Need some advice about a possible Gretsch NGD...

[max_twang]

I've been curious about Gretsch guitars for a good while, but my experience with them is fairly limited.

I'm considering buying one of the fancy, MIJ ones, and I was hoping some folks with more experience
with Gretsches could give me some guidance.

One of the guitars I'm considering is an excellent condition G6122-1962 Country Classic -- essentially the Chet Atkins model associated with George Harrison. No tone pot on this one, just the three position tone switch next to the
pickup selector switch. It has the kill switch. Also has no mute on this one. He's one like it in action:



I was in the local GC today and played the G6122TG -- the "Player's Edition" of the same guitar -- this has
the tone pot instead of the three position tone switch, and also has no kill switch. Basically, a more modern/
conventional wiring set up. Really lovely guitar but it was new and the price was $3K! This one:

G6122TG Players Edition Country Gentleman® Hollow Body with String-Thru Bigsby® and Gold Hardware, Ebony Fingerboard, Walnut Stain

The world’s greatest hollow body guitars just got even better. Designed for the working professional, our all-new Players Edition Hollow Body instruments preserve the authentic Gretsch sound and style while incorporating cutting-edge features for maximum power, comfort and versatility.

www.gretschguitars.com

While I was in GC, I met someone who is looking to sell an excellent condition G6120 -- not sure which specific model
but I saw some pix and it had beautiful appointments, including flame maple top and headstock. I think it's a high end
Brian Stetzer-ish model without his name on it.

Both of the used guitars are in the $2,000 range.

What do you think? Both guitars seem to be fairly priced, though not bargains. I'm going to play both of them before I make a decision. Is there anything else I should know about the finer points about these two axes? Thanks for your advice!

 

[Martinp]

My personal opinion, is to jump on the 6120 for $2k, but I've always had a soft spot for orange Gretsch singlecuts. Having said that, I've played a couple of those 6122's and they are equally outstanding, but a bit different.

 

[JL_LI]

Make sure you really want a mud switch before you buy. I have a 6118T Anniversary. The individual volume controls roll off highs faster than volume. I use an equalizer to roll off low frequencies to keep things in check. My guitar has "that great Gretsch sound" from the '60s. I've made my peace with it and stopped trying to make it sound like a Fender and am quite happy now that I can accept what it is. I play clean finger style with blended pickups with the neck volume rolled down a tiny bit and the bridge volume rolled down a bit more. It sounds good that way with a flat pick too. I even like the jazz tone I get. I'd describe the guitar as a one trick pony but once you can ride, it's a heluva trick. You may find a Gretsch with individual volume controls with treble bleed and a master tone control more versatile. It will definitely be easier to manage. I don't think there's a bad 6*** series Gretsch but there are big differences between models, even models with the same number designation. Good luck. Have fun.

 

[Deeve]

I'm currently waiting for a Gretsch to arrive, but it's a different kind and I don't wanna hijack this thread (look for ngd tread coming soon...)

The playing in that demo vid was delicious.
Peace - Deeve

 

[max_twang]

Thanks for the input everyone.

I think the 6120 I mentioned might be the flame tiger maple version. Very blingy!

Good resource here for figuring out which Gretsch model is which. I didn't realize there were so many flavors.

Gretsch Guitars: The Gretsch Guitar Encyclopedia And Registry at The Gretsch Pages

The Gretsch Guitar Encyclopedia And Registry (Gretsch-GEAR) covers every Gretsch guitar ever made, with more than 500 different Gretsch guitar models, and year-by-year examples of Gretsch guitars.

gretschpages.com

 

[Vibroluxer]

One guy above has one but no one mentioned the Anniversary. You can get a nice used one for 1600- 1750 USD. And they are MIJ.

If you have some patience, the Gretsch 120th Anniversary Bamboo Annie came stock with TV Jones Filtertrons, the mud switch and can usually be had for the ridiculous price of 1500.

