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Tim73 · February 15th, 2009, 11:23 AM

I've got a birthday coming up & quite fancy a Gretsch guitar as I've long sold my Epiphone Casino and am currently enjoying a bit of rockabilly. What are the Gretsch G5122 / G5120's like? They certainly look the business but I see they are laminate bodies. I can't afford a top of the range one but wonder if these are worth a go. Any thoughts gratefully received. Cheers

Post Toastie · February 15th, 2009, 11:35 AM

They are well built for the money.Jay Farrar of Son Volt plays the Electromatic Duo Jet version live.

beep.click · February 15th, 2009, 11:41 AM

My 5120 is a really, really well-made guitar. The neck is one of the most perfect I've ever played (straight out of the box).

The 5122s I've played in stores haven't got under my skin. The neck is much thinner than my 5120.

FWIW, I also have a cheap solidbody Electromatic -- probably the absolute bottom of the line. Bought it used for $60, and it's just amazing. Good neck; nice pickups.

casterway · February 15th, 2009, 11:54 AM

The ones I looked at seem pretty well built, but it is a $500 version of a $3000 guitar.

Kind of like putting a Camaro beside a Corvette, and there's nothing wrong with the Camaro if it fits your bill.

maestrovert · February 15th, 2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim73

They certainly look the business but I see they are laminate bodies. I can't afford a top of the range one but wonder if these are worth a go.

i've played a few, an' though they seem well made, the P-ups imho aren't quite as tonalicious as the TV Jones offerings....
but a 5120 w/new P-ups and controls would still be well below the $ of a 6120....

oh, btw, the 6120 models are lam tops too, always have been iirc....

perhaps a visit to our Sister site www.gretsch-talk.com is in order....it might help you decide, there's quite a few guys who've got 5120s and love 'em....

Frontier9 · February 15th, 2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by casterway

The ones I looked at seem pretty well built, but it is a $500 version of a $3000 guitar.

Kind of like putting a Camaro beside a Corvette, and there's nothing wrong with the Camaro if it fits your bill.

I have a 6120 - I picked up a 5120 in GC one day and was amazed at how nice it was and how well it compared to it's uptown brother. I actually liked how the Bigsby was set up on the 5120 more than the one on mine. Oh, I believe most hollow body Gretsches are built from laminated wood - mine is.

It may not be a Corvette, but you can still have a lot of fun in a Camaro...

Telarkaster · February 15th, 2009, 01:04 PM

Tim73, I've been looking at Electromatics for quite a while too and I am still making up my mind.

The other day I went to a local Gretsch dealer and tried every Pro model ($2500+, Japan made) they had. Each one was beautiful in it's own way, and each one had sufficient problems to make me put it back on the rack without plugging it in. One buzzed at the 7th fret, the other had fret sprout so bad I though my hand would get cut, the other had a patch of finish missing, etc... Each one could have been rectified with a set up by a good luthier (except maybe the finish), but at $2500 I didn't want to even think about it.

So I went and tried a 5120. Amazing playability, it blew away the pro models. So I plugged it in to a nice clean amp. The Gretschbuckers sound good in their own right, but they do not have that Gretsch sound. I thought it would have made a nice jazz guitar, but had no twang to it. As Maestrovert said, a switch to Filtertrons or TV Jones pups would be in order, and still much less than a 6120. But again it depends what you are using it for, you might just like how it sounds stock: more Gibson jazzy than Gretschy twangy. Some call them muddy with no definition, I prefer to say they are darker sounding with specific applications.

Then I tried a 5128 single coil (also known as 512X since the last digits indicates it's colour): that was the Gretsch sound that I was looking for, and it compared very favourably to the Casino that I compared it to in the store. Maybe too much like the Casino I already have, I guess I would want something tonally different for variety. It also played well.

I am still undecided: 5120 with pickup change? Maybe just change the bridge pickup so I get jazz and twang sounds? Or a 512x that would be more similar to my Casino? Or save up and wait until I find a really nice playing 6120 or a Country Gent or Tenny Rose?

One thing for sure: the clear pickguard on the Electromatic has to go...

I have not had the chance to play a 5122, I think I'll wait to decide until I have because they look like nice guitars and if they are as good as the other Electromatics they should be great too.

maestrovert · February 15th, 2009, 01:26 PM

The following clip is from this Gretsch forum thread here
the playing isn't great, and whatever amp he's using definitely isn't sounding it's best(too much room mic as well), but there are noticeable tonal differences between the two models....
even so, i hope it helps....

Tim73 · February 15th, 2009, 01:49 PM

Thanks for the replies (so far?). Telarkaster especially for such a detailed response and the video from Maestrovert is really helpful. I'm not put off at the moment.

I should add I tried a white electromatic a few years ago & was sorely tempted then. I was worried about tuning with the bigsby but I'm a better player now and also have a Boss TU2 on my pedal board these days to any embarrasment.

