Gretsch guitars

digster
digster Posts: 1,293
edited October 2008 in Musicians and Gearheads
So, I'm a man a long ways away from having enough money for another guitar (I currently own a Telecaster), so I tend to poke around just for fun. That being said, I tried a Gretsch today for the first time, along with the Bigsby bar. Holy moses. The sound shook the room; it was worlds away from the usually thin, crisper sound of a Tele, and somewhat closer to the sound I had in my head, deep, rumbling, almost "darker" (it's difficult to describe such a sound). And of course, Neil Young's used some, so that's automatic points in my book.

Any other Gretsch fans? I secretly pondered maybe putting my Tele up for sale to pay for it, but I doubt I'd go that far yet. Anyone own one, play one regularly? I love the thing so much, I thought it was time for a Gretsch thread (I tried searching, didn't find any others).
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Comments

  • Lee M
    Lee M Posts: 142
    A Junior Jet was my first guitar, and I still have it. I'm planning on upgrading it a little this summer because as much as I play my other guitars, I still pick it up and love to play it.
  • catefrances
    catefrances Posts: 29,003
    digster wrote:
    So, I'm a man a long ways away from having enough money for another guitar (I currently own a Telecaster), so I tend to poke around just for fun. That being said, I tried a Gretsch today for the first time, along with the Bigsby bar. Holy moses. The sound shook the room; it was worlds away from the usually thin, crisper sound of a Tele, and somewhat closer to the sound I had in my head, deep, rumbling, almost "darker" (it's difficult to describe such a sound). And of course, Neil Young's used some, so that's automatic points in my book.

    Any other Gretsch fans? I secretly pondered maybe putting my Tele up for sale to pay for it, but I doubt I'd go that far yet. Anyone own one, play one regularly? I love the thing so much, I thought it was time for a Gretsch thread (I tried searching, didn't find any others).

    whenever i see bands live(which is often) im always on the lookout for a gretsch(rickenbackers too). i have been known to focus all my attention on one for the whole night.

    i only have an acoustic atm but a beautiful black fat arse gretsch is my holy grail. for now though, i satisfy my lust for them by licking the glass of jacksons rare guitars at annandale. ;):D
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  • JOEJOEJOE
    JOEJOEJOE Posts: 10,821
    I have a sparkly Silvertone Gretsch hollow-body with a Bigsby bar. It is a nice piece of furniture since I can't play a lick...I won it in a contest.
  • digster
    digster Posts: 1,293
    Rickenbackers, Danelectros and Gretsches are the ones I pay attention to; if I see one I'm fixated. Sounds like we'd get along well. I feel like, although this sounds strange, they're a bit off the beaten path of Fender and Gibson. Don't get me wrong, I love my Tele, it's just not really me. If I could keep my Tele and get one each of those guitars, I think I'd be set for life. That won't be happening for a long, long time. I think the tremolo bar had an awful lot to do with it, too; slightly playing with that made every chord sound so ghostly and deep. If I owned one, I'd have to be careful not to overdo it.
  • catefrances
    catefrances Posts: 29,003
    JOEJOEJOE wrote:
    I have a sparkly Silvertone Gretsch hollow-body with a Bigsby bar. It is a nice piece of furniture since I can't play a lick...I won it in a contest.

    i suggest you give it to me then. :p:D


    or learn to play.
    hear my name
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    this could be the day
    hold my hand
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  • Austicman
    Austicman Posts: 1,328
    whenever i see bands live(which is often) im always on the lookout for a gretsch(rickenbackers too). i have been known to focus all my attention on one for the whole night.

    i only have an acoustic atm but a beautiful black fat arse gretsch is my holy grail. for now though, i satisfy my lust for them by licking the glass of jacksons rare guitars at annandale. ;):D


    Lots of bargin gretsch's at Katoomba on the weekend. The second music shop on left hand side Katoomba st had a heap of them marked down. He's a really good operator. I ended up with a squier strat for $169. If I had $1200 there was a super dooper black gretsch that would've been mine!!

    Oh yeah and the guitarist in the rockabilly band on Saturday had a super sweet one!! :p
    I can't go the library anymore, everyone STINKS!!
  • mccreadyisgod
    mccreadyisgod Bumfuq, MT Posts: 6,395
    There isn't a current Gretsch model that fits my specs, but here's one on eBay:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Gretsch-Duo-Jet-G6128-G-6128-G6128TDS-G6128T-Dynasonic_W0QQitemZ260307016422QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item260307016422&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

    And a DeArmond version:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Guild-DeArmond-M75-M-75T-Champagne-Sparkle-Vibrato-HSC_W0QQitemZ380076753025QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item380076753025&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

    A Jet (I really like the silver sparkle) with DynaSonic pickups and a Bigsby. I've never really appreciated hollow-bodies, especially the really big ones, but a nice solid-body Jet, especially with DynaSonics... wow...
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • I would love to have a White Penguin. I played one at a store last year and it was really sweet. Played like butter and sounded fantastic. Such a classy looking instrument, too.
  • digster wrote:
    That is gorgeous. Some day, please.

