Reasons NOT to buy a Gretsch G2420?

[Brent Hutto]

There's a thread near the top right now called "Reasons to Buy an Orange Gretsch 6120". Here's a much lower-budget question in the same vein but I'll pitch it in the opposite direction...

When I got into playing solid-body electric guitars 2-1/2 years ago, I left my acoustic instruments (guitar and mandolin) behind and never looked back. Just so easy to play and the range of sounds I can get with various pedals and effects has been very inspiring every day. I have a Stratocaster and a Telecaster but only occasionally play the Tele because the Strat just suits me better, although there are some nice neck pickup sounds on my Telecaster that I don't hear on any pickup(s) of the Strat.

Anyway, yesterday in the guitar store I walked by the Gretsch section and suddenly realized I have no idea what it's like to play a hollow or semi-hollow big jazzy-looking guitar. And of course, the "realized I have no idea" immediately started germinating into a GAS attack. I allow myself a max of one new instrument purchase per year and so 2024 is still open!

The one I want to try is the fully hollow (laminated maple) G2420. I took it off the rack and noodled around for 5-10 minutes without plugging it in but decided not to court temptation any farther at that time. So I put it back.

So is there's any major "gotcha" to a really cheap, Indonesian-made, hollowbody Gretsch? I've got to say, maybe because it was so light, it wasn't as awkward to hold and play as I imagined. Bu still not going to nestle in my lap like a Stratocaster by any means!

It just seems, even accounting for use of generic, bargain electrical bits and stuff like "laurel" fretboard it's hard to think of a big, elaborate guitar like that retailing for only $499 without having serious shortcomings. I am just totally unequipped to evaluate what those might be on a type of guitar I've literally never had in my hands except for that ten minutes yesterday.

 

[OldTelePlayer]

I have a G2420T Streamliner, among several other big hollow body electrics, so maybe can fill you in a bit.

First, just a few words on big jazzers in general, which for some are "gotchas"...

If you weren't already aware of it, the big hollow body guitars (any of them) can be feedback machines. So, take care. There's no way around that. Its just the nature of the thing. On the flip side, the added resonance gives a
tone I can't find anywhere else.

On the positive side, the big guitar feels, sounds and plays like no other design. If you have played a lot of acoustic you'll probably find the body familiar and comfortable but the playing feel of the guitar is different. Its not like an acoustic, a semi-hollow or solid body... its not the neck, its the right hand that feels different... and it might take a bit of getting used to or a few changes depending on your current technique.

On the 2420...

The maple top/back/sides gives a clarity and definition of tone, reducing a tendency of the hollow body to muddy up. Maple is a common material for these kinds of guitars and is expected. Laminated back/sides/top is the way to go... helps reduce the feedback potential. I've played solid back/sides/top hollow bodies and they can pretty quickly get to the edge if I'm not careful... too much resonance. I'll take the laminated (like my Gibson ES-175D for example) any day. For this type of guitar, in my experience, laminated is a good thing.

The top bracing is parallel tone bar. That's the most common. If it were braced differently (and Gretsch offers models with a trestle bracing for example) it would be a more expensive guitar and I'm not sure it would be of any more than marginal difference at best to most players. (I only mention this because you might have a lot of experience with acoustics, might know something of about bracing and wonder if that makes any difference.)

Pickups - this is the big thing. They are the BroadTrons. These are good pickups, closer to PAF humbuckers but with a bit more definition. The tone isn't going to be the typical Gretsch "sound"... which is associated with FilterTrons. To me, they sound good in general use and offer a range of tones. I personally like the BroadTron here, but I wasn't looking for the "Gretsch sound", just a general hollow body jazz tone. You may or may not like the sound.

Bottom line...

In my opinion, its a well designed, built, good playing and sounding hollow body guitar in this price range. Its not the greatest hollow body but at its price I have nothing to complain about. I don't know of any shortcomings that I would call "serious". I like it and I play it. In fact, it was the first Gretsch I ever played that I actually liked (and I tried some really expensive ones).

Its a good, inexpensive introduction to the world of this type of guitar and a nice addition. Well worth looking at.

Best thing you can do of course is plug one in and give it the real test.

That's all I can think of at the moment.

 

[Brent Hutto]

I have a G2420T Streamliner, among several other big hollow body electrics, so maybe can fill you in a bit.

First, just a few words on big jazzers in general, which for some are "gotchas"...

If you weren't already aware of it, the big hollow body guitars (any of them) can be feedback machines. So, take care. There's no way around that. Its just the nature of the thing. On the flip side, the added resonance gives a
tone I can't find anywhere else.

