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whitecloud · October 19th, 2009, 12:26 PM

Hi all. After purchasing my first Gretsch I am a fan. I've always been curious but never actually tried/purchased any. A local Gretsch dealer had a used Special Jet on the wall. $250.00.I bought it. The story was they sold it and the guy brought it right back for a more expensive model. It is mint and I love it. Thought I may have to upgrade the pups but I am digging them. They'll stay.

My question is about the Pro Jet. They have a new Silver Pro Jet there, no Bigsby and I love the way it plays so have my eye on it. I read somewhere here that earlier models have less of a tonechamber. If so which year did this change occur? Also how are the minihums? I have a hard time evaluating pups at a music shop, I can tell better at home with my own amps.

I plan on moving up the line of Gretsch's perhaps a hollow body after the Electromatic Pro Jet so I plan on being a active member here.

Here is my current rig
Yamaha SG500, Tokai Silver Star, Gretsch Electromatic Special Jet, Dagostino Custom(Les Paul clone) Fender Squire Vintage modified Tele
Blackstar HT-5 head, Vox ACTv head. Epi 1/12 cab.
Peavey Unity Series Koa neck thru Bass

I am more of a songwriter and guitar hack with some engineering/recordings skills. Home/hobby recording setup.
So that is a little about me and I would appreciate any comments to my questions
Also I'll get around to update my profile and Avatar

Nigehay · October 19th, 2009, 12:46 PM

Welcome to the Forum. Looks like you have a nice selection of geetars, I had an SG500 in the 70s, wish I still had it. You'll get plenty of help here with your Pro Jet question.

workknot · October 19th, 2009, 12:46 PM

whitecloud: Welcome to the friendliest guitar forum on the Internet. There will be lots of members along here shortly to answer your questoins. Nice gear you have there.
Pop's

Jukebox · October 19th, 2009, 02:27 PM

Some of the pre fender pro jet where boat anchors. What year do you have and posting pictures is a must here. We like to drool! BTW, Welcome to the G-T!

whitecloud · October 19th, 2009, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigehay

Welcome to the Forum. Looks like you have a nice selection of geetars, I had an SG500 in the 70s, wish I still had it. You'll get plenty of help here with your Pro Jet question.

Thanks, I have a Bro that has a keen ebay eye for some of these "Law suit guitars" I had an Epiphone Genesis but we decided he would have it and I the SG500. He has a SG700 as well
Just Thru some Seth Lovers in the bridge, looking for a neck pup perhaps some BG's

whitecloud · October 19th, 2009, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jukebox

Some of the pre fender pro jet where boat anchors. What year do you have and posting pictures is a must here. We like to drool! BTW, Welcome to the G-T!

Sorry for not being clear. I have a Electromatic Special Jet and would really like to purchase a Electromatic Pro Jet w/o Bigbsy they have at the same shop.
I remember reading a thread here where a guy wanted to sell his and talked about the chambers being more cut out in either the newer or older models.
If so I would like to know so I can ask the dude at the store how old the one on the wall is. I might mention there isn't much sparkle in the silver finish. I guess I am just wondering to buy that one or order another. The thing is the one there plays great and he said they did nothing as far as setup.

dan P · October 19th, 2009, 05:28 PM

Hi Whitecloud, sounds like a newer model, the back of the headstock will tell you when she was made....heres a shot of my 08, with a few additions....welcome to the forum !

S. Rock · October 19th, 2009, 05:28 PM

welcome to gretsch-talk. glad to have you here with us. after FMIC took over in 2003, they started changing the Jets. if it was me, I really wouldn't worry about the changes. if you like the sound of the guitar and you like the way that it plays, get it. I have a '01 "New" Jet. FMIC dropped the model in 2003 when they "restructured". it's a shame, too. to me, it's a great little guitar. some complain about the weight, but your average Les Paul is heavier. so, when you find a good looking Jet, give it a try.

Sarah93003 · October 19th, 2009, 06:28 PM

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Jukebox · October 19th, 2009, 06:38 PM

Personally I would get the special jet right away (because they are harder to find) then get the pro jet. But that's just me!

whitecloud · October 19th, 2009, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S. Rock

welcome to gretsch-talk. glad to have you here with us. after FMIC took over in 2003, they started changing the Jets. if it was me, I really wouldn't worry about the changes. if you like the sound of the guitar and you like the way that it plays, get it. I have a '01 "New" Jet. FMIC dropped the model in 2003 when they "restructured". it's a shame, too. to me, it's a great little guitar. some complain about the weight, but your average Les Paul is heavier. so, when you find a good looking Jet, give it a try.

