The New Gretsch Era – Guitar For Serious Performers

Posted on 17. Mar, 2010 by amauto in Uncategorized

In the late autumn of 2002, Fender and Gretsch came to an agreement that saw marketing, production and distribution of Gretsch guitars fall under Fender’s umbrella. (Gretsch still owns Gretsch Guitars)

Fender’s first move was to upgrade the production practices to move them into a more classic era style practice and to upgrade the electrical components involved. A great move. The headstocks and bodies were now to be made as they were in the vintage era, as were the hollow body designs – 3 ply instead of 5. The pick-up master, TV Jones, re-implemented the Filtertrons so that now they have a much more vintage-classic sound than before. The duo jets were to be rechambered to a high degree, again more vintage, and the Brian Setzer models were to include the trestle bracing of the late fifties/early sixties period.

Since then Fender & Gretsch have produced a huge range of vintage Gretsch models which have been applauded by guitar players and collectors alike. Despite being a contentious point, a lot of people are saying that the latest Gretsch models are the best the company has ever produced. I’m inclined to agree. And the have a corresponding price range.

Gretsch’s mid-range guitars have been dramatically improved since the early 2000s when they have bolted necks and generic humbucker pickups which tended to put a lot of people off. In particular, the hollowbodies of the Electromatic range have been well improved. The new single cutaway Gretsch 5120, A Gretsch 6120 copy, has remarkably turned into one of Gretsch’s best sellers with much better electrics and hardware than ever before.

Unlike 10 years ago, these days a Gretsch 5120 is a quality guitar worth it’s price tag and I’d gladly be the owner of one.

If I have a spare $700 in my pocket and didn’t already have a beautiful vintage Gretsch (two-tone anniversary!) from 1962 I would almost certainly have a close look at the Gretsch 5120. TWANGTASTIC! guitars. I tried one out for an extended period of time the other day (thanks Dave ) and it truly was a great feeling.

The fretboard was silky smooth due to the thumbnail markers and the dual pickups were twangy and deep.

Don’t be fooled by the relatively (for Gretsch) cheap price – this is a professional instrument.

Tags: gretsch 5120