Gretsch G6128T-1957 vs. G6128TSP

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 6:09 am

Dear Curmudgeon,

Since you seem to know a lot about Gretsch guitars, I wanted your opinion on their current Duo Jet offerings. I'm very tempted to buy the '1957' at $999, but wonder if the differences between it and the 'SP' are significant. What do you think?

Thanks!

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 6:23 am

There are only two differences: The SP has aged binding and inlays and a Rocking Bar Bridge, the 1957 has a Space Control™ Bridge.

The Rocking Bar will give a bit better sustain. You can replace the Space Control with a Rocking Bar for about $55.00 in parts, and forego the aged binding and inlays, and save yourself $500-800 by buying the MF special and modding it.

Verdict: Differences not significant enough to spend the extra cash on the TSP.

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 6:34 am

That's what I like to hear!

steve_hershberger · Post by **steve_hershberger** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 2:32 am

Another "thank you" from me, Paul!!

I've been contemplating purchasing one of the 1957's since first seeing that ad.

One more question: Which bridge design would have the best intonation? I would think the rollers on the Space Control would allow smoother Bigsby action, but the Rocking Bar looks cooler to me. Besides, I probably wouldn't use the Bigsby much, if at all. Just wondering about the intonation factors of each type.

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 4:44 am

I would assume that the 'Rocking Bar' would be the best bridge choice. From my experience, roller bridges have a tendency to rattle and/or reduce sustain. I've never owned a Gretsch with a 'Space Control', but that's been the case with many other roller bridges (and roller nuts for that matter).

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 5:09 am

As I mentioned in my reply to Randy, the bar will have better sustain than the roller. The "Space Control" was a Gretsch innovation in the days when they sold a lot of guitars to fingerpickers and orchestra guitar players. Its main feature was to allow adjustability of spacing between strings to allow for individual preferences. Dubious value, IMO, but a really innovative point of difference a half-century ago.

Neither will intonate properly, speaking strictly theoretically. The Setzer-type adjustable bridge is the way to go if this really bothers you.

99% of players using a wide variety of strings, have no complaints with the intonation on either of these two bridges, even though it MUST be off no matter how the guitar is set up.

I've owned all three bridges and can report no problems with any of them. Even my close-to-top of the line 6122-59 uses a rocking bar, and it supposedly represents the lifetime fiddling with componentry which characterized the relationship between Chet and Paul Yandell, his rhythm player, and was spec'd by Paul himself.

The Space Control does NOT buzz, because the loose parts (the bridge saddles) are held in full tension by the strings. It does reduce sustain a bit, though.

kenposurf · Post by **kenposurf** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 5:21 pm

Another thanks to Paul for your insight..am waiting now to hear the grinding gears of the UPS truck bringing my Duo Jet..can't beat that price..now need to talk to you about some personalization on the headstock!

malvernlink · Post by **malvernlink** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 9:02 am

Randy,

There are a few other differences. The SP has a narrower headstock, the back of the neck and body is a lighter color and the plastic cover for the electronics cavity
on the back of the body is triangular shaped. Having said this, take the $900.00 you will save buying the 6128T-1957 and get a new Vox AC-30cc. I have an 03 6128T-1957 and put on a rocking bar bridge.

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 10:02 am

Marc: Thanks. I had heard there were a few more differences. Since I just recently bought an AC30CCH and an AC30CC2, I think the $900 should go towards a Gretsch G6122-1962 Country Gent. It'll look great next to my new Tennessean. I never thought I'd buy three Gretsches in the space of a couple of months. It's a good time to be a George fan...

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 1:57 pm

Thanks, Marc, for jumping in here...

I understood that Randy was concerned with functional differences, rather than the obvious visual clues...which his initial responses bore out.

Randy, forgive me if I left out anything which would have swayed your decision in the opposite direction. It appears that you (and George, and some others...) have pulled the trigger and are about to become very pleased Gretschies!

freshmattyp · Post by **freshmattyp** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 7:20 pm

I can only relate my own experience. I have a 6118 that came stock with a space control roller bridge, and it still buzzed like crazy after 2 setups by 2 techs. Once I replaced it with a Tune-o-matic, the issue disappeared. This is with the standard G cutout tailpiece, not a bigsby.

YMMV.

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 3:26 am

Paul: No need to apologize. I was just wondering if there were major differences. As a matter of fact, I pulled the trigger a few minutes ago and ordered a G128T-1957 ($999) from Musician's Friend. By the way, I'm glad I bought my G6119-1962HT ($899), because they are now "out of stock" and "discontinued". Now is the time to buy a G6122-1962...

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 6:50 am

Matt, I've had four Gretsches with the Space Control. One buzzed slightly, and heavier strings cured it. The others never buzzed.

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 2:04 pm

Warning: At least one major retailer (not Musician's Friend) is already showing "out of stock" and "discontinued" for the blow-out priced G6128T-1957. Don't hesitate if you want one of these!

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 7:39 pm

My husband just surprised me yesterday with one of those MF $999 specials....he must have gotten his order in just under the wire! It seems like a great guitar (and beautiful, even if it's not a Ric!). But unfortunately mine had a problem with the bridge pickup popping and crackling every time my hand so much as brushed it. We contacted MF right away about the possibility of exchanging it for another one, but of course they were already sold out.... So we contacted Fender's customer service department this morning, and although the guitar is under warranty, we still had to pay the UPS shipping to get the guitar to an authorized repair center--I think that was pretty LAME....and BOGUS!

I think that if the guitar was not wired correctly, the company that manufactured it should pay for any shipping costs incurred while getting the problem fixed, for those of us in remote areas.... I am not fortunate to live within a reasonable driving distance to a repair center.

However, I should have the guitar back and working the way it's supposed to by the middle of next week....for a few more dollars out of my pocket.