Hollow Bodies, Jazzboxes, Rockabilly Guitars, etc.

[fpuhan]

At the risk of sounding like a broken record (n.b. to those under 40, a record is a spinning vinyl platter with the music etched into grooves that is reproduced by a stylus transmitting the music to an amplifier/speaker combination. If one were to scratch a record... well, there goes the music!) since I've mentioned this in a couple of other threads, but "keeping it under $2K" leads me to suggest at least some cursory research into the new, reborn Harmony.

Their electrics are made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, but as a foot in the water of bringing back their classic hollowbody and semi-hollowbody sounds, they have released the terrifically affordable H-62 Reissue. It's made in Korea, so political considerations don't enter into the mix, and many offshore makers are now made as well (or better) than domestics. I'm sorry, but that's just a true statement.

I'd love to get my hands on one of these. Looks gorgeous, classic, yet is modern in material and technology. $849 MAP.




(The H-76 Reissue is also worth a second look, and has a MAP of only $699).



You'd have money left over to look into an amp that would go well with either. Oh, Harmony makes amps, too. By the way, I have no interest in or affiliation with Harmony.

[mr. beaumont]

Oooooh, that H-62...

[rmp]

I happen to have a Made In Korea Gretsch.

I have a friend that owns two MIJ ones.

He was really surprised when he picked mine up and played it for a while
he did note the pups are a little different but his comment was "but not by a lot"

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

I think that's exactly right-- Steve? SDR will know.

Here ya go, Jeff:

• All post-1985 Professional Series instruments are made in Japan, generally by Terada but with a few circa-2K instruments produced by Dyna Gakki (these bear a serial number beginning with JD rather than the JT of Terada), and are built to a standard exceeding all but the very best Brooklyn originals;
• Early-2K's Historic 3100-Series and Electromatic 5100/5400/5600-Series hollowbody and semi-hollow instruments were made in Korea into mid-2021, gradually transitioning to Chinese production through the end of the year (FYI there's a period of substantial overlap through summer '21, and you'll need to check the headstock markings to determine origin), with some solidbody 5200/5400-Series instruments having been made in China for several years before the transition - BTW the Korean 5400/5600 guitars are held in exceptionally high esteem, with tone/playability/QC comparable to pro-level gear (including some of Gretsch's own - see rmp's comments above) selling for three and four times as much but at intermediate/step-up prices;
• The entry-level Streamliner 2000-Series is made in Indonesia, although some dealer-exclusive special editions (like the MF/GC G2627 quasi-reissue of the short-lived G5622T-CB Electromatic cats'-eye 3-PU semi-hollow from the mid 2010's) have occasionally been made in China;
• If you're looking for "true Gretsch" tone in an affordable package you want the 5400-Series E-Matics from 2013-present and the Korean 5600's through 2019 (both of which are fitted with variations on traditional Brooklyn Gretsch pickup designs) as well as some of the early-2K's Historic Series fitted with DeArmond Dynasonics (as used on the pre-1958 electrics) - FYI the 5100-Series was equipped with the first-edition Broad'Tron full-size humbuckers (updated and installed on current Streamliners), which sound absolutely nothing like a Gretsch and are held in such low regard that the 5100's sold poorly in spite of their excellent construction and QC;
• Some light at the end of the tunnel: the recent limited-edition G2604T Rally (a fairly good reproduction of a short-lived model from the Brooklyn-Baldwin transition era) is equipped with the Super Hi-lo'Tron mini-humbuckers formerly used on the post-2013 Korean Electromatics - these are based on a modified Baldwin-era "blacktop" Filter'Tron design (unlike the original single-coil Hi-lo featured on the Brooklyn-built Anniversary and Tennessean, as well as their current reissues), a bit smoother-sounding than Brooklyn "split-top" Filter'Trons while still maintaining the traditional Gretsch chime and twang, and my favorite of the newer-generation Gretsch pickup designs; I'm kinda hoping that Gretsch realized their mistake with the Broad'Trons and decides to fit the Super Hi-lo's to the entire Streamliner lineup - it would effectively break Ibanez' (justifiable) decades-long stranglehold on the entry-level hollowbody/semi-hollow market - but I can't predict when "limited" will end, and at $699 it's an easy way to take the plunge and find out what all the fuss is about "That Great Gretsch Sound";
• Corollary to the above: apparently the blowback from Gretsch aficionados was taken seriously by the powers-that-be, and the current Chinese 5400-Series hollowbodies have not only been fitted with proprietary FT-5E Filter'Trons (TMK a late-Brooklyn design in a Baldwin-style "blacktop" cover, crisper than a '70s Baldwin or Super Hi-lo and well-suited to a full-hollow guitar) but it also appears some heavy-duty heinie got kicked in their QC department (not surprising given Epiphone's full-court press in the same price range, with the historically-accurate '60s Riviera/Sheraton models and upgraded Casino) - haven't had the chance to play one myself but the latest Chinese instruments are getting very good reviews (including from some folks here on the Electric subforum), and if they even come close to the Korean stuff from a few years ago they're going to be strong competition for Epiphone and Guild in the vintage-inspired "new-stalgia" market...