Chicago Slim · February 15th, 2009, 01:52 PM

I've been very happy with my Electromatic Pro Jet. I also own a Historic series Streamliner (G3161), Fenders (Tele & Strat) and PRSI (MIK and US made). My Electromatic holds it's own. The pickups are better on a premium guitar, but the Gretschbuckers are better than most.

maestrovert · February 15th, 2009, 01:57 PM

TV Jones P-ups link
"That GREAT Gretsch Sound" is in them there TV Jones P-ups for sure !

btw, i've got a 6128T(pic'd above), an' i'm seriously shopping for a nice 6120....
i've had my eye on a nice 6120-1959, but ran across a Setzer model 6120ssu that sounds even better....but i'm still lookin' !
Good luck on your search Tim...

dobrodoc · February 15th, 2009, 02:23 PM

I bought a 5120, and a friend came over(longtime Atkins fan), dug it so much, he insisted that I sell it to him! I did, and bought another. I had some Gibson humbuckers laying around, So I put one of those in the neck of the new guitar. The TV Jones pups are simply too rich for my blood, and a 500.00 guitar, so I bought a GFS Liverpool, or something like that. About 40 bucks. That's one of my favorite guitars, now. It'll go from jazz box to Duane Eddy twang, plays good, and I've got a little over 600.00 in it! And stock, it was a fine axe. These things ought to get some kind of award!

superbadj · February 15th, 2009, 03:05 PM

I have a 5125 and a Corvette.

The 5125:

The 5125 is like the 5120, except that rather than the more generic humbuckers in the 5120, the 5125 has US-made DeArmond 2000 pickups. FYI, they are NOT THE SAME as the overseas-made DeArmond 2K pickups. The 2Ks sound more like a cheaper P90. The 2000s sound like reproductions (and good ones) of classic DeArmond 200s, which Gretsch called the Dynasonics.

Gretsch also has a reissue Dynasonic, as does Seymour Duncan, and both may be better than the DeArmond 2000s, but not much. And they're much more expensive.

Almost all hollowbody Gretschs are laminated tops. That's NOT a knock against them. IT adds to durability and stability, and is perfectly fine for an electric hollow. THey do make a few solid-topped models, but they're few and far between, and they're not really better than laminated tops, just different.

The playability of my 5125 is top-notch. It's an excellent, excellent guitar. I'd highly suggest searching for one (5125 is all black, 5129 has a red top, black back/sides, 5126/5128 are silver and gold-topped, respectively).

The 512x series with DeArmonds are discontinued, for some reason, but you can find deals on them. Just look for one with a Bigsby that is NOT a tension bar bigsby, and make sure it has a floating bridge (earlier models had a fixed bridge and tension bar).

I also have an Electro Corvette:

The Corvette I have may just be the best guitar dollar-for-dollar I've ever had. I got a steal--$400 new--and the fit and finish is absolutely amazing. THe neck is just awesome, and the pickups (MegaTrons) are flat-out great. They go from smooth clean to punchy/spanky based on how you play. Just a very cool guitar that is lighter even than an SG. Super comfortable to play.

I also want a Pro Jet.

So you can say that I'm a big fan of the electromatics. I'm sure, like any manufactured guitar, there are lemons and bad examples. And no guitar that's not set up properly will play well. But the two that I have are keepers. Just amazing deals.

superbadj · February 15th, 2009, 03:07 PM

By the way, I also have a beautiful Epi Casino, which I dearly love.

The Casino and the 5125 occupy quite different spots in the sonic spectrum. The 5125 is glassier, twangier, etc., than the Casino, which has a more classic P90 sound (obviously).

Beautiful, each of them. But quite different.

jhundt · February 15th, 2009, 03:18 PM

I bought a 5129 (like the 5120, BUT: red w/ black back and sides, single-coil pickups, aluminum compensated bridge)

it is a truly beautiful instrument. I also have a '68 Tele and a '68 Strat, a few other Fenders and a Gibson LP Special. The Gretsch is just as good as ano of them.. they are all sitting on their stands wondering when I will get tired of "that new red guitar".

Don't worry about the ply top. All Gretsches are ply-topped. The Pro models may have fewer plies (3, as opposed to 5). That doesn't mean they are 'better', just different. I have heard that they are more resonant when played un-amplified. But I have also heard that they feed-back more.

tdu · February 15th, 2009, 03:28 PM

I was looking at models like the Pro Jet awhile back trying to find a 'budget Gretsch". I ended up going with a Reverend Flatroc instead. It was less money (at least here), and better features for my tastes. I found the stock Reverend "Revtrons" to be nicer sounding pickups than anything I tried in the Electromatic series. And the hardware (stock Wilkinson) seemed better.

Telarkaster · February 15th, 2009, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superbadj

By the way, I also have a beautiful Epi Casino, which I dearly love.

The Casino and the 5125 occupy quite different spots in the sonic spectrum. The 5125 is glassier, twangier, etc., than the Casino, which has a more classic P90 sound (obviously).

Beautiful, each of them. But quite different.

Yes, I agree, I didn't want to imply that 5125 = Casino from my post. But the 512X sounds more like a Casino than a 5120. I always compare guitars to something that I own when I shop and play through a different amp, this time I compared them to a Casino. The bridge pup on a 5125 is a lot more trebly and thin.

In the end it depends what you want to use the guitar for. I was shopping for a friend of mine who wants a classic looking iconic orange Gretsch and is leaning to getting a 5120, but my point is that it doesn't quite have that classic sound. I happen to like the way it sounds, but the 512x single coils sound more "Gretschy" to me. If they only made an orange 512x I'd be all over it. But then the sales of the 6120 dynasonic DSWs would suffer.

