The Gretsch Pages: Gretsch Guitars: 6186 Clipper

Gretsch guitars: 6186 Clipper

If the White Falcon was the Cadillac of Gretsches, the Clipper was the Corolla — simple, cheap, and surprisingly usable.

The origins of the Clipper are complicated, even by Gretsch standards. Prior to 1958, the 6186 model number was used by both a cutaway AND a full-bodied guitar, both of which were slotted into the tiny space between the 6182 Corvette and the 6189 Streamliner. After 1958, both the Corvette and the Streamliner were gone, but the little 6186 Clipper (with a newly svelte 1 7/8" thick body) would carry on for 20 years as the entry level Gretsch.

Over its 20 year life, the little Clipper never changed much. In fact, other than a switch from a single DeArmond to a single HiLoTron, it barely changed at all. The Clipper never got a zero fret, Neo-Classic inlays, standby switches, tone switches or any of the other Gretsch "features" the higher end guitars did.

It just kept chugging along, making a surprisingly nice sound of its thin little body. Today, the vintage Clipper remains an affordable, great-sounding Gretsch. Not bad for an entry-level model.

Comments

Admin wrote:

I love my Clipper, especially for surfy things and Luther Perkins/Johnny Cash stuff. Not much mid-range on that HiLo, but it's just a great little guitar.

— Sep 8, 2006 11:31 a.m.
Admin wrote:

test

— Nov 27, 2006 8:58 a.m.
Mung wrote:

I have 3 of them :-)

— Feb 26, 2007 3:49 p.m.
Mung wrote:

Added my votes

— Feb 26, 2007 3:50 p.m.
tamlyn wrote:

I have well over 100 guitars in my collection (I have been playing for 30 years and kept all of them as I bought new ones), Not including specialtu guitars like my 360/ 12 string, doublenecck dennelectro and acoustics ,which are a small part of it. But including Mastterbuilt Fenders (7) and Custom Shop Gibsons (5). This is is one of my 5 favorite guitars, for one reason only. Tone. It is a new guitar(last of the pre Fenders) and I don't know if they all play this way, but this one is as smooth asa guitar can get and still has what it needs to do hard rock(I don't do heavy metal and Shredding) My other top 4 are a LP Supreme, 54 Strat, 69 Tele and 391/69 Rickenbacker. And well my duo Jet too. They are also what I gig with. I bought the 69 Tele in 69 and the 54 in 1971 along with a 59 Les Paul and still have and use them but the first 5 are the top of my list. Not much more to say.

— Apr 6, 2007 2:56 a.m.
tamlyn wrote:

I think it may take a long time but sooner or later people are going to figure out that this realattively cheap guitar really has something special

— Apr 6, 2007 3:01 a.m.
slk230red wrote:

I purchased my 1961 Gretsch Clipper in 1975. I saw a Gretsch guitar advertised on the bulletin board at USF and called the number. I bought a nice Gretsch guitar that day for twenty dollars...yes, $20.00! There wasn't much of a market for hollow bodies in those days. It hangs proudly on the wall next to my Chet Adkins Country Gentleman and Gibson SG. These guitars also have interesting stories. I was in the right place at the right time. I love playing the Clipper...takes me back to fond memories.

— Apr 25, 2007 9:16 p.m.

The Gretsch Pages

Gretsch guitars: 6186 Clipper

See Also:

Comments

User Ratings:

Basic Clipper specs:

1958:

1961:

1971: