Out of the blue, I started gassing for a Gretsch. So, after a bit of digging and playing, I bought a G5420T Electromatic today, in the correct orange. Wow! What a terrific guitar and thus far the only one of mine I can stand to use the bridge pickup on (probably weird in itself, but I'm firmly a 'neck' man).
I'm a convert. Now to start on my 18 year plan to play like Chet Atkins. Or TK Smith, at least.
Anyone else a Gretsch fan, especially the Electro series?
(PS. Actually, I've just remembered I have a Streamliner that I got here on a swap, but while it's a nice enough guitar, it's a bit generic and I don't really think of it as a Gretsch. So the Electromatic is my first real Gretsch, I think.)
Comments
I’m down to three Gretsches right now, but would like another Black Phoenix in the future.
The 5420 is a find guitar, a vast improvement on the old 5120. Pickup height is critical to that great Gretsch sound. Filtertrons like to be as close to the strings as possible. It’s a good idea to head over to the TV Jones site and follow his recommendations for setting up the pickup heights. Works for Dynasonics and Hilotrons too.
My current number 1 is a G5435 Electromatic Pro Jet in Fairlane Blue. Lovely playing and sounding thing, just the right blend of crunch and twang that seems to find plenty of space in the mix. Funnily enough I'm the opposite of the OP as mainly use the bridge pickup but the neck pick up on this one works brilliantly with no dullness or mush. Light too
I've currently got a 5125 that I picked up recently. Great guitar.
I've previously owned a 5120 which was great too apart from the pickups sounding a bit muddy. I then got a Pro series Brian Setzer signature after selling off a few things and pooling the money. It was as good as any guitar I've ever played and sounded amazing. I just got twitchy taking it to some of the places my band played, so sold it on. I know, d'oh!
I want to own a White Falcon, I just need to play one I like.
My feedback thread is here.
I am therefore definitely a paid up member of The Gretsch Club.