Thanks for the welcome. I already have the Jet and will post some pics. I am looking at also buying a Electromatic Pro Jet, no Bigbys. I have no concern about weight as I have been playing a Epiphone Genesis and a Yamaha SG500 And they are about as heavy as it comes. If I find that thread here where the the topic was a guy selling his Pro jet and mentioning the difference in the tone chambers after a certain year, I'll post a link to it.
That question isn't more than curiosity.
Now the mini-hum pups are something I'd like some feedback on. The music shop that carries Gretsch has mainly amps that are modelers or ones I don't care for. I guess I'll find out how they sound when I purchase and give it a work out on my setup. I heard mention of some people putting some GFS pups that are similiar to the DeArmond 2000 in the Pro Jet. I wouldn't want that so I am hoping I like the stock pups in the Pro Jet. Another option is to have a rewind. I have purchased a lot of pickups from BG and he could do a rewind if I thought it would be better. Got to say that the stock pups in my Jet are more than adequate.

araT · October 19th, 2009, 08:03 PM

Welcome to GT whitecloud! great to have you here

Have you considered saving just a little more and getting a pro line Duo Jet instead of buying the Pro Jet & modding the bejeezus out of it?! you can get a used Duo Jet for ~$1000 and it's well worth the extra saving.

whitecloud · October 20th, 2009, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan P

Hi Whitecloud, sounds like a newer model, the back of the headstock will tell you when she was made....heres a shot of my 08, with a few additions....welcome to the forum !

thanks for the pic and tip, Very nice

whitecloud · October 20th, 2009, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by araT

Welcome to GT whitecloud! great to have you here

Have you considered saving just a little more and getting a pro line Duo Jet instead of buying the Pro Jet & modding the bejeezus out of it?! you can get a used Duo Jet for ~$1000 and it's well worth the extra saving.

Thanks, You know in a perfect world if I could have the guitar in my hand and play it, then I might be more inclined to save for the Duo Jet. Seems like ebay would be the most likely option and I am shy of buying a guitar site unseen.
I do buy things online but try and support the local brick and mortar shop here in this tiny college town. I have a week or two when I have some money in hand
and let's see what I end up doing

araT · October 20th, 2009, 01:17 AM

Do you have a GC near you? they'd have a Duo Jet you could try out.. beware though, you might get seriously hooked, there are a few of us Jetaholics around here

As for the trying before you buy, keep your eye on craigslist for a local one - I'm sure I saw one floating around for a while in the Seattle area recently, you'll be able to pick one up on there nice & cheap.

Sarah93003 · October 20th, 2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by araT

- I'm sure I saw one floating around for a while in the Seattle area recently, you'll be able to pick one up on there nice & cheap.

You must have a Jet crystal ball!

whitecloud · October 20th, 2009, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by araT

Do you have a GC near you? they'd have a Duo Jet you could try out.. beware though, you might get seriously hooked, there are a few of us Jetaholics around here

As for the trying before you buy, keep your eye on craigslist for a local one - I'm sure I saw one floating around for a while in the Seattle area recently, you'll be able to pick one up on there nice & cheap.

Yes there GC 100 miles away, nice drive and all, I don't doubt the love for the Duo Jet and playing one there wouldn't matter as they would be retail and the whole used thing is more wariness on not having one local to play in person and buy online. My town is 30,000 people(mainly college kids). Seattle is 5 hours away. I'm going to the local Gretsch dealer today he may just have one. Come payday I will see where my heart takes me. Thanks for your advice and concern. Another note I am a big fan of buying used as lately I have scored on some very fine instruments at a very unbelievable price. These however where in the flesh. It is good to keep an eye out I have learned. Anyone have input on the Pro Jet's Mini-hums?

whitecloud · October 21st, 2009, 02:20 AM

Hi again. I went to the music shop and actually plugged in the Pro Jet this time
and used a Fender Deluxe VM. I don't know, hard to beat at this price. Played like butter, stayed in tune and the minihums didn't sound bad. I am looking into
other options as far as upgrades and am getting some confusing info about that.
If I take this Pro Jet home and later find they are lacking then I will be back asking about options that don't require major surgery.
Next up Spokane to see if GC has a Duo, then I will decide if the price difference is worth it to me for the extra dough
What a great forum friendly, helpful people. Glad I came. Glad I bought a Gretsch

Pappy · October 21st, 2009, 04:50 AM

A fairly small shop in Oklahoma is one of the most respected Gretsch dealers out there and they have some pretty amazing service (and great prices too) but what makes me mention the shop (Shanghai Music & Sound) is that you can buy a Pro Jet from them already modded to include a tone swich, a master volume, a new pickguard, and filtertron pickups. You can even change what pickups you want in it. They're happy to customize for the customer.

whitecloud · October 21st, 2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pappy

A fairly small shop in Oklahoma is one of the most respected Gretsch dealers out there and they have some pretty amazing service (and great prices too) but what makes me mention the shop (Shanghai Music & Sound) is that you can buy a Pro Jet from them already modded to include a tone swich, a master volume, a new pickguard, and filtertron pickups. You can even change what pickups you want in it. They're happy to customize for the customer.

Wow that is cool, I'll google them, although I have something cooking up my sleeve as far as the pups are concerned.