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  #1  
Old 06-18-2021, 07:01 AM
SpruceTop SpruceTop is offline
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Default Gretsch G5420TG-59 - Vintage Orange - Sweetwater Exclusive--Attn: Steve DeRosa

Hi Steve and All,

I'm interested in this Korean-made Gretsch archtop which I'm assuming has the great build quality of the double-cut Korean-made Gretsch G5422TG Electromatic Hollowbody Double-Cut with Bigsby we discussed last winter, and that you recommended at the time as a good value choice. Both guitars have many of the same great features such as Black Top Filter'Tron pickups and Bigsby B60 Vibrato tailpiece. Being mainly an acoustic guitarist, I'm thinking that the slightly thicker body of the Gretsch G5420TG-59 - Vintage Orange - Sweetwater Exclusive will suit me better than would the thinner-body Gretsch G5422TG Electromatic Hollowbody Double-Cut with Bigsby model.

Steve and any players with Gretsch experience I'd like to hear your thoughts on the relative build quality of each model and any features that could compel me to choose one over the other. Thanks!

Gretsch G5420TG-59 - Vintage Orange - Sweetwater Exclusive

Gretsch G5422TG Electromatic Hollowbody Double-Cut with Bigsby - Walnut Stain
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Last edited by SpruceTop; 06-18-2021 at 08:05 AM.
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  #2  
Old 06-18-2021, 04:51 PM
Steve DeRosa Steve DeRosa is offline
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First off, overall quality is the same throughout the MIK E-matic lineup: different visual vibe/body size (which is a major selling point for you), but if you like the 5422 you'll also like the 5420...

Second, the '59 E-matic is only a Sweetwater exclusive in the USA market: seems it's generally available in the EU (with a slightly different, less "milky" finish), and there are more than a few hands-on reviews on YouTube - although I'm sure you already have a good idea of how it sounds, check out some of the vids for a better idea of what you're getting...

Good luck...
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Old 06-19-2021, 06:46 AM
SpruceTop SpruceTop is offline
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Thanks, Steve! I'm tempted to go for the Gretsch G5420TG-59 as several have been and are in stock as Gretsch and other brands of instruments are once again flowing from South Korea. The G5422 hasn't shown up yet in the Guitar Gallery. I know I'd be happy with either model Gretsch but there's something about an Eddie Cochran, Brian Setzer, and Rockabilly vibe going on with the Gretsch G5420TG-59 that appeals to me. More to come ...
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Last edited by SpruceTop; 06-19-2021 at 06:52 AM.
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  #4  
Old 06-20-2021, 04:06 PM
SpruceTop SpruceTop is offline
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Gretsch G5420TG-59 - Vintage Orange - Sweetwater Exclusive On Order. More to come ...
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  #5  
Old 06-20-2021, 05:32 PM
Steve DeRosa Steve DeRosa is offline
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If you haven't already ordered a case, this one's a great choice @ $129 - I use one with my 5622 - and a near-double for the $500+ "Western" tweed factory case Gretsch uses for some of their Custom Shop instruments:










https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...dy-guitar-case

Hands-on NGD upon receipt - hope you've got a nice tube amp to go with it...
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Old 06-22-2021, 04:21 PM
SpruceTop SpruceTop is offline
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Hi Steve,

I remember you mentioning the Gretsch, look-alike Gator case but I ordered the $180 Gretsch 16" Deluxe Hollowbody Hardshell Case as I got it for $130 as part of the guitar + case deal. Unfortunately, Sweetwater couldn't discount the guitar as it's an "exclusive" and not available exactly the same elsewhere. At least I got the Gretsch case for a nice price but I've got to admit the not currently in stock Gator western-style tweed case you recommended looks cooler! More to come ...
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Last edited by SpruceTop; 06-22-2021 at 04:27 PM.
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  #7  
Old 06-22-2021, 05:03 PM
jdto jdto is offline
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Congrats on the incoming NGD. I’ve got a Fairlane Blue G5420T that I quite enjoy. They really are great instruments.
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Old 06-22-2021, 06:07 PM
Steve DeRosa Steve DeRosa is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SpruceTop View Post
Hi Steve,

