Why should one own a Gretsch?

[rollypolly]

I recently got a 57 New Yorker and love it. It's a low end all laminate archtop but it sounds amazing.

As far as their newer guitars, some of the models look really cool, but the really blinged out ones don't do anything for me. I'd rather have a Dot or an Ibanez Artcore.

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by SpruceTop

Here's my Gretsch:

Still made in Korea as of this writing and still available (along with the 5410 Rat Rod models) as a Sweetwater exclusive - at $900 there's nothing comparable, and given the across-the-board move to MIC production who knows how long they'll be around...

[bfm612]

I love that vintage orange finish, SpruceTop.

What Fender amp is that?

***EDIT: Looks to be a Blues Junior?***

[Glennwillow]

Originally Posted by Chickee

I know I’ve said this before Rocky, but you have some seriously beautiful guitars in your collection. Something about a blue stained flame maple that just makes me drool……

You are genuinely gifted to have such a fine collection of guitars, Dano.
fd

Yes, I was thinking the same thing! Awesome guitars and awesome recordings, Daniel!!!

- Glenn

[SpruceTop]

Originally Posted by bfm612

I love that vintage orange finish, SpruceTop.

What Fender amp is that?

***EDIT: Looks to be a Blues Junior?***

It's Blues Junior Musician's Friend Exclusive. I no longer have it but now have three nice Fender amps to go with the Gretsch.

The third photo shows the Fender '57 Custom Deluxe that spit the bit after 15 minutes of initial operation and I sent it back for a refund. It sounded great while it lasted!

Fender '57 Champ Handwired Series


Fender '59 Bassman LTD


Fender '57 Custom Deluxe Handwired


Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Sweetwater Exclusive

[phcorrigan]

I have a 2018 G5420TG Electromatic (MIK), and I love it!

I have always played acoustic, but these days the first guitar I pickup when I'm practicing (or just fooling around) is the Gretsch. What's not to like? It looks great, it plays great, and, with my Bugera V22 Infinium amp, it sounds great!

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by phcorrigan

I have a 2018 G5420TG Electromatic (MIK), and I love it!

If you have some discretionary cash, a couple minor cosmetic upgrades will have all but the hardcore Gretsch crowd think you're playing a '59 Falcon :



https://quickguards.com/products/gre...lcon-pickguard



https://quickguards.com/products/gre...ss-rod-cover-1



https://www.stewmac.com/parts-and-ha...ries-33-tuners

[phcorrigan]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

If you have some discretionary cash, a couple minor cosmetic upgrades will have all but the hardcore Gretsch crowd think you're playing a '59 Falcon :

I've thought about it, but I actually like the fact that such an inexpensive guitar looks and sounds so great!

[rokdog49]

I’d love to own a Gretsch, but my first choice would be a Rickenbacker.

[jay42]

Filtertons from TV Jones are popular choices for parts-o-casters... tele bodies mostly. I've always thought they looked bad and the large bodies feed back too easily...Bigsbys...ouch.
Nonetheless, I find that some are great players.

Buddy of mine has the Steve Stills custom. I don't see him taking it to a gig.

[Lillis]

Well I have A 5420T (for sale). It’s a beautiful guitar with great playability and sound. I just went a little nuts with the electrics and spend most my time on acoustics. i’ve decided to just keep a couple thin body solid electrics. Very well may kick myself for selling it.

[m_g]

OK, I have a bit of a silly and off-topic question. Anyone know how loud the acoustic volume of a Gretsch G5420 is compared to an ES-125? My main guitar is an ES-125 copy by French luthier Maurice Dupont which is quite loud acoustically. I'm looking for something that is slightly less loud for late night (or early morning) playing. A semi-hollow is a bit too quiet unplugged (or maybe one without a center block would be loud enough, but I've never tried one). Would the volume of a Gretsch sit somewhere in between a semi-hollow and an ES-125? I like how Gretsches look and have heard only good things about their current Asian lines.

[BoneDigger]

I'm down to one Gretsch after owning several. This is a 5410 Tri Five. It looks nice and plays great. It's probably one of the last Korean made Gretsches, and it sounds really good. I may eventually upgrade to some new pickups, but I'm fine for now.

As for why I own it, I think Gretsch guitars offer something different from solid bodies or Gibson ES guitars.

Aside from Chet Atkins and the Stray Cats guy, you can find a few well known players playing them occasionally.

20230124_222103.jpg

https://youtu.be/euMNVyuqmwo

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by m_g

...Would the volume of a Gretsch sit somewhere in between a semi-hollow and an ES-125? I like how Gretsches look and have heard only good things about their current Asian lines.

Absolutely, as long as you go with a full hollowbody like the 5420 or 5422 Electromatics and use heavier (11's or higher, with a wound G) strings...

Originally Posted by BoneDigger

...Aside from Chet Atkins and the Stray Cats guy, you can find a few well-known players playing them occasionally...

More than a few, and more than occasionally - here's a quick list off the top of my head, of players who used them extensively or exclusively during their careers:

• Harry Volpe
• Jimmie Webster (father of the tapping technique - and the White Falcon)
• George Van Eps
• Mary Osborne
• Mundell Lowe
• Sal Salvador
• Al Caiola
• Freddie Green
• Lou Monte
• Burl Ives
• Cliff Gallup
• Eddie Cochran
• Gene Vincent
• Duane Eddy
• Johnny Farina (Santo & Johnny)
• Bo Diddley
• Ronny Lee
• Mary Ford (after her divorce from Les Paul - search "Gretsch Mary Ford" in the AGF search engine)
• George Harrison
• Gerry Marsden
• Hilton Valentine
• Brian Jones
• Mike Nesmith
• Peter Tork
• David Crosby
• Stephen Stills
• Neil Young
• Terry Clements (ex-Gordon Lightfoot lead guitarist)
• Randy Bachman
• Bucky Pizzarelli
• Roy Clark
• Malcolm Young
• Bono
• George Michael
• Nigel Hendroff
• Richard Fortus
• Chris Isaak
• Rich Robinson
• Michael Guy Chislett
• Nick 13
• Steve Wariner
• Tom Peterson
• Patrick Stump
• Billy Duffy
• Reverend Horton Heat
• Tim Armstrong

[gfirob]

There are photos on the interweb of John Lennon playing a 6120 too.