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May 21st, 2012, 05:10 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Electromatic
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: vancouver
Posts: 61
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New Gretsch 5120!
I've asked a bunch of question and trolled around here for a little bit, trying to find out all I could on these guitars, having never owned a Gretsch before of any type or description.
Well, I got a beautiful orange baby this afternoon from craigslist. It hasn't got even a single minuscule scratch or ding on it anywhere. It's virtually mint. Oh, and it's definitely not stock.
First of all, it's had the p'ups swapped out for TV Jones. The tuners have been swapped out for Sperzel locking tuners, and the vibrato/whammy bar has been swapped for ... well, I'm not sure what model it is. It says "Gretsch by Bigsby" etched/carved/engraved on it (but no black area whatsoever as on the stock 5120 whammy bars) and it has a "V"/chevron kind of "cut-out" thingy just behind the bridge.
Oh yeah, it came with a Gretsch HSC case to boot.
The slim neck, the weight, the feel, the look ... OMG!
Given the upgrades, I believe I got a very sweet deal on a very sweet guitar.
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May 21st, 2012, 05:17 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Gretschie
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 296
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Beatlefreek
I've asked a bunch of question and trolled around here for a little bit, trying to find out all I could on these guitars, having never owned a Gretsch before of any type or description.
Well, I got a beautiful orange baby this afternoon from craigslist. It hasn't got even a single minuscule scratch or ding on it anywhere. It's virtually mint. Oh, and it's definitely not stock.
First of all, it's had the p'ups swapped out for TV Jones. The tuners have been swapped out for Sperzel locking tuners, and the vibrato/whammy bar has been swapped for ... well, I'm not sure what model it is. It says "Gretsch by Bigsby" etched/carved/engraved on it (but no black area whatsoever as on the stock 5120 whammy bars) and it has a "V"/chevron kind of "cut-out" thingy just behind the bridge.
Oh yeah, it came with a Gretsch HSC case to boot.
The slim neck, the weight, the feel, the look ... OMG!
Given the upgrades, I believe I got a very sweet deal on a very sweet guitar.
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Pictures? |
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May 21st, 2012, 05:25 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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Gretschie
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 129
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pictures and price :
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May 21st, 2012, 05:50 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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Electromatic
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: vancouver
Posts: 61
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Hmmm? I can't seem to load pic attachments. What am I doing wrong or missing?
I hit the attachment icon at the top of the toolbar in this message window, but nothing happens.
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May 21st, 2012, 06:00 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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Electromatic
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: vancouver
Posts: 61
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May 21st, 2012, 06:02 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Electromatic
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: vancouver
Posts: 61
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The last two:
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May 21st, 2012, 06:03 PM
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#7 (permalink)
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Gretschie
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 129
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Oh very nice. I have a similar one without the different bigsby. Amazing guitar for its price point.
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May 21st, 2012, 06:05 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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Electromatic
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: vancouver
Posts: 61
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Oops ... for the guitar (with all its upgrades) and case ... $800 total.
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May 21st, 2012, 06:06 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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Electromatic
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: vancouver
Posts: 61
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Anakin2Solo
...Amazing guitar for its price point.
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That's an understatement. I'm soooo glad I waited for the right one to come along. |
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May 21st, 2012, 06:57 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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Country Gent
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Virginia, the state, not the woman
Age: 47
Posts: 3,976
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Congrats, now go practice!
__________________
Never pet a dog that is foaming at the mouth.
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May 21st, 2012, 08:58 PM
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#11 (permalink)
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Gretschie
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: London Ontario Canada
Age: 53
Posts: 104
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Ex-owner forgot to plug those screw holes..... I guess you cant have it all...LOL.
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May 21st, 2012, 09:15 PM
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#12 (permalink)
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Electromatic
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: vancouver
Posts: 61
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GattonFreak
Ex-owner forgot to plug those screw holes..... I guess you cant have it all...LOL.
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Yeah, the thinking was that if ever there was the desire to switch back to the original tuners, then the holes are already there.
But, when I take it into my tech to give the once over, I think I'll probably get them filled ... along with getting the bridge pinned and a metal plate cover for the input jack.
I may also go for a Compton bridge. Not sure yet. But if I do, it'll probably be a stainless steel. |
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May 21st, 2012, 09:19 PM
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#13 (permalink)
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Gretschie
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 129
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I would definately recommend the Compton or Tru-arc bridge as well as an upgraded nut. I dropeed a brass nut in mine and a Compton and those made a huge difference. I love playing open chords on it.
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May 21st, 2012, 09:24 PM
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#14 (permalink)
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Country Gent
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Toowoomba, Australia
Age: 47
Posts: 3,200
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What a gorgeous guitar!!! great price & great mods too!!! i'd probably put a Chet arm and a Brass Compton bridge if she was mine...congrats & enjoy!!!!
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May 21st, 2012, 10:56 PM
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#15 (permalink)
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Gretschie
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 296
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Great price, when I get back to the states I may go this route.
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May 22nd, 2012, 06:45 AM
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#16 (permalink)
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Gretschie
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 129
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Opart68
Great price, when I get back to the states I may go this route.
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PM me when you do. I might be selling mine as I just purchased a 6120 as well. |
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May 22nd, 2012, 07:40 AM
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#17 (permalink)
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Country Gent
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Australia
Age: 53
Posts: 1,092
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Beautiful guitar and a great price - congratulations
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May 22nd, 2012, 09:08 AM
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#18 (permalink)
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Electromatic
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: vancouver
Posts: 61
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Thanks, all.
re: further upgrade suggestions ...
1. Yeah, the nut. Forgot to mention I intend to change that as well.
2. From listening to the samples on the Compton website, I think for the kind of music I play (which is neither country, rockabilly nor jazz, but rock or pop rock) the stainless steel seems to have that brighter, slightly more punchy kinda tone I'd be looking for. The titanium sounds interesting and the chambered bridges are an unknown animal to me.
3. Hmm? I don't know about the "Chet arm". But speaking of the vibrato, I think I've figured out which one this is. I believe it's a Bigsby B6G. But my question, if it is a B6G, does it have the better spring in it (better than the stock vibrato on a stock 5120)? It feels more substantial than the vibratos on the store 5120's I've tried.
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May 22nd, 2012, 09:17 AM
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#19 (permalink)
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Electromatic
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: vancouver
Posts: 61
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Oh, one more thing. I've never had filtertron-type pick-ups before in any guitar, and certainly not TV Jones. All I can say is ... wow!
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May 24th, 2012, 02:39 AM
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#20 (permalink)
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Gretschie
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: London Ontario Canada
Age: 53
Posts: 104
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beatlefreek
Yeah, the thinking was that if ever there was the desire to switch back to the original tuners, then the holes are already there.
But, when I take it into my tech to give the once over, I think I'll probably get them filled ... along with getting the bridge pinned and a metal plate cover for the input jack.
I may also go for a Compton bridge. Not sure yet. But if I do, it'll probably be a stainless steel.
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Im going after Planet Wave 3+3s. The screw must be in the 6 oclock position. Should be a direct fit. I was amazed by the Tech from Planet Wave that responded to me. The guy really was interested in helping me pick the right ones. Soon as I recover from Open Heart Surgery, I'll be getting them, along with a brass Compton Bridge.
$53.00 on Flea-Bay !!! $65.00 or so for the bridge. |
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