Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

How are they, compared to Ricks? Should Rickenbacker be worried? Any insight would be appreciated.

I have only heard one, maybe two sound clips. I've never actually seen one, let alone played one. But based on this limited experience, I'll just stick to playing my Rick 12.
JimK

I understand they are not strung the same as Ric's... If I someone got me one, I wouldn't be selling my 370/12. Two different instruments.

nothing new about Gretsch 12-string models, Mike Nesmith of The Monkees played one back in 1966-67, so they've been around forever.

Nowadays "Gretsch" are made in China, or South Korea, unless you order from the Gretsch Custom Shop in the US.

the REAL Gretsch guitars would have a zero fret, the Chinese-Korean "Electromatic Gretsch" do not come with zero fret.

Zurdo wrote:the REAL Gretsch guitars would have a zero fret, the Chinese-Korean "Electromatic Gretsch" do not come with zero fret.

I think you need to qualify that as my former Gretsch was very much a REAL Gretsch guitar and it did not have a zero fret.

Also...

Zurdo wrote: Nowadays "Gretsch" are made in China, or South Korea, unless you order from the Gretsch Custom Shop in the US.[/b]

Not true. The Professional Series Gretsches are made at a very highly regarded factory in Japan.

And, yeah, there are TONS of real Gretsch models without zero frets.

1967 Gretsch 12-string with zero fret:
Low action, plays great!

deaconblues wrote:Also...

Zurdo wrote: Nowadays "Gretsch" are made in China, or South Korea, unless you order from the Gretsch Custom Shop in the US.[/b]

Not true. The Professional Series Gretsches are made at a very highly regarded factory in Japan.

And the new Electromatic Series (G5420, G5422) are nearly as highly regarded as the Pro-Line models. They are indeed made in Korea.
JimK

They look, play and sound great. The price is decent as well (just below the $800.00 mark). No, it's not a Rickenbacker 12 string ,just as a 330 isn't a Les Paul, apples and oranges

fluffy wrote:They look, play and sound great. The price is decent as well (just below the $800.00 mark). No, it's not a Rickenbacker 12 string ,just as a 330 isn't a Les Paul, apples and oranges

I agree. I played a couple in a store and I was impressed with the quality/price ratio. Good looking and good playing guitars.

They are full hollow body, i believe, so might make a nice "hang out on the couch unplugged" 12 string.

libratune wrote:1967 Gretsch 12-string with zero fret:

GRE012002.jpg

GRE012006.jpg

Low action, plays great!

now we cookin', that's a REAL Gretsch with a zero fret ! Congrats, those are rare. I want it, sell it to me.

Sorry, boys, Electromatics are NOT the REAL Gretsch. they are what they are, but they are not a REAL Gretsch. whether Made in China, Korea, or Japan, same thing >> NOT REAL GRETSCH.

I am NOT SAYING the China-Korea-Japan -made "Electromatics Gretsch" are BAD, I am saying they are NOT REAL GRETSCH and NONE have a zero fret.

Jay Turser makes a decent Gretsch copy, so does everybody else and their brother, but they are NOT REAL GRETSCH.

I hereby Declare Oficially: Electromatics are NOT real Gretsch.

Joe (Carducci) may beg to differ.

here's one like Mike Nesmith used to have:

here's to show you I have no prejudice against Japanese guitars, since I collect KENT guitars myself, specifically the KENT 820 Series, one of the best playing guitars I ever had. I have 3 of those including a 12-string 821 version of the 820 Series.

Incredibly, these guitars play IN TUNE. The electronics are a bit flimsy but nothing that can't be cured. The pickups are massive single-coil windings. The sound? think early Beach Boys. And all three have Zero Frets !!