Any Gretsch Fans

[jaxson50]

I have never owned a Gretsch but always liked the looks of the hollow body models.
Anyone have a opinion on the current production Gretsch's being made today?

[K-man]

From what I've heard the quality has gotten better since Fender bought them. I've played a few and they are great guitars. Very unique tone. I just couldn't bond with the thin necks.

[Make'n Music]

Hey Guys!

I have a lot of experience with the new Gretsch guitars and personally I think they are fantastic instruments (if you are into that sort of thing). The quality is excellent- far superior to the vintage pieces which were cool but constructed a little shoddily (I guess that's their charm though). These new ones are great. Both the Japanese guitars and the US Custom Shops. There are cool new models and nifty reissues.

Negatives would be the fact that they seem to change the models around all the time. Everytime it's "as accurate" or "as good as possible" it seems a new and improved version comes out. I don't know about you guys but if I am paying a lot of hard earned money for something because it's described as being the most accurate reissue possible and then 6 months or a year later a more accurate version comes out I get pissed. And to rub salt in the wound they then blow out the model I just paid a lot for at pennies on the dollar.

The company doesn't seem to give a shit about dealers either. They will open anyone with a phone number or an e-mail address.

I could get used to this venting thing ;-)

[motorcitychick]

I own several Gretsch's because I had to have the ones George Harrison used. I have the 57 duo Jet without bigsby and the one he used at Shea Stadium. I bought these guitars about 10 years ago and I like them.

[jaxson50]

The Duo Jet and the Tennessee Rose are the models I have been eyeing. The only thing that has kept me from jumping on one is the pick up choice, I'm not sure if I would like the DynaSonic's. Also I haven't been able to find a Duo Jet without Bigsby which I wouldn't have any use for.

[motorcitychick]

I had to special order my Duo Jet without the Bigsby. Gretsch had to make it for me, which I thought was cool. Not a lot of those were made without the wang bar.

[jaxson50]

Venting is a good thing!!! I just checked out your store's web site, very nice.

[brassrat]

How about the lower cost Electromatic line?

I see them every once in a while on craigslist for around $200-$300.

I love the sparkly ones (champagne and red sparkle) but I wonder about their fretwork and tones.

[jaxson50]

I'm glad you asked about the Electromatic, I have wondered about them also, how they compare to similar hollow body guitars on the market, like the Epiphone Alley Kat?
The Electromatic sure has eye appeal.

[SouthernShred]

I had a 1967 Tennessean and I honestly think the new ones are better.

[jaxson50]

That's what I have been hearing from owners of both vintage and new Gretsch's, no one so far has said anything about the Electromatics, I checked them out at GC today, the one I played was made in Korea and was well made, nice finish etc. But another model I found was Chinese made.

[PeeWee]

Gretsch guitars are an aquired taste, much like Rickenbackers; either you like 'em or you don't. I had an old 1960's 75th Anniversary way back in the early '80s and playing it was like driving a truck with no power steering....the flatwound strings on it didn't help, either. I love the look but am not really a Gretsch kinda guy.

On the other hand, a friend just had to sell his new Tennessee Rose and it about killed him. From what I'm gathering, the new guitars are superior in build and playability to the originals. If where they're made isn't an issue - and it can be to a lot of folks - I say go on down to the local dealer, plug 'em in and play and find the one that knocks you out. I know that I used to be critical of Country of Origin.....that was until I played a few Lakland Skyline basses which are built in Korea; changed my outlook pretty damned quick!

[jaxson50]

I agree with you about country of origin stuff. I have played some really nice Japanese and Korean guitars, and so good German ones too, Godin and other Canadian guitars are also fine.
I have a problem with Chinese guitars, unless they are priced around $50.00!
Maybe this will change in a few years. I must admit many American guitars are not as good as they should be.

[violetlove]

The 6120 series of hollowbodies with the trestle bracing are awesome.. I have a Setzer Hot Rod, and it is an amazing guitar. JApanses manufacture is perfect. Whoever said the quality has improved since Fender took over is so far off the mark it's not funny, esp since Fender have a marketting agreement, not a take-over.
Fender learnt how to make strats again from the Japanese after the CBS years, cos the Yanks had forgotten.
I don't know much about the solid bodies, but likely you will get what you pay for.