Some timely Gretsch advice from the master himself...

[Steve DeRosa]

For your drooling pleasure, Joe Bonamassa's recently-acquired Cadillac Green '58 Country Club:

Used on Drive, this 1958 Gretsch Country Club was strung with flatwounds: “It’s the same thing with Jaguars and Jazzmasters. As soon as you use flatwound strings, the whole guitar, the scale, everything makes sense.”

Looks like some of us are in good company - and some of us always knew the real deal when it came to getting "That Great Gretsch Sound"...

[Jaden]

That’s a real beauty for sure - I’ve been wondering about the Gretsch scale length compared to the strat and tele - I guess you’d have it strung with medium gauge flatwounds, with which you could have the action set very low, for fast playability -

Nice guitar!

[rockabilly69]

I've been using Pyramid Gold 12-52 flatwounds on my 6120T '55 VS, and they really sound great. I also love the tension, it's great for fingerpicking.

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by Jaden

...I’ve been wondering about the Gretsch scale length compared to the Strat and Tele - I guess you’d have it strung with medium gauge flatwounds, with which you could have the action set very low, for fast playability...

I've been using flatwound 12's on my '64 Double Annie for the last 55 years, 11's on my 3-PU 5622 - both factory spec in terms of gauge, and IME it's more a function of the wrapping/vibrating envelope that allows for lower action. BTW I used 11's on my 25-1/2" scale White Falcon in the beginning, found 10's play/sound better: totally counterintuitive based on my experience - 12's were standard back in the day, and I was all set to step up in the interest of tone - but I've also found that better-quality guitars have a way of telling you what they like rather than the other way around...

[3notes]

I just want to say the pickups in my Gretsch expose that great tone that everyone speaks of. Simply push the volume, and nothing else basically and this thing growls awesome tones that make me go.... wow.

These guitars have character.

[Dru Edwards]

Joe Bonamassa has about 400 guitars ... now 401. He's an avid collector and has some amazing guitars. An amazing musician. I'd like to meet him just to talk about gear.

[3notes]

Did Norman sell it to him.?? Norm's Rare Guitars.??

[Sonics]

Originally Posted by 3notes

Did Norman sell it to him.?? Norm's Rare Guitars.??

Yep!

[Steve DeRosa]

That '65-66 double-cut White Falcon looks interesting...

[slewis]

Just looking at that precariously leaning gorgeous guitar in the first post makes me nervous....

[3notes]

Originally Posted by slewis

Just looking at that precariously leaning gorgeous guitar in the first post makes me nervous....

OMGosh yes.!!! Check that out will ya..... Gotta be a magnet on those 2 items. Hee .....

I wonder what that guitar looks like. Today. Laughing......

[motojosh]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

Looks like some of us are in good company - and some of us always knew the real deal when it came to getting "That Great Gretsch Sound"...

The quote is interesting, but Jaguars and Jazzmasters are polar opposites in terms of scale length... (I dig flatwounds, so I don't necessarily disagree, though.)

[rdawsoniii]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

Joe Bonamassa has about 400 guitars ... now 401. He's an avid collector and has some amazing guitars. An amazing musician. I'd like to meet him just to talk about gear.

I was privileged to attend one of his meet and greets. He is a SUPER nice man.

[phcorrigan]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

"As soon as you use flatwound strings, the whole guitar, the scale, everything makes sense."

I'm a recent Gretsch player, but yes, I agree with this. I love flatwounds on my Gretsch!