[Puddleglum]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

Here ya go, Jeff:

• All post-1985 Professional Series instruments are made in Japan, generally by Terada but with a few circa-2K instruments produced by Dyna Gakki (these bear a serial number beginning with JD rather than the JT of Terada), and are built to a standard exceeding all but the very best Brooklyn originals;
• Early-2K's Historic 3100-Series and Electromatic 5100/5400/5600-Series hollowbody and semi-hollow instruments were made in Korea into mid-2021, gradually transitioning to Chinese production through the end of the year (FYI there's a period of substantial overlap through summer '21, and you'll need to check the headstock markings to determine origin), with some solidbody 5200/5400-Series instruments having been made in China for several years before the transition - BTW the Korean 5400/5600 guitars are held in exceptionally high esteem, with tone/playability/QC comparable to pro-level gear (including some of Gretsch's own - see rmp's comments above) selling for three and four times as much but at intermediate/step-up prices;
• The entry-level Streamliner 2000-Series is made in Indonesia, although some dealer-exclusive special editions (like the MF/GC G2627 quasi-reissue of the short-lived G5622T-CB Electromatic cats'-eye 3-PU semi-hollow from the mid 2010's) have occasionally been made in China;
• If you're looking for "true Gretsch" tone in an affordable package you want the 5400-Series E-Matics from 2013-present and the Korean 5600's through 2019 (both of which are fitted with variations on traditional Brooklyn Gretsch pickup designs) as well as some of the early-2K's Historic Series fitted with DeArmond Dynasonics (as used on the pre-1958 electrics) - FYI the 5100-Series was equipped with the first-edition Broad'Tron full-size humbuckers (updated and installed on current Streamliners), which sound absolutely nothing like a Gretsch and are held in such low regard that the 5100's sold poorly in spite of their excellent construction and QC;
• Some light at the end of the tunnel: the recent limited-edition G2604T Rally (a fairly good reproduction of a short-lived model from the Brooklyn-Baldwin transition era) is equipped with the Super Hi-lo'Tron mini-humbuckers formerly used on the post-2013 Korean Electromatics - these are based on a modified Baldwin-era "blacktop" Filter'Tron design (unlike the original single-coil Hi-lo featured on the Brooklyn-built Anniversary and Tennessean, as well as their current reissues), a bit smoother-sounding than Brooklyn "split-top" Filter'Trons while still maintaining the traditional Gretsch chime and twang, and my favorite of the newer-generation Gretsch pickup designs; I'm kinda hoping that Gretsch realized their mistake with the Broad'Trons and decides to fit the Super Hi-lo's to the entire Streamliner lineup - it would effectively break Ibanez' (justifiable) decades-long stranglehold on the entry-level hollowbody/semi-hollow market - but I can't predict when "limited" will end, and at $699 it's an easy way to take the plunge and find out what all the fuss is about "That Great Gretsch Sound";
• Corollary to the above: apparently the blowback from Gretsch aficionados was taken seriously by the powers-that-be, and the current Chinese 5400-Series hollowbodies have not only been fitted with proprietary FT-5E Filter-Trons (TMK a late-Brooklyn design in a Baldwin-style "blacktop" cover, crisper than a '70s Baldwin or Super Hi-lo and well-suited to a full-hollow guitar) but it also appears some heavy-duty heinie got kicked in their QC department (not surprising given Epiphone's full-court press in the same price range, with the historically-accurate '60s Riviera/Sheraton models and upgraded Casino) - haven't had the chance to play one myself but the latest Chinese instruments are getting very good reviews (including from some folks here on the Electric subforum), and if they even come close to the Korean stuff from a few years ago they're going to be strong competition for Epiphone and Guild in the vintage-inspired "new-stalgia" market...

Wow, is this off the top of your head? That’s insane if so! 😀

[PapaLobo]

I love Rockabilly,Jazz and Blues so I have a few

Heritage 575 Custom,Heritage H 535 LTD, ES-335 LTD, ES-339 Custom shop, CS-356 Custom shop, Jaros Gatilinburg custom, Gretch '59 6122, PRS Walnut LTD, PRS Special Artist, PRS Hollowbody II Artist , PRS Private Stock Santana Semi hollow.

and I few I've built

[redir]

Originally Posted by rmp

ya know, rockabilly and gretsch are kind of like franks-n-beans

just saying.

Just ask the queen.

