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Post by 95strat on Aug 6, 2007 9:16:27 GMT -7
or Power Jet? I've played some of the Chinese lower end versions that sell for cheap and actually was impressed. The Japanese ones have to be better.
I've read the reviews on Harmony Central, but wanted to hear from any forum members that may have one.
With a Tele and a Stat I think the Duo would round out my collection.
Opps, misspelled Gretsch!
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Post by pappy on Aug 6, 2007 11:59:48 GMT -7
I was able to take a sparkle jet out for a test drive a couple weekends ago. Loaded with Dynas it was super twangy in the bridge position and VERY warm in the neck position. Dyna's are great. Jets are great. Gretsch is great. I highly recommend them.
AND I know a place that has at least one on sale now (a black jet not a sparkle one). Let me know if you're interested!
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dsj52
Junior Member
Posts: 64
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Post by dsj52 on Aug 6, 2007 12:46:17 GMT -7
One of Tone Quest's reports from last year included a review, I believe. They had lots of good things to say, especially when equipped with a particular set of the TV Jones pickups. You may be able to find it on line or inquire directly.
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Post by pappy on Aug 6, 2007 13:33:54 GMT -7
I have TV Jones TV Classics in my annie. Amazing sounding pickups. And you would be supporting a great businessman. He's he real McCoy.
But if you're looking to round out a single coil collection, stick with the Dynas. You won't regret it.
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Post by 95strat on Aug 6, 2007 14:59:49 GMT -7
If I had the money I would be all over it. Have to pay for my Rx Jr and 1x12 cab right now.
Do you know what he's asking? Is it Bigsby equiped? I think I'd prefer a black power jet.
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Post by pappy on Aug 6, 2007 16:46:16 GMT -7
Not Bigsby equipped, but that's easily fixed. On sale for $1395 when the list is $2775. Here's a pic:
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Post by pappy on Aug 6, 2007 16:47:27 GMT -7
By the way, the space control bridge is my favorite kind of bridge. I really like the quirky looks and interesting idea to it. The bar bridge is a close second though.
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Post by Shannon on Aug 8, 2007 13:04:16 GMT -7
Am I mistaken in thinking that Fender took over Gretsch in 2003? Is that when they started having most of the work done over seas? I played a Sparkle Jet and is was made in Japan. It played fine, but I'm a traditionalist. How do the Japanese made Jets play vs the older US made?
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Post by 95strat on Aug 8, 2007 13:31:50 GMT -7
You are right....Fender own Gretsch now. I will say that I have a CIJ Tele and it rivals most US made teles. I had to trade out the electronics, cut the craftsmanship was excellent. However, I have not played a Japanese Jet as of yet, but plan to when I pick up my amp at Willcutts. I'll report back then.
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Post by lowwatt on Aug 8, 2007 14:14:35 GMT -7
Digging through the Gretsch forums, it seems everyone feels that the quality of the Japanese Fender Gretsches is much better than the 1970s - before Fender Gretschs
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Post by pappy on Aug 9, 2007 6:23:00 GMT -7
Gretsch stopped making their guitars once Baldwin let them die (Gretsch was bought by Baldwin a long time ago and Bladwin sold it back to Fred Gretsch in the 80's I believe). All the guitars after that were made over seas. In 2003 Gretsch enterd an agreement with Fender where Fender wouldn't takeover, but would share profits and make Gretsch a biger company than it is. It also turned out that Fender helped fix a lot of the problems that pre-FMIC Gretsches had, like incorrect body and cutaway shapes, shoddy electronics, top thicknesses and weight. You could easily tell a pre-FMIC Gretsch from a newer FMIC Gretsch by weight alone. One of the other things that made the Fender agreement so great (just want to emphasize here that Fred Gretsch still owns Gretsch and that there was no slling going on here, Fender is just handeling the marketing and distribution) is that they are more historically accurate. They're not spot on because even vintage Gretsches had some serious problems like popping frets, shrinking necks and rotting binding. All the problems have been taken care of now and you still get the lifetime warranty when you buy a new pro-line Gretsch. Both Gretsch and Fender have gone through serious pains to get the company past the reputation that was gained from having Balwin come in and let Gretsch die a slow and painful death. Give a choice between the two, a vintage jet which costs somewhere around 8K or a new jet which has a considerably lower price tag, a lifetime warranty, and a lot of addressed issues, I'd go with the new one. Unless it's a script Jet. But those aren't 8K . And I'd probably still need to worry about the up-keep. Someone was recently talking about the 6120-1959LTV, which has tacquer and TV Jones Classic pickups, trestle bracing, the correct depth and dimensions and said that it was pretty much like buying a brand new Gretsch in 1959. Hope this helps!
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Post by 95strat on Aug 9, 2007 16:13:50 GMT -7
Thanks for the info Pappy. I really like the sound of the newer Power Jets. I believe I'd like to Power Jet even more. Like I said before I'll to give them a test drive when I pick up my Z from Willcutts.
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Post by billyguitar on Aug 10, 2007 8:04:03 GMT -7
I have a thing for the Black Falcons, myself! I got a new Musician's Fiend catalog recently with a new Gretsch Blonde synchromatic archtop for $600 ! Hang a pickup on the end of the fingerboard and put a jack and a couple of knobs on it and it might be a heck of a good jump blues guitar! The only problem is I don't know how good of a guitar you can buy for $600.
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Post by pappy on Aug 10, 2007 9:31:42 GMT -7
I've got good news for you if that's what you're after because just a week or two ago they announced they're making a synchromatic G100 (like the blonde one you saw) with a cutaway, a floating pickup and pickguard mounted controls. Available in black and blonde.
As for the quality I hear nothing but good things about these. It's important to remember that the G100 has always been the cheapest of the synchromatic line (besides the recent Korean ones made a few years ago that look like les pauls) but you'd be buying a quality axe, no doubt about it. Pics to come!
Oh, and never buy a Gretsch from Musician's Friend. They're overpriced. If you're interested in finding quality dealers that will not only give you the best price but will also make sure you get the guitar set up and ready to go with no issues whatsoever, PM me.
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Post by pappy on Aug 10, 2007 9:36:54 GMT -7
Pics, as promised:
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