Gretsch Silver Jet Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1960), made in Brooklyn, NY, serial # 38610, silver sparkle top, natural back and sides finish, mahogany body and neck; ebony fingerboard, original blue/grey hard shell case. One of the coolest Gretsch guitars ever, the Silver Jet is much sought after model among connoisseurs. All original Silver Jets are very rare; this one dates to 1960, when the model was produced only in tiny numbers at best. The distinctive features of this era Jet are the twin patent-number Filter'Tron pickups on a single-cutaway body, "neo-classic" fingerboard inlay and 3-knob, 2 switch wiring scheme. The eye-catching silver sparkle top is made of the same Nitron plastic material Gretsch used to cover drum shells. Even in the populuxe 1950's this model could be seen as gaudy...by 1960 the Duo Jet and Jet Fire Bird with black and red painted tops were still quite popular but the silver-topped variant is rarely seen.

In 1961 all these models went to a double cutaway body style; the Filter'Tron equipped single-cut Silver Jet was in production for only about 3 years...by which time Gretsch charged an extra $20.00 for the sparkle feature! The Silver Jet remains one of the most collectible of Gretsch guitars; along with the White Falcon it represents the Gretsch aesthetic at its most exuberant.
 
Height is 40 1/4 in. (102.2 cm.), 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 in. (5.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 1/2 in. (622 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.). Overall very nice; top material has shrunk and discolored a bit. Binding is very good. Some overall play wear but no notable damage or repair. All original with the original case, a very rare find. Beautifully repaired minor headstock break, otherwise wholly original. Excellent - Condition.

Item # 5949