Well Paul I finally got one
Well Paul I finally got one
Well this is a not strickly Beatle's guitar. But its close. George always said it was his sentimental favorite Gretsch guitar of his Beatles career. So I got and EE Duo Jet in black in memory of George's.
-
jingle_jangle
- RRF Moderator
- Posts: 22679
- Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 6:00 am
- Contact:
Congrats. When they are a long time coming, they are that much sweeter! Please post pics!
How does it play and sound, and what sort of amp are you using?
How does it play and sound, and what sort of amp are you using?
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
― Kurt Vonnegut
Wish I could but the tech is beyond my measly little mind. I could take some pic's and email them to you though.
The action is very low and slinky. I was told by Elliot that it would go toe to toe with a Les Paul. That statement was poohed poohed by a few friends of mine who are Les Paul Junkies.
But I have a Les Paul too and I'm here to tell that it will not only go to toe to toe it will step on those toes.
This thing wants to Rock Big Time. I had always heard that Filtertrons were weak. Not so on this baby.
So far I have ran it thru my two Vox Cambridge amps. The buckers over power them pretty quickly. I intend to try and bump at least one of them up to the 56 watt mod.
I ran it thru my Deluxe Reverb. My 66 Bassman, My Twin and my Tone Master. I think its best clean was thru the Bassman at least on the neck pickup. The Bassman is a bit brighter amp and as you know humbuckers are a bit dark.
In my Deluxe Reverb the best clean was on the bridge pickup with the mud switch engaged in the upper position.
Elliot has changed the usual mud positions to lighter filters. One is just a little darker the other can make good woman tones when turned up or good jazz tones when turned down.
I had thought about adding a standby switch to one this long ago. They are such eye candy on the other Gretsch models. However I kinda worried about really messing up its resale value. But this is a modded Jet signature model from the get go. So now I'm wondering if the standby switch should be a coil tap?
I did make two mods. Very small ones and easily put back to stock. I put on those pinguin knobs with the red jewels that I asked you about. The standard gold ones were too hard to see the positions on a darkened stage. I raised the bridge pickup just slightly by adding a piece of rubber to the rails under it.
This is one nice guitar. How does it sound compared to your Jet so far? Oh yeah it weighs 7 1/2 pounds.
The action is very low and slinky. I was told by Elliot that it would go toe to toe with a Les Paul. That statement was poohed poohed by a few friends of mine who are Les Paul Junkies.
But I have a Les Paul too and I'm here to tell that it will not only go to toe to toe it will step on those toes.
This thing wants to Rock Big Time. I had always heard that Filtertrons were weak. Not so on this baby.
So far I have ran it thru my two Vox Cambridge amps. The buckers over power them pretty quickly. I intend to try and bump at least one of them up to the 56 watt mod.
I ran it thru my Deluxe Reverb. My 66 Bassman, My Twin and my Tone Master. I think its best clean was thru the Bassman at least on the neck pickup. The Bassman is a bit brighter amp and as you know humbuckers are a bit dark.
In my Deluxe Reverb the best clean was on the bridge pickup with the mud switch engaged in the upper position.
Elliot has changed the usual mud positions to lighter filters. One is just a little darker the other can make good woman tones when turned up or good jazz tones when turned down.
I had thought about adding a standby switch to one this long ago. They are such eye candy on the other Gretsch models. However I kinda worried about really messing up its resale value. But this is a modded Jet signature model from the get go. So now I'm wondering if the standby switch should be a coil tap?
I did make two mods. Very small ones and easily put back to stock. I put on those pinguin knobs with the red jewels that I asked you about. The standard gold ones were too hard to see the positions on a darkened stage. I raised the bridge pickup just slightly by adding a piece of rubber to the rails under it.
This is one nice guitar. How does it sound compared to your Jet so far? Oh yeah it weighs 7 1/2 pounds.
-
jingle_jangle
- RRF Moderator
- Posts: 22679
- Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 6:00 am
- Contact:
I have four FT-equipped Gretsches, with various stock, hot rod, and TV Jones pickups. None are "weak". Most are quite HOT, as a matter of fact.
I have a new Fender Jaguar with Seymour Duncan Vintages. Although it nails the Carl Wilson surf tone with .011 flatwounds, IT is weak.
