odd Gretsch on stage

ack1961 · September 19, 2011, 08:37:12 AM

I went to see a show at a small club last night, and one of the musicians had an old (I'm guessing mid-late 70's) Gretsch. Natural with oddly cut white pickguard, single pickup, oddly cut horns and a paddle-like (4 inline) headstock (I've seen pictures of older Teisco basses with similar headstocks). Any ideas what year/model that could be?

ack1961 · September 19, 2011, 08:45:26 AM

just found it. Gretsch TK300.. pretty odd duck.

http://www.gretschguitars.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/gretsch-160271604369380010.jpg

Dave W · September 19, 2011, 08:58:50 AM

They do come up on eBay once in a while. There was a short thread here last year about one. Not a bad sounding bass but didn't really have any tone or style that connected to other Gretsch basses. Same with the companion guitar.

Here it is in the Gretsch 1979 catalog on Jules' site.

Pilgrim · September 19, 2011, 09:16:12 AM

That IS an odd one!

Nocturnal · September 19, 2011, 06:47:00 PM

In one of my old Guitar Players mags there are ad's for both the guitar and bass. I never liked the look of those.

drbassman · September 19, 2011, 08:30:34 PM

Just plain ugly.

Pilgrim · September 19, 2011, 08:53:11 PM

I kinda like like offbeat basses - that one doesn't thrill me, but it looks interesting. I think the headstock is cool.

Freuds_Cat · September 20, 2011, 12:12:33 AM

I think they ran out of necks and decided it was cheaper to use hockey sticks.

SKATE RAT · September 20, 2011, 06:25:52 AM

i think it looks cool in a "jetsons" sorta way. is it 34" scale? it looks short.

Spiritbass · September 20, 2011, 10:17:43 AM

If you're up a creek, you can always use one of these to paddle back. Not exactly a beauty in this beholder's eye.

Bargeon · September 20, 2011, 01:00:05 PM

What a period piece! Has late 60's written all over it. ("Lets put a zig-zag guard on that ass-shaped body.")

Deserves a spot in the disco scene in Laugh-in or quick zoom on Hullabaloo

Anyone have some Screaming Yellow Zonkers?

Chris P. · September 20, 2011, 01:10:14 PM

I would play it!

ack1961 · September 20, 2011, 01:58:01 PM

This bass fit right in on stage with The Low Anthem's other instruments and implements.
They sported an upright bass, rows of tiny cymbals that the woman played with a bow, some crazy keyboard assembly, and a quickly spinning turntable mounted over an amp speaker (not too dissimilar from the idea behind the Leslie horn, I guess), and some other interesting tidbits.
The lead singer also played a crosscut saw with a bow and sang beautifully over the top. He has an amazing voice, and accompanied well by the other band members.
One interesting point of the show came during "this damn house" where before they started, they asked everyone to call someone next to them and put the call on speakerphone as he whistled into the mic during the end of the end - the resonance and feedback in the bar was amazing.

They're unique and harmless. We had a great time, and they have a new casual fan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfoR_PwqR6I&feature=mh_lolz&list=FLs3NBLNHJkm6RcOp51B8TVg

nofi · September 20, 2011, 02:49:50 PM

i'll bet you will find alot of tom waits' records at his house.

Dave W · September 20, 2011, 08:01:58 PM

Quote from: Bargeon on September 20, 2011, 01:00:05 PM
What a period piece! Has late 60's written all over it. ("Lets put a zig-zag guard on that ass-shaped body.")

Deserves a spot in the disco scene in Laugh-in or quick zoom on Hullabaloo

Anyone have some Screaming Yellow Zonkers?

Maybe that's the problem, since these were from 1979. Gretsch was decade too late! Seriously, this was toward the end of the Baldwin era of Gretsch, when things were at a low point.