1957 Gretsch Duo-Jet Electric Guitar

Appraised on: June 18, 2011

Appraised in: El Paso, Texas

Appraised by: Richard Johnston

Category: Musical Instruments

Episode Info: El Paso, Hour 3 (#1612)

Originally Aired: April 9, 2012

IMAGE: 1 of 4  

Appraisal Video: (1:00)

GUEST: It's my husband's guitar. It's a family heirloom. It's been passed down from his grandfather, who bought it back, I'm guessing, in the late '50s, we're not sure when. It's played on stage and it's been played on the radio by his grandfather and his father.

APPRAISER: Well, it's a Gretsch Duo Jet. Gretsch serial numbers and features are pretty confusing, but the serial number puts it at 1957. And the Duo Jet was Gretsch's competitor to the Gibson Les Paul. It has been changed somewhat. This Bigsby tailpiece was added later. It originally had a much simpler tailpiece that just had the Gretsch "G" on it.

GUEST: We have that, actually.

APPRAISER: Oh good! It's in pretty good shape. It has what we like to call "honest wear," and it has an abundance of it.

GUEST: Yes.

APPRAISER: Of course, the case has kind of become a personality in itself, with all this time.

GUEST: Yes.

APPRAISER: So because of the changes, the guitar probably has a retail value of around $3,500, just under $4,000.

GUEST: Okay.