TWANG- Tele-VS-Gretsch

So this is #1000 :grin: and I just had to make it a question? Nothing earth shattering of course but just something I've often thought about and never addressed. Since a lot of the guys on here love the "TWANG" what are your thoughts on Telecaster twang-VS-Gretsch twang (like the 6120).

I'll be certain to toss in my 2 cents along the way ... just wondered what some of the rest of the obsessive TWANGERS thought.


:mrgreen:

the deal with this is that ya gotta have both.

The king of twang with a couple of buddies


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I would say a Tele has TWANG built in, even more so with a tone adjustment on the amp and string guage.

A Gretsch 6120 needs adjustments to the guitar to get TWANG is depnedent on the pick ups (Dynos), nut, bridge, and amp. IMHO of course.

In my experience, there's no comparison. The Tele twangs more. My experience is based on having previously owned a White Falcon. The low E string was dull and did NOT twang at all actually. It's quite common for people to assume they get instant twang with a Gretsch only to be disappointed that it just aint there. I think a lot of people who talk about that "Gretsch Twang" have never owned a Gretsch. My Falcon had TV Jones Filtertrons, so I'm only referring to that, not Dynasonics.

My Jerry Jones Shorthorn out-twangs any Tele or Gretsch I've played (and looks just as cool as either).

Teles definitely twang more but my cheaper g5125, which they don't make anymore is definitely in the running. Dearmond 2000's.

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I've heard some really great heavy rock from a tele(mick mars) AND from a hollowbody (ted nugent)...

so, I'd have to say...it's mostly the amp.

The king of twang with a couple of buddies


IMO~ In whats comin' outta Nashville theres nobody better than Marty and The Superlatives. Even at Duane Eddys age he can still bring it ... love that "Filthy Sax" :mrgreen:

I ... My Jerry Jones Shorthorn out-twangs any Tele or Gretsch I've played (and looks just as cool as either).

Checked them out very nice ...

Teles definitely twang more but my cheaper g5125, which they don't make anymore is definitely in the running. Dearmond 2000's.

Very nice!

So, I pose a second question is the TWANG a matter of style (musical genre), playing style, the listeners ear or all of the above?

I've heard some really great heavy rock from a tele(mick mars) AND from a hollowbody (ted nugent)...

so, I'd have to say...it's mostly the amp.

Yeah, the sound changes noticeably here when he switches from the AC30 to the Evil Robot. Especially at the 6:30 mark. There's no twang at all, even though he's on the bridge pickup.

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I get plenty of TWANG from a 6120 with Filtertons. Turn off the mud switch and go to the back pickup. You're there.

Gretsch twang is a little deeper then Tele twang. Tele twang has more harmonics. YMMV

I love and respect Duane Eddy, but even that sound isn't my definition of "twangy" - for me, Grady Martin on a Bigsby is far twangier than Duane. Duane is note choice rather than a specific sound IMO. I've owned about a million Gretsches (all old - a 1961 6120, a 1956 Country Club, a '64 Tennessean ...just proving the point that I've had DeArmonds, HiLoTrons, Filtertrons) and, I love them, but that's not twang to me. And it cracks me up when people complain about Filtertrons - that's a HUMBUCKER (thank you and bless you Mr. Ray Butts) ...how many people would crucify you for putting a humbucker in a Telecaster? Even if it's a Barden! Now, if a humbucker lacks the capability to be twangy in your opinion....don't talk to me about how twangy your damn Filtertrons are!

My Dearmond Starfire Special with Dearmond 2000s twangs but my Teles twang more.

My first choice for industrial strength twang is a Dano with both pups on.

I've owned 3 Gretsch guitars. I sold the two that did not "twang" and I keep my 6119 Tennessee Rose.

Does the 6119 twang as much as my tele? no

Does the 6119 still have a very unique and ultra cool twang tone? yes!


the deal with this is that ya gotta have both.


Agreed!

I love and respect Duane Eddy, but even that sound isn't my definition of "twangy" - for me, Grady Martin on a Bigsby is far twangier than Duane. Duane is note choice rather than a specific sound IMO. I've owned about a million Gretsches (all old - a 1961 6120, a 1956 Country Club, a '64 Tennessean ...just proving the point that I've had DeArmonds, HiLoTrons, Filtertrons) and, I love them, but that's not twang to me. And it cracks me up when people complain about Filtertrons - that's a HUMBUCKER (thank you and bless you Mr. Ray Butts) ...how many people would crucify you for putting a humbucker in a Telecaster? Even if it's a Barden! Now, if a humbucker lacks the capability to be twangy in your opinion....don't talk to me about how twangy your damn Filtertrons are!

