Need recommendations - Gretsch vs. Strat

[beatbyrd]

Hi,
Here's my 'what if' question for guitarists........ based on the following assumptions:
1. your current 2 guitars are a new 360/6 and an early 70's SG
2. you only use your guitars for recording
3. you've got a budget of $1000 - $1200
4. you want your new guitar to be in mint condition
5. you were willing to modify/upgrade the new guitar (within the budget)
6. the guitar has to be comfortable and very playable

In order to broaden your range of guitar 'sounds', would you go for
1. Gretsch G5120 or G5122 ($699 - MF), modded with new pickups, tuners, bridge, etc.
2. Gretsch G5191 no mods ($1150 - MF)
3. Fender American Standard (or Standard HSS) Strat ($999 - MF)
4. something else?

Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks. Tom

[jps]

4. something else?

Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks. Tom

This guitar is what I'd get, and I happen to know of a mint one in your exact price range.

[beatbyrd]

4. something else?

Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks. Tom

This guitar is what I'd get, and I happen to know of a mint one in your exact price range.

A wild guess here..... it's more like $1200 than $1000 and you're very close friends with the seller, right? Maybe I should have left off the 'something else' option. OK, let's keep it to Gretsch vs. Strat. Tom

[antipodean]

Given your stated criteria, my two choices, in order of preference, would be:

- 5120 - The price is so good, and the build quality is reputed to be excellent. Peter McCormack has a great thread on modding his pretty much to the spec you suggest. Interestingly, Peter indicates that the bridge may not need to be replaced... that will save a few pennies. I'd prefer this over the 5191 every time, as the 5191 has an element of signature series premium in the pricing that is unjustified from a utilitarian basis. Sonically the Gretsch will cover a lot of ground the SG and 360 can't.
- Fender American Standard Telecaster - the bridge pickup on the Tele is just wonderfully unique. A maple board one will have a little extra snap. The Strat is a great guitar but I think the Tele will offer more variety given the existing herd, though in a different spectrum to the Gretsch. Timeless design and bullet-proof build.

If you were ok with used the list would be longer - and you may be able to get a great Tele and the Gretsch and still have some pennies left over.

[jps]

4. something else?

Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks. Tom

This guitar is what I'd get, and I happen to know of a mint one in your exact price range.

A wild guess here..... it's more like $1200 than $1000 and you're very close friends with the seller, right? Maybe I should have left off the 'something else' option. OK, Tom

....and, what's the problem with that? Probably lower than higher, actually.

let's keep it to Gretsch vs. Strat.

AS Strat, in that case. A friend of mine just brought his new American Standard (hate that name, sounds like a toilet, or something) Strat over this past weekend for me to set up for him. He ditched the SC PUs for some great Joe Bardens, highly recommended.

[beatbyrd]

Thanks. A couple of great answers, so far. Any idea how much it would cost to trick out a 5120 or a Strat? I have an aversion about taking anything sharp near a new guitar, so a tech or skillful friend would need to be included in the price. Anyone else have a Gretsch vs. Strat opinion? Tom
(Jeff, that avatar cracks me up).

[winston]

I am a bit biased towards the USA and MIJ Fender Stratocaster. So please factor that into my answer. Buy a SSS Strat. You can do a lot with that combination especially when it comes to swapping out pickups. It is one of the best designed guitars to ever be produced and the fact that it is modular makes it a players dream.

My #1 Guitar is a custom built parts Strat. My #2 guitar is a MIJ Strat. My #3 guitar is a USA Strat.

I also play Gibsons and Epiphones and of course a number of Rickenbackers.

Just my two cents worth to throw into the heap.

[paologregorio]

Gretsch 5120, and mod it, unless you really are into the Strat sound. I have three Strats, and use at least one on every SFD recording, but I still use the Gretsches and the Ricks more, at least these days.

[Clint]

Every guitar player should own a Fender Stratocaster. It should be a law or something.

[jdogric12]

Every guitar player should own a Fender Stratocaster. It should be a law or something.

Then throw me in jail!

Tom, I have to say I'd look at a decent used Gretsch, say, from the early to mid 90's. I don't like the new Gretschders at all, and don't like strats either.

[bartyclue]

Hi,
Here's my 'what if' question for guitarists........ based on the following assumptions:
1. your current 2 guitars are a new 360/6 and an early 70's SG
2. you only use your guitars for recording
3. you've got a budget of $1000 - $1200
4. you want your new guitar to be in mint condition
5. you were willing to modify/upgrade the new guitar (within the budget)
6. the guitar has to be comfortable and very playable

In order to broaden your range of guitar 'sounds', would you go for
1. Gretsch G5120 or G5122 ($699 - MF), modded with new pickups, tuners, bridge, etc.
2. Gretsch G5191 no mods ($1150 - MF)
3. Fender American Standard (or Standard HSS) Strat ($999 - MF)
4. something else?

Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks. Tom

Strat... no question

[jimk]

Every guitar player should own a Fender Stratocaster. It should be a law or something.

Then throw me in jail!

Ha! They'll never take me alive!
JimK

[Clint]

We have you under surveillance and there are ways of making you talk.

[paologregorio]

I think eventually you'll own both a Gretsch and a Strat.

I still blame all of the awful Hondo II copies for my refusal to buy a Les Paul. . . that and the price... well, really it's mostly because I look at a LP, and then any similarly shaped Gretsch Jet model, and find the latter to ooze so much more cool at a lower price that I ask myself why I would bother with a LP?

Anyway, I'd say go for the Gretsch now, and get the Strat later. The Strat whammy is really cool, as is the three pickup/five way switch combination, which makes for some really cool sounds, especially for recording.

[Clint]

Oh God, the Hondo II. Was there ever, ever a worse guitar?