 

[Mad Kiwi]

I have the 6122 II with the real F-holes (see my avatar) and it is an AWESOME guitar. I suggest the 6122. The ONLY guitar I would consider moving it on for is a White Falcon. ONLY.
Unreal, spectacular guitars.

 

[Bob M]

The MIJ proline guitars are really beautifully made. I had a thin line Falcon and a 6120 both with Filtertrons. I found the Falcon to be a little unwieldy and as I got older it became physically difficult for me to play. I currently have a 6120 with TV Jones T-Armonds. The overall fit and finish of all 3 that I have owned was incredible. Playability on the 6120s is great. I’ve bought a handful of pricey guitars and the Gretsches are top notch. At $2,000 used in good condition that’s a pretty good deal.

 

[fasthand]

I have a 6120 players edition excellent instrument tone pot and treble bleed
My first Gretsch
Was not long after I bought a 6128/VS 59 reissue TV Jones pickups tone switch I mostly leave it in middle tone position
MIJ Gretsch guitars are exceptional pieces
Good luck with search

 

[brookdalebill]

Great stuff!
I love mine, it’s easily my best sounding electric guitar.

 

[stormsedge]

Personally, I'd go for the Country Classic.

 

[johnnylaw]

I am fortunate enough to play a Gretsch MIJ thinline with mud switch, pickup volume, and MV layout. Once you learn how to drive it, there is no kind of American music you couldn’t play.
The trick really is to set your amp louder than you need to be heard, and use the MV to find your place in the stage mix. (I do this with a Tele too; guitar volume knob never sees 10)
The individual pickup volume knobs roll off treble quickly, so I use them more like tone controls. Once you sort this out with the mud switch, there ain’t nowheres you can’t go.
Tele controls are simpler; kind of “linear”. That Gretch set up has you going helical or something.
The Player Series are beautifully made, and a joy to handle.
Good hunting!

 

[johnnylaw]

 

[max_twang]

One guy above has one but no one mentioned the Anniversary. You can get a nice used one for 1600- 1750 USD. And they are MIJ.

If you have some patience, the Gretsch 120th Anniversary Bamboo Annie came stock with TV Jones Filtertrons, the mud switch and can usually be had for the ridiculous price of 1500.

No one mentioned the Anniversary model, but it's definitely one I've considered in the past. I love the smoke green color!

Just not in the current discussion because of the two guitars that are available to me locally now.

Thanks for the suggestion though

 

[superbadj]

I have a 6118 Annie, as well as a couple 512x series (korean-made, DeArmond 2000 pups). I've owned a pro-series Jet. I've honestly never played a bad Gretsch, but the FMIC-era Japanese-made guitars are the best playing guitars I've ever touched, period. And that includes high-end Fenders, Gibsons, Martins, Fanos, Rickenbackers, etc. You name it I've owned or played them. If the Great Gretsch Sound is your thing you can't go wrong. I wouldn't at all call it a one-trick pony, but sure a full hollow isn't as versatile as some guitars. But they are flat-out amazing things. I think you can't go wrong with one!

 

[BorderRadio]

I've been curious about Gretsch guitars for a good while, but my experience with them is fairly limited.

I'm considering buying one of the fancy, MIJ ones, and I was hoping some folks with more experience
with Gretsches could give me some guidance.

One of the guitars I'm considering is an excellent condition G6122-1962 Country Classic -- essentially the Chet Atkins model associated with George Harrison. No tone pot on this one, just the three position tone switch next to the
pickup selector switch. It has the kill switch. Also has no mute on this one. He's one like it in action:



I was in the local GC today and played the G6122TG -- the "Player's Edition" of the same guitar -- this has
the tone pot instead of the three position tone switch, and also has no kill switch. Basically, a more modern/
conventional wiring set up. Really lovely guitar but it was new and the price was $3K! This one:

G6122TG Players Edition Country Gentleman® Hollow Body with String-Thru Bigsby® and Gold Hardware, Ebony Fingerboard, Walnut Stain

The world’s greatest hollow body guitars just got even better. Designed for the working professional, our all-new Players Edition Hollow Body instruments preserve the authentic Gretsch sound and style while incorporating cutting-edge features for maximum power, comfort and versatility.

www.gretschguitars.com

While I was in GC, I met someone who is looking to sell an excellent condition G6120 -- not sure which specific model
but I saw some pix and it had beautiful appointments, including flame maple top and headstock. I think it's a high end
Brian Stetzer-ish model without his name on it.