Just yesterday I received a Gretsch G6114 from an eBay auction. This is a Jet modded with a flame top, no binding, and special TV Jones FTs. (Only other Gretsch with these pickups is the 6122-59, and it has one only in the bridge position.)
I picked up this one because I wanted to compare its weight to the other Jets that I own. My intention was to hollow it out, thin it, bind it and replace the back.
Surprise! I haven't actually weighed it yet, but it is at least two pounds lighter than any other Gretsch solidbody that I own.
More later after I've played it a bit.
I have a new Fender Jaguar with Seymour Duncan Vintages. Although it nails the Carl Wilson surf tone with .011 flatwounds, IT is weak.
Just yesterday I received a Gretsch G6114 from an eBay auction. This is a Jet modded with a flame top, no binding, and special TV Jones FTs. (Only other Gretsch with these pickups is the 6122-59, and it has one only in the bridge position.)
I picked up this one because I wanted to compare its weight to the other Jets that I own. My intention was to hollow it out, thin it, bind it and replace the back.
Surprise! I haven't actually weighed it yet, but it is at least two pounds lighter than any other Gretsch solidbody that I own.
More later after I've played it a bit.
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
― Kurt Vonnegut
-
jingle_jangle
- RRF Moderator
- Posts: 22679
- Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 6:00 am
- Contact:
"EE" is Elliot Easton, late of the Cars.
Gold Hardware, narrow headstock, slightly longer 25" scale, different location for the pickup selector switch, Alnico magnets in the pickups, locking tuners, different master volume pot wiring.
And although Ellot is left-handed, you can get them in lefty or righty.
Gold Hardware, narrow headstock, slightly longer 25" scale, different location for the pickup selector switch, Alnico magnets in the pickups, locking tuners, different master volume pot wiring.
And although Ellot is left-handed, you can get them in lefty or righty.
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
― Kurt Vonnegut
Gretsch guitars are a bit of a raffle over here - in terms of both quality and price. I've looked at quite a few and have been quite frankly disappointed in the finish - small lacquer runs, heaps of swirls in the finish, stuff like that. There are exceptions, of course - there's a brilliant G6128TCG Duo Jet (Cadillac green!) at my local, but I'd want to replace the Dynasonics with Filtertrons. The 'discounted' price on that is $4420 - a Setzer Hot Rod with TV Jones' is $5000!!
Having said all of that, I see one in my dreams!
Having said all of that, I see one in my dreams!
"Never eat more than you can lift." - Mr. Moon
-
jingle_jangle
- RRF Moderator
- Posts: 22679
- Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 6:00 am
- Contact:
Aitch, I suspect that there are still a lot of pre-Fender Gretsches left in stores outside of the US, where Gretsches are a big stock investment (especially for non-chain stores) and turn a lot slower from inventory.
Virtually every Gretsch I've tried which has been made in the last 18 months has been superb in the fit and finish category. (Even the setups on them have been pretty consistent out of the box) I expect that Mike Lewis has been keeping the pressure pretty consistent in the Terada factory. Results show in a near-flawless product. There are a few vendors on eBay here in the States who sell Gretsch seconds, with full warranties, which supposedly have small finish defects. I've owned a couple of these, and the defects were impossible to find. Even that says a lot.
BTW, Aitch, just in the last two weeks, I've bought a 6120 JR2 and a 6122-59 Country Classic, both new. The collection is growing.
The FT vs. DS debate continues to wax and wane. After lots of playing and evaluation, I think the tone I prefer on solids is DSs and hollows, FTs, although I have 'em both ways with a Supertron and some old Jones FTs ('02) tossed in for fun. I also have some GHS single-coils on one, but the wiring is not finished yet.
Still, bottom line is that though Gretsches are wonderful, charming, and beautiful to look at and play, our hearts really belong to Rickenbacker.
Virtually every Gretsch I've tried which has been made in the last 18 months has been superb in the fit and finish category. (Even the setups on them have been pretty consistent out of the box) I expect that Mike Lewis has been keeping the pressure pretty consistent in the Terada factory. Results show in a near-flawless product. There are a few vendors on eBay here in the States who sell Gretsch seconds, with full warranties, which supposedly have small finish defects. I've owned a couple of these, and the defects were impossible to find. Even that says a lot.
