I'm not sure if this is 'one for the forum', but worth a go anyway as it's quite an unusual - and a good -guitar. I know a reasonable amount about the the Rockingham (Darel Higham etc) but I can't remember seeing one with P90's, at least with them as original spec. You do see them optimistically described as a 'Darrel Higham signature model' which does have some accuracy in terms of it's gestation, but isn't actually correct, as far as I'm aware. I've had Korean and Chinese versions, and - honestly - my favourites have been Chinese for some reason, perhaps because my first one was Chinese and it was ace.
This is what piqued my interest - it's an archtop, it's Gretsch-like, P90's, Bigsby etc. It's also a very attractive (IMO) and interesting colour. I'm selling an ES-350 and had a Gretsch up for sale (now sold) and I thought I'd try and pick something up that could be a useful replacement for both of them in the short term. I thought I'd channel my inner Eddie Cochran and T-Bone Walker with this combination. Turns out I haven't got an inner Eddie Cochran aond T-Bone Walker.
It' s the width of the binding shallower than a 6120, but you can obviously see the 'inspiration' for the Rockingham. I did think that the Korean Rockinghams were built in the same factory as the Gretsch Elecromatics, but I could have imagined that.
Anyway, I bought it from a well-known guitar store (not one that gets much praise on this forum) and I paid £499, which is towards the top end of the asking prices for these, but I thought that it was unusual and attractive. I didn't really get to study it much for a couple of weeks, and that's where I found a few little issues, which I was a bit irritated about.
The frets were scratchy - I think that it must have been fret dressed, but not polished, so I've had the frets checked over and polished. The top and bottom E jumped out of the their slots in the TOM style bridge so I've had the slots widened to fit the 11-50's that it's just had fitted. The Bigsby sounded like a special effect from Thriller, and that's a smooth as a baby's rump now. The pickup selector was intermittently inactive, so I've had that fixed. All in all, It cost £100 to get the faults sorted - I've got the receipt. Well, I didn't expect a used £499 guitar to be perfect, but if I'd have paid a bit more attention to it in the 14-day period, I'd have perhaps taken it back.
Or would I?!
Because it really is a nice guitar, and now it's even nicer because I've sorted the niggles out. The P90 is just a 'made in Japan' non-branded pickup and I did have wild thoughts about putting a couple of Lollars in there, but that would have meant paying as much as I did for the guitar. My local tech did say 'keep this one - it's a nice guitar'. However, he plays in an Iron Maiden tribute band, so I've long since learned to ignore his advice. Although he's right on this one.
One thing that I didn't see until 'a certain light' is that there's quite a few small surface scratches on the guitar. Not enough to dent it's good looks, but something that I might get round to sorting, although I don't have much time at the moment. Plus they don't affect the guitar. There's a couple of small dings in the neck, but again, they're pretty inconsequential. I'm mentioning it for full discloure etc.
I've taken a decision to get down to a couple of guitars for all sorts of reasons, so I thought I'd move this on now that it's nice again. Price wise, the Bigsby equipped models seem to be anything from £450 to £550 in terms of asking price. I'll suggest £499, as I paid £100 more than that t have it sorted, but at least it's made it into a very nice thing. It's also got a hard case with it. I'd prefer collection as then I can lure you into my cellar and keep you there, but meeting up is fine and I can look at posting on this one, although the case is the size of Walsall and I don't know if I've got a box that big. Also there'll be postage costs, and no-one wants that. If you're within about 50 miles of me then bad luck I can look at dropping it off, although you wouldn't really want me in your house.
I'd prefer cash, but trades of something similar are always possible, although it might be tricky at this sort of price. Do message me if you've got any thoughts. I can only say 'no', although I do have quite an extensive vocabulary of filthy words.
Hopefully I've priced it about right, although do PM me if you think that I've gone all Gordon Gecko and it's too expensive.
In answer to your questions in advance about the reflections in the guitar:
1) Practising for Hallowe'en
2)Yes, completely naked
3) No, it's a gerbil
if it piques your interest and you want something purple in your life (missus!) drop me a line - always happy to chat.
Call me Dave.
Comments
It was an excellent guitar ......I found the neck a tiny bit slim/skinny but the playability was as good as any Gretsch I've played and it sounded terrific . An awful lot of good guitar for the money ;if it had the Gretsch brand on the headstock you wouldn't think twice about paying £1500 for it .
HarrySeven - Intangible Asset Appraiser & Wrecker of Civilisation. Searching for weird guitars - so you don't have to.
Forum feedback thread. | G&B interview #1 & #2 | https://www.instagram.com/_harry_seven_/
HarrySeven - Intangible Asset Appraiser & Wrecker of Civilisation. Searching for weird guitars - so you don't have to.
Forum feedback thread. | G&B interview #1 & #2 | https://www.instagram.com/_harry_seven_/
GLWTS.
It was actually a really good guitar and everso easily playable ......like you said Dave ....quite a fast neck .
It got displaced by a Yamaha AES ( Gretschalike ) which is an awesome machine - I say that having had a few Falcons inc a Stern ...........even then it wasn't night and Day .
I'm quite a fan of these ....call me Lord Rockingham ( for those that remember )