"The ultimate in rich resonant guitar sound and instant response" reads the original copy for the Country Club - these interesting guitars did not go on to the same notoriety as the White Falcon, but this similarly sized 17" model impressed many with its high end appointments. Originally priced at $420 in 1959, this model went through some changes in its first few years and increased in price and some popularity during the early 60's guitar boom. An interesting model, these are high end guitars with less frills that some of their counter parts - making it an interesting, collectable, and not so "out of reach" piece of yesteryear.
This example has some extensive wear present. Cosmetically, the color coat of the burst is nice but shows some expected checking and extensive finish chips throughout (notably at the heel on the back). The binding has shrunk and broken in various locations around the top & back side. The tailpiece is an original Gretsch tailpiece, but is likely a slightly later replacement. The pickguard is original and has a crack present at its mount. The electronics appear to have been tinkered with, having new wiring present. The current wiring functions the same as the original schematic, with a 3 way pickup toggle, "Color" (Tone) Switch, Standby Switch, Two individual pickup Volumes, and single Master Volume near the cutaway. The original gold plated roller style saddle is present, as well as the original Filter Trons (PAT 2892371). This model is the deeper 2.75" version, opposed to the lesser seen thin model.
The neck is actually surprisingly straight with a functional truss rod. The "Action Flo" Zero fret is present, and the frets show a fair amount of wear, with extensive discoloration and pitting. The binding along the fretboard is cracked in various locations - primarily around the upper register. It has a 1 5/8" nut width, and the neck measures .87" thick at the first position and about 1.02" at the 11th before the curvature of the heel. It has the original Grover tuners which function well, but the plating has worn and oxidized.
All & all, the guitar actually sounds really nice acoustically and electrically. Acoustically it is impressive how loud it is, and the Filter Trons do a really nice job translating that, albeit intermittently. It appears to need the electronics touched up likely just at the jack. This guitar plays pretty sweetly overall, with medium action that measures about 6/64" in height at the twelfth fret.
Comes with the original hardshell case.