About the video that Maestrovert posted: one of the comments I've read (besides the fact that the recording mic quality is the best), is that the 6120 used is an older pre-FMIC model, made with 5 ply laminate and different construction and materials. Apparently the newer 6120s sound even more different than the 5120s.

Chicago Slim · February 15th, 2009, 07:27 PM

+1, on Electromatics

Gretsch-talk.com is a great resource for information on Gretsch guitars. It's also has good info for rock-a-billy players. I'm also sending you a PM, with more information. Good luck on your search, for a Gretsch.

Here's a pic of my G3161.

charlie chitlin · February 15th, 2009, 07:31 PM

[QUOTE=Tim73;1679053] They certainly look the business but I see they are laminate bodies.

So is every ES-335 ever made.

Gilamnstr · February 15th, 2009, 09:07 PM

I've got a 5120 also. The Gretschbucker pickups aren't the classic "Gretsch sound", but I get along with them okay. The rest of the guitar is simply great. I really like the neck profile; the tuners, although they look cheap, hold tune very well, and even the Bigsby isn't as much of a hassle as I thought it would be (although I don't use it for much more than a little "shimmer")....it's certainly far less problematic than the trem on my Strat. I've never played a high-end Gretsch so I can't compare it to one, but I definitely don't regret the purchase.

studio1087 · February 15th, 2009, 09:50 PM

I think I like the 5120 better in the video above but it's hard to hear anything subtle on the recording....I even tried headphones.

I have an Electromatic Double Jet. It weighs more than a Les Paul and it sounds great for travis picking and anything clean/dirty with a solid thump. I paid $350 brand new on a close out deal when a shop owner was blowing out Gretsches. He said that they were too retro and kids didn't like them. ??!!?? Lucky me.

I think that quality level is very good for an import/copy guitar. My only gripe is that cases for unique Electromatics are really hard to find and if you do find the proper case it will cost you $139. I keep mine in a $50 gig bag that fits it really well.

I love this guitar......

John

macheesmo3 · February 15th, 2009, 10:29 PM

I have a modded out 5120 that is the best playing guitar i own!! I will never get rid of it !

What's modded :

GFS Retrotron Liverpools with coil taps
GFS wilkinson roller bridge
Paul Setzer made pickguard ( he can be reached on the gretschpages site)
penny under the bigsby spring

Cost- $100 (give or take $10)

It sounds great, the pickups have a hint of the Gretsch sound , but are also very versatile. ( I would prefer TV Jones', but I ain't got the bread).

It's a wonderful guitar with a great playing neck and with the coil taps I have lots of variety in tones !

postie · February 16th, 2009, 02:03 PM

Hi Tim, I have a 5125, the black beast and the only mod was to put in GFS retrotron pickups, night and day is all I can say, the guitar is well built, weren't all Gretschs laminate? Correct me please. The GFS retrotrons suit this guitar down to the ground. Mine gets out regulary, I met a damn fine rockabilly player up here recently and he had one of these with tv jones' in, the GFS aren't a kick in the arse off of those. Go for it and enjoy.

macheesmo3 · February 16th, 2009, 02:35 PM

I think that the only solid top Gretschs are the Green Country Club's which are solid spruce tops.

Telarkaster · February 17th, 2009, 07:55 PM

I've been looking on youtube for sound samples and found the following clips that ressemble the most what I heard when I tried them:

Gibson jazz sound on a 5120 (ignore the bird)

Bach on a 5120

Rockabilly

I personally love the sound and playing of these three samples. But they are not necessarily what I think are typical Gretsch sounds.

Compare to this clip of a single coiled 5126:

Again: I like the sounds of this guitar too, but not exactly what I would describe as a Gretsch sound. Perhaps closer than the 5120?

These are fine guitars and make great sounds, you have to ask yourself what sound you want and why and make your decision based on your answers.

There are tons of clips of 6120s on youtube, I just wanted to show how the electromatics sounded.

I'm starting to think that I'd like a 5120, a 5126, and a White Falcon, but reality sinks in and I float back to earth...

unbridled · February 17th, 2009, 08:07 PM

I love mine! The Gretschbuckers are versatile pups and almost GreTschy

tdu · February 18th, 2009, 11:41 AM

Can anyone give me some more info about those Double Jets?

How much do they go for? I saw mention of them being heavy. Is this a general trait, or do the weights vary on them?

Telarkaster · February 18th, 2009, 06:30 PM

Update: my friend went to Vancouver over the weekend and went to music store where he tried a whole bunch. The sales guy he was talking to said that he owned a 5125 himself (good sign!), and he really liked how it sounded (even better news!) but it's apparently the kind of guitar that you always have to fiddle with (bummer). The floating bridge is really finnicky, changing strings on a Bigsby is a pain, you have to adjust it when you bring it inside from the cold, etc...

I don't know how much of these factors are unique to Electromatics or are common to all Bigsby hollowbodies, but I find it odd that a salesman would come out and say something like that. My friend also described him as a "kid", so maybe he didn't know any better.

Anyway, this is all heresay since I wasn't there, so take it for what it's worth.

TDPRI · February 18th, 2009, 06:35 PM

I hope everyone of you is a member over at www.gretsch-talk.com!

