What do you know about the Gretsch Beast?

westtexasred · Post by **westtexasred** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 8:48 pm

Saw one like the one below at my local shop. The one at the shop has a Bigsby installed. I think the want $500 for it.Know anything about these guitars?
I just know that Kim in the Muffs has one.

[youtube][/youtube]

paul_ · Post by **paul_** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 9:02 pm

Gretsch BST-1000

Somewhat unremarkable oddball mid-late '70s solidbody along the lines of Gibson Marauder

Kim's has had the neck broken 3 times because she used to bash it in time on a crash cymbal during lead breaks.

[youtube][/youtube]

Some people called them the "beast" as you already know. Not much else is worth knowing. They're alright. Take a look--- there, you got the general idea.

westtexasred · Post by **westtexasred** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 9:27 pm

paul_ wrote:Gretsch BST-1000

Somewhat unremarkable oddball mid-late '70s solidbody along the lines of Gibson Marauder

Kim's has had the neck broken 3 times because she used to bash it in time on a crash cymbal during lead breaks.

[youtube][/youtube]

Some people called them the "beast" as you already know. Not much else is worth knowing. They're alright. Take a look--- there, you got the general idea.

Thanks for the info!What is the toggle switch for? Coil splitter?

paul_ · Post by **paul_** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 9:42 pm

I'm pretty sure it's just a neck/mid/bridge toggle with global vol and tone, they're pretty basic.

$500 isn't a bad price if it plays nice, there's minimal interest in these guitars but occasionally I meet people who are after one, or who own one/knows someone who does and swear by it. I've never played one but I heard the necks are super thin and flat and have heard them compared to those Dan Armstrong plexi guitars' necks.

westtexasred · Post by **westtexasred** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 9:49 pm

paul_ wrote:I'm pretty sure it's just a neck/mid/bridge toggle with global vol and tone, they're pretty basic.

$500 isn't a bad price if it plays nice, there's minimal interest in these guitars but occasionally I meet people who are after one, or who own one/knows someone who does and swear by it. I've never played one but I heard the necks are super thin and flat and have heard them compared to those Dan Armstrong plexi guitars' necks.

Ok thanks.This one is cool because it has a Bigsby but one thing I noticed was there is a little crack that has been repaired across the neck voulte.

Pacafeliz · Post by **Pacafeliz** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 10:39 pm

our singer/guitarrist has one and it's a BEAST! IIRC these are stock DiMarzio SuperDistortion pickups. the guitar is a great cheap alternative to a gibson.
try to haggle a bit, but $500 seems decent. they WILL get "collectable" soon you'll see...

same as the WAY underrated ovation "preacher" solidbodies, these are... well, way underrated.

Pat.

timhulio · Post by **timhulio** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 10:44 pm

I can see an Ovation Deacon or Breadwinner in my future, definately.

Tim

Mages · Post by **Mages** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 4:01 am

yea, it reminds me of the ovation as well.

Ben

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 4:04 am

I thought it looked like the Ovation, and to be honest, I probably would have identified it as such, but they look nothing alike when you see them side by side.

They both have big pickguards I suppose, and are fairly thin looking.

taylornutt · Post by **taylornutt** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 4:27 am

I always wondered who made those. Jon Foreman of Switchfoot used one for a while
[youtube][/youtube]

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 4:29 am

The other guitar it reminds me of is something by Godin, or something that I think is by Godin.

paul_ · Post by **paul_** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 10:56 pm

Kinda reminds me a bit of certain Maton electrics as well.

analogsystem · Post by **analogsystem** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 2:20 am

offer $350 for it. I'd rather have a Committee or some kind of set-neck monster from the same era. Its got cool factor and would be fun to play but $500 is a little much unless you really bond with it.

I think the stock pickups are really microphonic too....

James · Post by **James** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 2:35 am

BacchusPaul wrote:The other guitar it reminds me of is something by Godin, or something that I think is by Godin.

You're thinking of the Godin SD

theshadowofseattle · Post by **theshadowofseattle** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 6:06 am

Looks like one of those guitars like the Mustang that is pretty average and forgetable until famous people get ahold of them.