BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?

Subject: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: Songwronger
Date: 23 Aug 13 - 10:39 PM

I'm going to see someone tomorrow who has a Gretsch guitar he's said he wants to sell. Probably needs to, for bills. It's this one:

http://images.guitarcenter.com/products/optionLarge/GretschGuitars/DV016_Jpg_Large_513282.009_orange_R.jpg

Been years since I bought an electric. Prices are stunning, for the good ones. Forget vintage good ones. But this is an "entry level" guitar that gets rave reviews everywhere I've read. Haven't played it yet, but the size is the size I like.

I'm guessing he paid 8-900 dollars for it a couple of years ago, and I can get it for half that. He says it's just been in the case, not even smudged. He bought it from a guitar shop that's the best in the area, and they did their standard check and set-up on it. It should be like the day it was he bought it.

The components are stock, but everything's upgradable, if I hold onto it. If I sell it I'll get my money back or make a profit. I think. Still need to look at it and play it.

Does anyone have any opinions on this guitar? Any experience? I know it's a hated electric, but it's sure a purty thang, in a rockabilly kind of way.

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Aug 13 - 10:43 PM

You got the cash, buy it. Worst thing can happen is there's no more electricity. Then you'll have a piss-poor acoustic, but at least it'll still be a Gretsch.

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: Wesley S
Date: 23 Aug 13 - 10:47 PM

Your ears and your wallet need to be the deciding factor here. How do you plan to use it? Not for Woody Guthrie tunes I imagine.

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: Songwronger
Date: 23 Aug 13 - 10:53 PM

It would be used to lay in backing tracks. Nothing that couldn't be done on a miked acoustic. But then I don't have an acoustic with a whammy bar. Always wanted to play with one of them.

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Aug 13 - 10:56 PM

Then buy a Fender.

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: Wesley S
Date: 23 Aug 13 - 11:01 PM

Is that a real Bixby whammy bar? If so - you should be fine. But don't they make it harder to stay in tune? I've had no experience with them so I really don't know.

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: Songwronger
Date: 23 Aug 13 - 11:17 PM

It's the Bigsby design. They license it out to the different guitar makers. Heavy duty mechanism.

I think tuning problems depend on how much you use the tailpiece, and how far up and down you work it. The gauge and newness of the strings too. The upgrades to help with the tuning problem are locking keys and a bridge that rolls with the strings slightly as they stretch.

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 24 Aug 13 - 12:39 AM

Back in the 60's, I had a Gretsch Chet Atkins Country Gentleman. Great guitar!!..and more than I was capable of playing well enough to deserve.
It think what you must do, is to actually play the guitar, if you can, and see if you like it, and/or anything about the instrument doesn't get in the way!..(One of my rules: The instrument should NEVER get in the way). If you like it, go for it AND if the sound works for what you do. I'm not sure about THAT particular model, but Gretsch, is a much respected(IMHO), axe!!! Mine, also had the Bigsby, and two string mutes, that mutes three strings on either side of six, and you should look at the top pick-up...some have two fret bars on the top of them...and that is sweet! George Harrison used one in the 'early' Beatlemania days..I loved the sound!..BTW, it would REALLY be a great idea, to study sound, or some sound engineering, to be able to 'shape' the sounds especially on those..and give it more versatility!!
Best of luck!...after all, MUSIC is what you do better than politics or religion!!!..Let the magic flow!!

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 24 Aug 13 - 12:47 AM

I went back and looked at your pic again.....no mutes and it doesn't look like it has the pick-up frets...bit it might. You also might consider a Gibson 335 or 339(the 339 is smaller but sweet). I had a 335 a while ago, and recently played a 339 that was a friend's.
shit!..play as many as you can..then decide...you'll KNOW..by how it feels and sounds!

Oh, and I wasn't slamming your views on politics or religion..but us musicians...well, we're on a 'special mission'!

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: Songwronger
Date: 24 Aug 13 - 07:46 AM

No, this guitar is in no way equal to the vintage guitars, but for what it is in the context of the times it's not bad. It's just that the price the man named is half of what it's selling for. It will probably end up as a re-sell, just a way to park money until I advertise it properly and make a couple of hundred dollars.

Or, I'll keep it and have an electric to work with.

This one has humbucking (double coil) pickups. The twangy Fender sound of country-western, lots of great rock, uses single-wound, but they can hum a lot. So this would be a quiet studio guitar. Should be, at least.

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: GUEST,bankley
Date: 24 Aug 13 - 07:47 AM

if the price is right and it feels good.
a Bixby is fun, but you won't be 'dive-bombing' with it.
trust your instincts and good luck

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 24 Aug 13 - 10:05 AM

Eddie Cochran

but you can be Eddie Cochran with one of those!

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 24 Aug 13 - 10:43 AM

Wow...the bass player's using a capo! Never seen that before.

Never owned a Gretsch but I've played one. Great.

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 24 Aug 13 - 11:11 AM

I'm aware of the single coil hum(I have a Strat, too) BUT, what you do, is have your single coilS phase switch...It's a mini toggle, one for each pick-up, that sends the current the other way, therefore staggering them, gets the current flowing in opposite direction..AND.. it changes the tone DELIGHTFULLY!
Next time you go to your local guitar store, ask to see a Strat, with phase switching...and try it out...you may find a pleasant surprise!

hey, Songwronger, I wish you the VERY best luck, to the extreme, of you finding just the perfect axe!!!..ANYTHING I can help you with, just holler! BTW, I have two YouTube videos, where I'm playing that Strat, with another guy(Mike Llona) who is playing an acoustic(Takamine) with me. I think you may have already heard it...but what a beautiful sound, for an electric...and I believe when we recorded it, it was phase switched...however, you really should sit down with one...just for the hell of it!