Both of the used guitars are in the $2,000 range.

What do you think? Both guitars seem to be fairly priced, though not bargains. I'm going to play both of them before I make a decision. Is there anything else I should know about the finer points about these two axes? Thanks for your advice!

I'd get the PE G6122 if it were me, but that's because I already own MIJ G6120. Both cover the same basic 'tonal' space, so it comes down to comfort and looks for me. Factors:
- Thin body (2") vs thick (2" to 2.75")
-Scale length: 24.6" vs 25.5" on the PE G6122
- Neck heel
PE G6122 have the shaved back neck heel. The vintage '64-style has the huge block behind the neck starting around the 12th fret, similar to the 16" bodied Annies and Chet 6120s. On a PE G6122 the neck carve starts around the 16th fret.
- Pickups
Depending on the G6120 /G6122 you're eye-ballin', you might be pitting older HS Filters vs TVJ Classics vs the new FT-67 Filtertron. I use TVJ Classics all the time, and HS Filters, but FT-67s I've never heard. Supposedly just a thicker HS Filter.
-Looks
Both are great guitars, excellent finish work is the norm for MIJ Gretsch. I can't stand flame anything, makes me queasy, but that's just me. Hope that helps!

 

[max_twang]

I'd get the PE G6122 if it were me, but that's because I already own MIJ G6120. Both cover the same basic 'tonal' space, so it comes down to comfort and looks for me. Factors:
- Thin body (2") vs thick (2" to 2.75")
-Scale length: 24.6" vs 25.5" on the PE G6122
- Neck heel
PE G6122 have the shaved back neck heel. The vintage '64-style has the huge block behind the neck starting around the 12th fret, similar to the 16" bodied Annies and Chet 6120s. On a PE G6122 the neck carve starts around the 16th fret.
- Pickups
Depending on the G6120 /G6122 you're eye-ballin', you might be pitting older HS Filters vs TVJ Classics vs the new FT-67 Filtertron. I use TVJ Classics all the time, and HS Filters, but FT-67s I've never heard. Supposedly just a thicker HS Filter.
-Looks
Both are great guitars, excellent finish work is the norm for MIJ Gretsch. I can't stand flame anything, makes me queasy, but that's just me. Hope that helps!

Thanks, that is a very helpful comparison.

Unfortunately, I learned today that the 6122 I was considering is now no longer for sale. The 6120 (actually it's a 6120-1960) is still available.

You don't like flame? I'm really thinking about one of these...I won't ask your opinion

 

[BorderRadio]

Thanks, that is a very helpful comparison.

Unfortunately, I learned today that the 6122 I was considering is now no longer for sale. The 6120 (actually it's a 6120-1960) is still available.

You don't like flame? I'm really thinking about one of these...I won't ask your opinion

View attachment 945266

Alright, I'll admit it, that's kinda nice

 

[teletail]

If you’re going to get one, go for the ones made in Japan. BUT think long and hard and put some serious time on one first. I got a 6120 and never played it, it just wasn’t comfortable and I didn’t love the sound. I sold it and then bought an Eddie Cochran 6120. Now I want to sell that. For me it’s a guitar I want to love, but just don’t.

 

[PCollen]

Thanks, that is a very helpful comparison.

Unfortunately, I learned today that the 6122 I was considering is now no longer for sale. The 6120 (actually it's a 6120-1960) is still available.

You don't like flame? I'm really thinking about one of these...I won't ask your opinion

View attachment 945266

Love the flame, but not the LIMONCELLO color.