Anybody know anything about Gretsch New Yorker Archtops?

[schmerf]

A local pawn shop has a Gretsch New Yorker Archtop. It has been modified and has a neck mounted jazz pickup and pickguard mounted electronics. The tuners have also been changed to grovers. Does anyone have any information on these archtops or an idea of how much they are worth?

[nmiller]

Gretsch acoustics (archtops and flattops) were never great-sounding guitars. New Yorkers didn't have pickups originally. I played one and found it reasonably easy to play, but I suppose it depends on the setup. In good condition they're worth ~$6-800 these days, but that's not counting any mods.

What kind of pickup does it have?

[schmerf]

The one I played sounded good acoustically. I don't know what the pickup was. I like the guitar I just don't want to pay too much for it is if I buy it. I think they are asking too much at $700 but their guitars are 20% off right now.

[schmerf]

bump

[Andreja]

Mediocre guitars.Nothing to do with NY or D'Angelicos top of the line instruments.
They were cheap plywood with a Big name.
Gretsch was never good with cheapos...
A great Gretsch archtop is a Synhromatic 400 with cat's eyes and bulb headstock
as seen in Djangos hands.

[schmerf]

I didn't know they were plywood. It looked like a real wood top at least to me.

[dangerine49]

They are not plywood. They have soild spruce tops and solid maple back and sides. I have a '58 Gretsch New Yorker archtop, and interestingly enough I replace the original tuners with Grovers and added a Lindy Fralin floating pickup about 10 years ago. It was my first guitar and I love it. It plays easily and sounds very good. $700 is a decent price as long as it's in good condition.

[schmerf]

Yours looks great. I walked out of the door with one today for $400. It sounds great acoustic and plugged in. It also plays really easily.

[dangerine49]

Great deal.

Enjoy...