretsch here in melbourne holds up ok, i dont think the weather is that extreme here tho

jacko wrote:

my gretsch here in melbourne holds up ok, i dont think the weather is that extreme here tho

Yeah it gets really humid up here in Queensland, the neck of my guitar moves a bit when it gets humid.. or maybe I just have a crap guitar


Kid.

andi wrote:

I was told that Gretsch guitars fall apart in the dry Australian climate, and that's why there is no Australian Gretsch wholesaler. The lass told me that she had two Gretsches that she bought while living in the US and upon returning to Australia the laminate started coming apart.

I know there are plenty of authorised Gretsch dealers in this country and plenty of Aussie bands that play them. Anyone care to comment?

Sounds more like of a case they simply don't want to stock Gretsch guitars!

Gretsch Guitars are distributed in Australia by Fender . Does your local music shop stock Fender? If so they can stock Gretsch guitars!!

This is from the Fender AU website showing the list of shops stocking Gretsch in QLD Gretsch Dealers in Aust

Cheers
John

[quote="Shaker"]

andi wrote:

Gretsch Guitars are distributed in Australia by Fender . Does your local music shop stock Fender? If so they can stock Gretsch guitars!!

Cheers
John

Hi John,

it is not everywhere like this.
my local Guitar dealer and mechanic is a traditonell Fender dealer for about 20 years.
I ask him for Gretsch guitars and parts, because Gretsch belongs to Fender.
He told me, he has to pay extra money for selling Gretsch guitars and he cannot order parts if he not sign a special Gretsch contract. They have several departments for both brands.
He repairs my Gretsch, but if i need new parts i have to go to another shop.

Cheers

J

[quote="brett"]

Shaker wrote:

andi wrote:

Gretsch Guitars are distributed in Australia by Fender . Does your local music shop stock Fender? If so they can stock Gretsch guitars!!

Cheers
John

Hi John,

it is not everywhere like this.
my local Guitar dealer and mechanic is a traditonell Fender dealer for about 20 years.
I ask him for Gretsch guitars and parts, because Gretsch belongs to Fender.
He told me, he has to pay extra money for selling Gretsch guitars and he cannot order parts if he not sign a special Gretsch contract. They have several departments for both brands.
He repairs my Gretsch, but if i need new parts i have to go to another shop.

Cheers

J

Hi Brett

It is downunder

In Australia Gretsch are distributed nationally by Fender Australia Pty Ltd Check out the Fender Australia/Gretsch website.

Cheers
John

@shaker,

yep, maybe in Australia Fender/Gretsch is different.

by the way, i checked your website. I like your sound. very cool.
And what a schedule!!!!

Your guys have to work. congratulation...

brett wrote:

@shaker,

yep, maybe in Australia Fender/Gretsch is different.

by the way, i checked your website. I like your sound. very cool.
And what a schedule!!!!

Your guys have to work. congratulation...

Thanks Brett,
I also work in another band as well, Reb Baker & The Houseshakers

Cheers
John