On the positive side, the big guitar feels, sounds and plays like no other design. If you have played a lot of acoustic you'll probably find the body familiar and comfortable but the playing feel of the guitar is different. Its not like an acoustic, a semi-hollow or solid body... its not the neck, its the right hand that feels different... and it might take a bit of getting used to or a few changes depending on your current technique.

On the 2420...

The maple top/back/sides gives a clarity and definition of tone, reducing a tendency of the hollow body to muddy up. Maple is a common material for these kinds of guitars and is expected. Laminated back/sides/top is the way to go... helps reduce the feedback potential. I've played solid back/sides/top hollow bodies and they can pretty quickly get to the edge if I'm not careful... too much resonance. I'll take the laminated (like my Gibson ES-175D for example) any day. For this type of guitar, in my experience, laminated is a good thing.

The top bracing is parallel tone bar. That's the most common. If it were braced differently (and Gretsch offers models with a trestle bracing for example) it would be a more expensive guitar and I'm not sure it would be of any more than marginal difference at best to most players. (I only mention this because you might have a lot of experience with acoustics, might know something of about bracing and wonder if that makes any difference.)

Pickups - this is the big thing. They are the BroadTrons. These are good pickups, closer to PAF humbuckers but with a bit more definition. The tone isn't going to be the typical Gretsch "sound"... which is associated with FilterTrons. To me, they sound good in general use and offer a range of tones. I personally like the BroadTron here, but I wasn't looking for the "Gretsch sound", just a general hollow body jazz tone. You may or may not like the sound.

Bottom line...

In my opinion, its a well designed, built, good playing and sounding hollow body guitar in this price range. Its not the greatest hollow body but at its price I have nothing to complain about. I don't know of any shortcomings that I would call "serious". I like it and I play it. In fact, it was the first Gretsch I ever played that I actually liked (and I tried some really expensive ones).

Its a good, inexpensive introduction to the world of this type of guitar and a nice addition. Well worth looking at.

Best thing you can do of course is plug one in and give it the real test.

That's all I can think of at the moment.

Thank you so much for the information. I do think the playing experience would be something quite different from either my acoustic or Tele/Strat lives, so to speak. That difference is really the appeal but also why I would not venture to spend $1,000+ or something to find out!

About the pickups, I would be hoping for something at least somewhat in the jazz tone direction, not twang or high gain or anything like that. Sounds like these may be a good bet.

Finally on the feedback issue, I only play at home at quite modest tinnitus-friendly volumes so probably not as big a concern for me as in other settings.

All in all, what you’re describing is very much like what I was imagining so maybe come birthday time in a few weeks this might make a good 2024 Guitar selection for me.

 

[OldTelePlayer]

Thank you so much for the information. I do think the playing experience would be something quite different from either my acoustic or Tele/Strat lives, so to speak. That difference is really the appeal but also why I would not venture to spend $1,000+ or something to find out!

About the pickups, I would be hoping for something at least somewhat in the jazz tone direction, not twang or high gain or anything like that. Sounds like these may be a good bet.

Finally on the feedback issue, I only play at home at quite modest tinnitus-friendly volumes so probably not as big a concern for me as in other settings.

All in all, what you’re describing is very much like what I was imagining so maybe come birthday time in a few weeks this might make a good 2024 Guitar selection for me.

Glad I could help.

The experience of this type is quite different. The BroadTrons are more in the jazz direction, rather than "Gretsch sound" and that's what appealed to me. You should try it out and see if it hits your desired tone. Overall, its a good guitar, priced right. Could be just the thing for something different.

However...

It occurred to me that maybe the #1 reason NOT to buy this guitar is that you might find you really like the big hollow body types a lot. If that's the case, then this one is OK but eventually you most likely will want a really good one. The difference between a really good one and all the rest is distinct and considerable. The thing is that a really good one is also really expensive for a lot of reasons. That is maybe not something you want to get into?


Anyway, good luck, have fun and play more guitar.

 

[Brent Hutto]

Don’t want to jinx myself but I feel like my susceptibility to the “get a really nice one” temptation is a lot less nowadays than it was not so long ago. My Player Series Tele (2022) and Strat (2023) kind of felt like a lot of money, and I sometimes wonder if I spent more than he was really necessary. That’s even though both of those together were much less than I would’ve thought a single instrument might cost back in my acoustic guitar and mandolin days.

When I bought the Strat last year, I came thiiiiiiis close to spending half as much on a Squier model I really liked a lot. That kind of opened my eyes to the possibilities out there for getting fun to play instruments at what I really consider amazingly cheap price points, like the G2420. I first came to (acoustic) guitar 20 years ago, and that point it would have been laughable to even ask if a hollowbody guitar for $300 (equivalent to $499 now) could be fairly decent sounding and playing!

