I couldn't resist at this price,,partly as it looks so pretty..
Also it hasn't got a Bigsby on it,so less trouble.,no rocking bridge etc...
it looks really nice in person..
Like a Rock and Roll packet of Benson and Hedges..Cough !!
It arrived around half 7 last Night by courier..
https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/171213319509008--gretsch-g5220-electromatic-jet-bt-casino-goldMore available if anyone else wants one..
Mine is a nice manageable weight..
I have set it up as good as it will go for now..
It does feel very foreign and not amazing to play though..
it isn't awful,but feels a bit starter Epiphone Bolt on Les Paul..
This is a glued in neck by the way..
So I think it needs a little tweaking to get the best out of it....
1 There is the usual problem of a ratting ABR bridge with retaining wire...
So that will probably be the first thing replaced..
2 The Pots are a bit On or Off Basically,,so new ones would get much more range adjustment out of the guitar..
Normally I would just put CTS Pots in there but I imagine the metric sized G Arrow Knobs won't fit..(Insert Knob joke Here).
No doubt proper Gretsch G knobs will be pricey,,most things Gretsch seem to be..
This was a cheap priced guitar,I don't want to spend a fortune..
These are solid shaft pots like a Tele but obviously Metric import Sized..
I haven't looked,I imagine they are 500K though..
There is a Capacitor on the tone pot and a the Master Volume has a treble bleed on it..
Are there good quality solid shaft Metric sized pots that will be a big improvement on the ones already in there..?
Ones that would obviously fit the present knobs on the Guitar..
3 The string spacing at the nut appears to be a bit narrower than Gibson ,,maybe one of the reasons it feels a bit alien to play..
Would Gibson string spacing at the nut have a big effect in making things feel more familiar..
4 The Tailpiece,,,will it being a V shape cause the guitar to feel unfamiliar in a big way..
For instance when bending strings..
I also seem to be getting a chiming on my G String..
G Strings and Knobs..( Oh Dear !! ) I know if I don't mention it,,someone else probably will..
I wonder if the V tailpiece studs are just normal import spacing..
5 Again the Metal Toggle Switch tip hasn't got the same thread as a Gibson Switchcraft switch..
If I did at any point want to replace it,,is there a way to keep the Old Tip..
The Pickups will have to do for now..
they don't sound too Bad,,they are Blacktop Broad-trons....
Apparently normal Humbuckers in Faux Filtertron Garb..
I wonder what magnets are in there..?
The Bridge Pickup is maybe a touch hollow sounding..
Maybe more adjustment of the pole pieces will sort it out though..
Any Knowledge / Help passed on would be hugely appreciated..
Thanks..
Comments
http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/61134/sarge/p1
I have the pole pieces a fair bit away from the strings..
They are still loud enough..
The rattling bridge is the main problem and the on off pots..
£260 for one in Gold though,,I had to..
Still over 10 of them left....
https://www.axesrus.co.uk/1-x-CTS-Pot-Split-Shaft-Metric-Size-p/cts59met.htm