Why, Gretsch, why? (whiny GAS content)

[Katastrophe]

Dear Gretsch -

Why must your products look to be the ultimate in retro cool to me?

Why did you have to make an endorsement deal with Chet Atkins so many years ago, and use his genius to influence your designs?

Why must Brian Setzer make such cool noises come from your guitars, which makes me want them more?

Why do you have an entire line of affordable guitfiddles, almost each one of which causes me serious GAS?

I'm just askin'.

Thanks.

[just strum]

You sighted the reason that I don't even look at them anymore. That is one make that just gets me every time. I would post some pics of my favorites, but that would only torture the two of us and I'm sure some others. They are a piece of art that sings.

[tot_Ou_tard]

I'm with you both on my knees trying to fend off Gretsch attacks.

As a public service I will post these GASless Gretsches as a balm to the psyche.

http://www.gretschguitars.com/americana/images/americana_beauty.jpg

[just strum]

I'm with you both on my knees trying to fend off Gretsch attacks.

As a public service I will post these GASless Gretsches as a balm to the psyche.

http://www.gretschguitars.com/americana/images/americana_beauty.jpg

"You used a balm? Who told you to use a balm?!"-Jackie

"The Maestro."-Kramer "

"The Maestro?! You're taking medical advice from a Maestro?! You should have never used the balm! It's a balm you never know what it's going to do!"-Jackie

[tot_Ou_tard]

You should have never used the balm! It's a balm you never know what it's going to do!
Ah yes, I neglected to factor in the magnetic power of a "Way Out West!" kiddie acoustic on those geezers who were boys during the glory days of the TV Western.

Add in the "injuns" & cactii & Strum's a done deal.

It's the lesbian twin sweetheart sisters that get me.

[marnold]

"You used a balm? Who told you to use a balm?!"-Jackie
"What did you give him a balm for? It might bite him!" --Mandy

[markb]

The big question for me is "why did a company from Brooklyn, NY use all that cowboy imagery"?

[tot_Ou_tard]

The big question for me is "why did a company from Brooklyn, NY use all that cowboy imagery"?
The eastern city folk were the ones who were the most enthralled with western symbolism.

They lapped up stuff like this:


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/69/Buffalo_Bill%27s_Wild_West_Show.jpg (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/69/Buffalo_Bill%27s_Wild_West_Show.jpg)

[Katastrophe]

Tot, your post of the western acoustics did nothing to curb my GAS.

The 'Bay had a few good deals going this morning. The only thing that is saving me at this point is that I have no cash right now...

[just strum]

Tot, your post of the western acoustics did nothing to curb my GAS.

The 'Bay had a few good deals going this morning. The only thing that is saving me at this point is that I have no cash right now...

As long as you are in pain

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h16/auroraohio/Guitars/GretschNashWest.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h16/auroraohio/Guitars/Gretsch6120.jpg

[Katastrophe]

Good guy status... REVOKED!:thwap:

[tot_Ou_tard]

Tot, your post of the western acoustics did nothing to curb my GAS.

The 'Bay had a few good deals going this morning. The only thing that is saving me at this point is that I have no cash right now...
Sundown Serenade or The Showdown?

[Katastrophe]

Wild West Sweethearts... What else?:D

[tot_Ou_tard]

Wild West Sweethearts... What else?:D
Hey! I got dibs on that one:punch: .

[Katastrophe]

I declare a thumb war! Winner gets the guitar.:poke: :spank: :punch:

[tot_Ou_tard]

I declare a thumb war! Winner gets the guitar.:poke: :spank: :punch:
Thumb war it is!

...but who said anything about a guitar?!?

[just strum]

Thumb war it is!

...but who said anything about a guitar?!?

You two should be in China, going for the gold.

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h16/auroraohio/dmi_task_0_27.jpg

[Katastrophe]

Nah, Strum... I'm not that handsome. The Chinese would probably just substitue me with a cuter model.

[tot_Ou_tard]

Nah, Strum... I'm not that handsome. The Chinese would probably just substitue me with a cuter model.
It'd be your thumb through the ring & John Mayer's head on the screen making "Thumb War" faces.

[sunvalleylaw]

Yeah, I played one while on vacation. The $599 Electromatic. Dang I liked that guitar!

[Katastrophe]

Actually, SVL, it was your post on the Electromatic that got me lookin' at 'em again.

Therefore, it is all your fault.:D

[tot_Ou_tard]

Actually, SVL, it was your post on the Electromatic that got me lookin' at 'em again.

Therefore, it is all your fault.:D
Since you seem to be immune to cowboy counter-measures, why don't you just go ahead & post some of the Gretsches of your dreams & we can all drool.

