Gretsch Eletromatic

Austicman

I've been looking at getting one of these and was wondering if anyone's got one or played one and what they think of them?

Cheers

joewalshdc

I have one...and i use it pretty much as a second guitar when i tour...it is a lower end guitar but then again it is Gretsch so its still quality in my opinion...i can get a great sound from mine...i play Sg and Slimline Tele also but I do love using the gretsch for some songs. Absolute bargain for the money. Great value...actually heres a video of mine...im on right of stage as you look at it, its the black and white electromatic duo jet...Im playing all the lead lines you hear. Its running through an Orange Tiny Terror head and a VOX 2x12 Cab. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g57nV7VbUA Hope this helps in some way!!!

Austicman

Awesome. Thanks bud!! I can get one from the US delivered for about $700 but if a buy one in Australia I'm looking at about $1100 USD. I thought that was a bargin for a Gretsch but I'll to travel about 2 hours just to play one in a music shop!! Cheers thanks again.

joewalshdc

Austicman wrote:

Awesome. Thanks bud!! I can get one from the US delivered for about $700 but if a buy one in Australia I'm looking at about $1100 USD. I thought that was a bargin for a Gretsch but I'll to travel about 2 hours just to play one in a music shop!! Cheers thanks again.

No probs...again as you say its Gretsch so they are quality...you will get people who would say its still the electromatic but then again if you weigh the cost to the actual guitar you will own, i would always say its winner...
Now if you choose the one with the old style whammy arm on it, they are quite impractical if you are gigging and changing your own strings...it is an intricate job trying to change strings quickly on this thing..this is my one and only downfall on the guitar...but i do play/tour full time and I wouldnt go on the road without mine...

Austicman

I'v been eyeing off this one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Gretsch-G5120-5 ... 95.c0.m299

I'm going try and get to a shop in Sydney that has one so I can have a play of it before I buy.

joewalshdc

Austicman wrote:

I'v been eyeing off this one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Gretsch-G5120-5 ... 95.c0.m299

I'm going try and get to a shop in Sydney that has one so I can have a play of it before I buy.

wow thats a cracker..mines very similar however not hollow body...that is a gorgeous guitar...if i had the cash and wanted one as you do, id snap that up before it sells....just my opinion...

ScrapeMySky

joewalshdc wrote:

Now if you choose the one with the old style whammy arm on it, they are quite impractical if you are gigging and changing your own strings...it is an intricate job trying to change strings quickly on this thing..this is my one and only downfall on the guitar...but i do play/tour full time and I wouldnt go on the road without mine...

I know that problem, but you can get rid of most of the hassle by installing this:
http://www.rockinger.com/index.php?cat=WG074&lang=ENG&product=3635C%2F3635G
This replaces the awful pins on and saves a lot of time and nerves replacing the strings.

joewalshdc

ScrapeMySky wrote:

joewalshdc wrote:

Now if you choose the one with the old style whammy arm on it, they are quite impractical if you are gigging and changing your own strings...it is an intricate job trying to change strings quickly on this thing..this is my one and only downfall on the guitar...but i do play/tour full time and I wouldnt go on the road without mine...

I know that problem, but you can get rid of most of the hassle by installing this:
http://www.rockinger.com/index.php?cat=WG074&lang=ENG&product=3635C%2F3635G
This replaces the awful pins on and saves a lot of time and nerves replacing the strings.

You sir, are a genius...thats exactly what is needed....cheers.

ScrapeMySky

Glad I could help. That thing really makes you wonder why they didn't design Bigsbys like that in the first place.

Austicman

Bought it.

Will let you know how it goes when I get it.

I was thinking last night that even if a don't like it I'll get my money back for it if I sell it here.

Thanks again Joe

reecewg2006

i also was thinking about buying this guitar. i do not own a hollow body or a gretsch and now im thinking this might be my next guitar to buy

Austicman

reecewg2006 wrote:

i also was thinking about buying this guitar. i do not own a hollow body or a gretsch and now im thinking this might be my next guitar to buy

I'll let you know how it goes.I've got a bud who's an awesome guitarist(much better than me!) and I'll get him to give me some feedback too. I'm hoping to get it pretty soon I was reading the guys feedback I bought it off and another Aussie had bought one and got it in 10 days. Fingers crossed, can't wait!!!

joewalshdc

Austicman wrote:

Bought it.