G-T is a really fun sister forum that I run for Gretsch guitars.

Ok and by the way. I have a way cool Gretsch 6121 Round Up that is about the coolest guitar in the world. It's not an Electromatic, but it's way wonderful. Go Gretsch.

mistermullens · February 18th, 2009, 08:40 PM

I don't own a Gretsch, but if I were to get one, I'd probably get a Pro Jet. I really like them a lot, but without the Bigsby. Just gets in the way, IMO. I would be curious about the TV Jones pup upgrades.

Tim73 · February 18th, 2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDPRI

I hope everyone of you is a member over at www.gretsch-talk.com!

G-T is a really fun sister forum that I run for Gretsch guitars.

I joined up just after starting this thread & they seem a cool bunch. I'm dragging a few back over here too!

tdu · February 18th, 2009, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telarkaster

Update: my friend went to Vancouver over the weekend and went to music store where he tried a whole bunch. The sales guy he was talking to said that he owned a 5125 himself (good sign!), and he really liked how it sounded (even better news!) but it's apparently the kind of guitar that you always have to fiddle with (bummer). The floating bridge is really finnicky, changing strings on a Bigsby is a pain, you have to adjust it when you bring it inside from the cold, etc...

I don't know how much of these factors are unique to Electromatics or are common to all Bigsby hollowbodies, but I find it odd that a salesman would come out and say something like that. My friend also described him as a "kid", so maybe he didn't know any better.

Anyway, this is all heresay since I wasn't there, so take it for what it's worth.

I owned an Artcore with a Bigsby and a floating bridge. I had the same issues. It's definitely takes a bit of adjustment to your playing. A lot of people tack those bridges into place for that reason. I had been considering it with mine. I got my Reverend with a Les Trem though and just decided to keep that and my Teles and sell the artcore.

studio1087 · February 18th, 2009, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdu

Can anyone give me some more info about those Double Jets?

How much do they go for? I saw mention of them being heavy. Is this a general trait, or do the weights vary on them?

http://www.zzounds.com/item--GRE2505040

DoubleJets run $450-$500 and they are usually heavy.

John

kovachian · February 18th, 2009, 11:54 PM

I like the necks on Electromatics better than the pro line. The hardware and electronics were nearly junk, but those DeArmonds...MAN...the way they responded so crisply and articulately to overdrive made them into some of my all-time favorite single coils. Overall, I preferred my 5125 to my 6120AM. Sold 'em both, but that's another story.

Axis29 · February 19th, 2009, 08:16 AM

Lance and I spent an evening messing with Gretsches... okay, we spent about an hour, maybe a little more. The proline Gretches didn't do it for me. I bought a 5126 (baby blue!) with the Dearmond 2k pickups. They are similar to P90's. They have that Gretsch sound and do rockabilly fantastically! The minute I plugged it in, Lance and I looked at each other and grinned... The pickups are not quite as full sounding as the TV Jones pikcups Lance has in his Setzer Hot Rod (which is an awesome guitar!). There are some frequencies the TV Jones pickups pick up a little better, in the mid's. But I have no motivation to change out the pickups. I love them

Here is an awfully recorded video that gives a good representation of the sound of a 5126 straight into a DRRI with the volume set around 7 or so...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWdU6rUmLDw

It's me playing rhythm, starting the song and then taking the first lead break that's absolutely horrible.. but we were rushed and I was nervous... I can't belive I'm actually putting this out there for you guys to see....

Brian Krashpad · February 19th, 2009, 08:18 AM

I have one of the few 'Lectros without the Gretschbuckers, a Special Jet 5255 with DeArmond 2000 single coils. I'm happy with it. Despite being MIC, I find the quality level to be higher than on the old pre-Fender MIK Electromatic line (I once had a Jet Club II from that '90's series).

If I read the Gretsch website correctly, the Special Jet is out of production-- don't see them listed any more. I found mine for $235 on ebay, one small ding, upgraded intonatable bridge:

tdu · February 19th, 2009, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Krashpad

I have one of the few 'Lectros without the Gretschbuckers, a Special Jet 5255 with DeArmond 2000 single coils. I'm happy with it. Despite being MIC, I find the quality level to be higher than on the old pre-Fender MIK Electromatic line (I once had a Jet Club II from that '90's series).

If I read the Gretsch website correctly, the Special Jet is out of production-- don't see them listed any more. I found mine for $235 on ebay, one small ding, upgraded intonatable bridge:

Ya those Special Jets are really cool. There was also a single pickup version I think. I believe they had the same models in the "Synchromatic" line which preceded the Electromatic line. And the Synchromatics were built in Korea for awhile. I had a Synchromatic Jr Jet which was their bottom of the line model, and even it was a really nice guitar with a great neck.

tele salivas · February 19th, 2009, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by studio1087

I think I like the 5120 better in the video above but it's hard to hear anything subtle on the recording....I even tried headphones.

I have an Electromatic Double Jet. It weighs more than a Les Paul and it sounds great for travis picking and anything clean/dirty with a solid thump. I paid $350 brand new on a close out deal when a shop owner was blowing out Gretsches. He said that they were too retro and kids didn't like them. ??!!?? Lucky me.

