My Gretsch Goal

[ratherdashing]

I played pretty much every Gretsch for sale in Vancouver yesterday, and here's what I decided:

The Gretsch White Falcon Fund is where I decided to try saving up to buy a nice guitar. I knew I wanted a Gretsch, and I assumed that I'd want a White Falcon because it's theoretically the nicest Gretsch (at least the nicest available left handed).

After playing all those guitars and doing a lot of research, especially here, I've decided that the White Falcon isn't necessarily the Gretsch I want. Based on their left-handed production line, and all the playing and research I did, I've chosen three possible models for my goal:

1: The G6120 Chet Atkins Hollow Body

This is the modern version of the Nashville, the guitar that most people think of as THE Gretsch hollow. Unlike the 1959 RI model this one has Grover Rotomatics, a Tune-o-Matic-like bridge instead of the bar bridge, and it doesn't have the bizarre zero fret. Aside from that, it's pretty much the same as the 1959: FilterTrons, tone switch, 2.5" deep body, and the classic Gretsch orange finish. I'm not entirely sold on owning an orange guitar, but this one just seems ... right in that colour.


2: The G6122-1962 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman
(EDIT: removed due to deal-breaking painted-on F holes! Come on!)


3: The G6119 Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose

This one doesn't look as flashy as your typical Gretsch, and I think I like that - kind of a working man's Gretsch hollow. It has the same body, neck, and pickups as the 6120, but unlike the other two guitars I've picked out it's 25.5" scale, like a Strat or Tele. This is both good and bad for the same reason: all my current guitars are 25.5". It will feel familiar and comfortable, but maybe I want a guitar that's different from the rest, ya know?


Anyway, all this to say I'm changing the name of the Gretsch White Falcon Fund to simply the Gretsch Fund. The best part about all this? All three of these models are cheaper than the White Falcon, which means I'll reach my goal faster.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: My Gretsch Goal

#2



or this

I've never played one, but the reviews look good.

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: My Gretsch Goal

#1 or #3.

I don't like the Gold Hardware and brown finish on the second one. The other two are really nice...

 

[scottish]

Re: My Gretsch Goal

meh, they are all fugly. do yourself a favor and buy a real guitar, lol.

nah, im just kidding man, to each their own. I wish you well in your quest for saving funds...something ive never been able to do for anything guitar related. Plenty of success saving for downpayment on a house...but ask me to save money for a guitar and i cant hold out. I always end up buying something else, lol.

 

[sosomething]

Re: My Gretsch Goal

#2 has some wacky stuff going on up there. You might be into it and you might not.

The "double muffler" system in front of the bridge (which I'm assuming is controlled by those weird gizmos on either side of the tailpiece) is potentially far more trouble than it's worth.

Also, the f-holes appear to be painted on.

ALSO, have you ever played a guitar with a zero fret? FWIW I don't think it's a bad idea as far as design but it's certainly a different feel and may present additional maintenance issues.

Anyway.. when I look at that guitar, I see setup and wiring headaches galore.

Were I you, I'd be all over that Tennessee Rose. I think the fact that it's a Gretsch hollobody is going to make it different enough regardless of the 25.5" scale, but that extended scale will have two benefits:

1.) It'll be comfortable and familiar to you, and

2.) The added tension will help mate that floating bridge to the top a bit better.

M2C.

 

[jake_xms3_punk]

Re: My Gretsch Goal

i like white falcon double cuttaway's.

 

[sosomething]

Re: My Gretsch Goal

i like white falcon double cuttaway's.

That falcon double cuttaway's what?

 

[JOLLY]

Re: My Gretsch Goal

A buddy of mine has a 6120 like the one pictured. It's a nice guitar. It's not as nice as my white falcon, but it's still very nice. Gretsch guitars just make you feel so classy when you're playing them.

 

[phil_104]

Re: My Gretsch Goal

#2 has some wacky stuff going on up there. You might be into it and you might not.

The "double muffler" system in front of the bridge (which I'm assuming is controlled by those weird gizmos on either side of the tailpiece) is potentially far more trouble than it's worth.

Also, the f-holes appear to be painted on.

ALSO, have you ever played a guitar with a zero fret? FWIW I don't think it's a bad idea as far as design but it's certainly a different feel and may present additional maintenance issues.

Anyway.. when I look at that guitar, I see setup and wiring headaches galore.

Were I you, I'd be all over that Tennessee Rose. I think the fact that it's a Gretsch hollobody is going to make it different enough regardless of the 25.5" scale, but that extended scale will have two benefits:

1.) It'll be comfortable and familiar to you, and

2.) The added tension will help mate that floating bridge to the top a bit better.

M2C.

I agree with the first part of your post, but not the second half.

I agree that #2 would not be my pic, as the vintage features on there seem superficial, and potentially problematic. I find that when I have gas for a brand or style of guitar, I want to get something that is a stable in it's genre.

That's why I would pick #1. Gretsch instruments, in my mind, are not what you would call the ''working man's guitar''. They are finely crafted guitars, with a legacy. With that said, purely on style, I would go with #1. I also think the scale on #1, which is typical of Gretsch guitars, will make the guitar even more a staple of that genre of guitar. If you are gonna get a Gretsch, get one with all the features that are usually associated with it. For example, if I was to own 1 Les Paul, I would want one with the gibson scale length, 2 humbuckers, 3 way switch, dual tone-volume, standard bridge style, set mahogany neck and body, with maple cap. Those features are what make the guitar what it is, and if you want a Gretsch, get one that really possesses the features to give you the flavor that made you want it in the first place.

 

[sosomething]

Re: My Gretsch Goal

This is a warning.

