Gretsch G5215 Junior Jet

Jack-Flash-Jr

Did not in the end find a Xmas e-bow but this caught my eye in a mag:

To my shame I have never picked up a Gretsch (that I can recall) and while I'm not a fan of hollow-bodies and bigsby's this is kind of up my alley (and it's very reasonably priced) as a knock around guitar. I'm looking for opinions!

singemonkey

This is a solid-body, right? Or a chambered solid-body.

I believe some Gretsches are made in Japan and some in another country (Korea, or China, or something). I've heard very good things about their cheapies, except that the pickup(s) are super lame in the budget models. I know a rockabilly player, who was so proud to switch to an affordable slim-line f-hole gretsch, who actually sounded worse. The guitar looked and played great, but the cheap pickups were rubbish.

No problem though. You can swap it (them) out.

I've heard only good things about the quality of the construction though.

Banditman

Likewise.

The Electromatic models are the entry level & are made in Korea - which isn't a bad thing apart from the electrics. They're not bad, but compared to a genuine set of Filter'trons or TV Jones'es they're weedy. The guitars are nicely made. Speaking as someone who doesn't have over 40K to spend on a Nashville or White Falcon, an upgraded Electromatic Hollowbody would make me very happy.

A lot of their other stuff is made in Japan & lacks nothing for not having a USA sticker on it. For example, the Billy-Bo Jupiter Thunderbird which goes for over $2000 new is made there. I'd have one tomorrow.

Jack-Flash-Jr

It's a solid and I'd definitely go for a pick-up switch out... I haven't price checked any LP Juniors in SA, maybe that's a better bet - having said that I've yet to find a LP neck that's comfortable for me...

Jack-Flash-Jr

Played it this morning at PB... not likey after all. Neck profile not for me...

singemonkey

Jack Flash Jr wrote Played it this morning at PB... not likey after all. Neck profile not for me...

Too thin?

Jack-Flash-Jr

singemonkey wrote
Jack Flash Jr wrote Played it this morning at PB... not likey after all. Neck profile not for me...
Too thin?

Like a heavy U-shape verging on C. Felt like I was holding half a cricket ball (and I have hands like dog sized tarantulas) - to be fair I'm used to skinny tele and Ibby D shapes now so it's probably just me. The action also wasn't great but that's a set up issue.

Stoner-Riff

I *tested this one and liked the neck, but was way over priced for what it is. Needs some TV Jones units too.

Now if i could get the "real" Gretsch at the 10K asking price of this one, i would have bought it.
But NOT for Gretsch's "Squier-brand", Electromatic !
No Sir !!!

* through a Peavey Classic 30 & a Line6 Sider Vlave head n' cab.

singemonkey

That's an outrageous price. Was it before or after the infamous "discount?"

Stoner-Riff

singemonkey wrote That's an outrageous price. Was it before or after the infamous "discount?"

BEFORE . . . i could have had it for R7500.00 . . . still a ripp off !

singemonkey

$600 at Musician's friend. So probably about R6,500 here if you imported it and paid duties. So with the discount the price is cheeky, but perhaps not totally insane?