I think that quality level is very good for an import/copy guitar. My only gripe is that cases for unique Electromatics are really hard to find and if you do find the proper case it will cost you $139. I keep mine in a $50 gig bag that fits it really well.

I love this guitar......

John

that is the Exact guitar I have been pining for, man , I love everything about it, it's either that or another tele, but I really got a great sound on the tele, but I don't have this great player...so Kewl

Stratsrgood · February 19th, 2009, 01:26 PM

I bought a Special Jet in sunburst, immaculate condition, for £200. One of the best guitars I've ever played, it only needed the bridge P/U packed up by 1/16" and its perfect.
I can't think why they stopped making them-every body who likes single coil/P90 guitars would love them.

PixelMover · February 19th, 2009, 04:36 PM

Chiming in here late Tim. If you get the Electromatic put aside some $$$ for TV Jones Filtertrons and Wiring Harness (which come with switchcraft components). Well worth the few hundred $$$.

February 15th, 2009, 11:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
Tim73 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Berkshire, England Age: 39 Posts: 2,388 19 Photos	Thoughts on the Gretsch Electromatic Range I've got a birthday coming up & quite fancy a Gretsch guitar as I've long sold my Epiphone Casino and am currently enjoying a bit of rockabilly. What are the Gretsch G5122 / G5120's like? They certainly look the business but I see they are laminate bodies. I can't afford a top of the range one but wonder if these are worth a go. Any thoughts gratefully received. Cheers __________________ Born in the '70's & in my mind, still living there now... http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...oodooTDPRI.jpg

February 15th, 2009, 11:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
Post Toastie Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: orange county,ca Age: 57 Posts: 5,452	They are well built for the money.Jay Farrar of Son Volt plays the Electromatic Duo Jet version live. __________________ I don't need no I.D.,I know who I am,I'm Tommy Bolin!

February 15th, 2009, 11:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
beep.click Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: California Age: 53 Posts: 4,999	My 5120 is a really, really well-made guitar. The neck is one of the most perfect I've ever played (straight out of the box). The 5122s I've played in stores haven't got under my skin. The neck is much thinner than my 5120. FWIW, I also have a cheap solidbody Electromatic -- probably the absolute bottom of the line. Bought it used for $60, and it's just amazing. Good neck; nice pickups. __________________ "It looked like a giant green gum drop to me."

February 15th, 2009, 11:54 AM	#4 (permalink)
casterway Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Aldergrove, British Columbia,Canada Age: 44 Posts: 4,721	The ones I looked at seem pretty well built, but it is a $500 version of a $3000 guitar. Kind of like putting a Camaro beside a Corvette, and there's nothing wrong with the Camaro if it fits your bill. __________________ If Meg White can call herself a musician, then so can I.

February 15th, 2009, 01:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
Tim73 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Berkshire, England Age: 39 Posts: 2,388 19 Photos	Thanks for the replies (so far?). Telarkaster especially for such a detailed response and the video from Maestrovert is really helpful. I'm not put off at the moment. I should add I tried a white electromatic a few years ago & was sorely tempted then. I was worried about tuning with the bigsby but I'm a better player now and also have a Boss TU2 on my pedal board these days to any embarrasment. __________________ Born in the '70's & in my mind, still living there now... http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...oodooTDPRI.jpg

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February 15th, 2009, 01:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
Telarkaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montreal Posts: 3,781	Tim73, I've been looking at Electromatics for quite a while too and I am still making up my mind. The other day I went to a local Gretsch dealer and tried every Pro model ($2500+, Japan made) they had. Each one was beautiful in it's own way, and each one had sufficient problems to make me put it back on the rack without plugging it in. One buzzed at the 7th fret, the other had fret sprout so bad I though my hand would get cut, the other had a patch of finish missing, etc... Each one could have been rectified with a set up by a good luthier (except maybe the finish), but at $2500 I didn't want to even think about it. So I went and tried a 5120. Amazing playability, it blew away the pro models. So I plugged it in to a nice clean amp. The Gretschbuckers sound good in their own right, but they do not have that Gretsch sound. I thought it would have made a nice jazz guitar, but had no twang to it. As Maestrovert said, a switch to Filtertrons or TV Jones pups would be in order, and still much less than a 6120. But again it depends what you are using it for, you might just like how it sounds stock: more Gibson jazzy than Gretschy twangy. Some call them muddy with no definition, I prefer to say they are darker sounding with specific applications. Then I tried a 5128 single coil (also known as 512X since the last digits indicates it's colour): that was the Gretsch sound that I was looking for, and it compared very favourably to the Casino that I compared it to in the store. Maybe too much like the Casino I already have, I guess I would want something tonally different for variety. It also played well. I am still undecided: 5120 with pickup change? Maybe just change the bridge pickup so I get jazz and twang sounds? Or a 512x that would be more similar to my Casino? Or save up and wait until I find a really nice playing 6120 or a Country Gent or Tenny Rose? One thing for sure: the clear pickguard on the Electromatic has to go... I have not had the chance to play a 5122, I think I'll wait to decide until I have because they look like nice guitars and if they are as good as the other Electromatics they should be great too.