Will let you know how it goes when I get it.

I was thinking last night that even if a don't like it I'll get my money back for it if I sell it here.

Thanks again Joe

Hey man...you received it yet??

Austicman

joewalshdc wrote:

Austicman wrote:

Bought it.

Will let you know how it goes when I get it.

I was thinking last night that even if a don't like it I'll get my money back for it if I sell it here.

Thanks again Joe

Hey man...you received it yet??

Nah not yet!!! Been tracking it on UPS site and its left the USA. AARGGH!!!! Gimme gimme!!!

Piper At The Gates

Like Tom Petty said, "The Waiting Is The Hardest Part". Good luck with your new guitar, it looks like a nice one.

Uncle Neil

Damn I wish I would have seen this post a little sooner! I have that exact same guitar in 99.9% new condition, only played a couple times and I'm thinking of selling it. It's a great guitar, but I've run into some financial issues so I need to sell it. I would have cut you a deal, say $625. If anyone else is interested, send me a PM.

-Scott

Austicman

Got it yesterday!!! Freakin' Sweet!!! Plays nice.Lighter than I thought. I've only had it plugged into my mixer and straight to my headphones so far. I haven't got a decent amp. Still it sounds really good. I'll head around to my mates tonight. He's got all the gear and I'll give it a good test run!!

Thanks for all the advice!!

Cheers!

joewalshdc

Austicman wrote:

Got it yesterday!!! Freakin' Sweet!!! Plays nice.Lighter than I thought. I've only had it plugged into my mixer and straight to my headphones so far. I haven't got a decent amp. Still it sounds really good. I'll head around to my mates tonight. He's got all the gear and I'll give it a good test run!!

Thanks for all the advice!!

Cheers!

Awesome dude...im telling you man...your next investment should be the Orange Tiny Terror...holy shit..the single greatest piece of guitar equipment for home/studio/live/arena everywhere...unreal...you should get one cheap on aus ebay...i actually playing my gretsch through my tiny terror in that video i sent you...both myself and our other guitar player bought Tiny Terror's on the day we first heard them...they are that good...such great value...if you want to look around i know the guy from death cab for cutie uses one...check it out...oh by the way im not a salesman for orange ha ha...just cant believe how good these little things are!!! Spread the love!!!

uninnocent-

I'm looking into an Electromatic G5122 double cutaway, and was wondering if people's opinions of the Electromatic series have changed since this thread died three years ago? For the price (sbu-$1000), is there a better line of hollowbody electrics? I've also had my eyes on a Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin II and an Epi John Lennon Casino, but I think I've decided on this one. I've always wanted a Bigsby.

Uncle Neil

I have a G5120 and I like it a lot. I did, however, replace all of the electronics in it. I put a TV Jones wiring harness in it, as well as Gretsch Filtertron pickups in it. I also added a rocking bar bridge, and would like to eventually replace the plastic nut with something nicer. That said, I have less than $1000 in the guitar, but it's got all the same parts as a $3000 one. It was a nice guitar bone stock, but now it's an animal!

uninnocent-

Uncle Neil wrote:

I have a G5120 and I like it a lot. I did, however, replace all of the electronics in it. I put a TV Jones wiring harness in it, as well as Gretsch Filtertron pickups in it. I also added a rocking bar bridge, and would like to eventually replace the plastic nut with something nicer. That said, I have less than $1000 in the guitar, but it's got all the same parts as a $3000 one. It was a nice guitar bone stock, but now it's an animal!

Thanks! I've been thinking that if I do pick this up, it'll be mine to fiddle around with over the coming years. I've always wanted to do some minor replacement surgery on an axe and this could be the one. I'm done work in ten minutes, I have money in my pocket and am heading straight to the store after, so there's a good chance it'll be mine. I've heard that the rocking bridge is the first thing I should look into, true?

uninnocent-

Bought it! I've been playing with it for the past five hours. Loving every second of it!