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Post by jvdunne on Aug 14, 2007 5:25:18 GMT -7
I just bought one of these from Guitar Center -Orange, no less. I have always lusted after those 6150's and the Brian Setzer models of today, but $3 grand? C'mon....... Anyway, these are made in Korea, look great, has a Bigsby, good fit, color is great, plays very well, sounds great, both acoustically, and plugged in. All this , for $600! Plus there really is a Gretsch "sound", very different from Fender, PRS, etc.... I'm sure the American made ones are better, with better components. I'm pretty sure I'll put Sperzels on it, and the clear plactic pickguard is a disaster ( will definitely be replaced-anyone know any good custon pickguard makers?)
Anyone else have or has played oe of these? I give it a big thumbs up.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Aug 14, 2007 5:49:09 GMT -7
I've been having Gretsch GAS for a while now - one of these might stem the tide and I could save $2400 or so...
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Post by jvdunne on Aug 14, 2007 11:20:59 GMT -7
It definely stemmed the Gretsch GAS tide for me. It's really a very good guitar. I recorded with it last night for the first time, and it recorded beautifully. And that ledgendary orange Gretsch color is icing on the cake!
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Post by crazy4blues on Aug 14, 2007 11:37:44 GMT -7
Been thinking about one of those, too. How do you like the way it mates with your CG?
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Post by pappy on Aug 14, 2007 16:02:48 GMT -7
I know a custom pickguard maker who'll treat you right. He gets a ton of business on the Gretsch Pages. All you need to do is go to the Gretsch Discussion Pages and click on the "members" tab and find "Setzer." That's his real name, by the way. He's a sign maker in North Carolina.
They are great guitars and make an excellent base for mods. Throw in some TV Jones Classics and there's little sound difference between it and the more expensive ones. The stock pickups, while they definitely have some Gretsch quality sway more toward the Gibson humbucker sound to my ears, but it doesn't matter just so long as it sounds good!
Only two Gretsch models are made in the states now and you'll know by the price (I know the Falcon goes for about 8K, and the Western 6120 goes for about 5K real price, not sticker). Most are made in Japan nowadays.
And a lot of people don't know this but when you want to buy a pro-line Gretsch you don't need to pay Musician's Friend prices. MF charges an amount that FAR exceeds what real dealers will quote (but you have to call or email because of Gretsch's Minimum Advertised Price policy). Suffice it to say you can get a great one for about 1500.
Congrats on the new guitar!
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Post by scottguitar on Aug 14, 2007 18:51:22 GMT -7
I just played one at Guitar Center today. It was a fantastic guitar, especially for the price. If I got one, I would probably end up putting TV Jones pickups in. It's amazing what you can get for your money these days (Dr. Z amps are a great example of this)! I thought the fit and finish on it was almost as good as the Gretsch Setzer model I played.
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Post by jvdunne on Aug 15, 2007 8:50:50 GMT -7
It sounds great through my CG-naturally!!! The Gretsch sound, with the CG/2x10's are a great match. I was looking at the TV Jones website, and wondering if those p/us would improve things. Do they fit in easily, or are mods needed? Thanks for the point to Paul Setzer ( any relations to...., nah, impossible). I am going to send him my pickguard, and have him paint/spray it cream( to match the 5120's binding), only on the inside, so. I'll never have to worry about scratching it with the pick. Hmmm, does that mean I need a pickguard for my pickguard?
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Post by pappy on Aug 15, 2007 12:26:58 GMT -7
Nah, they aren't related. He's a great guy and I'm sure you'll be pleased with the results.
TV Jones would be a HUGE improvement on an already goo sounding guitar. It's unbelieveable just how great it'll sound.
They won't drop in directly unless you order your pickups in the TV Tron mounts, but (and I'm being super shallow here) they don't LOOK like Gretsch filters. No problem though because you could just order some english mounts froom him and presto! Gretsch sized filters in a standard humbucker cavity.
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Post by lowwatt on Aug 16, 2007 9:19:54 GMT -7
I've got a Korean made 5127 (with the DeArmonds) and I absolutely love it. Great tone and feel at a great price.
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Post by dgabbear on Sept 1, 2007 8:39:52 GMT -7
THUMBS UP for playability, quality and value. I have one of the first editions of this guitar which differs from the current run. It is in orange, has a fixed tuneomatic, and a Bigsby with the added tension bar. The newer version of this guitar is sweeter as that I prefer the deeper body of it, the bridge with rosewood base, smaller F holes, and Bigsby minus the tension bar. These things can sound Gretschy especially if you were to drop in a set of TV Jones pickups. They (5120) are a fantastic alternative for those that can't drop $3000 on a new Gretsch or those that need a backup. Great sounding guitar unplugged too. To be honest, I prefer the way my 5120 sounds unplugged compared to my Setzer model unplugged (this is due however to the different style of internal bracing). In regards to the TV Jones Pickups, I think one doesn't necessarily have to go the route of the TV Tron Mount for this guitar if you were to install a Filterton type pickup. He makes a mount called the "English Mount" that is the same size as a traditional humbucker mount but, you can now mount a traditional sized Filertron pickup in these mounts with no modification required. In other words "The EM-2 is designed for Gretsch guitars that have the large new rectangular Gretsch® rings such as a the 5120 Electromatic. This allows you to achieve the traditional Gretsch look" as quoted from the TV Jones Webpage. Gretsch's just ROCK for their unique twangy sound and mojo on the stage.
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