February 15th, 2009, 01:26 PM	#8 (permalink)
maestrovert Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Somewhere over the rainbow Posts: 8,024	The following clip is from this Gretsch forum thread here the playing isn't great, and whatever amp he's using definitely isn't sounding it's best(too much room mic as well), but there are noticeable tonal differences between the two models.... even so, i hope it helps....

February 15th, 2009, 01:52 PM	#10 (permalink)
Chicago Slim Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sebastion FL Age: 58 Posts: 767	I've been very happy with my Electromatic Pro Jet. I also own a Historic series Streamliner (G3161), Fenders (Tele & Strat) and PRSI (MIK and US made). My Electromatic holds it's own. The pickups are better on a premium guitar, but the Gretschbuckers are better than most.

February 15th, 2009, 01:57 PM	#11 (permalink)
maestrovert Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Somewhere over the rainbow Posts: 8,024	TV Jones P-ups link "That GREAT Gretsch Sound" is in them there TV Jones P-ups for sure ! btw, i've got a 6128T(pic'd above), an' i'm seriously shopping for a nice 6120.... i've had my eye on a nice 6120-1959, but ran across a Setzer model 6120ssu that sounds even better....but i'm still lookin' ! Good luck on your search Tim...

February 15th, 2009, 02:23 PM	#12 (permalink)
dobrodoc Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Ware Shoals, S.C. Age: 56 Posts: 752	I bought a 5120, and a friend came over(longtime Atkins fan), dug it so much, he insisted that I sell it to him! I did, and bought another. I had some Gibson humbuckers laying around, So I put one of those in the neck of the new guitar. The TV Jones pups are simply too rich for my blood, and a 500.00 guitar, so I bought a GFS Liverpool, or something like that. About 40 bucks. That's one of my favorite guitars, now. It'll go from jazz box to Duane Eddy twang, plays good, and I've got a little over 600.00 in it! And stock, it was a fine axe. These things ought to get some kind of award!

February 15th, 2009, 03:05 PM	#13 (permalink)
superbadj Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: roanoke, va Age: 37 Posts: 2,795 24 Photos	I have a 5125 and a Corvette. The 5125: The 5125 is like the 5120, except that rather than the more generic humbuckers in the 5120, the 5125 has US-made DeArmond 2000 pickups. FYI, they are NOT THE SAME as the overseas-made DeArmond 2K pickups. The 2Ks sound more like a cheaper P90. The 2000s sound like reproductions (and good ones) of classic DeArmond 200s, which Gretsch called the Dynasonics. Gretsch also has a reissue Dynasonic, as does Seymour Duncan, and both may be better than the DeArmond 2000s, but not much. And they're much more expensive. Almost all hollowbody Gretschs are laminated tops. That's NOT a knock against them. IT adds to durability and stability, and is perfectly fine for an electric hollow. THey do make a few solid-topped models, but they're few and far between, and they're not really better than laminated tops, just different. The playability of my 5125 is top-notch. It's an excellent, excellent guitar. I'd highly suggest searching for one (5125 is all black, 5129 has a red top, black back/sides, 5126/5128 are silver and gold-topped, respectively). The 512x series with DeArmonds are discontinued, for some reason, but you can find deals on them. Just look for one with a Bigsby that is NOT a tension bar bigsby, and make sure it has a floating bridge (earlier models had a fixed bridge and tension bar). I also have an Electro Corvette: The Corvette I have may just be the best guitar dollar-for-dollar I've ever had. I got a steal--$400 new--and the fit and finish is absolutely amazing. THe neck is just awesome, and the pickups (MegaTrons) are flat-out great. They go from smooth clean to punchy/spanky based on how you play. Just a very cool guitar that is lighter even than an SG. Super comfortable to play. I also want a Pro Jet. So you can say that I'm a big fan of the electromatics. I'm sure, like any manufactured guitar, there are lemons and bad examples. And no guitar that's not set up properly will play well. But the two that I have are keepers. Just amazing deals. __________________ ___________________________________________ www.dudleycreative.com Rhythm is an area, not a point! -My brother

February 15th, 2009, 03:07 PM	#14 (permalink)
superbadj Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: roanoke, va Age: 37 Posts: 2,795 24 Photos	By the way, I also have a beautiful Epi Casino, which I dearly love. The Casino and the 5125 occupy quite different spots in the sonic spectrum. The 5125 is glassier, twangier, etc., than the Casino, which has a more classic P90 sound (obviously). Beautiful, each of them. But quite different. __________________ ___________________________________________ www.dudleycreative.com Rhythm is an area, not a point! -My brother

February 15th, 2009, 03:18 PM	#15 (permalink)
jhundt Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Netherlands Age: 58 Posts: 6,117 28 Photos	I bought a 5129 (like the 5120, BUT: red w/ black back and sides, single-coil pickups, aluminum compensated bridge) it is a truly beautiful instrument. I also have a '68 Tele and a '68 Strat, a few other Fenders and a Gibson LP Special. The Gretsch is just as good as ano of them.. they are all sitting on their stands wondering when I will get tired of "that new red guitar". Don't worry about the ply top. All Gretsches are ply-topped. The Pro models may have fewer plies (3, as opposed to 5). That doesn't mean they are 'better', just different. I have heard that they are more resonant when played un-amplified. But I have also heard that they feed-back more.

