I have been loaned an old Gretsch by a lady I work with. The serial number is 571073 - through my research this should be a 1971. I found a 1971 on ebay completed listings that had a made in the USA stamp on the back of the headstock. This one does not. Thanks in advance for your input. David
Yea, some had Made in USA, some not. According to this site, the first number is the month, unless it is 10-12 (Oct-Dec), then it's the first 2 numbers, followed by the year. As far the model, well that's a 6120 Nashville. At some point in the 60s it went from a single cutaway like Setzer's 59 to the double like that one. http://www.provide.net/~cfh/gretsch.html
It is a mute - sort of like foam - you engage it (it rises and touches underneath the strings) with one of the buttons. I guess it is for a Jazz style/sound.
