Question for the guitartists

[Joe Shlabotnik]

A few years back I fell on hard times and had to sell my 1st edition SRV Strat, Gold top Les Paul, and 69 Telecaster for fire-sale prices.

Now that I'm working again and can afford it, I'm tempted to start playing again, and am considering something like this: (no top of the line stuff, unless I really get back into it)

Gretsch Electromatic G5422TDCG:

[IMG][/IMG]

There is a 1 year old one for sale on Kijiji and the the guy wants 1200 bucks for it. A quick search at local stores shows a similar model but without the gold hardware (which I could care less about), also used, for about 900 bucks (Canadian dollars BTW). I'm thinking that I'll probably have to re-learn everything I once knew and am also thinking that I'd like to try doing so with a Gretsch since I've never owned one. My tastes over the last 8 years lean more towards Jazz, surf rock, Brian Setzer, and 60's garage bands, rather than the power blues that I used to play.

Anyone have any insights into this guitar, a fair price for a used one, and its usefulness, or quality? I'm so out of the loop now with this stuff.

edit: LOL just noticed: guitartists

[olddots]

1. distinctive sound and playability

not real flexible tonally ,I would shy away but its totally up to you

[Joe Shlabotnik]

2. thanks I appreciate that,

can you describe its limited tonality in any way?

I think I'm past playing Zeppelin or Rush or Clapton with bar bands, and looking for something that can snarl some rockabilly licks, or switch to some jazz chords, or plug in a fuzz pedal and go old school garage. I also don't want to spend more than 1000 bucks tops.

[KMOD]

3. you should be able to find a Gibson for 1000 bucks or less.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

5. Not that crazy about most Gibsons anymore

I had a Gold top, and also played an SG quite often, and they were great for rocking out heavy stuff, but I'm also thinking of a new direction. And knowing me If I bought another Gibson, I'd end up paying 3 grand for one.

[KMOD]

8. Look into the epiphones.

There are some sweet ones out there.

[olddots]

4. some people say they sound like a wah wah peddle mid stroke

Or twangy and too bright thus the rock a billy sound .I have never seen many blues or jazz players using them .
Bending strings on a Gretsch is a real workout too for some reasons but Chet Atkins
Could do almost anything .

[Joe Shlabotnik]

6. Yeah, I've heard that too.

I learned to play Hendrix and SRV with crazy bends, so that would be an adjustment, and my picking was never Chet Atkins quality, but I'm thinking since I'll pretty much have to re-learn how to play, that I'd focus more on the precision and picking.

'Jeez wish I could afford a Country Gentleman or a Gibson ES175 though. (sigh).

[cemaphonic]

7. Not an expert, but I've done some guitar research/shopping myself recently.

The biggest downside to Gretsch is that you're paying a lot for the label, especially around that price point.. In terms of quality of materials and construction, a $1000 Gretsch has more in common with a $500 Epiphone or Squier than it does with Gibson or Fenders in the same price range. That being said (since you're talking about a new guitar), modern guitar manufacturing and quality control is in really good shape right now so that still means a quality guitar. And Gibson is talking about a pretty hefty price increase across the brand, so they might not seem quite as out of line in a couple years.

Ultimately, the best guitar value comes from a guitar that inspires you to pick it up and play it a lot, and they certainly make beautiful guitars with a fine pedigree.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

14. I've been thinking about an Epiphone too.

The problem is, that unlike when I was heavy into playing 20 years ago, there are no real guitar shops left in my area, and those that are, have very limited stock. I don't like idea of ordering a guitar, so I'm mostly looking at used ads on Kijjji. I'm in no rush though, so if I saw an Epiphone I'd look into it.

[cemaphonic]

22. I went with a ES-339 as my starter electric.

Nice little versatile guitar (2 pickups that can each be toggled between single coil and humbuckers) for not too much money.

[DFW]

9. Never played a hollow body in my life

My B-I-L has a decades-old Gibson 335 Stereo, but I've never heard it plugged in, so no idea what it sounds like.

I've been doing almost exclusively acoustic 12 string for the last couple of decades (Leo Kottke devotee), so I'm out of my depth with this question.

[panader0]

10. ES 335 here too. Like Lucille. I love it.

[DFW]

11. My B-I-L swears by his, too, so you're in good company

I'm pretty much ignorant on the subject. The guy who built most of my guitars goes in for a lot of fancy inlay, but his 12 string acoustics sound as good (if not better!) than they look:
[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

[panader0]

12. Absolutely beautiful!

[DFW]

13. The guy is an old violin maker from Serbia

He does love to embellish his work........

[Joe Shlabotnik]

15. wow, very nice.

