[Hobbes]

First post here, been bumming around some though even before joining. We [13 yo and 18 yo boys, plus my lady] all have interest in guitar, wife with two acoustics. I used to play YEARS ago, but played sax in school. Youngest boy has Gretsch Renown Maple drum set, and I've had honor & pleasure of meeting Mr. Gretsch this past year, so Gretsch is in our blood! And now we are looking at a G5120, "new" used for ~$450… that seems to be a pretty good deal, esp. for a decent intermediate level guitar? What would be a decent amp to mate with this particular axe? Our prefs are southern rock, blues, classic rock, and classic country [Waylon, Willie, Merle, etc.]. So, go for the G5120 or something else, with a budget of <$800, what would be best option? Thanks!

[beep.click]

Fender

Maybe a Deluxe Reissue (used), or a Hot Rod Deville, or a Blues Deluxe

[araT]

Welcome aboard Hobbes!

That 5120 for $450 is a great deal, and I +1 beep.click's amp suggestions.

[big kenny]

keep an eye out here for 5120's that have had some mods (pickups, bridges, wiring, etc) , they usually go for around there and those mods cost a coupla bucks.

[JLoud]

Don't forget to check out the Peavey Delta Blues.

[Daryl Licht]

Sounds like a good price on the guitar. The Gretsch Electromatics like the 5120 are some of the best values to be had, IMHO.

The amp suggestions above are all good. I see that your budget is around $800. Is that for both guitar and amp? If so, any of those amp choices will probably have to be used, though with some careful shopping and patience it could most likely be done.

[LittleRedRooster]

Yes the 5120 is a very, very nice guitar for an intermediate guitarist.

I would recommend a Fender Super Champ XD amplifier at around $325 including the footswitch. That still leaves budget for a cable and decent tuner with the amp and guitar.

The Super Champ XD is a combination tube preamp/amp and with a separate channel with digital emulation of 16 different amplifiers including Fenders to Marshals. It also includes decent sounding digital effect including reverb, chorus and leslie.

It sounds nice at low volumes and is loud enough for a small gig. Here is a chart of sample settings indicating the variety of tones that one can get from the Super Champ that somebody else compiled. I think the kids (and adults will have a blast with this).

http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=245

[LittleRedRooster]

Was i correct in assuming that the total budget was 800 not the amp budget alone?

[68GuitarPlayer]

Welcome aboard Hobbes! Good luck with the family's Gretsch quest.

[audept]

Hi Hobbes, welcome to the forum!

[NeilSt]

Welcome aboard, Hobbes. Good luck with your amp search.

[Hobbes]

Thanks to all for your welcomes and feedback,,, much appreciated, esp. as our [my family's] collective knowledge of electric guitars & amps could fit on a guitar pick. But we are wanting to learn and enjoy, and if can pick up a decent fun quality guitar, then that would be cool. And yes, the budget of $800 is indeed for both guitar and amp... none of us are professionals or really play, just wanting to enjoy a guitar that has good sound [of course it has to be that Great Gretsch Sound], w/o sinking a lot of funds into this [yet ]. What is interesting is that the limited searching that I've done so far past few weeks [eBay, CL, GC, MF, etc.] the lowest price I've seen for the most part is around $600 for a 5120,,, so this new one seemed like good price, as long as no need to worry about a warranty, and that the guitar would be good for the money, in newbie's hands. Will check out these amp suggestions... again, THANKS!

[LittleRedRooster]

Originally Posted by Hobbes

Thanks to all for your welcomes and feedback,,, much appreciated, esp. as our [my family's] collective knowledge of electric guitars & amps could fit on a guitar pick. But we are wanting to learn and enjoy, and if can pick up a decent fun quality guitar, then that would be cool. And yes, the budget of $800 is indeed for both guitar and amp... none of us are professionals or really play, just wanting to enjoy a guitar that has good sound [of course it has to be that Great Gretsch Sound], w/o sinking a lot of funds into this [yet ]. What is interesting is that the limited searching that I've done so far past few weeks [eBay, CL, GC, MF, etc.] the lowest price I've seen for the most part is around $600 for a 5120,,, so this new one seemed like good price, as long as no need to worry about a warranty, and that the guitar would be good for the money, in newbie's hands. Will check out these amp suggestions... again, THANKS!

You can definitely get get that great Gretsch sound from the combination of a 5120 and a Super Champ XD and for under $800 total that is really a fantastic bargain. Forgot to mention that the digital emulation channel on the preamp of the Super Champ still goes through the tube power amp section so you can still get a really nice overdriven sound, especially through the tweed settings (1-3). The digital effects are accessible through either channel.

Any Vox fans want to chime in with a recommendation in the same price range?

[Hobbes]

Well, fudge... it done sold last night, so no longer available. Due to crappy weather last week, car in shop, and other demands, wasn't able to get to meet the seller until tonight, and it sold last night. So, bummed... especially for that price - lol, made it much more palatable to sell this investment to the lady of the house . The seller also has a ESP LTD TIGER GEORGE LYNCH,,, which is a different beast, in appearance and, I imagine, drastically in sound. My pref is still strongly a Gretsch, but if could acquire this ESP guitar for <$400, is that a worthy guitar for that price? And,,, how different would its sound be? When mated to an amp as suggested above, would it be able to be playable as the 5120, and/or produce sounds to match the music tastes we have? My pardons for the goofy basic questions...

[baddog]

I'd look at some fenders maybe like some of the new squire series. I think you can get some pretty cool axes for about the same price as the ESP. Also, I have a fender champion 600 that cost about $150. It's a cool little 5 watt tube amp. You can check out guitar centers website for prices and deals. You could probably come in well under your $800 budget leaving a little left over for cords, tuners,effects,etc..

[Hobbes]

thanks baddog,,, you live up to your name... bad, for tossing something else my way! lol... This quest is confusing for a non-guitar player, not knowing all the various makes and models. But w/ your alls help, this shall be completed. Now though there are quite a few different Squires,,, which one? Just to mention two, there is the "BulletStrat HSS w/Trem" and the "BulletStrat w/Trem"... my naive noggin can't discern the difference. However, I do like the price; <$150 on amazon and @ GC.

[beatnik]

check the for sale section here, you could pick up a 5122 with filtertrons already installed and a vox ac4tv for ur budget probably wouldnt suit gigging out unless u mic the amp up but for home use spot on

5122 $565
vox $160 + shipping
that great gretsch sound through a vox = priceless

[freddyfingers]

Welcome! You should check out whats here, there was a 5122 and a 5120 both in your range here. Have you played any yet? Just cause you are not buying new doesn't mean you cant play them in the stores. See if they fit your hands. Then go buy one used if you like them. Theres always someone selling off a 5120 on craigslist, just make sure you don't meet anyone in a dark alley, and don't send any funds to people in third world countries claiming you won the lottery.

PS

you are in THE place for info on what you asked.

[vjf1968]

For an amp, take a look at the Fender Mustang series. Bast bang for the buck.

[araT]

Ouch, sorry to hear it got sold on you...

This guy is selling his 5120 for $500 shipped, might be worth considering

http://www.gretsch-talk.com/forum/bu...010-model.html