February 15th, 2009, 03:28 PM	#16 (permalink)
tdu Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Age: 35 Posts: 3,627 11 Photos	I was looking at models like the Pro Jet awhile back trying to find a 'budget Gretsch". I ended up going with a Reverend Flatroc instead. It was less money (at least here), and better features for my tastes. I found the stock Reverend "Revtrons" to be nicer sounding pickups than anything I tried in the Electromatic series. And the hardware (stock Wilkinson) seemed better. __________________ Torn Down Units brand Rock n' Roll

February 15th, 2009, 07:27 PM	#18 (permalink)
Chicago Slim Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sebastion FL Age: 58 Posts: 767	+1, on Electromatics Gretsch-talk.com is a great resource for information on Gretsch guitars. It's also has good info for rock-a-billy players. I'm also sending you a PM, with more information. Good luck on your search, for a Gretsch. Here's a pic of my G3161.

February 15th, 2009, 07:31 PM	#19 (permalink)
charlie chitlin Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Spring City, Pa Age: 50 Posts: 5,569	[QUOTE=Tim73;1679053] They certainly look the business but I see they are laminate bodies. So is every ES-335 ever made. __________________ Dig yo'self http://blueplatespecials.net/ Last edited by charlie chitlin; February 15th, 2009 at 11:38 PM.

February 15th, 2009, 09:07 PM	#20 (permalink)
Gilamnstr Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Northwest AZ Age: 49 Posts: 1,151 6 Photos	I've got a 5120 also. The Gretschbucker pickups aren't the classic "Gretsch sound", but I get along with them okay. The rest of the guitar is simply great. I really like the neck profile; the tuners, although they look cheap, hold tune very well, and even the Bigsby isn't as much of a hassle as I thought it would be (although I don't use it for much more than a little "shimmer")....it's certainly far less problematic than the trem on my Strat. I've never played a high-end Gretsch so I can't compare it to one, but I definitely don't regret the purchase. __________________ Mac

February 15th, 2009, 09:50 PM	#21 (permalink)
studio1087 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: May 2003 Location: Near Milwaukee Age: 47 Posts: 11,732 47 Photos	I think I like the 5120 better in the video above but it's hard to hear anything subtle on the recording....I even tried headphones. I have an Electromatic Double Jet. It weighs more than a Les Paul and it sounds great for travis picking and anything clean/dirty with a solid thump. I paid $350 brand new on a close out deal when a shop owner was blowing out Gretsches. He said that they were too retro and kids didn't like them. ??!!?? Lucky me. I think that quality level is very good for an import/copy guitar. My only gripe is that cases for unique Electromatics are really hard to find and if you do find the proper case it will cost you $139. I keep mine in a $50 gig bag that fits it really well. I love this guitar...... John __________________ John "The rock and roll business is pretty absurd, but the world of serious music is much worse." - Frank Zappa

February 15th, 2009, 10:29 PM	#22 (permalink)
macheesmo3 Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ocean Springs , Mississippi Age: 39 Posts: 769	I have a modded out 5120 that is the best playing guitar i own!! I will never get rid of it ! What's modded : GFS Retrotron Liverpools with coil taps GFS wilkinson roller bridge Paul Setzer made pickguard ( he can be reached on the gretschpages site) penny under the bigsby spring Cost- $100 (give or take $10) It sounds great, the pickups have a hint of the Gretsch sound , but are also very versatile. ( I would prefer TV Jones', but I ain't got the bread). It's a wonderful guitar with a great playing neck and with the coil taps I have lots of variety in tones !

February 16th, 2009, 02:03 PM	#23 (permalink)
postie TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 34	Hi Tim, I have a 5125, the black beast and the only mod was to put in GFS retrotron pickups, night and day is all I can say, the guitar is well built, weren't all Gretschs laminate? Correct me please. The GFS retrotrons suit this guitar down to the ground. Mine gets out regulary, I met a damn fine rockabilly player up here recently and he had one of these with tv jones' in, the GFS aren't a kick in the arse off of those. Go for it and enjoy.

February 16th, 2009, 02:35 PM	#24 (permalink)
macheesmo3 Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ocean Springs , Mississippi Age: 39 Posts: 769	I think that the only solid top Gretschs are the Green Country Club's which are solid spruce tops.

February 17th, 2009, 07:55 PM	#25 (permalink)
Telarkaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montreal Posts: 3,781	I've been looking on youtube for sound samples and found the following clips that ressemble the most what I heard when I tried them: Gibson jazz sound on a 5120 (ignore the bird) Bach on a 5120 Rockabilly I personally love the sound and playing of these three samples. But they are not necessarily what I think are typical Gretsch sounds. Compare to this clip of a single coiled 5126: Again: I like the sounds of this guitar too, but not exactly what I would describe as a Gretsch sound. Perhaps closer than the 5120? These are fine guitars and make great sounds, you have to ask yourself what sound you want and why and make your decision based on your answers. There are tons of clips of 6120s on youtube, I just wanted to show how the electromatics sounded. I'm starting to think that I'd like a 5120, a 5126, and a White Falcon, but reality sinks in and I float back to earth...

