SDOTD Gretsch !!!!

GangstaPat · #1 05-20-2020, 07:37 AM

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/guit...57318000002000

This looks aweful good. These guys get so much of my money.

rmp · #2 05-20-2020, 07:39 AM

lately this becomes a deal breaker for me

Country of Origin: China

GangstaPat · #3 05-20-2020, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmp

lately this becomes a deal breaker for me

Country of Origin: China

Is it the workmanship or just issues with China? IMHO they are producing some pretty solid instruments over there in some cases.

rmp · #4 05-20-2020, 08:07 AM

You're not wrong, the quality of almost all the imports have risen significantly.

For me it is based on recent events. It's 100% a personal feeling here.

robj144 · #5 05-20-2020, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmp

You're not wrong, the quality of almost all the imports have risen significantly.

For me it is based on recent events. It's 100% a personal feeling here.

Don't mean to derail the thread, but that would mean giving up about 90% of the electronics you currently use.

Steve DeRosa · #6 05-20-2020, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GangstaPat

Is it the workmanship or just issues with China? IMHO they are producing some pretty solid instruments over there in some cases.

I've played the Gretsch Streamliners - as well as the new MIC Electromatics - and this definitely isn't one of those cases

; IME save your money and get one of the Korean 5400/5600-Series E-Matics while the getting is good - way more guitar per dollar, and fully competitive with big-name USA/MIJ instruments at two and three times the price...

GangstaPat · #7 05-20-2020, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

I've played the Gretsch Streamliners - as well as the new MIC Electromatics - and this definitely isn't one of those cases

; IME save your money and get one of the Korean 5400/5600-Series E-Matics while the getting is good - way more guitar per dollar, and fully competitive with big-name USA/MIJ instruments at two and three times the price...

Thanks Steve. This is the kinda feedback I was hoping for. Besides I just recently got a new electric. I was leaning towards passing on this one and I think I will.

rmp · #8 05-20-2020, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robj144

Don't mean to derail the thread, but that would mean giving up about 90% of the electronics you currently use.

yep! it sure does.

paulp1960 · #9 05-20-2020, 12:54 PM

I know Steve doesn't like Chinese made Electromatics (though he likes his Chinese made Bugera amps) but I bought a G5220 recently and for the price I'm not sure I could have gotten a better made mahogany, set neck, short scale twin humbucker guitar. I did replace the pickups with Blacktop Filtertrons which improved the guitar for me. Just needs a rewire and new pots and switch but that's fine as I bought it as a mod platform and can do the work myself, parts are cheap. Having said that I ddn't want a Bigsby but would be wary of a guitar with a cheap and nasty one.

I'm curious which model was on Musician's Friend since I'm in the UK and links to MF items just don't work here.

blue · #10 05-20-2020, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulp1960

I did replace the pickups with Blacktop Filtertrons which improved the guitar for me. Just needs a rewire and new pots and switch but that's fine as I bought it as a mod platform and can do the work myself, parts are cheap. Having said that I ddn't want a Bigsby but would be wary of a guitar with a cheap and nasty one.

I'm curious which model was on Musician's Friend since I'm in the UK and links to MF items just don't work here.

It's a P90 model. Putting nice filtertrons in a gretsch is nothing to be ashamed of. TV Jones wouldn't exist if that wasn't a market for it.

Steve DeRosa · #11 05-20-2020, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulp1960

...I did replace the pickups with Blacktop Filtertrons which improved the guitar for me. Just needs a rewire and new pots and switch but that's fine as I bought it as a mod platform and can do the work myself, parts are cheap. Having said that I didn't want a Bigsby but would be wary of a guitar with a cheap and nasty one...

My point exactly - and you haven't even mentioned the tuners and hardware yet. If you bought the guitar as a mod platform that's OK - I've got a Carlo Robelli (Sam Ash house brand) ES-5 knockoff waiting for a set of Lollars and a bone nut when restrictions permit, and the J-45 copy I got as a freebie when I bought the jazzbox that I fitted with a dual-source (mag/mic) pickup system, so I get it; by the same token if you're looking for a pro-quality instrument that you could take to the gig tonight with no setup/mods, IME the Streamliner series (and the mid-2019 Chinese E-Matics) unfortunately don't fill the bill - for the price difference the Korean E-Matics come with the good stuff already fitted (and QC that's through. the. roof.), and in terms of bang-for-the-buck IME Ibanez has owned the under-$500 hollow/semi bracket for years...

paulp1960 · #12 05-20-2020, 02:29 PM

The tuners and hardware are plenty good enough Steve. I've never had the need to change tuners on any guitar. I would agree though that if you want a semi-hollow body Gretsch with Bigsby then Korean-made is a real step up.

I was comparing my G5220 with something like an Epiphone Les Paul.

We're not all pros needing pro quality gear.

phcorrigan · #13 05-20-2020, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

IME save your money and get one of the Korean 5400/5600-Series E-Matics while the getting is good...

I have a Korean-made G5420TG, and I love it.

rmp · #14 05-21-2020, 06:47 AM

I have a Korean 5422TG, bought it January still amazed with how good it is.

Steve DeRosa · #15 05-21-2020, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phcorrigan

I have a Korean-made G5420TG, and I love it.

When you're ready to complete the package, this guy will make you a White Falcon-style pickguard and trussrod cover to order:

https://quickguards.com/collections/all/gretsch

White strap is a nice touch - only thing that really looks right on these guitars...

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmp

I have a Korean 5422TG, bought it January still amazed with how good it is.

I've seen a couple of local-level Beatles tribute groups using these as their "George" guitar - and in that light, you might like one of these to keep it company:

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/ampl...itar-combo-amp

Just a single Top-Boost channel with reverb, 1x12" Celestion, almost 20 pounds lighter than the classic 2x12" version with all the sonic impact you'd expect; I've tried one with a 5622, and it has "that" sound in spades - everything you need and nothing you don't, and at $100 less than the standard version well worth consideration...