[DFW]

16. He is a true artist

[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

17. I have a similar tale of woe

Last edited Sat Feb 7, 2015, 05:30 PM - Edit history (1)

In the mid 1970s I got the idiotic idea in my head to give up my musical dreams and go to law school. I had to sell my Marshall 100 watt stack that I bought in England and my Sunn 100 watt stack. I also sold my vintage Gibson ES 335, my vintage Gibson Les Paul Junior, my vintage Fender strat and telecaster, and my beautiful epiphone Broadway, only receiving a tiny fraction of what I would get for them now. The ES 335 had a wide slender neck which I loved and the Epiphone Broadway jazz guitar had a wonderful tone and response.





I started playing again about 15 years ago and now mainly play jazz fingerstyle and classical on a Chinese classical guitar that ain't half bad (after shaving down the sides of the neck and adjusting the nut). I have tried high and low to find electric guitars I like but the oldies are too expensive and the newer cheap guitars under $2,000 are utter crap in my opinion. I've tried hundreds in music stores and haven't found anything that comes close to old craftsmanship and select woods you used to get. And it seems to me that guitar manufacturers today in general put so much plastic finish crap on the body that it completely smothers the tone. I've tried stripping the finish on an old guitar (my Les Paul Jr. ages ago) and a newer guitar and the new plastic stuff is like rock; it's next to impossible to get off. I decided to try to build my own with parts, including a light mahogany neck to my specifications (wide but slender) from USA Custom guitars. I got a fantastic pick up that gives a warm Charlie Christian jazz tone. And I assembled it on a Telecaster body cut out of Paulownia wood which is strong but incredibly light and resonant. I found the lightest tuners, bridge, and knobs on the market. The result is great tone and amazing lightness. At about 4 lbs., I don't think I've ever played on a lighter electric guitar, including the supposedly ultra light Parker Fly electric guitar. In my case, I knew what I wanted and it fortunately worked out, at a cost of about $900. It may not be the way to go for everyone as you can't try it out before you put it together.

Anyway, guitars are very personal. To me, they take awhile to feel comfortable with. When I was gigging ages ago, I'd never sit in with a band and use someone's else's guitar as I just didn't feel right on it. I'd try and retry that Gretsch to make sure it feels right. Don't take someone else's opinion and go with it. Now I believe Gretsch guitars are made in either Japan, Korea, or China and there can be differences between them, the best supposedly coming from Japan. I've heard that the pick ups can vary, players preferring the DeArmonds to the humbuckers made by Gretsch. When I was a teen playing guitar in the 60s, I loved Gretsch guitars. I love the chunky sound that Chris Britton of the Troggs got through his Marshal amp and Gretsch Country Gentleman.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

21. I'd be quite happy with an epiphone like that.

I've casually played others Gretsch's before, but never really thought about buying one back then. I think I'm looking for a fresh start with a different sound and feel to unlearn all my old bad habits while re-learning how to play.

[Ahpook]

18. Play the one local to you,

In my experience guitar models can vary quite a bit from each other. It seems like there are quite a few variables, and any guitar design in itself may be imperfect

Put your hands on anything that has an aesthetic value to you as well as playability.


Vague enough?

[mulsh]

19. I've played and collected guitars for 40 or so years. Go and play this instrument if you can.

The only way to tell if an instrument is going to make you want to play it is by playing it.

I currently own 32 guitars, acoutstic, electric, 6, 12 an some resonators. I have a very valuable early 60's Strat that I inherited but my go-to Strat is an early MIM Strat. Because it feels and sounds better. A couple of years ago I headed to Gryphon Music in Palo Alto with enough money to purchase any acoustic 12 string I wanted. I ended up with a mid-range Taylor because I couldn't stop playing it. I could have easily purchase another guitar or a nice 6 string but i've learned to stop when I'm ahead. I've never felt players remorse about any of the guitars I mentioned. I never get tired of playing any of those guitars either.

It's important to actually play these instruments. There are quite a few pristine vintage guitars out there. when I see one I always want to know if the original owner died young or just never played that. 9 times our of 10 it's the latter.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

20. Thats quite a collection

I sent an email inquiring about this guitar, so hopefully I'll go see and play it, if not yet sold. Like Aphook and Ain't no life nowhere above said, every guitar is unique, even if they all start out roughly the same at the factory; and even then it changes from year to year with materials and craftsmanship, and previous owners. I lucked out when I ordered my SRV Strat from Fender in 1992, but I can't ever see myself ordering a guitar again, like many do.

[Ahpook]

23. Keep us informed:)

I was lucky with a blind purchase as well. I needed a Floyd Rose equipped guitar and ordered a 3120 Ibanez. Thankfully the guitar plays wonderfully.