Country Gentleman - which one?

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 8:04 am

Well, if orange is the dealbreaker, then so be it.

I'm fortunate in that my "orange Jones" (or is it "Orange Julius"?) has been filled with my recent acquisition of a 6120-JR2.

I think the Gretsch pups blow ANY Gibbie pup out of the water, except the low-impedance ones from 1969-75. And those were HUGE single coils...

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 12:01 pm

Paul, I like all of TV's Gretsch type pickups. I've only played the Filtertron style at length but have played most of the other types he offers, and they're nice too. He rewound some old Harmony pickups for me and they sound very nice too. The guy just simply winds great pickups.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 12:49 pm

He's a PhD in my book--

Pickup Hot Dog.

And, a pretty good guy, to boot. Answers his own phone--often on the first ring, treats everybody as if they were his only customer.

Top Marks for Tom.

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 4:01 pm

Paul,
Regarding the PU swapout;Any sonic differences aside, and that, I'm already aware of, there is Always going to be an issue of what is[in my mind]what aesthetically Looks better/cooler. I never liked the look of the blade magnet Supertron, or the "open faced" FT.Both the 59 And the 62 6122
"Harrison" sound great.For my purposes,the change-out has No negatives[except the "negative" reading in my checkbook!] to get a new pair of PUs from TV.But I think that will probably be a non issue as well for me, as I'm doing some repair work for a friend that will probably amount to
the cost of the PUs. And, as you noted, this "mod" Is totally reversible.

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 4:08 pm

One more thing,Paul; No, I don't own any other Gretsch at the moment.In addition to the '59, my hypothetical Gretsch "dream list" would get the '6122-62 back again, as well as the Stills Falcon, which I got to try Two of at Daves Guitar a couple years ago. I absolutely Love that guitar.
Most recently, I tried out the new Setzer "Black Phoenix", which simply Kills!Only thing about that one I didn't like is the control setup is too spare for me; gotta have knobs and switches!

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 8:29 pm

Yeah, Don. I agree on all counts: do what pleases you, have it your way, etc. Opinions are always fun to share, but in the end, nobody wants to be playing a guitar that doesn't suit him or her...

I love the looks of the Black Phoenix, but would prefer a Silver Falcon. But that darned canoe paddle headstock with that monster sparkly TRC really put me off, so my own one would have both reworked; easy enough on a black guitar...

The Black Phoenix is just one more attempt to put Brian's name on a guitar. This would bring his total line to--11? 12?

I just can't believe he plays D'Addario 10s. But that's a topic that gretschpages has already done to death.

longhouse · Post by **longhouse** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 9:54 pm

The Setzer Phoenix is a cool guitar. Is the price as insane as the flagship Falcon models? I could learn to live with the forked-tongue peghead.

Country Gent first.

He does manage to wrangle some massive tone out of the D'Addarios. So does Marty Willson-Piper. I HATE THOSE DISPOSABLE, quick-to-die strings!!!

I hope to get some Gent prices tomorrow (today).

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 9:40 am

Paul;
On the Phoenix, I think I'd have opted to do a std. horizontal "Gretsch" headstock inlay, instead of the over-the-top vertcal style; goes better w/ the half moon inlays.Acoustically, I got to A/B the Phoenix w/ the Black Falcon[the black w/gold sparkle],as well as getting to hear
the difference between std Alnico FT PUs and the TVs.Acoustically, I think Setzers use of the "trestle" bracing Does make the Falcon sound better.If there were no TV PUs available, the std Alnicos do not sound bad by any stretch, but when you hear the TVs, I guess my best description of the differences is perhaps that the TVs are more, "transparent" or something?Last "nit-picky" critique of the small stuff on the 6122-59[and the 6122-62 as well]; Why did they feel the need to inscribe the gold plaque on the headstock with the Gretsch logo? Seems redundant, as the main headstock pearl inlay is already there, ya know?
I think I'd have had it stamped reading simply,"Model 6122-1959 Special Edition".Forget the "Country Classic" designation; Gretsch fanatics already know what it's supposed to be.
Since you can't use "Country Gentleman" or "Chet Atkins" anymore, I think model #s should suffice.
IMNSHO...A final thought; once I replace the fixed Bigsby on my '59, what might be a good use for the old,goofy arm? a custom shift lever on my lawnmower?Turn signal indicator arm? or....???

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 6:41 pm

I have a couple of Jets with FTs. One standard FTs, one TV HotRods a la Setzer, and also a G6114 "New Jet" with some strange TV FTs that sound intense and very transparent to muddy depending on the amp settings. Amazing pups that aren't made anymore.

The differences between the three are easy to spot.