Grets(Ch) Projects

HarrySeven

As per my post a week or so ago, one of the reasons for going through the stash was to look at tidying up a few loose ends.

Two of those are here:

#1

https://i.imgur.com/DvXgdCf.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/1Hkxqrz.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/WqBZhpE.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/A7yyaNk.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/MmvRg3f.jpg


#2

https://i.imgur.com/KLT3Ya4.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/2vUyCVs.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/rGpeLOy.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/AlWv2zD.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/u0UP9sW.jpg

Obviously, they are what they are (and also, this is how they arrived), but I’m just looking for ideas re. hardware options - I’m thinking a Bigsby on at least one of them?

thecolourbox

I've nothing to utterly contribute except to swoon over the shape of those, such an awesome design for a guitar

slacker

imho restore the whole one to near original and have fun with the other. I'd go roller bridge Bigsby and foiltrons.if the pickups don't work  out sell them and get tv Jones.

And I'd start a zz top covers band.

TheMarlin

These are Chinese knockoffs. They can be made to play well, but they’re a money pit.  You’ll never be able to sell them on. 

But, if you really want to, it depends on how far you want to take it. 

One had pickup routes for P90’s. That would be the easiest option. 

The other you could put filtertrons in (keep the original pickups, in case you want to return to stock before moving on). 

Cheap option, get some used Blacktop Filtertrons. Maybe £50 a set. They’re great for overdriven ZZ Top style tones.  Expensive option, TV Jones Supertrons. Powertrons are my least favourite Gretsch pickup, and can sound ‘muddy’. Though do come into they’re own at stage volumes with a nice valve amp blaring and cooking hot. 

As for the Bigsby, the Gretsch Billybo uses a Bigsby B3, but that’s because the neck is set at a certain angle. 

For these Chinese ‘tributes’, most people use a Bigsby B50

Best of luck

Marlin

HarrySeven

TheMarlin said:

These are Chinese knockoffs. 

They are indeed. Purchased right "off the boat", so to speak...

They can be made to play well, but they’re a money pit.  You’ll never be able to sell them on. 

But, if you really want to, it depends on how far you want to take it. 

I'm thinking just fanny about and see how far it goes. No real intention of parting with them.

One had pickup routes for P90’s. That would be the easiest option. 

The other you could put filtertrons in (keep the original pickups, in case you want to return to stock before moving on). 

Cheap option, get some used Blacktop Filtertrons. Maybe £50 a set. They’re great for overdriven ZZ Top style tones.  Expensive option, TV Jones Supertrons.

Powertrons are my least favourite Gretsch pickup, and can sound ‘muddy’. Though do come into they’re own at stage volumes with a nice valve amp blaring and cooking hot. 

As for the Bigsby, the Gretsch Billybo uses a Bigsby B3, but that’s because the neck is set at a certain angle. 

For these Chinese ‘tributes’, most people use a Bigsby B50

Best of luck

Marlin

Some nice tips there - Cheers!

TheMarlin

If you wanted to do something cool with the Bigsby (and assuming neck angle is ok, decent break angle over the bridge, then maybe consider a chopped Bigsby B16. 

It starts life like this: https://www.bigsby.com/products/vibratos/b16/

Then you get a machinist friend to chop it, and polish is. 

Then it looks like this:

Very unique, only ever seen it done a handful of times, amd only in California.  Would fit your Billybo’s well. 

The guitar above was handmade in the USA by TK Smith. He even makes the 50’s style Bigsby pickups.  Love the the look of that chopped Bigsby, the handmade arm is pretty cool too. 

TheMarlin

Actually, though one was P90 route, but not sure now. Did they both have the same pickups on arrival?

Another pickup to consider, and opposite end of the scale to my previous suggestion, it the Gretsch Hilotron. 

It’s an often overlooked pickup, lower output than typical Gretsch pickups, and single coil. Has beautiful bell like clarity, and is the backbone to a lot of 60’s pop, especially the early Beatles. 

The trend is for higher gain Gretsch style pickups, but these are a favourite of mine. 

Demo here. Ignore the guitar abs all the chatter, just listen to the tones produced.  Just lovely. 

Again, on eBay of you are patient, £50 a set. 

https://youtu.be/TyNBSxNX3ds

I adore them

Marlin
edit: added wrong link. Fixed. 

And with overdrive https://youtu.be/MdE4uxQxv0o

AlexO

Similar to what @TheMarlin said, I would go down the TK smith style build.

I love this billy bird style guitar he made for JD McPherson https://www.instagram.com/p/B7uP9qDj5D5/?igshid=e0066eq3xodd

TheMarlin

AlexO said:

Similar to what @TheMarlin said, I would go down the TK smith style build.

I love this billy bird style guitar he made for JD McPherson https://www.instagram.com/p/B7uP9qDj5D5/?igshid=e0066eq3xodd

Have a wow, that’s frikin awesome looking. 

Yes, @HarrySeven, do something like that!!

Funkfingers

Measure those pickup mount screw holes again. Hopefully, they align with the fastening screws of a Dyna-Sonic or good replica.

HarrySeven

Inspired by the post(s) from @adampeter re. his gorgeous genuine article, I’m going to make a start on at least one of these two. Thanks for the advice, all!