[Katastrophe]

Okay, here's a few that are giving me serious GAS:

The first one is the Synchromatic Archtop Acoustic/Electric single cutaway. Looks like jazzy one floating pickup goodness.

The next is a Goldtop Electromatic Pro Jet with mini Gretschbuckers. Gotta try one of these.

The next one is the Electromatic G5120 that SVL wrote about. Orangey Gretsch twangorific!

Finally, the last one is the new double cutaway G5122. This one looks like a country / rockabilly machine!

:drool: :drool: :drool: :drool: :drool:

Seriously, I'm skeered to try any of these out, as they may put the GAS over the edge into critical stage.

[sunvalleylaw]

I played the G5120 in Black. It looked great in black. And I didn't feel like I looked like I was trying to be Brian as much. That double cutaway looks awesome too. I will have to try that next time.

[warren0728]

those gretch's look sweet...not in my near future though...but i really like my gretsch knockoff from ibanez...i have been playing it a lot lately...buth plugged and unplugged!

http://www.thefret.net/imagehosting/thum_35474b7a7715084.jpg (http://www.thefret.net/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=122) http://www.thefret.net/imagehosting/thum_35474b7a775f7b4.jpg (http://www.thefret.net/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=123)

ww

[Katastrophe]

And I didn't feel like I looked like I was trying to be Brian as much.

Nah, SVL, I was just poking a little fun at you... I had posted about the 5120 and other hollowbodies a while back, as I was GASsing for one at the time. Here's the thread: http://www.thefret.net/showthread.php?t=4866&page=2&highlight=gassing+for+a+hollowbody

Your trip to GC and review sparked the interest in Gretsches again, and that's a good thing! When you try out the double cutaway, post about it, 'cause I'm really interested in what you find out!

I tell ya, I'm gonna get one of these guitars some day. It might take a while, but it's gonna happen!

Warren, I had the opportunity to play an Ibanez that looked just like yours the other day, and thought it was a fantastic guitar, and a great value. That blue looks beautiful in person, as well!

[sunvalleylaw]

Nah, SVL, I was just poking a little fun at you... I had posted about the 5120 and other hollowbodies a while back, as I was GASsing for one at the time. Here's the thread: http://www.thefret.net/showthread.php?t=4866&page=2&highlight=gassing+for+a+hollowbody

Your trip to GC and review sparked the interest in Gretsches again, and that's a good thing! When you try out the double cutaway, post about it, 'cause I'm really interested in what you find out!

I tell ya, I'm gonna get one of these guitars some day. It might take a while, but it's gonna happen!

Warren, I had the opportunity to play an Ibanez that looked just like yours the other day, and thought it was a fantastic guitar, and a great value. That blue looks beautiful in person, as well!

Hi Kat, I didn't think you meant anything at all by your comments. I love those gits. I want one someday too. I think I may go that way before a 335 style honestly. Now that I know about the double cutaway version, I will have to see which one I like more when I do. But that is a someday sort of determination. They are sure fun to GAS over though, and those Ibanez's look like a good option too.

[jpfeifer]

I agree. Gretch's are really unique in their sound and their look.

My favorite one that I tried was a smaller-body version of the 6120. I don't recall what model it was. But, wow, what a cool tone. You plug it in and there's an instant vibey kind of tone to everything that you play. What really impressed me was how versatile the guitar was. It sounded great for clean Jazz sorts of things, it twang'ed like a Tele and even sounded good with a decent amount of distortion (and the feedback was really fun too). I had to put that guitar away and walk out of the store fast. It almost got me.

-- Jim

[tot_Ou_tard]

Which ones is this:

http://www.thefret.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1612&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1219157492 (http://www.thefret.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1612&d=1219157492)

It looks similar to this

http://www.godinguitars.com/godin5thavenuekingpinp.htm

http://www.godinguitars.com/guitars/godin5thaveblackpu.jpg

[Katastrophe]

That is one classy looking guitar, Tot! Godin knows how to put together a good looking guitfiddle...:AOK:

[Katastrophe]

Here's a vid of Brian Setzer playing "Sleepwalk" solo...

B9oHghXKh0E

[t_ross33]

My Gretsch experience here (http://www.thefret.net/showthread.php?t=7609)

Likes his so much, he named his band after his 73 (I believe) White Falcon. Introducing Canadian Alt/Indie/Country rocker, Luke Doucet: :bravo:

qOU9rg1-ik4

jhxA8YXxYy4

[sunvalleylaw]

Yeah, your night you describe there helped fuel my initial GAS. Darn you Trev! I do think though, after messing around with them some, that a guitar like that will hit my rack before that 335 type.

[tot_Ou_tard]

My Gretsch experience here (http://www.thefret.net/showthread.php?t=7609)

Likes his so much, he named his band after his 73 (I believe) White Falcon. Introducing Canadian Alt/Indie/Country rocker, Luke Doucet: :bravo:
I love me some Blue Rodeo. Great band!

