[organic]

Been after a 512x for a while, ever since the good folks on here got me interested. Until a couple of months ago, I had no idea there was this particular model, and as a Coventry City supporter, I just had to have a sky blue guitar! OK, Gretsch call it baby blue but as it's my guitar now, it's whatever colour I choose to call it, right?

Got it off eBay and when it arrived the jack socket had fallen into the body, looks like the outer nut (and presumably washer) was missing. I contacted the seller who swears it was in perfect working order when it left him but has offered to refund the small cost of getting it professionally sorted out. In the interim a couple of mates at work, one of whom has very long fingers, helped me fish it out and secure it with the inner nut as a temporary fix. Unsurprisingly I was not happy about this.

It's surprisingly light, probably the lightest electric I have, whereas my Tenny has to be the heaviest, heavier even than my Les Paul, so that was quite a shock. The sound's very different too. I love the way the bass strings sound, very big and hollow. The upper strings though seem a bit shrill for my tastes but I'm sure by fiddling with the settings I'll arrive at a good sound.

[Fredo]

I liked the sound of my 5129 until I got a 5435T. Now the 5129 sounds shrill. It's easy enough to mellow it a bit by tweaking the amp settings. With the settings flat though the low register, woody twang will RIP YOUR HEAD OFF!! That's a good thing.

[beep.click]

Congratulations!

Originally Posted by organic

I just had to have a sky blue guitar! OK, Gretsch call it baby blue but as it's my guitar now, it's whatever colour I choose to call it, right?

Is yours actually sky blue? Mine is almost lavender... which I like.

Got it off eBay and when it arrived the jack socket had fallen into the body, looks like the outer nut (and presumably washer) was missing.

I got mine new, and the store had put double-sided tape under the bridge. They claimed it wasn't them, but... who else? I was just sick, BUT, to the stores credit, they were able to remove it, and you absolutely cannot tell.

I love the way the bass strings sound, very big and hollow.

Me too! That was why I got it!!!

[delboy]

Congratulations!! Join the 5127 club :-))

[freddyfingers]

Nice!

[fender62custom]

Congrats & enjoy!!!!

[Tony65x55]

I want a 5127. Never seen one in Kanuckistan.

[merc50]

So, what is a fair price for a 5127 these days? I have one that is gathering dust that I should sell...just wondering. I was tinking 600-ish US in another thread but I am not sure anymore on these guitars. Yours in that pic looks far more blue than mine but I guess it could be the camera?

[polishbroadcast]

Originally Posted by merc50

So, what is a fair price for a 5127 these days? I have one that is gathering dust that I should sell...just wondering. I was tinking 600-ish US in another thread but I am not sure anymore on these guitars. Yours in that pic looks far more blue than mine but I guess it could be the camera?

I have no hard data to back this up but the blue is pretty rare (and seems to be the most sought-after based on posts here and elsewhere) and i think you would get $600 without an issue.

[organic]

Originally Posted by beep.click

Congratulations!

Is yours actually sky blue? Mine is almost lavender... which I like.

It has a very slight green tint, whereas I think the 'definition' of sky blue has a slight pink one. Near enough for me anyway

[griole]

Whatever shade of blue you call it, I believe it's one of the more striking as far as looks go. I almost sold mine a few months ago to a guy who was jonesing for a 5127, and I am SO glad I didn't do it. Aside from being a great playing and sounding guitar, its looks are killer!

[LATS]

Good on yer!

Slip an aluminium or stainless steel Compton bridge under those strings, and that 'shrillness' will smooth into 'clarity' and 'definition'.

I was GASsing for a red G5129 when I was offered a deal on my G5125. It's a keeper. The Compton bridge brings it's tone to life. I'll get around to upgrading the controls when, and if, they get around to making troubles for me - hasn't happened yet.



Enjoy!

[organic]

Originally Posted by LATS

Slip an aluminium or stainless steel Compton bridge under those strings, and that 'shrillness' will smooth into 'clarity' and 'definition'.

Only thing is it's a fixed bridge, without adjustable pieces how would you set the intonation correctly?

Otherwise I'd love to, a stainless steel Tru-arc on my Tenny made a huge difference to the tone.

[The Marlin]

Originally Posted by organic

Only thing is it's a fixed bridge, without adjustable pieces how would you set the intonation correctly?

Otherwise I'd love to, a stainless steel Tru-arc on my Tenny made a huge difference to the tone.

It's a compensated bridge, the beauty is in the design. The surface that meets the strings isn't a straight line, it's designed to ensure the guitar is perfectly intonated across all strings.

If you have a floating bridge base, just move the bridge until the the upper and lower E's are in line with the pole pieces, and perfectly intonated. The rest will be fine.

if it's a pinned bridge, just pop the Compton on, string, tune, and off you go!

You need to ensure you get a Compton with matching string spacing, radius matching base mounting holes (hole diameter too). Stainless steel is a good all rounder!

Marlin

[pesimax]

I've got a compton on my 5127 and i've never looked back! It improved tone, sustain, tuning and string hight. I was planning on getting new pickups and upgrading the wiring but no need after the swap.

Infact i'm working out if I can fit one on my telecaster that's got a bigsby...

[tremelo68]

So, is $400 for a baby blue G5127 in great shape an average, a good, or a great price? Has a little buckle rash that looks buffable. KP02 or KP03 serial (covered by another serial number sticker so I can't be sure of the serial until I buy it) and stamped USED on the back of the headstock.

Thanks in advance for advice. I have a decent idea for Pro series prices, but I get a little lost on the Electromatic pricing. It seems to fluctuate more.

[polishbroadcast]

Originally Posted by tremelo68

So, is $400 for a baby blue G5127 in great shape a good price? Has a little buckle rash that looks buffable. KP02 or KP03 serial (covered by another serial number sticker so I can't be sure of the serial until I buy it) and stamped USED on the back of the headstock.

Thanks in advance for advice. I have a decent idea for Pro series prices, but I get a little lost on the Electromatic pricing. It seems to fluctuate more.

No. Terrible. You should tell me where you found the guitar though. (kidding. it sounds like a good price. the 512X's go for between 500-700 depending on the finish)

Stamped "used" means it was a factory second which could mean a blemish or a structural issue. Not sure the implications for a Gretsch but on Epiphones it means they sell them without the good pickups (in the case of a Casino). Does it have the DeArmond pickups still?

[tremelo68]

They don't say Dearmond USA on them (like the set I have already do), so I can't tell. What would they be otherwise? 2000s or 2Ks? Which came stock?

[Uncle Daddy]

Dearmond 2000's are stock, they have no markings on the outer shell. A great sounding pickup. $400 is a great price.

[Uncle Daddy]

Originally Posted by griole

Whatever shade of blue you call it, I believe it's one of the more striking as far as looks go.

More striking than THIS?

You'll never sleep alone with one of these. You just know you want one!