Gretsch users?

[GNAPPI]

There seem to be rigid "camps" on guitar makers, some based on price, others on status and accepted convention. The latter is IMO unfortunate. As I get older I get more flexible in my dealing with conventional norms, and my taste in guitars has matured into must have qualities. First and foremost is playability and comfort. Features? Two pups, generally semi or full hollow, that about takes minimum specs.

I've had a Gretsch arch top around for well over 15 years and found that they can easily be made to serve just about any style just by diddling with the EQ of the amp.

I recently acquired a 17 1/2" Tim Armstrong that defies pigeonholing in its sound. This relatively inexpensive Korean made guitar (can be had for less than $700-$800 used) is an amazingly flexible guitar. It is one of the very few Gretsch models available without the Bigsby and is what initially attracted me to it (my old Historic Cats eye and 6118 Anniversary also do not have a Bigsby) and while I did not like the "VOS" type finish (which can be polished to a high shine) I still bought it.

So, that "Great Gretsch sound" has either grown on me or I found that my own flexibility has circumnavigated "that" sound.

Anyone else here have a Gretsch?

[Frank67]

I have a cadillac green country club and a black 6120, both fantastic guitars. I swapped the bridges against Compton bridges, which made them even better. I don't play 'em enough, but these are really awesome guitars. I agree on very versatile. Both are capable of nice and very articulate jazz sounds and they can rock out just as well.

[kmaaj]

The neck dimensions suit me perfectly. To me, the most positive thing is how it -feels- like a flat top to my right hand when strumming rhythm, and can still shred for solos.

[Danny W.]

I had several White Falcons and a Super Chet during the '80's & '90's. I never became a big fan, but I used to like to do Christmastime gigs on a Falcon:



Danny W.

[nickyboy]

I have a 6120sslvo that really is a versatile guitar..I occasionally play with a rockabilly band and it's obviously perfect in that situation. It would also serve as a great rock / blues guitar - real gritty driven bridge pickup. It sounds great for jazz tones ...
I just can't get my head around the orange vibe and the dreadful tone switch.

Very well made and put together tho.

[zigzag]

Gave my G6120 to a friend because I hated the Bigsby. Loved the FilterTrons.

[Greentone]

Danny,

Killer Desert Boots! I still wear mine. I still play my Gretsch, too. Although I used to have two CA6120 Nashvilles (a '64 and a '67), I only have a 1950 6015 Synchromatic, at this point. I've had it for years, though, and I enjoy playing it.

Ouch. The picture came out small...a thumbnail.

[GNAPPI]

Gave my G6120 to a friend because I hated the Bigsby. Loved the FilterTrons.

Well even Gretsch has guitars WITHOUT a tremolo, I have a few and love them all. The Tim Armstrong is for the most part a Gibson WITH a master volume and separate vol/tone pots.

BTW, the caps on that switch are easily changed to suit your style and make quick adjustments easy.

[barrymclark]

Heavily modified late 60's 6120. Bigsby is gone. TOM gone in favor of a wood compensated bridge.

[barrymclark]

I have a cadillac green country club and a black 6120, both fantastic guitars. I swapped the bridges against Compton bridges, which made them even better. I don't play 'em enough, but these are really awesome guitars. I agree on very versatile. Both are capable of nice and very articulate jazz sounds and they can rock out just as well.

This is the other Gretsch I'd like: Caddy Green CC (no Bigsby). I have a black double cut 6120 from the late 60's. No Bigsby.

[GNAPPI]

Heavily modified late 60's 6120. Bigsby is gone. TOM gone in favor of a wood compensated bridge.

YUP, all three of mine sport factory tailpieces and the TOM is gone from them all, though my pic still shows the Armstrong with the metal bridge.

[barrymclark]

The 6120 was to have a Bigsby but I traded it for a Caddy tailpiece.

[TheGrandWazoo]

My my only two electrics that I play out. A 6120 and a natural Country Club. I know people love their Gibsons but a 17" CC with Dynasonics is a great sound.

[Greentone]

My my only two electrics that I play out. A 6120 and a natural Country Club. I know people love their Gibsons but a 17" CC with Dynasonics is a great sound.

+1

[feet]

g400 and g6118t over here. both highly modified. both the best. often tempted to join the grey country club, or perhaps the cb falcon club, but that'll never happen. sometimes wonder about jets, too.

i would only recommend a gretsch to people that wanted a guitar that looks and sounds awesome. if you can't get more than one sound out of it, you're doing it wrong. too many people hear with their eyes.

ps- another thing that gretsch owners have to deal with is ladies being all over them when they see the guitars. be advised.

[nopedals]

I have a 1957 gretsch fleetwood. It was their version of the L5C. Their "super 400" model was the eldorado. Note the cadillac references; these were expensive guitars. There is a picture of my guitar (leaning against a fence) in the Scott Gretsch book.

[reventlov]

I have two Gretsches, a Double Anniversary and a 5122 with TV Jones pickups. They are both excellent for jazz tones, they're versatile and they look good. This is the Anniversary....

[David B]

Have a special-run 6120 Chet Atkins here.

[GNAPPI]

My my only two electrics that I play out. A 6120 and a natural Country Club. I know people love their Gibsons but a 17" CC with Dynasonics is a great sound.

That CC is a very nice guitar in natural... wow!

I've looked at the CC in Cadillac green... if I ever see one with the thumbnail markers and G tailpiece, I'm in trouble

[nopedals]

I used to have a '57 streamliner with a dyna pup. The tone controls on those old streamliners were wired in a unusual way that gave you excellent tone in all positions.