Gretsch G400JV - anyone tried it?

[Rob MacKillop]

Spruce top, maple back and sides, 25.5 string length, Fishman Archtop Pickup System, Nut width 1.6875” to be precise!

Made for Jimmie Vaughan, Stevie-Ray’s brother. Gretsch but made in Japan.

[58flame]

I had a G400C for a long time. It was very loud with lots of mids. Very similar to the JV.

[Zigracer]

I had a G400, non JV for about 10 years. One of the prettiest guitars I ever owned. Cat’s eye sound holes are killer. Comfortable to play as are most Gretsches for me. Sounded okay acoustically with phosphor bronze strings. Installed a Shadow Nanomag pickup and later a Pete Biltoft CC style pickup, but I could never find an amplified tone I was happy with. Always sounded a little brittle to me, even with an EQ pedal. I suspect that the pressed and formed solid top had something to do with it.

[Rob MacKillop]

I was hoping for a better acoustic sound, Ziggy. Thanks for your comment.

[andrew]

Yep I have one. It’s probably the best looking guitar I own. Or at least, it’s the one that I get the most comments about when I take it out. “What is THAT?!?” “That’s a GRETSCH?”

I feel like it fits the mold of modern Gretsch pro lines: great stage guitars. Great looks, great playability, okay sound. It comes with a piezo pickup in the bridge saddle. I replaced it with a modern Rhythm Chief reissue. It makes for a pretty decent electric guitar tone.

If acoustic sound is what you want, look elsewhere. Pretty thin and not a ton of volume.

[Rob MacKillop]

Thanks, Andrew. I’m already looking elsewhere…

[entresz]

I had the regular G400. The craftsmanship was flawless and it was a most impressive looking instrument.
With bronze strings it sounded good acoustically for a pressed top, but compared against a carved top instrument it fell short. I put a Pete Biltoft floating CC pickup and it sounded great and was my main gigging guitar for quite a few years.