    I second that. What a beautiful guitar.

    My next guitar will definitely be a Gretsch. I've had my sights on a few models for the last year and a half. Been saving up some cash to finally get my hands on one. Hopefully that will be sooner rather than later.
  • keeponrockin
    keeponrockin Posts: 7,446
    Lucy's got a GORGEOUS purple Gretsch.
    Believe me, when I was growin up, I thought the worst thing you could turn out to be was normal, So I say freaks in the most complementary way. Here's a song by a fellow freak - E.V
  • I have a gretsch uke! Seriously. It's round and blue.
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  • catefrances
    catefrances Posts: 29,003
    Austicman wrote:
    Lots of bargin gretsch's at Katoomba on the weekend. The second music shop on left hand side Katoomba st had a heap of them marked down. He's a really good operator. I ended up with a squier strat for $169. If I had $1200 there was a super dooper black gretsch that would've been mine!!

    Oh yeah and the guitarist in the rockabilly band on Saturday had a super sweet one!! :p

    oooh i love the black ones. why do you tease me like that. ;):p:D
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • DOSW
    DOSW Posts: 2,014
    digster wrote:
    Rickenbackers, Danelectros and Gretsches are the ones I pay attention to; if I see one I'm fixated. Sounds like we'd get along well. I feel like, although this sounds strange, they're a bit off the beaten path of Fender and Gibson. Don't get me wrong, I love my Tele, it's just not really me. If I could keep my Tele and get one each of those guitars, I think I'd be set for life. That won't be happening for a long, long time. I think the tremolo bar had an awful lot to do with it, too; slightly playing with that made every chord sound so ghostly and deep. If I owned one, I'd have to be careful not to overdo it.

    What kind of Tele do you have? Love those guitars. I'd kill for a butterscotch blonde tele, I love those so much.

    I kinda feel the same way about my Epi Les Paul. I like the sound but it just doesn't feel like "me."
    It's a town full of losers and I'm pulling out of here to win
  • There isn't a current Gretsch model that fits my specs, but here's one on eBay:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Gretsch-Duo-Jet-G6128-G-6128-G6128TDS-G6128T-Dynasonic_W0QQitemZ260307016422QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item260307016422&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

    And a DeArmond version:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Guild-DeArmond-M75-M-75T-Champagne-Sparkle-Vibrato-HSC_W0QQitemZ380076753025QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item380076753025&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

    A Jet (I really like the silver sparkle) with DynaSonic pickups and a Bigsby. I've never really appreciated hollow-bodies, especially the really big ones, but a nice solid-body Jet, especially with DynaSonics... wow...

    I own a DeArmond M-75T. Have had it for a long time now. Descent piece, plays great, looks great, tone wise it has a place, and due to that I don't use it that much.
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  • savman
    savman Posts: 230
    Oh yeah, Gretsch guitars are quality. Wouldnt mind a White Falcon or a Black Penguin. Usual problem of too many wants and not enough money.....
  • mccreadyisgod
    mccreadyisgod Bumfuq, MT Posts: 6,395
    I own a DeArmond M-75T. Have had it for a long time now. Descent piece, plays great, looks great, tone wise it has a place, and due to that I don't use it that much.


    If I had any money, I'd make you an offer... I fell in love with DynaSonics a few years ago, and have been looking at certain setups off and on over the years. And the Bigsby would be a great toy to play around with (although as someone said already, you have to be careful not to overdo it). I find the DynaSonics to be similar to a P-90, but with maybe less top-end sparkle and bite, and more lows. I was actually really pleased to learn that Seymour Duncan is coming out with a DynaSonic pickup.

    Anyways, to each their own. I think the TV Jones HB's are decent, but I'd rather have Classic '57s.
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • dunkman
    dunkman Posts: 19,646
    http://www.gretschwhitepenguin.com/

    i have this.. i "acquired" it some years back.... 95 i think ;)
    oh scary... 40000 morbidly obese christians wearing fanny packs invading europe is probably the least scariest thing since I watched an edited version of The Care Bears movie in an extremely brightly lit cinema.
  • digster
    digster Posts: 1,293
    What kind of music do people like to use the Gretsch for? I know it's typically known as a 'rockabilly' guitar, the one I tried was extremely loud and rafter-shaking, and definitely had some feedback possibilities for crazy Neil Young-esque stuff. What do people here use it for?
  • dunkman
    dunkman Posts: 19,646
    digster wrote:
    What kind of music do people like to use the Gretsch for? I know it's typically known as a 'rockabilly' guitar, the one I tried was extremely loud and rafter-shaking, and definitely had some feedback possibilities for crazy Neil Young-esque stuff. What do people here use it for?

    it should be used for this
    http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=DYRmiOjNSK0

    i dont know if this is a gretsch (looks like one)
    http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6WVD3PqeNY

    :cool:
    oh scary... 40000 morbidly obese christians wearing fanny packs invading europe is probably the least scariest thing since I watched an edited version of The Care Bears movie in an extremely brightly lit cinema.