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Old 07-29-2020, 08:30 PM
stevecuss stevecuss is offline
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Default Incoming Gretsch

Well, I bought a pre owned Gretsch for a Christmas Gig, well, 6 gigs, and then sold it in January since I couldn't really justify keeping it and I just don't play out much on electric. It was a Korean 5422T in black and I loved it - it played and sounded just fantastic.

So then Reverb pops up this week with a red Korean 5422T with TV Jones pickups in it for a price I just couldn't resist. Honestly, the Blacktop pickups are really great, but the Jones really do take it to another level and of course, value.

So I don't really need a Gretsch, but I'm getting another one. The Jones are the classics which is right up my alley. Factory pots and wiring as best as I can tell.

I'll add the Vibramate string change system - the last one had that and it really helped.

Can't wait. I'll report back once it arrives.
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Old 07-30-2020, 05:35 AM
DoryDavis DoryDavis is offline
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Great. I've got the 5420 with TV's. Interested in the Vibramate and how it helped? Good luck and congrats soon the new guitar!
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  #3  
Old 07-30-2020, 07:58 AM
stevecuss stevecuss is offline
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Originally Posted by DoryDavis View Post
Great. I've got the 5420 with TV's. Interested in the Vibramate and how it helped? Good luck and congrats soon the new guitar!

Vibramate was a little metal piece that connected to the Bigsby and made string changes dead easy. I think it sells for $35 or so, but my last Gretsch came with it. I should have snagged it off the Gretsch before selling it

Did you change pots and wires too, or just pickups?
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Mcilroy A25c (Cedar, English Walnut) with Schatten HFN (custom MiSi Crystal Jack Preamp, putty install.)
Maton 75th Anniversary OM
50th Anniversary Fender Am Std Strat.
Gretsch 6120 Nashville Players in Blue.
Line 6 Helix.

If I played as much as I read threads, I'd be a pro....
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Old 07-30-2020, 08:17 AM
rmp rmp is offline
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you'll love it, I have a 5422TG and I've left it stock, and it's great.

good luck
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Old 07-30-2020, 03:12 PM
phcorrigan phcorrigan is offline
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Originally Posted by DoryDavis View Post
Great. I've got the 5420 with TV's. Interested in the Vibramate and how it helped? Good luck and congrats soon the new guitar!
I have a stock 5420, except for the Chet Atkins vibrato bar I added. I constantly get comments on how great it sounds (and looks).
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Old 07-30-2020, 03:13 PM
stevecuss stevecuss is offline
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Originally Posted by phcorrigan View Post
I have a stock 5420, except for the Chet Atkins vibrato bar I added. I constantly get comments on how great it sounds (and looks).
I love me some Chet bar.
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Mcilroy A25c (Cedar, English Walnut) with Schatten HFN (custom MiSi Crystal Jack Preamp, putty install.)
Maton 75th Anniversary OM
50th Anniversary Fender Am Std Strat.
Gretsch 6120 Nashville Players in Blue.
Line 6 Helix.

If I played as much as I read threads, I'd be a pro....
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Old 07-30-2020, 03:43 PM
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phcorrigan that is just stunning
Man..... they are such elegant guitars Steve post some photos when you get it
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Old 07-30-2020, 04:08 PM
phcorrigan phcorrigan is offline
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Originally Posted by KevWind View Post
phcorrigan that is just stunning
Man..... they are such elegant guitars
People keep calling it a White Falcon. I've stopped trying to correct them.

In fact, I may just go ahead and buy a White Falcon pick guard!
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Last edited by phcorrigan; 07-30-2020 at 04:14 PM.
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  #9  
Old 07-30-2020, 08:00 PM
Steve DeRosa Steve DeRosa is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by phcorrigan View Post
People keep calling it a White Falcon. I've stopped trying to correct them.

In fact, I may just go ahead and buy a White Falcon pick guard!
Here ya go - made specifically for the 5420:



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

Not exact, but this'll help make the point:



https://quickguards.com/products/gre...russ-rod-cover

You'll also want one of these:



https://www.angela.com/gretschbigsby...tailpiece.aspx

- one of these:



https://www.angela.com/gretschrockin...062845000.aspx

- a set of these:



https://www.angela.com/gretschusagol...knobsfour.aspx

- and while that modern white strap is nice, if you've got a single-cut Falcon this is the only way to go:



http://www.streetsoundsnyc.com/grets...nut-new-ss1316

Happy shopping...
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Old 07-30-2020, 09:33 PM
stevecuss stevecuss is offline
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Steve, you continue to be THE go to guide for Gretsch, thank you.

I am aware that the Japanese Gretsch use the next model up in quality for Bigsby than the Korean, but I'm not sure what the better Bigsby adds. What's your take?



Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa View Post
Here ya go - made specifically for the 5420:



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

Not exact, but this'll help make the point:



https://quickguards.com/products/gre...russ-rod-cover

You'll also want one of these:



https://www.angela.com/gretschbigsby...tailpiece.aspx

- one of these:



https://www.angela.com/gretschrockin...062845000.aspx

- a set of these:



https://www.angela.com/gretschusagol...knobsfour.aspx

- and while that modern white strap is nice, if you've got a single-cut Falcon this is the only way to go:



http://www.streetsoundsnyc.com/grets...nut-new-ss1316

Happy shopping...
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Steve
Mcilroy A25c (Cedar, English Walnut) with Schatten HFN (custom MiSi Crystal Jack Preamp, putty install.)
Maton 75th Anniversary OM
50th Anniversary Fender Am Std Strat.
Gretsch 6120 Nashville Players in Blue.
Line 6 Helix.

If I played as much as I read threads, I'd be a pro....
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  #11  
Old 07-31-2020, 03:49 PM
Steve DeRosa Steve DeRosa is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stevecuss View Post
...I am aware that the Japanese Gretsch use the next model up in quality for Bigsby than the Korean, but I'm not sure what the better Bigsby adds. What's your take?
Slightly heavier/more robust construction/better materials (more a "feel" thing than anything else - I own examples of both) - in this case it's just a question of the whole single-cut White Falcon vibe, and if they weren't next to impossible to get (and extremely expensive if you can find one) I'd sooner have one of these:

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  #12  
Old 07-31-2020, 04:58 PM
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Bob Womack Bob Womack is offline
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Specifically made for the Gretsch:



Bob
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Old 07-31-2020, 09:50 PM
DavidE DavidE is offline
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I just sold my “fancier” white falcon. I have a Stephen Stills model I’m holding onto. But I actually prefer the smaller size of my Setzer model.
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  #14  
Old 08-03-2020, 04:41 AM
DoryDavis DoryDavis is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stevecuss View Post
Vibramate was a little metal piece that connected to the Bigsby and made string changes dead easy. I think it sells for $35 or so, but my last Gretsch came with it. I should have snagged it off the Gretsch before selling it

Did you change pots and wires too, or just pickups?
Steve I changed just the pickups, but am going to have a luthier go ahead and change the wiring harness. I may try the vibramate..
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  #15  
Old 08-04-2020, 03:07 AM
rockabilly69 rockabilly69 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Womack View Post
Specifically made for the Gretsch:



Bob
wish he still played like this and wrote songs like this. The last album I liked by him was "So What" which I loved!
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