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Forumites are prohibited from quoting posts made by sosomething unless for the purpose of expressing full agreement on all points therein.

Further violations will result in a fine.

Thank you.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: My Gretsch Goal

I'm changing my vote to #3. I didn't realize until it was noted that #2 has extra gizmos.
I was really just expressing a preference for the darher brown. The reddish brown is not one of my favorites, and the orange is ..... well, orange.

Colors aside, a guy in the church I attend plays an orange Gretsch (not sure it is the same model as #1 in the OP) and it sounds amazing clean or overdriven. he plays through an OCD into a Category 5 head (not sure which model).

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: My Gretsch Goal

#2 has some wacky stuff going on up there. You might be into it and you might not.

The "double muffler" system in front of the bridge (which I'm assuming is controlled by those weird gizmos on either side of the tailpiece) is potentially far more trouble than it's worth.

Also, the f-holes appear to be painted on.

ALSO, have you ever played a guitar with a zero fret? FWIW I don't think it's a bad idea as far as design but it's certainly a different feel and may present additional maintenance issues.

Anyway.. when I look at that guitar, I see setup and wiring headaches galore.

Were I you, I'd be all over that Tennessee Rose. I think the fact that it's a Gretsch hollobody is going to make it different enough regardless of the 25.5" scale, but that extended scale will have two benefits:

1.) It'll be comfortable and familiar to you, and

2.) The added tension will help mate that floating bridge to the top a bit better.

M2C.

Good points. Thanks.

Those who own a Gretsch with mufflers are almost all in agreement on them: the things are ridiculously useless, but they don't hurt anything. Some people remove them (George Harrison) and some people just leave them there and pretend they don't exist (The Edge).

I don't feel all that good about paying for a feature I will never use, and the obsessive part of me worries that they will rattle, get in the way, etc. but the experience of countless Gretsch owners says otherwise.

But anyway, forget the mufflers. I just checked, and you are right: the F holes are "simulated". Simulated F holes make me a sad panda. The Gent is officially off the table.

I agree with the first part of your post, but not the second half.

I agree that #2 would not be my pic, as the vintage features on there seem superficial, and potentially problematic. I find that when I have gas for a brand or style of guitar, I want to get something that is a stable in it's genre.

That's why I would pick #1. Gretsch instruments, in my mind, are not what you would call the ''working man's guitar''. They are finely crafted guitars, with a legacy. With that said, purely on style, I would go with #1. I also think the scale on #1, which is typical of Gretsch guitars, will make the guitar even more a staple of that genre of guitar. If you are gonna get a Gretsch, get one with all the features that are usually associated with it. For example, if I was to own 1 Les Paul, I would want one with the gibson scale length, 2 humbuckers, 3 way switch, dual tone-volume, standard bridge style, set mahogany neck and body, with maple cap. Those features are what make the guitar what it is, and if you want a Gretsch, get one that really possesses the features to give you the flavor that made you want it in the first place.

More excellent points. Thanks.

I should point out, however, that the Gent is considered to be one of the "holy trinity" of Gretsch hollow-bodies along with the 6120 and the White Falcon. Those three are to Gretsch what the Strat and Tele are to Fender. So, if your goal would be to own a guitar that exemplifies the brand, the Gent would be a perfectly fine choice.

I do understand and mostly agree with your points about the 6120 though.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: My Gretsch Goal

Wull hell yeah man! I was quietly against the idea of a $3400 "halo guitar" anyhow.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: My Gretsch Goal

Honestly, I'm sure I'd be happy with any hollow-body Gretsch with FilterTrons.

My experience with playing a bunch of Gretsch's is consistent with most of the opinions I've read online. In order from most to least important, the main features that distinguish the various models are:

- Pickups. Far and away the most important difference. Gretsch pickups don't sound like anything else out there, nor do they sound like each other. A guitar with FilterTrons will sound completely different from the same guitar with Dynasonics (DeArmond) or HiloTrons. As you can see from my choices, I prefer the FilterTron tone: tight lows, complex mids, and sweet highs.

- Scale Length. Most Gretsch guitars are 24.6" scale, but a few (Tennessee Rose and Country Club, for example) are 25.5". This doesn't affect tone as much as it affects feel and playability. I'm currently not sure if this is a big deal to me or not. There are pro's and cons for either one.

- Body Dimensions. Most models are 16" at their widest point; some are 17". Most are 2.75" deep, but some are 2" deep. There are also the solid (well, actually "chambered" like a Tele Thinline would be more accurate) bodies. In general, I found that the bigger bodies sounded fatter and more mellow, which is not surprising at all, but the difference between a 2" and a 2.75" deep body is subtle.

Every other feature (F holes, finish, tone pot vs. switch, zero fret, mufflers, tuners, back pad, etc.) seems to have little or no effect on tone or playability of these guitars.

 

[sosomething]

Re: My Gretsch Goal

This thread has succeeded in making me want a Gretsch.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: My Gretsch Goal

This thread has succeeded in making me want a Gretsch.

Yesssss! My diabolical plan is working! Bwahahahahaaaa!

 

[Hoss]

Re: My Gretsch Goal

i "think" that Tennessee Rose guitars have painted F-holes as well!?

 

[Hoss]

Re: My Gretsch Goal

nope...i was wrong!

https://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/G6119.htm

great looking guitar BTW!!!

 

[JOLLY]

Re: My Gretsch Goal

i "think" that Tennessee Rose guitars have painted F-holes as well!?

Some of them do. Mine does.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: My Gretsch Goal

i "think" that Tennessee Rose guitars have painted F-holes as well!?

The model with HiloTrons does. This model does not.

Gretsch makes so many models with slight differences it's really hard to keep track of it all.