Gretsch 8210 BST 2000

The paper work that came with the Guitar , when I purchased it in 1980 has model 8210, but I always thought if this guitar as a BST 2000. In comparing info available on the web, it could have also been model 8220. Two cut aways, small body- similar to a Gibson Melody Maker from the 60's, 2 pickups- I beleive thes are DiMarzio SD with the split coil feature, 1 volume, 1 tone, 3 way pick up selector, and a coil spliter switch. Two piece neck- fingerboard is a rosewood, and the back is maple and 25.5 inch scale with zero nut. The body is a dark walnut color. A black 3 ply pickguard houses the pick-ups, controls and switches- all are firmly mounted.The headstock is maple- continued from the back of the neck.The neck is a bolt on with a metal plate. Groover type tuners- 3 a side. Bridge is chrome with strings coming through the back of the body, with individual height adjustments.

I purchased this guitar at the end of college, as the Les Paul copy (aria)I had been playing was getting some major fret wear. At the time I was playing originals with a few friend- but not gigging with them. I was teaching at a music store part time, after class until evening, and playing quite a few weddings with my father in a four piece band- lots of standards, a little rock and country and polkas. So this guitar is versitle, especially with the split coil feature- I could get a convincing Gibson humbucker or Fender twang with the flip of a switch. I was a little concerned , because I could hear the a little distortion through my Peavey solid state amp, due to the strong output from the pick -ups, even when a very clean amp sound was on. This guitar never let me down and I never had to have anything fixed on it.

What really drew me to this guitar was the beck- what a beautiful slim neck- very fast, flat back and to this day 20+ years later the neck is straight as could be. It has been my only electric, but in the last 2-3 years I have been playing mostly acoustic. The frets are showing some wear, but minimal for a guitar of this age. When I got this Gretsch, I got a great deal from the store I was working at, but I also always beleived that it was a second due to some minor cosmetic flaws- there were 2 chips in the lower cutaway that are color matched perfectly. The larger one is only 1/4 inch diameter semi circle. I did take off the metal plate that holds the neck , to file down the edges and corners ,as it was quite sharp when I got it.

Never a problem. I have tightened down the cord jack, tuners -2 times in 20 + years. I did replace the strap buttons in the early 80's with locking ones- my preference. I did many wedding without a back up. I had a strat copy in the early 90's that I would try to use for some songs, but it was not reliable. I sold it in less than a year.

Nothing was ever needed that I had to contact Gretsch or a guitar tech.

I did purchase a Korean made Hamer Echotone (ES335 copy)recently, but my Gretsch is not leaving me. It will likely be my back-up until the Hamer has a track record I can trust. The neck on the gretsch is still beautiful and inviting.The sound is not typical for a Gretsch, but it is every bit as well made , relible and professional.