Has Gretsch Starting Shipping From China?

[1stGuitar]

I know Gretsch is moving production of their Korean Made lines to China. But what I don’t know is, if that has happened already. I was looking at possibly training in my Epiphone Wildkat and paying the difference on buying a new Gretsch G5420t. But what I do not want is something that has recently moved production from Korea to a new assembly line in China. So I was wondering if the Korean made ones were still being shipped or if that has ended. If that is the case then I will look to buy used instead of new.
Thanks.

[Steve DeRosa]

Yeah, unfortunately the transition is already complete and the new MIC 5400-Series E-matics are out there in force . Not all is lost however, as they've gone with a new variation on the Filter-Tron design (FT-5E) - apparently there's been a lot of blowback from true-Gretsch aficionados on the Broad'Trons, as they were the weak link in the pre-2013 MIK 5400's (as well as being OEM on the current entry-level Streamliners) - and they've dropped prices $100 across the board which, if that's important at this time, might be a legitimate deciding factor for some...

In addition, it's early enough in the game that there's still a good supply of NOS (new-old-stock) Korean 5400's in the pipeline - including a few of the high-volume big-box dealers - some of which are limited-edition items based on the iconic golden-era Brooklyn Gretsch hollowbodies like the Cadillac Green Country Club (think Joe Bonamassa) and 6120: here's a couple of examples for sale at Musicians Friend:



https://www.musiciansfriend.com/guit...ut-with-bigsby



https://www.musiciansfriend.com/guit...lectric-guitar

IME if you're serious about one of these you might want to beg/borrow/steal the necessary funds and move now, as they won't last long - I missed out on a couple of limited-edition solids myself in the last few years - and sell the Wildcat privately if at all possible...

Good luck...

[1stGuitar]

Thanks Steve for getting back to me. Always very helpful information. Yeah I was afraid that the China pipeline was already flowing. I was leaning towards the Fairlane blue as I think that is a really nice looking piece in the 5420. But the Green would’ve been my second choice.

I will have to get into a store in the next few days. But the neck is just a little bit chunky for me. I will have to do at least one more test drive on the Gretsch and see how that neck compares.

[GoPappy]

Yes, it has. Look on Sweetwater's site at the G5420, and you'll see "Made in China" on the back of the headstock.

There are probably still some new MIK G5420's hanging on walls of music stores, but you'll have to look to find them. You can still find them on Reverb.

I recently bought a near mint MIK G5622t because it was at a great price for the pristine condition it was in, and realized that these MIK versions are going to start commanding a premium in the near future. The time to buy is now.

[BoneDigger]

I sent you a PM.

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by 1stGuitar

...The Wildkat that I’ll be selling is a really nice guitar. But the neck is just a little bit chunky for me. I will have to do at least one more test drive on the Gretsch and see how that neck compares.

I'm quite familiar with the MIC Epiphone necks (I own an Ultra 339) and there's no comparison: the Gretsch is a C-shape (they say soft-U) just slightly thicker than the slim mid-60's profile of my own '64 Double Annie and, in the case of the Korean E-matics, remarkably consistent from instrument to instrument (something you don't always find even in more expensive fare) - I think you'll find it a quantum leap from the chunky, cheeky, hard-D MIC Epi neck, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one sight unseen/unplayed as I did with my own 3-PU 5622...

[BoneDigger]

The necks on the Epiphone guitars can vary quite a lot. The Epis that are sporting 50s style necks will be thicker than 60s style. The neck on my Sheraton is actually quite similar to a Gretsch. The 60s style necks are quite nice.

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by BoneDigger

...The neck on my Sheraton is actually quite similar to a Gretsch. The 60s style necks are quite nice.

Just curious when your Sheraton was made - the pre-2008 necks were in fact very similar to the MIK E-Matics, and I'm sorry I got to the game a little too late to score a 3-PU Epi SG Custom before they made the transition...

[BoneDigger]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

Just curious when your Sheraton was made - the pre-2008 necks were in fact very similar to the MIK E-Matics, and I'm sorry I got to the game a little too late to score a 3-PU Epi SG Custom before they made the transition...

I should clarify this. When I say similar, I am not talking about shape/profile but thickness. The Sheraton II Pro that I own is a 2021 model and the thickness of the neck is very similar to the Gretsch profile. But, the Sheraton is more of a D shape with a slightly flatter profile rather than a C profile, which is more rounded.

[Steve DeRosa]

Sounds very similar to the first-run Heritage necks from the '80s/early '90s, or some of the CMI/Norlin transition-era Gibsons when they went back to 1-11/16"; gotta check one out when I get the chance - I need something with full-size humbuckers in the arsenal, and my Ultra 339 hasn't seen any play time in a long while...

[Lillis]

You can still find the Korean models but you should probably act fast. I've been thinking about getting a G5410T MIK rat rod from Sweetwater before they are gone. I bought my 5420T last year so it's hard to justify the 5410 with the same pick ups but that hasn't stopped me in the past.

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by Lillis

...I bought my 5420T last year so it's hard to justify the 5410 with the same pick ups but that hasn't stopped me in the past.

Don't let it stop you now...

BTW if you're looking for something with a bit of esoteric Gretsch vibe check out the 5410 Tri-Five (MF still has them in stock), a latter-day version of the uber-rare two-tone Jaguar Tan Double Annie - here's some pics of both:



https://www.guitarcenter.com/Gretsch...00000336959.gc

[Lillis]

Well I just ordered a white G5410T from Sweetwater.it's the color I wanted and it's actually on sale. I really can't rationally justify it but wanted to get a other Korean model before they are gone. I already have a case for it so that helped me justify it.

[1stGuitar]

Am I insane? I can get a brand new Chinese made G5420T For maybe a little over $100 more than I can get a Korean made used one. I have been shopping for used Korean made Fairlane Blue, but now questioning my rationale for holding out for a used Korean built one versus a brand new Chinese made one.
I am looking to sell or trade in my Epiphone Wildkat as part of this purchase. I guess it’s a little piece of me that feels like if I’m letting go of one Chinese made guitar (although I have to admit the fit and finish is good on the Wildkat - pots are good, but maybe it’s just me but the selector switch seems a little Loose) Do I really want another Chinese made guitar to replace it.

Any thoughts, suggestions?
Thanks.

[Lillis]

If the used one is mint I would go for that. I'm assuming you can't find any new fairlane blue models? I have to say I love my MIK 5420T but I have no clue if it's really better than the new Chinese version. I do like the rosewood.fretboard on the Korean models. Good luck I hope you find something soon. If you find a new blue one in stock call the seller for the best price!

Edit: I just saw Sweetwater has one more G5420Tg-59 in stock and I'm relatively sure if you call them they would come down on the price. I almost bought that model because of the classic orange color but I didn't want the gold hardware. Really beautiful guitar.