#1
|
|||
|
|||
Gretsch Archtops
I would love to hear opinions on Gretsch archtops, particularly the Country Gentleman. How has the quality of these guitars been over time? Is there a particular time period that is particularly prized or to be avoided? Thanks.
|
#2
|
|||
|
|||
I've owned a couple Gretsch's...an early 70's Baldwin-era Tennessean (w/Hilotron single-coils) and a (new to me) 2005 Tennessee Rose (w/Filtertron HB's), built after the Fender acquisition. I've also played a couple of Country Gentlemen, again a late 70's Baldwin-era and a "Country Classic", after Chet pulled his endorsement, but pre-Fender, after a Gretsch re-acquired the company. In both instances I would say that the Baldwin-Era guitars were somewhat inferior in quality, but still had that Gretsch sparkle. My Tennessee Rose is actually one of the nicest Gretsches I've ever played, Fender is doing something right and it seems that QC in the Terada Japanese plant is very good, most reviews of the current Fender-era guitars are very positive...mixed reviews on the Badlwin-era and fairly positive of Pre-Fender (1989-2003) era guitars.
There are many different combinations of pickups offered in various incarnations of the CG (and the TR), depending on the era and model: Hilotrons, Supertrons, Powertrons, Filtertrons, both Gretsch made and some with stock TV Jones reproductions of these pickups...and then you have the open F-hole vs painted F-hole in various combos...a little overwhelming, to say the least. I had the Hilo's (and painted F-holes) oh so long ago and they were a little weak for my purposes, but do have that Beatles "Hard Days Night" tone, if that's what you're looking for. I knew I wanted more of the Brian Setzer-like sizzle and opted for the TR with a 25.5" scale, the ebony board, High-Sensitive Filtertrons and real F-Holes. The Filtertrons are strong with that great Gretsch twang, this model has a tone knob instead of the ubiquitous 'mud switch' tone switch, which was a feature Chet requested...(Hey, some folks like it, some modify it, the rest of us use a tone pot ) Loving this guitar more every day and it is a lot more versatile than I though it would be. The Gretsch Pages forum is a great information source for trying to figure out all the different combinations that have been produced, and the folks over at Gretsch-Talk are a wealth of information also, and there are occasionally some really good deals on used guitars over there. I studied those sites for weeks before finally making my decision and am happy I took my time and did a lot of research. There are a lot of hollow and semi-hollow body electric guitars in the world to choose from, but once you get the Gretsch bug, nothing else will really do...they have their own thing going on, for sure. Check out The Gear Page and Reverb also if you're looking for a good used one, there have been some great deals lately...currently looking at some Electromatic Jet's to keep my Tenny Rose company, maybe throw in some TV Jones if the price is right |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
I,too, am a Gretsch fan. I honestly hope that the mainstream doesn't discover them and make them flavor of the day without really understanding, appreciating them. You know yuppie's choice kinda thing.
|
#4
|
|||
|
|||
It may already be happening. I have seen two nouveau-hipsters carting Gretsch guitars around campus. Two, and my school isn't that big. Also, Rockabilly is starting to become popular in some circles, which may explain the phenomenon.
|
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Yep, that happened before though...when the Stray Cats came out the price of Gretsch hollowbody guitars went up, especially for Orange 6120's. Sold my old Tennessean during that time and made enough to buy a nice Rickenbacker 4001 bass, played that for years in bands and sold it 2 years ago for another tidy sum. After a fair amount of wheelin and dealin since then, I ain't selling this one...plays so much better than the old Tennessean, prettier too
|
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Ronbo, where is/are the Gretsch page forums to which you refer?
Thanks |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
|
#8
|
|||
|
|||
I'm waiting on my local shop bringing in the "Roots" New Yorker. I've seen them online, solid top, maple lam arch back and sides.....price point is great1
|
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
|
#10
|
|||
|
|||
My wife said I had to have a Gretsch..why didnt I have a Gretsch..George Harrison played a Gretsch..
But the few old ones I played were not too good.. Then one day in 2004 I played a Japanese made new one 120th Anniversary..Short Scale Neck..a bit over $2k Played real good..resonated great and the pickups.. TV Jones Pickups have got to be the finest new pickups around..or at least back then they were. Just magic those pickups in this guitar. The guitar is the only Japanese guitar I have..they have a good woodworking tradition.Was not cheap but a good example of a good Gretsch. |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
The only electric guitar I own is my White Falcon. It's all I need and it will do anything.
It does "rude" very well indeed...
__________________
www.michaelwattsguitar.com Album Recording Diary Skype Lessons Luthier Stories YouTube iTunes Guitars by Jason Kostal, Strings by Elixir, Gefell Mics and a nail buffer. |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
I've spent a lot of time drooling over Gretsches and owned a modded G5120. Nice guitars. I think (and I'm not alone) that the current Japanese made "Fender" Gretsches (6 series and up) are the best Gretsches that have ever been made.
Even my G5120 was great after I stuck some USA HS Filtertrons and a Compton bridge on it.
__________________
Do your best, fake the rest |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
I too have a Gretsch 5210 (2007). It is the only electric guitar I own, the only one I have kept for any length of time, and the only one that I have performed live with. I did change the pickups and the bridge. Love it.
|
#14
|
|||
|
|||
Are you talking about the electrics or the acoustics (from the 1930s and 1940s)?
The electrics have always been superb instruments. Some famous Gretsch players have included Chet Atkins, George Harrison, Seven Stills and Neil Young, to name just a few. The acoustics had their fans, too. When Elmer Stromberg died and Freddie Green of the Count Basie Orchestra could no longer afford to take his Stromberg guitars on the road (since they couldn't be replaced if stolen), he began playing Gretsch acoustics with the band. Guess what? They performed admirably. |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
As the OP, I was specifically focusing on electric archtops, but this is a forum post so people should feel free to contribute in any way they think appropriate (within forum guidelines, of course).
|