Congratultions !!! I've been playing a Gretsch since 1966. it's a 1959 Gretsch Anniversary model. it's the guitar that I learned to play on and I still have it. I also have 2001 "New" Jet.
the quality of Gretsch guitars went down when Baldwin Music had control of Gretsch. in recent years, Fred Gretsch, a greatgrandson of the original Gretsch, along with FMIC, is trying to get the quality back up to top notch. so, since 2003 there have been alot of good things happening. most of your professional line guitars are made in Japan. FMIC is bringing back some of the old standards back as reissues.
enjoy your Sparkle Jet. on gretsch-talk, you'd be told that it's the first of many more.