[Puddleglum]

Originally Posted by fpuhan

At the risk of sounding like a broken record (n.b. to those under 40, a record is a spinning vinyl platter with the music etched into grooves that is reproduced by a stylus transmitting the music to an amplifier/speaker combination. If one were to scratch a record... well, there goes the music!) since I've mentioned this in a couple of other threads, but "keeping it under $2K" leads me to suggest at least some cursory research into the new, reborn Harmony.

Their electrics are made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, but as a foot in the water of bringing back their classic hollowbody and semi-hollowbody sounds, they have released the terrifically affordable H-62 Reissue. It's made in Korea, so political considerations don't enter into the mix, and many offshore makers are now made as well (or better) than domestics. I'm sorry, but that's just a true statement.

I'd love to get my hands on one of these. Looks gorgeous, classic, yet is modern in material and technology. $849 MAP.




(The H-76 Reissue is also worth a second look, and has a MAP of only $699).



You'd have money left over to look into an amp that would go well with either. Oh, Harmony makes amps, too. By the way, I have no interest in or affiliation with Harmony.

Wow, I really love the look of the burst-finished Harmony. I wasn’t aware the brand had been revamped. Thanks.

I’m really liking what I’m seeing from D’Angelico, though I’ve not seen one in person or been able to play any. I have played one of their acoustic 12-strings in GC once and it felt toy-like. A complete piece of junk. Hopefully their hollow bodies are better made.

[abn556]

I have owned and played ES-175s and L-4 CES guitars extensively. My amps are usually driven a bit much more than the hollow bodies like. About 25 years ago I went from the hollow body 175s and L-4 CES to the semi hollow 335s and Howard Roberts Fusion that have center blocks. I still love my Les Pauls, Strats, and SGs, but feel that a 335/semi hollow body style is perhaps the most versatile electric platform out there. Players from rock and blues to jazz and Motown all used them.

[PapaLobo]

My go to Roackabilly is a Gretsch '59 6122 with the wire arm Bigsby

[GoPappy]

Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner!

Nice guitar. That's the one I want.

Originally Posted by PapaLobo

My go to Roackabilly is a Gretsch '59 6122 with the wire arm Bigsby

[29er]

PapaLobo and I have at least one thing in common!

[mike o]

Check out these beauties
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=662311

[Puddleglum]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

Here ya go, Jeff:

• All post-1985 Professional Series instruments are made in Japan, generally by Terada but with a few circa-2K instruments produced by Dyna Gakki (these bear a serial number beginning with JD rather than the JT of Terada), and are built to a standard exceeding all but the very best Brooklyn originals;
• Early-2K's Historic 3100-Series and Electromatic 5100/5400/5600-Series hollowbody and semi-hollow instruments were made in Korea into mid-2021, gradually transitioning to Chinese production through the end of the year (FYI there's a period of substantial overlap through summer '21, and you'll need to check the headstock markings to determine origin), with some solidbody 5200/5400-Series instruments having been made in China for several years before the transition - BTW the Korean 5400/5600 guitars are held in exceptionally high esteem, with tone/playability/QC comparable to pro-level gear (including some of Gretsch's own - see rmp's comments above) selling for three and four times as much but at intermediate/step-up prices;
• The entry-level Streamliner 2000-Series is made in Indonesia, although some dealer-exclusive special editions (like the MF/GC G2627 quasi-reissue of the short-lived G5622T-CB Electromatic cats'-eye 3-PU semi-hollow from the mid 2010's) have occasionally been made in China;
• If you're looking for "true Gretsch" tone in an affordable package you want the 5400-Series E-Matics from 2013-present and the Korean 5600's through 2019 (both of which are fitted with variations on traditional Brooklyn Gretsch pickup designs) as well as some of the early-2K's Historic Series fitted with DeArmond Dynasonics (as used on the pre-1958 electrics) - FYI the 5100-Series was equipped with the first-edition Broad'Tron full-size humbuckers (updated and installed on current Streamliners), which sound absolutely nothing like a Gretsch and are held in such low regard that the 5100's sold poorly in spite of their excellent construction and QC;
• Some light at the end of the tunnel: the recent limited-edition G2604T Rally (a fairly good reproduction of a short-lived model from the Brooklyn-Baldwin transition era) is equipped with the Super Hi-lo'Tron mini-humbuckers formerly used on the post-2013 Korean Electromatics - these are based on a modified Baldwin-era "blacktop" Filter'Tron design (unlike the original single-coil Hi-lo featured on the Brooklyn-built Anniversary and Tennessean, as well as their current reissues), a bit smoother-sounding than Brooklyn "split-top" Filter'Trons while still maintaining the traditional Gretsch chime and twang, and my favorite of the newer-generation Gretsch pickup designs; I'm kinda hoping that Gretsch realized their mistake with the Broad'Trons and decides to fit the Super Hi-lo's to the entire Streamliner lineup - it would effectively break Ibanez' (justifiable) decades-long stranglehold on the entry-level hollowbody/semi-hollow market - but I can't predict when "limited" will end, and at $699 it's an easy way to take the plunge and find out what all the fuss is about "That Great Gretsch Sound";
• Corollary to the above: apparently the blowback from Gretsch aficionados was taken seriously by the powers-that-be, and the current Chinese 5400-Series hollowbodies have not only been fitted with proprietary FT-5E Filter'Trons (TMK a late-Brooklyn design in a Baldwin-style "blacktop" cover, crisper than a '70s Baldwin or Super Hi-lo and well-suited to a full-hollow guitar) but it also appears some heavy-duty heinie got kicked in their QC department (not surprising given Epiphone's full-court press in the same price range, with the historically-accurate '60s Riviera/Sheraton models and upgraded Casino) - haven't had the chance to play one myself but the latest Chinese instruments are getting very good reviews (including from some folks here on the Electric subforum), and if they even come close to the Korean stuff from a few years ago they're going to be strong competition for Epiphone and Guild in the vintage-inspired "new-stalgia" market...