February 17th, 2009, 08:07 PM	#26 (permalink)
unbridled Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SW Mt. Age: 37 Posts: 613 8 Photos	I love mine! The Gretschbuckers are versatile pups and almost GreTschy __________________ MIM Tele, Gretsch 5120, Jazzmaster,Ibby EDA900, Ibby Mikrobass, MusicMan HD150, The "Other Princeton," too much other stuff. Me

February 18th, 2009, 11:41 AM	#27 (permalink)
tdu Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Age: 35 Posts: 3,627 11 Photos	Can anyone give me some more info about those Double Jets? How much do they go for? I saw mention of them being heavy. Is this a general trait, or do the weights vary on them? __________________ Torn Down Units brand Rock n' Roll

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February 18th, 2009, 06:30 PM	#28 (permalink)
Telarkaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montreal Posts: 3,781	Update: my friend went to Vancouver over the weekend and went to music store where he tried a whole bunch. The sales guy he was talking to said that he owned a 5125 himself (good sign!), and he really liked how it sounded (even better news!) but it's apparently the kind of guitar that you always have to fiddle with (bummer). The floating bridge is really finnicky, changing strings on a Bigsby is a pain, you have to adjust it when you bring it inside from the cold, etc... I don't know how much of these factors are unique to Electromatics or are common to all Bigsby hollowbodies, but I find it odd that a salesman would come out and say something like that. My friend also described him as a "kid", so maybe he didn't know any better. Anyway, this is all heresay since I wasn't there, so take it for what it's worth.

February 18th, 2009, 06:35 PM	#29 (permalink)
TDPRI Administrator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: TDPRILAND Posts: 9,081 49 Photos	I hope everyone of you is a member over at www.gretsch-talk.com! G-T is a really fun sister forum that I run for Gretsch guitars. Ok and by the way. I have a way cool Gretsch 6121 Round Up that is about the coolest guitar in the world. It's not an Electromatic, but it's way wonderful. Go Gretsch.

February 18th, 2009, 08:40 PM	#30 (permalink)
mistermullens Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Atlanta Age: 35 Posts: 4,875 37 Photos	I don't own a Gretsch, but if I were to get one, I'd probably get a Pro Jet. I really like them a lot, but without the Bigsby. Just gets in the way, IMO. I would be curious about the TV Jones pup upgrades. __________________ Jonathan

February 18th, 2009, 11:54 PM	#34 (permalink)
kovachian Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: IN Age: 36 Posts: 178	I like the necks on Electromatics better than the pro line. The hardware and electronics were nearly junk, but those DeArmonds...MAN...the way they responded so crisply and articulately to overdrive made them into some of my all-time favorite single coils. Overall, I preferred my 5125 to my 6120AM. Sold 'em both, but that's another story.

February 19th, 2009, 08:16 AM	#35 (permalink)
Axis29 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Virginia, USA Age: 44 Posts: 2,879 1 Photos	Lance and I spent an evening messing with Gretsches... okay, we spent about an hour, maybe a little more. The proline Gretches didn't do it for me. I bought a 5126 (baby blue!) with the Dearmond 2k pickups. They are similar to P90's. They have that Gretsch sound and do rockabilly fantastically! The minute I plugged it in, Lance and I looked at each other and grinned... The pickups are not quite as full sounding as the TV Jones pikcups Lance has in his Setzer Hot Rod (which is an awesome guitar!). There are some frequencies the TV Jones pickups pick up a little better, in the mid's. But I have no motivation to change out the pickups. I love them Here is an awfully recorded video that gives a good representation of the sound of a 5126 straight into a DRRI with the volume set around 7 or so... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWdU6rUmLDw It's me playing rhythm, starting the song and then taking the first lead break that's absolutely horrible.. but we were rushed and I was nervous... I can't belive I'm actually putting this out there for you guys to see.... __________________ John F. TDPRI # 1764 Please check out the Fredericksburg Blues Society and my band: The Empty Pockets Blues Band

February 19th, 2009, 08:18 AM	#36 (permalink)
Brian Krashpad Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: GNV FLA USA Posts: 1,189 39 Photos	I have one of the few 'Lectros without the Gretschbuckers, a Special Jet 5255 with DeArmond 2000 single coils. I'm happy with it. Despite being MIC, I find the quality level to be higher than on the old pre-Fender MIK Electromatic line (I once had a Jet Club II from that '90's series). If I read the Gretsch website correctly, the Special Jet is out of production-- don't see them listed any more. I found mine for $235 on ebay, one small ding, upgraded intonatable bridge: __________________ Crash Pad: http://crashpadband.com http://www.myspace.com/CrashPadBand ]http://www.facebook.com/CrashPadBand http://soundcloud.com/brian-krashpad

February 19th, 2009, 01:26 PM	#39 (permalink)
Stratsrgood Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Hampshire,UK Age: 60 Posts: 173	I bought a Special Jet in sunburst, immaculate condition, for £200. One of the best guitars I've ever played, it only needed the bridge P/U packed up by 1/16" and its perfect. I can't think why they stopped making them-every body who likes single coil/P90 guitars would love them.

February 19th, 2009, 04:36 PM	#40 (permalink)
PixelMover Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Boston Area Age: 35 Posts: 744	Chiming in here late Tim. If you get the Electromatic put aside some $$$ for TV Jones Filtertrons and Wiring Harness (which come with switchcraft components). Well worth the few hundred $$$. __________________ "Should've taken a left turn at Albuquerque."