Gretsch guitars

digster

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).

Lee M

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

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.

JOEJOEJOE

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

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

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.


or learn to play.

Austicman

catefrances wrote:

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.

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!!

mccreadyisgod

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...

digster

mccreadyisgod wrote:

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

That is gorgeous. Some day, please.

Piper At The Gates

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.

RolanBolan

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

Lucy's got a GORGEOUS purple Gretsch.

momofglynn

I have a gretsch uke! Seriously. It's round and blue.

catefrances

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!!

oooh i love the black ones. why do you tease me like that.

DOSW

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."

All Those Yesterdays

mccreadyisgod wrote:

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.

savman

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

All Those Yesterdays wrote:

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.

dunkman

http://www.gretschwhitepenguin.com/

i have this.. i "acquired" it some years back.... 95 i think

digster

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

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:

JonnyPistachio

Saw Reverend Horton Heat last night, he rips on a Gretsch. I dont know how he gets that sound, he's incredible.

All Those Yesterdays

mccreadyisgod wrote:

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.

It's got it place for sure, just not a "main axe" for sure. Looks wise, it's amazing, plays great tone, just ain't for everything. But still a nice piece. Got mine new $299 back in the day when they stopped production.

TV jones have been considered for sure.

All Those Yesterdays

JonnyPistachio wrote:

Saw Reverend Horton Heat last night, he rips on a Gretsch. I dont know how he gets that sound, he's incredible.

Always seen him playing through a super reverb. With his line up off boss pedals. But yes his tone is over the top incredible.

lucylespian

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?

Pretty much anything. I often play it clean, as it has the best clean sound of any of my guitars. Any blues/rockabilly feel, Pearl Jam, U2, often just root aound playing anything from Jeff Buckley to Metallica. My Setzer has trestle bracing so it can take gain, so I can play heavy stuff as well as clean stuff.
Lots of fingerpicky or arpeggio stuff sounds good, Floyd, Zep.
I tend to use it in open tuning for White Stripes stuff, or Daughter, for example.
Basically it sound freaking awesome whatever I play through it. When I used to take her to band practice, even our drummer was awed by how good it always sounded, and I would often play her for most of the night, unless I needed a lot of upper fret access.
Those TV Jones Filtertrons are SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET pups !!!
In fact, I think I'll go play her now, I need to practice Porch and Garden.

i like matt.c

who's_pearljam?

I love my Gretsch! I have a hollow body similar to the Brian Setzer model but it's a Historic series. I got it cheap and ended up selling my Country Gentleman. I stuck a Bigsby on it and it rocks. The hollow body vibrates against my stomach and starts playing itself in a loud venue. It's kind of like playing a living thing. :cool:

Great use of a Gretsch right here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZuHREUIVz8&feature=related