 

[ghostwolf]

Buy one, they're great guitars. i have two, one with a Bigsby, one with the harp tailpiece. Yeah, very different feel than my strats or teles, wasn't sure i'd like the "feel", but that turned out not to be an issue at all.

 

[Sollophonic]

I'm a total solid bodied guitar person, especially for playing live.

Recently though, I picked up a Squier Affinity Starcaster, which needed work and I got it playing and sounding nicely, mainly to have something different to play around the house.

Took it along to a gig, mainly to try it at a soundcheck at a bit of volume.

Blow me if I didn't end up using it for the whole set.

A lot of fun, very light for two long sets and very nice for a bit of controlled feedback.

I'm now looking for a Gretsch semi at a good price......

 

[ISmellSmoke]

Blow me if I didn't end up using it for the whole set.

What ?!?

 

[Dostradamas]

The only one I can come up with is, you should not buy a G2420 so you can save for a G5420T with cooler inlays and pickups.

I could not be happier with my G5420T.
Most expensive guitar I own by a long shot and worth every penny

 

[neknufelet]

Because Elvis says:
'Move over with that Gretsch - Tele's rule!'

 

[Brent Hutto]

Because Elvis says:
'Move over with that Gretsch - Tele's rule!'
View attachment 1255608

Yeah, but a Tele with a Bigsby! That ain’t half cheatin’…

 

[backporchmusic]

You can get a used 5420, Korean made with rosewood board, for $500, and it is a much better guitar through and through. That's the route I'd go. Many of them are in great condition becasue someone bought them, then discovered it wasn't getting played much. It's not uncommon with Gretsch stuff--not that it's bad, it's just different.

 

[Brent Hutto]

What color do you like?

I am weirdly intrigued by the green one, can’t decide if it’s hideous or has a cool retro vibe. Or both.

 

[Dostradamas]

OH one of those
Loving the tailpiece and thumbnail inlays sweet!
That transparent umber would be my choice of colors

 

[Highway 49]

I’d go with a 5420T… in orange of course !

 

[Brent Hutto]

Many hollowbody guitars have a bridge that floats free of the soundboard, similar to a fiddle or mandolin. But it looks like the Streamliners have glued-on bridges, don’t they?

Is that a major difference in terms of tone or responsiveness?

Or just a minor tweak for convenience so it doesn’t slide around?

 

[badscrew_projects]

No,

Many hollowbody guitars have a bridge that floats free of the soundboard, similar to a fiddle or mandolin. But it looks like the Streamliners have glued-on bridges, don’t they?

Is that a major difference in terms of tone or responsiveness?

Or just a minor tweak for convenience so it doesn’t slide around?

No, not glued

 

[985plowboy]

I myself am Gretsch curious.
Just not sure it’s for me.

 

[Brent Hutto]

I myself am Gretsch curious.
Just not sure it’s for me.

I am going to a local store one day soon and demo the G2420 alongside an Ibanez AMH90 which is a slightly smaller/shallower body more expensive alternative to the Gretsch.

I also have done a very brief 10 minute demo of a 67 Hagstrom Viking. I think those three guitars cover a pretty wide range and if none of them do it for me, it might not be done, holliwbody-wise.

In the past, I have always found Inanez pretty reliable in terms of fretwork, fit, and finish, etc.. I won’t know until I look whether I get the same impression of Gretsch.

 

[dswo]

You can get a used 5420, Korean made with rosewood board, for $500, and it is a much better guitar through and through. That's the route I'd go.

I agree. There’s a lot of love for the Streamliners on the Gretsch forum; my impression, though, is that people there buy them to modify. If you like how it looks, go for it. But the sweet spot, for under US$1000, is the Electromatic series.

I bought a Korean 5420 in 2017. Since then I’ve upgraded the bridge (Serpentune), wiring harness (TV Jones), and pickups (TV Jones Classic/Classic+). Even before I changed the pickups, it had become one of my most-played guitars; and it’s the only one whose looks my wife has commented on. It’s comfortable to play too: one reason I like hollow-bodies is that they’re big, which means the strings sit higher off my leg when I’m sitting down. (This is a real problem with a small-bodied guitar like the Les Paul.) And I like the thumbnail inlay markers: they were the first thing I noticed, other than the orange body, when I saw one hanging in the store.

I see that one of the guitars David Gilmour did not sell was his Gretsch solid body: https://www.guitarworld.com/news/david-gilmour-gretsch-duo-jet.