What Is It About Gretsch Guitars That You Like?

[Pumpkinhead]

Bob
Many thanks for sharing your experiences.
It does almost seem like there is something a little "odd" with the Jet - it's completely unlike any other guitar I have in terms of losing so much treble when turning down.
I must say that I have plenty of treble available with everything "fully open" so it sounds like a different issue but I will try dropping Gretsch a line and asking their advice. I don't generally use the mudswitch that much but I have been surprised that it can actually be quite useful, given that I had dismissed it out of hand when I first got the guitar.
Thanks again - I really appreciate your thoughts and suggestions on this.
Brendan

[Zurdo]

Check out the Gretsch website. My Tennessean with the HT's does have the zero. I think that they've updated across the board.

I will.

[kenposurf]

Two words..Duane Eddy
2 more words
Eddie Cochran

[Zurdo]

Yep! The next Gretsch I buy will either be a Roundup with a Bigsby, or else a Dynasonic p/up-equipped White Falcon with a Bigsby. Eventually, I'll have both. . . . I might end up needing a bigger place.

what are these Roundup selling for? and why are they so special?

thanks,
Zurdo

[paologregorio]

Yep! The next Gretsch I buy will either be a Roundup with a Bigsby, or else a Dynasonic p/up-equipped White Falcon with a Bigsby. Eventually, I'll have both. . . . I might end up needing a bigger place.

what are these Roundup selling for? and why are they so special?

thanks,
Zurdo

I'm not sure exactly, but they're expensive. They're so special because in addition to being a Chet Atkins model solid body "Jet" style guitar, they're chock full of Western kitsch in Gretsch Orange!

[Zurdo]

thanks Paolo, just asking because there is one of them for sale and I thought the price is high.
Zurdo

[admin]

Well, if looks has anything to do with it, I can see why. This is an eye-catching instrument at least to my visual cortex.

[Zurdo]

yes Peter, it does have some interesting leather tooling per the below picture, it's almost like a miniature Eddie Cochran guitar,

[admin]

Thanks for the additional photo. Yes, certainly in a league of its own.

[Zurdo]

I just found out the Eddie Cochran model is $12k (12 thousand US dollars), from the Gretsch Custom Shop.

So are you all saying that even these made-in-Japan reproductions are still worth that kind of money ??

[admin]

Certainly the models made in Japan are not fetching prices anywhere near $12K, at least to my knowledge. The retail of Chet Atkins solidbody instruments is in the vicinity of $3500 - $3700 US at least from what I have seen.

[jingle_jangle]

Street prices on these in the USA is several hundreds to a thousand cheaper; depends on the model and vintage.

Calling the Gretsches that are MIJ "reproductions", is really short-changing them. They ARE (for all practical purposes) the Gretsches of the day; the miniscule numbers produced by the USA "Custom Shop", coupled with the ridiculous prices, mean that these won't ever be seen in great numbers; nor will they become any sort of point of reference.

The Japan-built Gretsches are of terrific quality, playability and sound quality. Couple this with the great street prices, and I would almost have to term the USA "Custom Shop" instruments, the "reproductions"...

[Zurdo]

Certainly the models made in Japan are not fetching prices anywhere near $12K, at least to my knowledge. The retail of Chet Atkins solidbody instruments is in the vicinity of $3500 - $3700 US at least from what I have seen.

yes, I checked again, Guitar Center and other dealers are selling it for $12k. Shocking. More shocking is that The Gretsch Custom Shop states that only 50 Eddie Cochran models will be made worldwide, but there's over 500 places selling it.

[admin]

Great comments, Paul. I did not mean to short change those making guitars in Japan. I quite agree that they are fine instruments and anyone who has played the Gretsch pro-series probably agrees. Whether those made in the USA are three to four times better (reflecting the price difference) is unlikely but labour is labour. The value of most things depends, in no small part, on the labour that goes into the creation of the project. Technology seems to have compromised this relationship a situation.

[paologregorio]

Street prices on these in the USA is several hundreds to a thousand cheaper; depends on the model and vintage.

Calling the Gretsches that are MIJ "reproductions", is really short-changing them. They ARE (for all practical purposes) the Gretsches of the day; the miniscule numbers produced by the USA "Custom Shop", coupled with the ridiculous prices, mean that these won't ever be seen in great numbers; nor will they become any sort of point of reference.

The Japan-built Gretsches are of terrific quality, playability and sound quality. Couple this with the great street prices, and I would almost have to term the USA "Custom Shop" instruments, the "reproductions"...

Amen! No one builds American guitars like factories in Japan!