BTW, Aitch, just in the last two weeks, I've bought a 6120 JR2 and a 6122-59 Country Classic, both new. The collection is growing.
The FT vs. DS debate continues to wax and wane. After lots of playing and evaluation, I think the tone I prefer on solids is DSs and hollows, FTs, although I have 'em both ways with a Supertron and some old Jones FTs ('02) tossed in for fun. I also have some GHS single-coils on one, but the wiring is not finished yet.
Still, bottom line is that though Gretsches are wonderful, charming, and beautiful to look at and play, our hearts really belong to Rickenbacker.
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
― Kurt Vonnegut
I like both my Gretsch and my Rickenbacker. I have gotten used to playing the Ric around the house so much because of its louder acoustic sound.
The EE Duo Jet differences also include a B-7 bigsby on it instead of a B-5. It has locking tuners and a grahite nut.
Lots of people like to control their volume from the guitar itself. Lots of other folks though like to have the guitar full up and control the volume from the amp. They say its looses too much tone to turn it down on the guitar itself. The master volume control on the EE Duo Jet is especially designed so that the tone does not change when you use it as a volume control.
If your into the sound that a guitar has when its volume control has been turned down instead of amp "ie" a little more mellow sound. Then use the individual pickup volume controls. So it has every thing you ever want in volume control.
Too bad you did'nt weight that one before you began cutting weight out there Paul. There is a guy on another site that bought and electromatic Jet and it weighted 10 1/2 pounds. He is after it hot and heavy now with a router.
My Les Paul weights 9 1/2 pounds and that too much for me. I won't ever play it for and entire nights show again never.
I know that TV makes what he calls a powertron verision of the Filtertron and that its susposed to a very hot pickup and its what I thought I would have to buy for my EE. But the stock pickup in it is really a pretty hot and nice sounding pickup.
The EE Duo Jet differences also include a B-7 bigsby on it instead of a B-5. It has locking tuners and a grahite nut.
Lots of people like to control their volume from the guitar itself. Lots of other folks though like to have the guitar full up and control the volume from the amp. They say its looses too much tone to turn it down on the guitar itself. The master volume control on the EE Duo Jet is especially designed so that the tone does not change when you use it as a volume control.
If your into the sound that a guitar has when its volume control has been turned down instead of amp "ie" a little more mellow sound. Then use the individual pickup volume controls. So it has every thing you ever want in volume control.
Too bad you did'nt weight that one before you began cutting weight out there Paul. There is a guy on another site that bought and electromatic Jet and it weighted 10 1/2 pounds. He is after it hot and heavy now with a router.
My Les Paul weights 9 1/2 pounds and that too much for me. I won't ever play it for and entire nights show again never.
I know that TV makes what he calls a powertron verision of the Filtertron and that its susposed to a very hot pickup and its what I thought I would have to buy for my EE. But the stock pickup in it is really a pretty hot and nice sounding pickup.
-
jingle_jangle
- RRF Moderator
- Posts: 22679
- Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 6:00 am
- Contact:
Dan, I didn~t cut anything on the G6114. It will remain stock in body, although all the hardware will be swapped for gold and it will receive Dynasonic pickups and binding on the back.
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
― Kurt Vonnegut
-
jingle_jangle
- RRF Moderator
- Posts: 22679
- Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 6:00 am
- Contact:
Well, Dan, I have FIVE other Jets in varying configurations, which are all undergoing lightening surgery: cut off back, route everywhere that isn't structural to within a few mm of their lives, shave 10 mm off the body thickness, glue back together, bind front and back special finishes, electrics, and trim.
These are part of a project I'm doing inspired by a friend on the Gretsch Pages. I'm building several of these specials to custom order. One has been reserved by a member of this Forum who shall remain nameless unless he chooses to reveal himself to you all.
When these are done, I'll either post a few photos or a URL on the whole conversion process.
These are part of a project I'm doing inspired by a friend on the Gretsch Pages. I'm building several of these specials to custom order. One has been reserved by a member of this Forum who shall remain nameless unless he chooses to reveal himself to you all.
When these are done, I'll either post a few photos or a URL on the whole conversion process.
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
― Kurt Vonnegut