Gretsch 6120, Which one? Would love any advice

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Mike M

Mike M

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I'm thinking of adding a Gretsch 6120 to my stable in the next year, but confused and overwhelmed by the many different models.


Don't need fancy extras, just a good classic 6120 with Filtertrons (guessing that's the best pickup?) and Bigsby.


Anybody want to point me in the right direction?
 
artdecade

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If you don't want a signature model or other "vintage-style" bells and whistles, look at the 6120T Players model. It is a Professional series 6120 with some modern appointments (like a string-thru Bigsby, 12" radius, and slightly thinner body). It is the least expensive 6120 in the Professional line, but will still be absolutely amazing.
 
Mike M

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artdecade said:
If you don't want a signature model or other "vintage-style" bells and whistles, look at the 6120T Players model. It is a Professional series 6120 with some modern appointments (like a string-thru Bigsby, 12" radius, and slightly thinner body). It is the least expensive 6120 in the Professional line, but will still be absolutely amazing.
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Thanks, just curious, if I was going to go with a Signature model, is there one you reccomend?
 
artdecade

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You get more in the weeds with signature models. For example, the Setzers have his pickups in them which are a bit hotter, the Cochrans have the P90 and Dynas, the Eddy has Dynas, a deeper body with a brass nut.

If money wasn't a question, I'd go with the Wariner model, but it is more removed from the stock 6120. I had the Cochran and it was fantastic, but I prefer Duo Jets because they are smaller and fit my frame better.
 
Mike M

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Uncle Daddy said:
6120 SSLVO, or the newer version The Smoke version. Personally I like the 90's SSU, tiger maple. I've had 7 6120s and an early under-rated model is the 6120-60.
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What about the Chet Atkins model? Just curious
 
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phart

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I don't have any pointers but maybe a few things to keep in mind:

  • Have you played one before? They're BIG. It feels like a full-sized acoustic guitar with electric guitar stuff glued on top
  • If you're not sure you'll like it, why not get a 5120 instead and save a couple thousand bucks? Then, if you love it, great! If you really love it, even better, sell it and upgrade to a 6120! If you hate it, it'll be a lot easier to resell a 5120 than a 6120.
  • My review having owned a 5120 for a while - they're definitely cool and fun to play, but the combination of the humongous body, the finicky bigsby and the extremely finicky floating bridge all make it a tremendous pain in the butt to own and play. I literally got so fed up with the damn thing I sold it and bought my first telecaster because I just wanted a dead-simple guitar, and we lived happily ever after
 
Mike M

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teletail said:
I'd suggest you spend some serious time on one before you buy it. I have one and although it's a beautiful guitar, it sits in the case unplayed. Just not my cup of tea.
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Thanks for all the replies.

I love classic guitars, and have a Tele, Strat, 335.

Over the next year or two want to add a Es-330 or Casino (want a hollow body with P-90's)

Was also thinking of a 6120 to round out the collection. I have played one before, and did enjoy it.

Curious, why did yours become a case queen? What fell out of favor with you?
 
Mike M

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phart said:
I don't have any pointers but maybe a few things to keep in mind:

  • Have you played one before? They're BIG. It feels like a full-sized acoustic guitar with electric guitar stuff glued on top
  • If you're not sure you'll like it, why not get a 5120 instead and save a couple thousand bucks? Then, if you love it, great! If you really love it, even better, sell it and upgrade to a 6120! If you hate it, it'll be a lot easier to resell a 5120 than a 6120.
  • My review having owned a 5120 for a while - they're definitely cool and fun to play, but the combination of the humongous body, the finicky bigsby and the extremely finicky floating bridge all make it a tremendous pain in the butt to own and play. I literally got so fed up with the damn thing I sold it and bought my first telecaster because I just wanted a dead-simple guitar, and we lived happily ever after
Click to expand...

Thanks, I don't know anything about the 5120, got to do some research.

Like I said above, over the last couple of years I have started buying new classic guitars (ones that never go out of style) that I couldn't afford in my teenage years, now that I can afford them in my early 50's.

I thought, 6120, its' Gretsch's most classic design and has been around for 66 years, there can't be that much wrong with it?
 
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phart

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Hmm, well I just spent a few minutes on the Gretsch website and, man, you weren't kidding about them having a ton of models.

The Electromatics are basically Gretsch's budget line - I think they're built in Korea. The one I had, the 5120, was basically a one-for-one budget copy of the 6120, but I can't find it, maybe it's been discontinued? I guess they're still out there on the used market if you're really interested.

I'm not sure if they still make a cheaper version of the full-size 6120. All the current Electromatics look like thinline models (which I would prefer personally).

Sorry for steering you wrong, friend!
 
teletail

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Mike M said:
Thanks for all the replies.

I love classic guitars, and have a Tele, Strat, 335.

Over the next year or two want to add a Es-330 or Casino (want a hollow body with P-90's)

Was also thinking of a 6120 to round out the collection. I have played one before, and did enjoy it.

Curious, why did yours become a case queen? What fell out of favor with you?
Click to expand...
I still have it. I've gotten ready to put it up for sale 4 or 5 times, and always back out. I'm seriously starting to thin the herd so it will go at some point.

As to why it fell out of favor, I hate the Bigsby, it's so squirrely and I did have it set up by someone that knows what they are doing. After years of playing Les Pauls, Strats and Teles, the big hollow body just isn't comfortable. It's the Eddie Cochrane model and I love the neck, pickup; it almost sounds like a Gibson, but the bridge pickup is all Gretsch. It's so versatile. It's never left the house and I doubt I have more than a couple of hours play time on it.

I recommend you try one of these. I had a 6120 and to my ears, this covers a lot more sonic territory.
 
Uncle Daddy

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Or a Jet? Mine. You can't have it though!

xmas.JPG
 
johnnylaw

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If you can get a bead on a clean 6112 TCB Jr., you may hit the jackpot. Filtertrons, cedar center block, thinline depth, LP sized body, “mud switch”- which I really dig, three-ply maple body, and Bigsby. Very musical and responsive axe. Will do clean to mean with a smile on your face.
 
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