repoman Posted October 2, 2024 Posted October 2, 2024 I've currently got a Harley Benton and two Ibanez guitars but I'm thinking about selling them and putting it all on a Gretsch. I mean, I'll try out a few Gretsch guitars first to see how I get on with them but have any of you got one and got any thoughts about them? Also, do Bigsby tremoloes mess with tuning stability much? Quote
randythoades Posted October 2, 2024 Posted October 2, 2024 Although I don't have one, I have played quite a few and several friends have them. From a personal choice I would say that the mid range (Electromatic) range are excellent and none of my friends have complained about the Bigsby affecting tuning, but it isn't there for dive bombs, just a subtle warble. I prefer one without, but they don't seem to have any issues. I have also played a few of the slightly lower Streamliner ones and they were a bit hit and miss. A couple were really fantastic, and a couple were a bit sloppy build wise. If I was going to get one I would want to go and try them first in order to get a good one. On the plus side I really preferred the different slant that they put on in comparison to the Electromatics which are much more traditional. But I am not sure I would want one as my only guitar. They sound good and will cover a lot from indie jangle to rockabilly but I think they are too much of a niche look these days (and actually quite heavy for a hollow guitar). Quote
Dad3353 Posted October 2, 2024 Posted October 2, 2024 (edited) 3 hours ago, repoman said: ... any thoughts about them? ... I'm rather a fan of hollow-body guitars, but the Gretsch range has never really appealed to me. I can't speak for any modern, current, models, but 'back then' ('70s...), the ones I came across didn't inspire me much at all, with a rather limited tonal range, electrified, and not much tone at all as an acoustic. I found them to be extraordinarily heavy and clumsy, too, compared to other arch-tops or acoustic guitars. I suppose if one just has to have that particular sound, they don't have much competition, I certainly won't be scouring the small ads to find one. What is it that draws you to them, and what models are your present guitars that you're willing to sacrifice..? At the risk (nay, certainty...) of sounding like an old frump, I'm not a fan of tremolos on any guitar, and definitely not the Bigsby version. Heavy, clumsy, detrimental to the tone and robustness of any arch-top guitar sound-board, it's a deal-breaker for me. Do they mess much with tuning..? They certainly don't if they're not fitted..! Again, it's a matter of what one wants to play, and I've never wanted to play in any style that uses such an effect, soooooo... Not for me, thanks. Edited October 2, 2024 by Dad3353 1 Quote
ezbass Posted October 2, 2024 Posted October 2, 2024 (edited) Ooh, you’ve asked the wrong question for me as I’m a Gretsch fanboy. Worst thing I ever did was let my old customised Streamliner. If it were me, I’d get a Electromatic 5420, with a Bigsby (well set up, they’re pretty stable and definitely add something to the sound of the guitar) you don’t have to use it, but it’ll be there if you fancy a wobble. Edited October 2, 2024 by ezbass 2 Quote
knirirr Posted January 4 Posted January 4 On 02/10/2024 at 14:40, ezbass said: with a Bigsby (well set up, they’re pretty stable and definitely add something to the sound of the guitar) you don’t have to use it, but it’ll be there if you fancy a wobble. Thinking that I ought to have a hollow bodied guitar for jazz I bought a Streamliner and have indeed given that Bigsby a wobble from time to time despite it being considered inappropriate within the genre. 4 Quote
EdwardMarlowe Posted 8 hours ago Posted 8 hours ago The 6xxx 'Professional' series are the dream, but they're also crazy money. If the big lotter win came in, of course, I'd tart with a White Falcon, a trad 6120 and maybe of the Brian Setzer Hot Rod types... More realistically, the 5xxx series are great guitars, and fully, imo, capture the spirit of the Gretsch sound. The 2xxx series are nice if, imo, a little more generic in sound. That of course will appeal to some folks if they want something that's a more mainstream sound. If you wanted something that you already new you'd be rewiring and changing pickups in, I'd go for a nice, used 2xxx. 1 Quote
ezbass Posted 7 hours ago Posted 7 hours ago 1 hour ago, EdwardMarlowe said: More realistically, the 5xxx series are great guitars, and fully, imo, capture the spirit of the Gretsch sound. Totally agree. Like you a 6120, Setzer Sig or Hot Rod would be awesome, but Quote