[Katastrophe]

Great music, t_ross, and I don't know how I missed your Gretsch thread.

Needed to clear my head for a minute today, and was near a GC, so I popped in and snagged an orange 5120 and a Pro Jet with a Bigsby. A few thoughts:

1) I played through a Fender Supersonic Amph. Great amph!
2) I am now a fan of the Bigsby.
3) The 5120 played great, with above average fit and finish. Tone was awesome, with twangy goodness for days.
4) The Pro Jet's mini 'buckers were great, and capable of twang as well as more meaty tones. The guitar played great as well.

The necks on both were comfortable and well shaped. I really enjoyed playing these guitars, even if for a short time.

[Brian Krashpad]

How did I miss this thread?

Hmm.

I'm a big fan of Gretsches but never had the budget for one. Well, I take the back, kinda, I did have a solidbody MIK Electromatic Jet Club something-or-other back before the Fender buy-out. It was OK but nothing special. That was back before I had a digital camera available so I didn't get shots of individual guitars, though it can be seen on the far left of this picture:

http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/7052/axes2001bd3.jpg

Since that's kinda tiny here's a live pic, sorry about the usual poserificness:

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/7692/bkkneel81000jj6.jpg

The new post-Fender Electromatics, depsite the solidbodies being made in China, seem a step up. The ProJets are the most numerous of the solidbodies, and get a generally favorable response. Typical complaints I occasionally see are that they're heavy (despite being chambered), and that some don't like the HB's. The latter I tend to think comes from Gretschophiles who simply expect the pups to be something they're not.

If I could find a Pro Jet at a good price I'd certainly consider it. I stumbled over the sorta redheaded stepchild (no offense to any gingers) of the soldbody MIC 'Lectros a couple years ago on fleabay and picked up a Special Jet for $235. It's kinda a cross between a Grestch solidbody and an LP Special in that it's a solid (multi-part) plank body with flat-top and no arch cap, and unlike the Pro's has US-made DeArmond 2000 single coils:

http://static.flickr.com/27/94152145_373b9f3161.jpg

Given that the Special generally retails at the discount chains for the same as the Bigsby'd Pro's (5 bills USD, msrp ~$700), I ain't complainin' over getting this'un for $235 albeit with a couple small dings, especially since it's been upgraded with an intonatable bridge. The pickups are cool Dyna-Sonic wannabees. I really need to play this one a lot more than I have.

The MIK 'Lectro hollowbodies have gotten great responses from lotsa people I know on other boards. I haven't had a chance to play one, but I would expect their quality to be superior to my MIC Special Jet. It's doubtful I'll go that direction after chancing on an Epi WildKat for 3 Benjamins in a local pawn, though. Although Gretsch doesn't bring to mind P-90's like on the WildKat, with the Bigsby and the Gretsch master-volume/master tone/individual volume pot setup (master volume on lower horn), the WildKat (along with the Special Jet) will nevertheless hopefully sate my Gretsch jones for the foreseeable future, unless I luck into some found money.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3131/2686545950_7efd400e5d.jpg

Haha, not sure if this helps or hurts those with Gretsch GAS! :D

[sunvalleylaw]

Helps I say. Confirms I want one (or one like it) someday when the time is right.

[Katastrophe]

BK, you are the GASman...:D

I'd be real interested in your take on the 5120 'Lectro... To my ears, it had a pretty good tone when overdriven on a tube amph.

[Brian Krashpad]

BK, you are the GASman...:D

I'd be real interested in your take on the 5120 'Lectro... To my ears, it had a pretty good tone when overdriven on a tube amph.

Haha! :D

I have some friends from Harmony-Central who really love their 5120's, some of whom also have the earlier non-'Lectro MIJ Gretsches. Asking my opinion probably, honestly, wouldn't be helpful, as despite some minor past 'Lectro solidbody experience I'm both a Gretsch and a semi/hollowbody novice really. In addition to the WildKat, which is my first "proper" (slightly larger body, setneck) semi, I have a couple cheapo bolt-neck semi's, but they are thinlines and kinda their own thing. Don't get me wrong, I like both the thinlines I own (a Brownsville Choirboy and a Daisy Rock Retro-H) quite a bit and they're both actually decidedly giggable stock, but their construction and features are so different from the big-bodied Gretsches as to be not very comparable.

As for the WildKat, despite some surface comparisons, it's pretty different from the "real" Gretsch (whether the more expensive MIJ or the 'Lectros) vibe too. The Gretsches like the 5120 are kinda more like giant 335's, being guitars with relatively thin laminated wood bodies, whereas the WildKat is constucted more like a chambered LP with an f-hole. Big chunka wood that's routed out and then has a maple cap put on, like a Gibson ES-336, as opposed to the laminate construction of the semi/hollow Gretsches.