Warmest Regards!
GfS

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: Will Fly
Date: 25 Aug 13 - 04:16 AM

My friend Chris has one of these. It's a good guitar - well worth what you've been asked to pay for it. Good for pick work and fingerstyle a la Atkins.

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: GUEST,Stim
Date: 25 Aug 13 - 09:54 AM

If you haven't bought it already, check them out on eBay before you negotiate the price. Not sure what model this is, but there are a bunch of Gretsch entry level guitars listed there with asking prices from $400-700 that have no bids at all, so even if it is a good instrument, it may not be easy to resell. It is true that high end instruments are very expensive these days, but the low end is a very different story.

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: PHJim
Date: 25 Aug 13 - 11:00 PM

My son has one of these. He has used it for playing country and rockabilly and he loves it. It's not the equivalent of an American Gretsch, but it's a fine guitar.

Clay playing his Gretsch

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: Songwronger
Date: 25 Aug 13 - 11:08 PM

Well, I played the guitar, and it's a nice one. Mint condition, surprisingly good craftsmanship. I'm really impressed. My better half isn't so impressed, with the guitar or my decision-making abilities, so the battle of the Gretsch begins.

When my friend plugged it in he turned the amp up to 11 or so and screamed something at me about the feedback problem. Semi-hollows are like that, or Jimmy borrowed the highhat. Could have been either, come to think of it. And he doesn't like the overdrive sound of the humbucking pickups. Apparently the concussion delivered by single coils is more pleasurable.

When I got the amp turned down the guitar had a nice range of tones and settings. The exact size I like and so on. Perfect intonation. No negatives I could see if I want a playing guitar. But the resell probably wouldn't be what I was hoping. Odd, too, because the more expensive ones are identical to this one except for one or two small upgrades, and the upgrades add hundreds to the price.

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: Songwronger
Date: 25 Aug 13 - 11:14 PM

Yeah, that's the guitar, PHJim. The one I played was really nice, and I scrutinized the workmanship. Pretty impressive.

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: GUEST,Musket living the dream
Date: 26 Aug 13 - 02:07 AM

Bought my son a Gretsch last year. He loves it. Means one day I might just get my Les Paul back. ..

As he is based in Liverpool, I keep wondering if there is a precedent for a guitarist based there with a Gretsch making his father very rich?

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 26 Aug 13 - 02:11 AM

From a known seller, in such good condition, just go for it....

you know you want to.


You'll soon enough establish if it's a 'go to' guitar and a permanent keeper.

If not, you should at least break even if you decide to sell it on.


ps, here's an excellent sounding great value for low ££$$
hand wired vintage rock 'n' roll era inspired tube combo amp...

href="http://www.vhtamp.com/products/the-special-series/special-6-combo">http://www.vhtamp.com/products/the-special-series/special-6-combo

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Aug 13 - 02:22 AM

http://www.vhtamp.com/products/the-special-series/special-6-combo

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 26 Aug 13 - 05:53 AM

No wait for a White Falcon. I saw John Fogarty play one with Creedence Clearwater Revival. Or what about one of those black ones George Harrison used to play with the Beatles.

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 26 Aug 13 - 05:59 PM

Big Al Whittle: "Or what about one of those black ones George Harrison used to play with the Beatles."

See my post: From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 24 Aug 13 - 12:39 AM

Back in the 60's, I had a Gretsch Chet Atkins Country Gentleman. Great guitar!!..and more than I was capable of playing well enough to deserve..............and that is sweet! George Harrison used one in the 'early' Beatlemania days..I loved the sound!.

Oh, and BTW, the guitar is not black but dark brown.

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 27 Aug 13 - 05:44 PM

Bottom line..you played it, you liked it..buy it.

You want another one later...play it, and if you like it, buy it!

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: PHJim
Date: 27 Aug 13 - 09:33 PM

Why is this topic below the line in the BS section?

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: Bobert
Date: 27 Aug 13 - 09:45 PM

Went to a guitar show this past weekend in Charlotte and they had the nicest Gretsch I have ever seen... Had this big ol' "G" as part of the tail piece...

Nicest geetar at the show...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: Songwronger
Date: 27 Aug 13 - 11:39 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5Mx9Jq8ZFA

Nice how-to video using a Gretsch 5120 as a demo. That's the model I'm looking at.

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: GUEST,Musket evolving slowly
Date: 28 Aug 13 - 01:14 AM

Bloody hell. Goofus is right. (Must lie down..)

The one I bought in Liverpool for my lad did milk the connection somewhat and where the Gretsch guitars were hung up, a picture of your man with his was there to help you to decide, as it were.

Anyway, I'm in Liverpool this weekend watching him playing in his band, I haven't seen or heard this guitar since buying it him. He is using it. (First band he has been in where he isn't the bassist. )

I might even be able to sneak my Les Paul Custom back with me on Sunday. ...

Subject: RE: BS: Gretsch Electric...should I?
From: Songwronger
Date: 10 Sep 13 - 08:42 PM

Not Gretsch guitars, but lookee here. A group of 4 Erlewine guitars I found for sale:

http://images.craigslist.org/00F0F_l2UELjP6qRW_600x450.jpg

That's a recent photo. Mark Erlewine is still in business. Those guitars are from 1976-78. I bet he was surprised to see them.

I wrote to the man who's selling them and he said, "The black walnut guitar in the same picture is the real interesting piece. Mark told me he made it from the same plank of wood he made Otis Rush's tele clone, Gerry Garcia's strat clone, and Albert King's flying V. Kind of a cool story to it."

$7,500 each for the two Les Paul models and $5k each for the others.