I remember you mentioning the Gretsch look-alike Gator case, but I ordered the $180 Gretsch 16" Deluxe Hollowbody Hardshell Case as I got it for $130 as part of the guitar + case deal. Unfortunately, Sweetwater couldn't discount the guitar as it's an "exclusive" and not available exactly the same elsewhere. At least I got the Gretsch case for a nice price but I've got to admit the not currently in stock Gator western-style tweed case you recommended looks cooler! More to come ...
No biggie - for every problem there's a solution:
  • Keep the Gretsch factory case you're getting with the 5420;
  • When the Gator case comes in, order it;
  • Order one of these at the same time, have it shipped in the Gator case, and swap cases upon delivery:


https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...nowcrest-white

No Gretsch collection is complete without at least one double-cut (BTW this one's a full-hollow with Filter'trons like your 5420) - and the '62 White Falcon looks on this one make a statement nothing else in its price bracket can match...

Glad to help...
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Old 06-22-2021, 11:25 PM
Glennwillow Glennwillow is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SpruceTop View Post
Gretsch G5420TG-59 - Vintage Orange - Sweetwater Exclusive On Order. More to come ...
Hi SpruceTop!

Good for you! I am green with envy! Well... not really. I would like to get one myself and this is the exactly the guitar I have been wanting to buy!

Interesting that Sweetwater discounted the case a little more for you! Good deal!

I will look forward to what you think of this once it arrives!

I am really pleased for you!

- Glenn
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Old 06-23-2021, 03:29 AM
SpruceTop SpruceTop is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa View Post

Hands-on NGD upon receipt - hope you've got a nice tube amp to go with it...
Steve,

I've got a Fender Blues Junior III that I bought new about 5 years ago and has only been turned on for about 5 total hours. This was a Musician's Friend special edition that has the tu-tone Tolex and a Jensen P12Q Alnico speaker (the main reason I bought the amp). I'm hoping it'll sound pretty good with the Gretsch.
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Last edited by SpruceTop; 06-23-2021 at 04:27 PM.
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  #11  
Old 06-23-2021, 03:32 AM
SpruceTop SpruceTop is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Glennwillow View Post
Hi SpruceTop!

Good for you! I am green with envy! Well... not really. I would like to get one myself and this is the exactly the guitar I have been wanting to buy!

Interesting that Sweetwater discounted the case a little more for you! Good deal!

I will look forward to what you think of this once it arrives!

I am really pleased for you!

- Glenn
Thanks, Glenn! When ordering anything from Sweetwater, just ask for the best price they can give you, and usually, they'll knock a decent amount off the listed price. More to come ...
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Martin HD-28 Sunburst/Trance M-VT Phantom
Martin D-18/UltraTonic
Adamas I 2087GT-8
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Taylor 614ce
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Larrivee D-40R Sunburst
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  #12  
Old 06-23-2021, 04:30 PM
SpruceTop SpruceTop is offline
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The Gretsch G5420TG-59 arrived today and it's a beauty and it looks flawless. I won't be able to plug it in until Friday. More to come ...
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Martin D-18/UltraTonic
Adamas I 2087GT-8
Ovation Custom Legend LX
Guild F-212XL STD
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Taylor 717e
Taylor 618e
Taylor 614ce
Larrivee D-50M/HiFi
Larrivee D-40R Blue Grass Special/HiFi
Larrivee D-40R Sunburst
Larrivee C-03R TE/Trance M-VT Phantom
RainSong BI-DR1000N2
Emerald X20
Yamaha FGX5
Republic Duolian/Schatten NR-2

Last edited by SpruceTop; 06-26-2021 at 09:23 AM.
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  #13  
Old 06-23-2021, 07:32 PM
Steve DeRosa Steve DeRosa is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SpruceTop View Post
The Gretsch G5420TG-59 arrived today and it's a beauty and looks it looks flawless. I won't be able to plug it in until Friday...
Quote:
Originally Posted by SpruceTop View Post
...I've got a Fender Blues Junior III that I bought new about 5 years ago and has only been turned on for about 5 total hours...I'm hoping it'll sound pretty good with the Gretsch.
Give it a 15-minute plugged-in shakedown run just to make sure everything's working OK, then install a set of wound-G flatwound 11's (IME the go-to string for most Gretsch hollows/semis) and wail away for about 4-5 hours...

When you're done - and you've finally wiped the Cheshire Cat smile off your face - give us a full hands-on NGD review...
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