|
Post by ineedtherapy (Stuart) on Mar 1, 2019 21:35:21 GMT -7
I managed a pretty good trade today and got my first real Gretsch: a 2003 6118-t Jr. It plays great, but I’ve had limited time plugged in and only through my Super Champ practice amp (when the child is asleep, you don’t crank up a Z Wreck). I can’t wait to get this going through the Wreck and Therapy though. Anyone else a fan of Gretsch?
|
|
|
Post by Paul (TRANE) on Mar 1, 2019 22:39:44 GMT -7
Awesome guitar! Congrats. I have always had a soft spot for Gretsch guitars. I would love a sparkle jet, power jet, or the like, or a Billy Bo. Killer tones.
|
|
|
Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Mar 2, 2019 9:28:30 GMT -7
Great looking guitar!
I have a '59 6119 (one pick-up Tennessean) and a '59 Duo Jet (think George Harrison's black Gretsch). They are definitely an acquired taste - but I like them.
|
|
|
Post by Russell B on Mar 2, 2019 9:43:53 GMT -7
I love it!
|
|
|
Post by ineedtherapy (Stuart) on Mar 2, 2019 12:45:43 GMT -7
Great looking guitar! I have a '59 6119 (one pick-up Tennessean) and a '59 Duo Jet (think George Harrison's black Gretsch). They are definitely an acquired taste - but I like them. Ive played several belonging to friends who have had them, but this is probably the first one that I’ve felt suits me well. I’ve always liked the looks of the DuoJet but could never get along with them.
|
|
|
Post by trojanhov on Mar 2, 2019 13:56:35 GMT -7
Great looking guitar! I have a '59 6119 (one pick-up Tennessean) and a '59 Duo Jet (think George Harrison's black Gretsch). They are definitely an acquired taste - but I like them. Ive played several belonging to friends who have had them, but this is probably the first one that I’ve felt suits me well. I’ve always liked the looks of the DuoJet but could never get along with them. Love em! Sweet guitar man!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2019 14:25:38 GMT -7
Yep! Big Gretsch fan. I mostly like the big hollow bodies--I currently own a G6136T White Falcon Player Special and a 2008 Setzer Hotrod. I've also owned e Black Falcon and a Billy Bo in green sparkle which I traded off for probably stupid reasons.
|
|
|
Post by helmi on Mar 2, 2019 18:18:39 GMT -7
Is it a USA or Japan?
|
|
|
Post by ineedtherapy (Stuart) on Mar 2, 2019 18:19:15 GMT -7
Japan. I wish it were a USA! I don’t have that kinda dough haha.
|
|
|
Post by helmi on Mar 2, 2019 18:27:58 GMT -7
Japan. I wish it were a USA! I don’t have that kinda dough haha. When I was at Gruen guitars last year I asked a salesman what the difference Between a USA Gretch and a Jap Gretch was and he said about $2000. He had 2 Jap gretch’s and loved them!
|
|
|
Post by ineedtherapy (Stuart) on Mar 2, 2019 18:57:28 GMT -7
Having played and owned a number of nice guitars in the $2-3.5k price range (retail), I can’t imagine quality getting much better. I feel like there’s gotta be diminishing returns at some point. Of course barring rarer vintage models that have unpurchasable mojo (a 59 Paul, Nocaster, Broadcaster, Esquire, 61 SG, yada yada). Sorry, had to go through a list of guitars I’ll never be able to own haha.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2019 7:49:50 GMT -7
Yeah--all of my Gretsches were built in Japan, and fit/finish and overall build quality on all of them has been stellar. The custom shop models I've seen online look great, but are definitely pricey and it's hard to imagine in what way they'd be better made than the production models from Japan.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2019 7:52:55 GMT -7
The only tricky thing about Gretsch guitars is that, for me, some features are less desirable than others. But I suppose that's true of any guitar manufacturer. Those roller bridges, bridges that aren't pinned, impossible to re-string Bigsbys, Bigsby setups that won't return to pitch, etc., are all things I've learned to look out for.
|
|
|
Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Mar 4, 2019 7:43:49 GMT -7
Beautiful guitar, congrats! I've played some under 1K Gretsches and I didn't really care for them. Not surprising, they were entry level instruments. I'm pretty sure that I would change my mind if I picked up a high end one. I've toyed with the idea of a BillyBo, those look and sound so cool. But I've drained my guitar account for a few months.
|
|
|
Post by runninwiththerevil (Matthew) on Mar 14, 2019 18:14:30 GMT -7
My first electric was a cheap Electromatic when they were okay, but not like what they are doing today. I still haven't played any more expensive Gretsch's, but I've grabbed a few sub $400 ones because they were in reach when I wanted to try some amps at different stores, in all cases I realize it isn't so much the amps I'm digging, but the guitar. If anyone has a resource to help sort out what is what in Gretsch world I would love to know. I have pokes around, but hard to sort out what I've found.
