40th Bday guitar choices ... Gretsch G5420?

Col_Decker

Believe it or not even though I have the intellect and writing style of a 6yo I am in fact approaching the big 40. Mr's.D, gawd bless her has told me she's been saving up a little each month for the past couple of years and has now got a tidy £1500 for me to spend on a guitar!!!

 

What a Dame!!

 

Now I don't want to spend £1500 on a guitar because at that cost I'd be afraid to use it; I'm more of a £400 tele man. But I've got a hankering for a nice Gretsch Electromatic and so far I have set my sights on either the G5420 hollow body or the G5620 centre block. Is there any forum wisdom on these two tone beasts? I'm thinking the centre block would obviously be better feedback wise if I ever get that blues band going that I'm always thinking about .... but the full hollow body just oozes awesome.

 

 

Then the choice is green or black?

 

 

(left over cash will either be given back to her to go shopping .... or more likely be spent on a house friendly amp)

danban

Green all the way, Black shows up all the dirt, fingerprints and smudges and to be fair is a sin on a guitar like that

danban

G5620 in green looks stunning! I've always wanted a G6118 in green. Just seen they do a Bono signature thats not going to pay off too well seeing as he won't be able to play guitar again (Fingers crossed) ;-)

failed_astronaut

I'd say get the Green meanie with the centre block.

TheMarlin

If you can find an Aspen Green G5420, grab it.  They're beautiful.

The Centre block models are designed for high gain metal guys.  The G540 has the better Bigsby, and better pickups (in my opinion).

Or, I'd find a used Annie for around £1000.  If it were my money, i'd get  THIS over any Electromatic.  Awesome guitar.  I love Annies, Ive got a custom shop Annie.  Adore it.  Huge Gretsch fanboy.  Got a fair few squirelled away

Marlin

usedtobe

Proper old man guitars!

not_the_dj

Top marks for Mrs D. 

I'm a "made in 75" model as well, I know Mrs DJ is planning something special, but I'm pretty sure it's not a twangy stringy thingy.

Col_Decker

Hey @TheMarlin that's some of the sickest porn I've ever seen. Light me a cigarette and pass me a tissue!!!

Jalapeno

Lucky boy !

You realise you're going to have to write or learn a song for her now don't you !

the_jaffa

I too turn 40 this year (well, 4 weeks or so) and have been looking at a Gretsch although I'm aiming for a Country Gentleman.  In the midst of saving now and hoping I might get some money towards it as birthday pressies.

xSkarloey

Blimey there's a few of us turning the big 40 this year. 

mike_l

I'm in the 40 this year club.

I'm not however looking at a Gretsch......

Corvus

I've got a black 5420 (and a cleaning cloth ), and an Annie (ex-Marlin, as in his pic). A good 5420 doesn't give away much to the Prolines, the action on mine is lower, if that matters. Centre-block ones weigh a ton, nice though. The hollows can rock. I'm deeply crap at recording but here's two things, 5240 and Annie

http://www.alleykat.co.uk/images/stuff/custom_bigsby_arms/lg_ss_body.jpg

http://www.alleykat.co.uk/images/stuff/annie/wood.jpg

bingefeller

You're coming 40?  You look much younger.

I'd go for black.

TheMarlin

Nice pickies Bill!

M:)

Bucket

This has inspired me to check out Gretsch's website, and I wish I hadn't because I now NEED a Black Penguin.

http://www.12fret.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/gretsch_black_penguin/gretsch_black_penguin_full_2.jpg

Goddamn, there I was thinking what I wanted was a Les Paul Custom. This is even cooler.

stickyfiddle

Surely this is the only guitar fitting for a man of your stature / RAC loyalty?

 http://kludoman.com/pictures/guitars/GUITARS-010.gif

But seriously, there's nothing on earth cooler than a green Gretsch

midlifecrisis

blimey, im well passed 40 in fact a few yrs to go until im 60, I wouldn't want a gretch until im at least 75, until then its LPs, firebirds and flying Vs , when im over 65 I will consider a strat or tele.

EricTheWeary

85 at least for a PRS?

midlifecrisis

EricTheWeary said:

85 at least for a PRS?

with that shiny varnish makes an ideal dribble repellent surface

bigfuzz

i thought i was getting on with my big 25 approaching this year, does this mean I need to wait 15yrs to own a lovely Gretsch?