3rd Guitar: Gretsch or Jazzmaster?

[BorderRadio]

As a JM and Gretsch guy I'd get the Jazzmaster. Why? Because I have to stick up for it in this thread, and I don't care for Jr center blocks--it's not enough of what makes a Gretsch great, IMHO. To the best of my understanding, the G6112 is only a Jr model, no?

 

[Dostradamas]

G61222 is the Country Gentleman afaik

G6122T-59 Vintage Select Edition '59 Chet Atkins® Country Gentleman® Hollow Body with Bigsby®, TV Jones®, Tiger Flame Maple, Walnut Stain Lacquer

Inspired by the original CGP (Certified Guitar Player), Chet Atkins, this Country Gentleman is more than able to keep up with the most fleet-fingered guitarist. Packed with the sound, style and features that made the original a legend, the ’59 Gent provides highly responsive, amazingly...

www.gretschguitars.com

A few models out there over the years
my guess is this one

Gretsch G6122-1962 Country Classic 2003 - 2006 | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

No suffix as OP listed G6122

Gruhn Guitars

guitars.com

Hollow body
Trons
Bigsby

 

[Tom Grattan]

Get a Ric

 

[ReverendRevolver]

Everyone telling you to get X hollobody is missing something important:

You can spend $1500 on a Canadian made Godin with HiloTrons and a Bigsby AND THEN also buy a $1600 Jazzmaster.

If you like that Players Edition (and I'm assuming you've looked at the rest of that line..... I feel like 2 of the single cut models were on my radar at one point) 6122t, it's pretty specific, with its top, bracing, and depth.
I'd still reccomend playing it. Not all Gretsch guitars drive the same. And they sound pretty different depending on pickups and wiring.

 

[tfarny]

I'd get a Gretsch but full hollow with a Bigsby. Real hollowbodies bring something legitimately different to the table. I've never owned either type, gretsch or jm, and they are both intriguing to me - but I have a hollowbody and I wouldn't be without one.

 

[bendercaster]

Both cool guitars, but you definitely will want to play them. Everytime I get it in my head that I want a Gretsch hollow body, I go out and play some and pretty quickly realize that they aren't really what I want. It's not a Gretsch thing per se. I want to like them and I have a Duo Jet that is killer, but I think I just prefer smaller bodied guitars.

 

[cyclopean]

Gretschen every time

Offsets are the work of the Devil

That’s even more reason to get that jag.

 

[cyclopean]

For your collection, between a JM and Gretsch, I'd get a Gretsch although not that particular model. I love the idea of adding a guitar with a vibrato arm to your Tele and LP.

With that out of the way, for the styles of music you're playing, what I'd really get is a Strat. They seem to have fallen out of fashion these days, but nothing sounds like a Strat. I own a Tele, Strat, and LP and there's very little overlap between the 3.

I saw someone playing a strat in a ska band last night.

 

[gunsmok2]

I own an AO ‘60s Tele and a Gibson R8 LP. I have the cash to get a 3rd guitar that’s “different”. I play mostly rock/blues/Americana and a bit of ambient/modern worship.

What are your thoughts on a Gretsch G6112 vs and AO Jazzmaster? I can get the Gretsch new for about $3k, and used AO Jazzmaster for around $2k. Not really worried about the price difference.

Not really interested in other options, so please lets stay focused (I know, I know it’s hard…).

 

[tugginalong]

I own an AO ‘60s Tele and a Gibson R8 LP. I have the cash to get a 3rd guitar that’s “different”. I play mostly rock/blues/Americana and a bit of ambient/modern worship.

What are your thoughts on a Gretsch G6112 vs and AO Jazzmaster? I can get the Gretsch new for about $3k, and used AO Jazzmaster for around $2k. Not really worried about the price difference.

Not really interested in other options, so please lets stay focused (I know, I know it’s hard…).

If money isn’t an issue, both. If you want to limit yourself to one or the other, I don’t know that it matters. You can purchase the remaining one next time. I’d probably buy the Gretsch. No, I change my mind. I’d buy the Jazzmaster. I haven’t medicated this morning. I’m sensing your leaning towards the Jazzmaster.

 

[ndcaster]

Gretsch
Duane Eddy, Beatles, rockabillies

Jazzmaster
Pops Staples, Roy Lanham, Sonic Youth

 

[Skydog1010]

I'm going against the grain of all the above responses, except try before you buy. I would almost certainly get the JM.

The reality is that neither actually work for me personally, but I love the diversity of tones the JM is capable of; the Gretsch, not so much.

My experience with the JazzMaster is limited to the Ultra 2019 I had, only reason I let it go was the ergonomics.

With all that said I only had a smattering of Asian made Gretsch's, wanted to get a 6100 series instrument but never could justify the price for my playing expertise and non professional needs.

 

[HolmfirthNJ]

Even better in black…

 

[JamesAM]

I’ll throw one more gretsch vote out there for a panther (6137). I think these are probably my favorite gretsch model, in that it combines classic gretsch neck angle with center block stability and great upper fret access. I have no idea why they don’t make them anymore, but they are amazing guitars.

Gretsch G6137TCB Panther Center-Block - Panther Black

Semi-hollowbody Electric Guitar with Maple Top, Back, and Sides, 3-pc Maple Neck, Rosewood Fingerboard, and 2 Humbucking Pickups - Black

www.sweetwater.com

 

[Lowspeid]

Even better in black…
View attachment 1124463

Everything is better is black.

 

[Fendereedo]

Go with the Gretsch. I personally think that the Jazzmaster is very close to a Tele. I got rid of mine.

This, mine has now been sold. I would go Gretsch.

 

[Lowspeid]

duplicate

 

[Kris 1111]

I have the same dilemma as you. I chose 6120. I recommend it

 

[Maguchi]

I own an AO ‘60s Tele and a Gibson R8 LP. I have the cash to get a 3rd guitar that’s “different”. I play mostly rock/blues/Americana and a bit of ambient/modern worship.

What are your thoughts on a Gretsch G6112 vs and AO Jazzmaster? I can get the Gretsch new for about $3k, and used AO Jazzmaster for around $2k. Not really worried about the price difference.

Not really interested in other options, so please lets stay focused (I know, I know it’s hard…).

Do you mean a Gretsch 6122, haven't heard of a 6112 before yet. The 6122 Country Gentleman is an awesome guitar as are several other hollowbody Gretsches. And I'd recommend it over a Jazzmaster.

I got a American Performer Jazzmaster and a couple of hollow Gretsches a 6119 and a 6120. The Gretsch will give you hollowbody sounds you don't have now. A JM is different than a LP or Tele, but not as much as the Gretsches.

 

[Lowspeid]

I went out today and played a bunch of Gretsch guitars, and several Jazzmasters. All the Gretsch I played sounded fantastic, but the necks on all of them were WAY too slim for me.

I played several Jazzmasters as well, including a Nash JM63 and Custom Shop ‘62. I loved every single one that I played, and just “enjoyed” them more from a feel perspective.

A 2018 AO ‘60s Jazzmaster in White has been ordered and is incoming. I will report back once it’s in-hand next week.