Toasters & Dynasonics

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 10:32 am

Paul, I reckon you'd know the answer to this - do Dynasonics and Toasters have the same footprint?

I'm aching for a big semi-hollow and I don't see an F coming my way anytime soon. I used to have a G6120DSW Nashville Western which was an awesome guitar (I loved the whole cowboy motif too, though I may be in the minority there). I'm thinking about tracking another down, and having some Toasters in it would bring it a "little closer to home".

kenposurf · Post by **kenposurf** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 12:29 pm

If I may butt in?! Check out a Dearmond T-400. Based on the Guild Duane Eddy Model..used around $600 and IMO keeps up with any Gretsch out there.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 12:44 pm

Funny. I'm holding a Dynasonic in my hot little mitts right now...

OK, the toaster and high-gains are 1/4" longer and 1/16" narrower than a Dynasonic. This means that you can replace a Dyna with a toaster, and it'll still cover the Dyna's screw holes and look right. I'd suggest the rectangular cushions rather than grommets under the toasters, to hide the holes and button everything up nice and tidy.

George, the De Armond is nice.

But it ain't a Gretsch. There's a mystique here to be considered.

John, I, too, love the cowboy thing on some of those Gretsches. So we're a minority of two. And the orange color is so...Gretsch trad!

kenposurf · Post by **kenposurf** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 6:11 pm

I bow to a more knowledgeable Gretshophile but some differences that I note: This series of Dearmonds were all copied after Guild models. The pups are low K dynasonics on the T-400..very twangy and from what to my ear, the equal of the single coil Gretsch pups..the fret work is very good..the electronics are cheap where I'm sure the Gretsch betters the Dearmond...the finish of the T-400 both the red and the Tenn orange are guite nice with a highly figured back. The Gretsch finishes are super with nicer touches. Gretsch=Japan..Dearmond=Korea The Bibsby is a knock off but serves well...in particular, I like that the body is much thinner than the Gretsch Annie I had much more comfy for me...that said I love my Gretsch Duo-Jet but if I went looking for another semi hollow body I would look at the T-400 or the hight end Silvertones/Harmony's with real Bigsbys from the 60's...the thing is though, if you catch a HC blowout you likely could get a Gretsch for a few hundred more...

squid · Post by **squid** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 5:18 am

We're kind of hijacking John's thread here, but I just wanted to chime in and say that you can also get a Guild X-160 Rockabilly for next to nothing these days. The Guild brand has taken a real beating since it was acquired (not licensed, like Gretsch) by Fender. (This isn't Fender bashing, it's just a case of a corporation not knowing how to position a newly acquired brand. Guitar buyers just don't seem interested. Benedetto's left, etc.) Anyway, the Guild electrics seem to have fallen off the radar completely when it comes to the used market, and if you insist on an American made guitar (which I do), the X-160 with the Dearmond pick-ups makes a nice Gretsch alternative. Look for something made at the Westerly, Rhode Island plant if you can. The Californian Guilds are a little wanting by comparison. I've seen X-160 Rockabillies going for as low as $900 in near mint condition.

However, I should also warn you that, no matter how much you like the X-160 yourself, your friends will be totally unimpressed. I speak from hard experience. The mojo factor is pretty low. Maybe if I throw some toasters on mine, my buddies will give me a little more respect ...