Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

We have been discussing Gretsch guitars recently and a question that seems to come up more often then not is whether it is worth one's while to make modifications to the low end Gretsch guitars.

There are many, myself included, who are forced to take the ferry rather than build a bridge when it comes to purchasing new instruments. Often times, good used instruments are not available locally and so there is the temptation to buy low end with the view of adding upgrades as funds allow.

It has been said that perhaps the most popular Gretsch guitar outside of the pro-series is the Gretsch G5120. It is not hard to see why this is the case given the orange glo and the price point around $600 US. Used they come up all the time often significantly less than that.

Without a doubt, purchasing a 5120 will give you a good idea whether you are going to be able to live with a Gretsch with regard to scale length, feel, weight and so forth. I was surprised to find that the existing bridge was adequate and adjustments to the same resulted in a comfortable feel and great intonation.

Three separate areas did not meet the grade for me and after a time some changes were ushered in as my budget allowed it.

First off was the change of tuners to Sperzel locking tuners which made tuning much easier. I found someone who purchased them in error (they wanted Nickel) and so the chromes went to me for a song. Beware you need to drill or sand out the holes in the headstock for the Sperzels to fit. Patience is the order of the day. You will also need to fill the holes and then find the right touch up orange. I am still working on the last stage of this.

Well here are the front and back views.
The result is well worth the effort as tuning is something that one does all the time and they machine heads are very good. They do add some weight to the headstock but this is not noticeable over all. Some may argue that they look too big but I have grown to like the look and appreciate the stability. In my view this is a must do improvement.

Next is the giant question of tone which is, afterall, the very reason for getting a Gretsch to begin with. The Internet is full of after-market possibilities and TV Jones will come up as a strong possibility before you have searched but a few seconds. Well what will it be then. This is a time consuming process and a tough choice unless you see the product before you. The TV Jones site and youtube was helpful in this regard. After my research and wanting something a bit different, I decided on the Supertrons in the bridge and neck positions. I am more than pleased with these pups. In the neck it is warm and jazzy and in the bridge it bite. Together is the classic scintilating tone that speaks volumes. At the end of the day I will be surprised if many listeners could successfully identify the supertron or the filtertron in a blindfold test. I have gone with the silver ring with the clear spacers, two at the bridge and one at the neck to get the right height. You will need to drill holes for the rings so measure twice and drill once. In this matter practice does not make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect so take you time. You will need to fill the holes before drilling.

Here are the Supertons installed. Was it worth it? Every dollar and I am reminded of it each and every time I pick up the instrument. The tone is well ahead of the "Gretschbuckers." The famous "great Gretsch sound" is readily apparent now. As a I say I do not think that you will hear the difference in comparison with the Filtertrons made by TV Jones. I also love the very cool look of the Filtertrons.

Lastly is the bridge and a close look at Gretsches certainly reveals that all bridges are not created equal. I will let you know the outcome with regard to the bridge modification as it takes place. The Tuneomatic is certainly acceptable for intonation but is lacking in tone at least to my ears.

While I await the arrival of the bridge I have installed Schaller Strap locks. I would not do with with a professional model but in the case of the 5120 this is a great idea. A look at the strap lock button is below. Again, how often does one put a strap on and off an instrument. This modification has already reaped dividends to my way of thinking.

You will notice that the guard has been removed. I like the more symmetical look with it temporarily off. But more on the guard later.

Thanks for listening and looking. Twang.

Peter, my stock 5120 was a great player if not a bit brassy tone-wise. Like Epiphone guitars, these entry level Gretsches are a top value for the cost.

I have been known to mod an instrument or two.

What you are doing is making a good instrument into a great instrument. The Sperzels are a nice touch. (It's a total coincidence that they are made in Cleveland, of course, and has absolutely no bearing on my opinion.)

I'll put in a good word for the Sperzels, too. I have them on my Parker and that guitar never goes out of tune.

Glad you went with the Super'Trons! I love the loudness as well as the tone. It's like driving a Buick with the 455 under the hood. I've never experienced the TV Jones equivalents, but if the Supers can be improved upon, I've heard that TV Jones would be the ones who could do it!

Everything I've heard about the 5120s is that other than the pickups, they're great guitars, which you have dealt with. TV Jones is the man, unless you want Dyansonics (my personal fave), but pickups are a personal choice. Congrats on your 5120!

Paul: I certainly agree. It is hard not to be impressed by the 5120, at least those few that I have had the occasion to play before I found one for sale. The pickup upgrade really made a substantial difference. I have also come to appreciate the dynasonics as well. Who knows what the future may bring.

I too have an orange 5120, though I put TVJones Filtertrons in mine, and had the bridge pinned, and that is all I've done so far. It is a great player and sounds quite good. Some day I'd like to get a nicer Gretsch, but for now this one works fine. If we didn't live so far away, it would be interesting to compare the guitars Peter!

greg

Greg: Please tell me how you like having the bridge pinned. Did it change the tone one way or the other?

Peter I have the orange 5120 also. Thank you for the info! I will refer back to this when I get ready to upgrade.

Peter I had spoke to you about these pickups some time ago and it seems you where going to install dynasonics. And maybe you did on something else. Well it's good to see you checked the supertrons out and you like them. Here are some pictures of my 6120 conversion to supertrons and a custom harness from tv jones enjoy. Quote was it worth it? Everytime I pick up the instrument. Looks like chet atkins was right, he had 2 of these installed on his 1959 country gent. enjoy

Ron: Your Gretsch posted here is a knockout guitar. Thanks for taking the time to post the photos and to comment.

I did get Dynasonics but that is for another post. Long story short, retrofitting can often times be a mess unless it is done properly and so I moved on before I did something I might regret.

I have included the latest modifications to my bargain basement 5120.

I compared the Compton and TruArc Bridges with this instrument and for me the TruArc got the nod after the golden trinity of tone, look and intonation were considered.

That's a mighty fine looking guitar there Peter!

Excellent mods and an enviable result, Peter...... looks great!

Thanks Evan and Howard. It has surely been a lot of fun doing the research and purchasing the parts. This has allowed me to budget and continue to play while adding a part at time. The TruArc bridge made a great improvement to the tone and the B6 with the Chet Atkin's arm is much easier to use compared to the B60. The plastic nut and the jack were also upgraded along with the machine heads and the guard. For now, I am going to say it is a "one-of-a-kind."