Different Gretsch Electromatic Headstock?

[TheLobsterMan]

Hey I'm thinking about purchasing a Gretch Electromatic with Bigsby but I'm a bit skeptical of the headstock. I've always seen them with the word "Gretsch" at the top of the headstock with "Electromatic" written vertically. Instead, this one has "Electromatic" at the top of the headstock with "Gretsch" on the truss rod cover.

Is this a different version? Is it legit and everything?

I'm buying from a store I don't know so I'm always skeptical.

Here are some pictures. I included a picture on what I always see on a Gretsch Electromatic headstock:

 

[Hideyoshi]

I believe the one the bottom is Pre fender, and the one on the top is Post Fender.

 

[scantron81]

I was under the impression that the "Electromatic" line was sort of Gretsch's "Squier" line of guitars. Similar looking, but not similar sounding/build quality.

 

[Kestrel]

I can't comment on pre-Fender Electromatics, but current Gretsch Electromatics are nothing like an average Squier guitar. I've got a Gretsch Electromatic G5122 (basically a less expensive version of the double cut G6122 Country Gentleman). It's a mid-priced Korean-made model, less expensive than the Japanese G6XXX models, but the quality is on par with my Reverend guitars and my Fender Highway One Strat.

 

[gitold]

My buddy was out to my place for a week last year .He's from out in the woods Virgina with out any guitar stores for miles so we went guitar shopping.He happened to play one of these hollow body Electromotive Gretsch's and loved it.He was going to buy it and have it shipped home but after going to 3 different G.C's and trying out 20 or so he decided to order one online because every one he played felt great had no cosmetic issues,and played great.I 'd kinda like the big orange one myself .I think Korean guitar are at a zenith right now.

 

[LaExpatriot]

For a while they had lines denoted with the Electromatic and Synchromatic names in cursive at the top. Not sure on whether it was pre Fender or not. I have a Jr Jet and Bo Diddley model like this. I got mine in the mid to late 90's. They were similar to the current ones with the more traditional Gretsch logo at the top.
I woudl venture to say you would wnat to play it as I feel the quality control has improved greatly on these. I went through quite a few of the Jr Jets at the store before I foudn one I thought was just right.