|
|
|
Post by ineedtherapy (Stuart) on Mar 19, 2019 19:38:33 GMT -7
So much for the 6118t-JR. No sooner than I got the guitar and let a buddy borrow it to check it out, he decided he didn’t want to give it back and gave me a wad of cash. Long story short, I liked the 6118t, but I found myself liking the looks more than playability and tone. So I figured I should let him buy considering he said it was the guitar he didn’t know he was searching for. I then managed another great deal on yet another Gretsch, this time a 6128t Power Jet. What I wanted the 6118t to be, the 6128t is! Don’t poke fun, I honestly thought I wanted a hollowbody. Turns out I wanted a LP alternative.
|
|
|
Post by sharkboy on Mar 21, 2019 19:17:18 GMT -7
I wanted a 6118 for a long time. I played one and it didn’t knock me over. I waited years and finally bought a 6620TFM. That is a very happy guitar and it’s flawless. I do have a preference for hollow/semi-hollow guitars (lighter and easy to get the sound out of at reasonable volumes.)
|
|
|
Post by ineedtherapy (Stuart) on Mar 21, 2019 20:11:18 GMT -7
sharkboy I’ve had a couple of Duesenberg Starplayer TVs and really liked them. Assumed I’d like the 6118t but just didn’t bond. I’ve got a few guitars left on my bucket list that includes a handful of Rics and a Firebird. For now, I’m liking the 6128 a lot.
|
|
|
Post by runninwiththerevil (Matthew) on Mar 22, 2019 6:48:27 GMT -7
sharkboy I’ve had a couple of Duesenberg Starplayer TVs and really liked them. Assumed I’d like the 6118t but just didn’t bond. I’ve got a few guitars left on my bucket list that includes a handful of Rics and a Firebird. For now, I’m liking the 6128 a lot. I had started saving for a Starplayer. Then I snagged a Les Paul Studio with the intent to flip it. Well I kinda really like this Paul and I'm only into it for $400. I'm back to trying to figure out if I want one great guitar in the Duesenberg or if I keep the Gibson, track down a nice $700 Tele, wait on a sub $400 semihollow. and enjoy three nice guitars and the extra cash.
|
|
|
Post by ineedtherapy (Stuart) on Mar 22, 2019 7:26:13 GMT -7
If given those options, I’d personally opt for the Duesenberg. If you are patient, you can probably track one down for $1500. The Starplayer TV, might be the most diverse guitar I’ve had and in a good way. Usually diverse pieces are like a jack of all trades and master of none. I’d put a Starplayer TV against most modern LPs. It’ll nail the LP tone in the bridge and their p90 neck pickup is phenomenal in that guitar. Very stratlike. I think rolling off the volume in the bridge can also get you some Tele sequel tones.
|
|
|
Post by sharkboy on Mar 23, 2019 5:42:38 GMT -7
sharkboy I’ve had a couple of Duesenberg Starplayer TVs and really liked them. Assumed I’d like the 6118t but just didn’t bond. I’ve got a few guitars left on my bucket list that includes a handful of Rics and a Firebird. For now, I’m liking the 6128 a lot. Rics are my favorites, but, apparently, they’re not for everyone.
|
|
|
Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Mar 23, 2019 5:49:13 GMT -7
editedit
So much for the 6118t-JR. No sooner than I got the guitar and let a buddy borrow it to check it out, he decided he didn’t want to give it back and gave me a wad of cash. Long story short, I liked the 6118t, but I found myself liking the looks more than playability and tone. So I figured I should let him buy considering he said it was the guitar he didn’t know he was searching for. I then managed another great deal on yet another Gretsch, this time a 6128t Power Jet. What I wanted the 6118t to be, the 6128t is! Don’t poke fun, I honestly thought I wanted a hollowbody. Turns out I wanted a LP alternative. Here's my '59 Gretsch Duo Jet with my Monza. A striking combination
|
|
|
Post by ineedtherapy (Stuart) on Mar 23, 2019 6:19:09 GMT -7
Jaguarguy (Mike) that’s a great looking pair! Do any of you have experience with TV Jones’ Power’trons? This is my first extended period of time with real tron style pickups and they seem super hot (more so than the Lollar Imperial highwind in the bridge of my LP). I would like to take them a little if possible. Also, I’ve noticed the MV on the Gretsch causes my tone to be muddy when I roll off the volume. Is there aomething I can do about that as well?
|
|