So the upshot of all that is, trust your ears! Given the responses to the 5120 I've seen elsewhere, if it sounds good to you, I'm sure it does!

I'd love to hear and play one some time. Unfortunately at a somewhat diminutive 5'7", I fear they would dwarf me (I tried a Turser locally that was going for the big boat rockabilly vibe and it was downright uncomfortable), which is one reason I ran with the WildKat, since it's only slightly larger than an LP. More like a 339 than a 335.

(If you're not familiar with the distinction, here's a stock shot showing an LP, a 339, and a 335:

http://www.gibson.com/Files/aaFeaturesImages/gibson_comparison.jpg

The WildKat is more the size of the 339 in the middle while the Gretsches are bigger like the 335. Although they're also deeper than a 335.)

[sunvalleylaw]

When I was playing an Epi Sheraton (335 shape more or less) and the 5120, the 5120 was definitely bigger than a 335 shape.

[Brian Krashpad]

When I was playing an Epi Sheraton (335 shape more or less) and the 5120, the 5120 was definitely bigger than a 335 shape.

Oh definitely. I think a 335/Dot type guitar would be big on me to begin with, and something like the Gretsch 5120 (bigger and deeper) would probably be too much.

The MIJ line of Gretsch proper has, or used to have, a few downsized models they stuck the word "Junior," iirc, onto, which were basically the same as their namesakes, but downsized. Those would probably be perfect for me, and in a pefect world that would probably be the Gretsch guitar for me, aside from the smaller solidbodies.

Alas, the MIJ Gretsches are way outside my budget.

[sunvalleylaw]

Alas, the MIJ Gretsches are way outside my budget.

Ditto. I can maybe work in a 5120 or similar though sometime down the road. Right now, I am thinking it might trump a LP type guitar for my next electric. I like that black one.

[just strum]

Ditto. I can maybe work in a 5120 or similar though sometime down the road. Right now, I am thinking it might trump a LP type guitar for my next electric. I like that black one.


It all depends on how bad you want it. Sell all this
Guitars: Fender 60th Anniversary Std. Strat
Fullerton ST4 Fat Strat "Fat Fully"
Joshua Dreadnought Acoustic
Amp: Peavey Classic 30
Effects and such: Boss: DS-1, CE-5, NS-2 and RC20XL looper, Digitech Bad Monkey, Korg AX1G Multi-effects,
Berhinger: TU100 tuner, PB100 Clean Boost, Dunlop cry baby wah, Line 6 Toneport UX2, Electro Harmonix Little Big Muff Pi

and then buy a Gretsch (oh, keep the amp)

[sunvalleylaw]

I could sell the Fully and some of the pedals, (but I would keep at least some) but no way on the 60th, and the Joshua was a gift from my wife and my only acoustic so it has to stay. I just have to save my pennies I guess. Meanwhile, window shopping is so fun!

[just strum]

I could sell the Fully and some of the pedals, (but I would keep at least some) but no way on the 60th, and the Joshua was a gift from my wife and my only acoustic so it has to stay. I just have to save my pennies I guess. Meanwhile, window shopping is so fun!

I hear you. I want to get another 335 (possibly a used Gibson) or Lucille (need to test drive first) and I give thought to selling my American Strat, but just know I will regret it.

[duhvoodooman]

....and I give thought to selling my American Strat, but just know I will regret it.
Yes, you will. Don't do it. Every guitarist should have at least one Strat. At least.... :rockon:

[Katastrophe]

DVM is right. Don't sell off that Strat, even if your tastes change and you never want to play a solidbody guitar again.

You will want to have that sound, and reach for your trusty Strat, and it won't be there. Besides, Planky put a lot of work into that guitar to make it a special instrument. You would never be able to replace that guitar ever again.

If you feel like entertaining the idea of selling that guitar again, think of the pain you went through when you got rid of the ARC 300.

Dots Casinos and Sheratons are cool. I've played on a Casino and a Sheraton before, and really liked them.

[Katastrophe]

Reviving the thread again.

Played a Gretsch 6120 (one of the Pro Line models) through a Orange amph and 2x12 cab briefly yesterday.

The amph, surprisingly, was "meh." I found that I'm not really a fan of the "Orange sound," at least when playing that type of guitar.

The guitar, though, was simply incredible. Low action, fit and finish was perfect, very solid feeling. It was way cool feeling the body resonate as I played.

It was a used model on consignment, and they only wanted $1999.00 for it. I never thought that I would say this about a guitar, but someone in Japan put at least that amount of effort into that guitar. Very nice.