Gretsch String Gauges

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 4:52 pm

Dear Curmudgeon, I just received my new Gretsch Tennessean. Although it's a gorgeous guitar, several of the factory strings don't sound right. I think a restring will correct the situation. Do you know what size strings the factory supplies? I was thinking 11-49, but I don't want to make any modifications to the nut.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 6:48 pm

Can't answer until I get to my office tomorrow and measure my own Rose. So if someone else wants to jump in, be my guest...otherwise I'll be on around noon PST tomorrow.

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 4:59 am

I'm wondering if Gretsch uses the same guage string on both their 24.75 scale guitars[Tennessean, 6120s] and 25.50 scale[Falcons, Gents,etc.] I Think what came on my new Falcon and 6122-59[Paul has one of these,too; Paul, what guage are you thinking they put on the 59 as stock?I think 10-46.]I have 11-49/50 flats on the 59;they are perfect.tone and feel.

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 6:27 am

Dear Curmudgeon: I hate to be a nag, but have you got any opinions on Tennessean string gauges?

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 7:32 am

Thanks for the reminder...somehow I thought I'd posted...

Factory was .011-.046, roundwound. I say "was" because my own NOS '04 had them. My new '05 6122-59 has the same. My NOS '04 6120JR2, too.

Because of the bar bridge, you may have some intonation problems if you switch to a bigger bottom end. Oddly, I haven't seen a lot of complaints about the bar bridge and intonation. Some, but not a lot.

My Rose HT will get .012 TI flatties next restring, which will be soon.

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 10:28 am

Thanks so much. A new set of 11-46 should work fine.

johneek · Post by **johneek** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 5:03 pm

I just got a 6122-1962 and it came with the following:
011, .014, .018, .028, .038, .049

trancedental · Post by **trancedental** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 9:35 am

I got a old CA CG 6122 & it came with 11-50's thats the gauge I've used since.

I'd say that anything below 10-46 would be trouble?

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 9:59 am

I looked for 11-46 last night, and all I could find was 11-49. I suppose that's what I'll put on my Tennessean.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 12:10 pm

These guitars respond really well to heavier strings.

On a sad note, my new Rose has a minute neck-heel crack that I only noticed last night at practice.

So back it goes.

They have LOTS of these still left, BTW...

harvey49 · Post by **harvey49** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 5:00 pm

That's bad news about the guitar Paul, at least you're able to take it back. When I had my 6122 shipped out here I was told that the warranty expired on leaving the US, which didn't please me, but I wasn't going to pay $5k here just for the privilege of having factory warranty.

Do you think yours will be repaired or replaced?

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 6:38 pm

Musician's Friend is simply going to send me another one. They will either sell it as damaged goods or return it to Fender for credit, I would imagine.

Fingers crossed and I hope the second one will be the charm. I love the sound of HiLo Trons.

harvey49 · Post by **harvey49** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 7:31 pm

Oh well Paul, if that one too has issues, your lucky to be able to just pack it up and send it back. You can keep playing this game until it's corrected, but I'm sure the next one will be "the one"

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 5:32 am

Serial number says it's an '04 Terada; I'm of course wondering just how soon after the Fender takeover it could have been made. I've probably owned a half-dozen post-Fender Gretsch Professional Series guitars, and another dozen or so pre-Fenders. Quality has been spotty, but is definitely terrific on most of my '04-'06s, so it's pretty much as good as it gets these days.

I recently reserved one of the limited-run (12) Billy-Bos that Joel at Shanghai Guitars is having made in white. It'll be interesting to see if these get any sort of special treatment in terms of quality control.

Upon checking the Rose on my bench, I found a silly amount of neck relief and a bit of twist, too. Imagining hundreds of these complex beasties being shipped every week boggles the mind and makes me wonder just how they keep a lid on QC.

harvey49 · Post by **harvey49** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 4:25 pm

Interestingly, I bought my 6122 from Joel, hell of a nice guy and has the patience of a saint!