I went back and reread this entire thread and focused in heavily on your comments here. I really want to learn more about Gretsch and how this all breaks down, but it’s hard to keep up with all the model numbers, distinctions, eras, etc. When you say “5400” or “5600,” I go to reverb and see various modes beginning with 54 and 56. Is there a place to see all the model numbers laid out somewhere? Even the Gretsch website has so many options listed that it’s head-spinning. I’m not at all interested in the Streamliner because I know it will just be a cheap guitar, but some of these period-correct Korean guitars that you speak so highly of are something I’d like to learn more about. Not trying to take up too much of your time, but would you be kind enough to post a link or two to some of these guitars you deem so valuable and worthy of consideration?

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by Puddleglum

...I really want to learn more about Gretsch and how this all breaks down, but it’s hard to keep up with all the model numbers, distinctions, eras, etc. When you say “5400” or “5600,” I go to Reverb and see various models beginning with 54 and 56. Is there a place to see all the model numbers laid out somewhere? Even the Gretsch website has so many options listed that it’s head-spinning...but some of these period-correct Korean guitars that you speak so highly of are something I’d like to learn more about...would you be kind enough to post a link or two to some of these guitars you deem so valuable and worthy of consideration?

The "executive summary" version:

• General rule here: any Electromatic 5_20 instrument is a single-cutaway, a 5_22 is double-cut, 5_27 is a GC/MF dealer exclusive (5_55 and 5_57 instruments are generally 3/4-size semi-hollows)...
• 5400-Series Electromatics are, with a couple oddball exceptions I'll skip over in the interest of simplicity, full hollowbody instruments: here's where you'll find the affordable versions of the classic Gretsch models (Double Annie, 6120, Country Gent, White Falcon, Viking, Country Club, "Monkees" 12-string, et al.)...
• 5600-Series instruments are semi hollow, and during their Korean days sometimes served as the skunkworks for new design concepts being considered/market-tested for inclusion in the high-end Professional Series; IME they were some of the most interesting guitars to bear the Gretsch marque, both visually and sonically: I own a three-pickup/cats'-eye G5622T-CB that has been my go-to gigmeister for nearly a decade, and likely will remain so for as long as I inhabit this earth - here's a pic, with its current G2627 Streamliner version (note differences in hardware, trim, and electronics):

• Pre-2013 5000-Series Korean Electromatic hollowbodes/semis have the first-issue Broad'Tron pickups, visually identical to those on nearly all of the current Indonesian Streamliners (with the notable - and welcome - exception of the G2604T Streamliner Rally, which comes with Super Hi-lo'Trons) - see the G2627 above...
• Post-2013 Korean 5400/5600-Series E-Matics are stamped on the headstock with a manufacturer code (generally KS) followed by the serial number, below which appears "Made in Korea"; these come equipped with either '70s-style Baldwin-era "blacktop" Filter'Trons, Super Hi-lo'Trons (based on a modified blacktop Filter'Tron platform, and fully humbucking unlike the Brooklyn-style single-coil originals currently used on the '60 Double Annie and '62 Chet Atkins Tennessean reissues - my favorite of the "modern" true-Gretsch designs BTW), or both as on the G5620T-CB (a short-lived near-deadringer for the similarly short-lived '64-66 cats'-eye 6117)...
• Chinese-built 5400-Series instruments have a similar stamp (usually with the prefix CYG and "Made in China"), with the most recent ones now sporting the proprietary FT-5E blacktop Filter'Trons - unfortunately the 5600-Series semis still uses the Broad'Tron, this time in an oversize blacktop case/trim ring that makes it appear almost identical to a true-Gretsch design (quick way to tell side-by-side is that the FT-5E is smaller - plugged in there's no mistake)...

That should get you started...