Amen sister.

My Gretsch 6118 Anniversary (filtertrons), in my humble estimation, doesn't twang as much as my tele. That's comparing both in the same pickup position, etc.

I agree that FilterTrons really don't twang. To me, twang is on the E-A-D strings. FilterTrons are bright and sparkly and jangly on the G-B-e strings.

Teles and Danos definitely twang like mad. Gretsch Dynasonics are great twangers, too.

You can get more twang by picking very near the bridge. My SD Antiquity humbuckers were surprisingly twangy.

Single coils definitely twang more than humbuckers.

I used to get that Duane Eddy sound way back when using a Hofner Club 60 with flat wound strings and a Watkins Westminster amp and then an Ampeg Revebrocket .They were my party pieces .I could also play Hava Nageela(sic) with guitar behind my head like Joe Brown used to play.Cant even get my arms up that high now.:lol:

the deal with this is that ya gotta have both.

+1 Different versions of twang.

I have a 6118 LTV with TV Jones. through a DRRI it's pretty twany but with a sort of hollowness [as in yelling into a 55 gal oil drum] that is different from my Tele. I don't play the Gretsch a lot so I recently tried tunning it down to D. Its holding tune well and is a LOT of fun playing 'Magnificent Seven, Bonanza and that spaggetti western kind a stuff.....of course I enjoy over-using the Bigsby:smile:

This guy has one of my favorite Gretsch tones. This band is kind of their side cover band. It's a late 60's 6120 through a Twin. To me it's twang at it's best, your opinion may vary.

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This guy has one of my favorite Gretsch tones. This band is kind of their side cover band. It's a late 60's 6120 through a Twin. To me it's twang at it's best, your opinion may vary.

I dig it, sounds great ... I think that both Tele's and the 6120's are each their own animal and both have their place in TWANGDOM :lol: Thanks to all for sharing their opinions ...

Two different kinds of "twang" IMO. A 6120 with Dearmond Dynasonics has a deeper, bassier twang. A 6120 with Filtertrons will twang, but the low E and D have more of a "woody" tone. Teles of course have their own classic twang. Of course, twang is really from the players hands.....I've heard players make Les Pauls twang.

I was a confirmed Tele twanger, using nothing but a customized mutt o caster
for over 20 years.
Then, about 5 years ago I got my Gretsch 1959 Nashville Classic with TV Jones pickups.
It out twangs, out rocks and out jazzes any of the other 14 guitars I have.
I'm a confirmed convert!

IMO (for what that's worth) the deal is that both Tele's and Gretsch's have innate twangability, but it's really an approach that the player brings to the instrument.
You can play both without much twang, but you can also "play a tele like a tele" a la Marty Stuart or Bill Kirchen, or "play a Gretsch like a Gretsch" like Duane Eddy or Brian Setzer.
The Tele is a brighter twang, the Gretsch darker, but in the right hands, both will take you to twangers Nirvana.

I've owned 3 Gretsch guitars. I sold the two that did not "twang" and I keep my 6119 Tennessee Rose.

Does the 6119 twang as much as my tele? no

Does the 6119 still have a very unique and ultra cool twang tone? yes!





Agreed!

i would think the 6119 would get you more twang as opposed to a 6120 beacause of the longer scale length...would you agree?

the deal with this is that ya gotta have both.

This is true.

I love teles and gretsch and have owned a few of each.

Gretsch guitars with single coils (dynasonics) twang the most over filtertrons. It's a fat twang - especially in a hollowbody. It's the deep, low, fat twang as heard on Duane Eddy records, vs the thinner (less mids), brighter, slinkier twang of a tele. I find Tele sustain more; hollow Gretsches get that woodier, plunkier string sound. Which one is better? depends on if it's an even or odd numbered calendar day.

i would think the 6119 would get you more twang as opposed to a 6120 beacause of the longer scale length...would you agree?

No. My Falcon didn't twang and it has a long scale length.

Twing, twong, or twang, and sometimes a little wang. It's all good to my ears.

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j356/beachbum47/TELE%20KOA/TWINKOA006.jpg

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j356/beachbum47/GRETCH/FMT128.jpg

It's a different twang, but twang nonetheless.
This one is Twangasaurus Rex

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/charliechitlins/DSCN2301.jpg

Filtertrons don't twang. I got a TV jones magnatron in my Gretsch and it goes twang.

On a related note, I saw duane eddy live a couple of weeks ago and he is still the twangmeister general.

Filtertrons don't twang. I got a TV jones magnatron in my Gretsch and it goes twang.



I'm glad you clued us all in on that but I don't think this guy got the memo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQI67Pbha3w