[Daryl Licht]

I recently posed a question over in the Electromatic forum about pickup choices for a G5120. There were a lot of good answers there, but I have decided to leave that one stock. It's not that I believe that there will ever be some great inflation of its worth, but because the wife helped me pick it out, she likes it and would prefer that I just buy another guitar than monkey with that one. Those with spouses of their own will see that this is a high value wife, and will understand why I won't argue with her on this.

I need some opinions, since I'm no expert on Gretsch models, but know what I like. I want the classic Filtertron sound whether it's in a stock guitar or a modded one. Here are what I see as options, in no real order of preference.

Buy another 5120 and mod it with a Compton bridge and a set of TV Classics.

Buy a 5420, leave it alone if it has the sound I'm looking for, or mod with TV Classics (provided they fit easily). I'm really waiting to try one before I decide what to go for.

Buy a 6118, new or used.

Buy a 6119 with Filters, used. I whined in another thread about missing out on one over the weekend.

A 6120 looks to run about $2k on the used market. That would be my absolute limit, and would take some really serious thought.

Three aren't a lot of Gretsch dealers around here. I haven't seen a pro line (hollowbody anyway) in the local GC. One other dealer might have some new ones but I don't know if they have any used stuff at all.

The real question here is, of the 61xx's mentioned, are there any I might be disappointed with. Sorry for the lengthy rambling.

[fender62custom]

A 6119 or 6120 with Filters would be my recommendation in that price range...that's what i'd be chasing..all the best with it too!! cheers!!

[Synchro]

Originally Posted by Daryl Licht

I recently posed a question over in the Electromatic forum about pickup choices for a G5120. There were a lot of good answers there, but I have decided to leave that one stock. It's not that I believe that there will ever be some great inflation of its worth, but because the wife helped me pick it out, she likes it and would prefer that I just buy another guitar than monkey with that one. Those with spouses of their own will see that this is a high value wife, and will understand why I won't argue with her on this.

I need some opinions, since I'm no expert on Gretsch models, but know what I like. I want the classic Filtertron sound whether it's in a stock guitar or a modded one. Here are what I see as options, in no real order of preference.

Buy another 5120 and mod it with a Compton bridge and a set of TV Classics.

Buy a 5420, leave it alone if it has the sound I'm looking for, or mod with TV Classics (provided they fit easily). I'm really waiting to try one before I decide what to go for.

Buy a 6118, new or used.

Buy a 6119 with Filters, used. I whined in another thread about missing out on one over the weekend.

A 6120 looks to run about $2k on the used market. That would be my absolute limit, and would take some really serious thought.

Three aren't a lot of Gretsch dealers around here. I haven't seen a pro line (hollowbody anyway) in the local GC. One other dealer might have some new ones but I don't know if they have any used stuff at all.

The real question here is, of the 61xx's mentioned, are there any I might be disappointed with. Sorry for the lengthy rambling.

I've always been of the opinion that upgrading a 5xxx usually ends up being a more expensive route in the long run. The 5xxx guitars are very well made but they are not the same specs as the 61xx series and sooner or later most people end up buying a Pro Series.

[drmilktruck]

I agree, if you can afford it a Pro Line is worth the extra especially since you already have the 5120. I'm partial to the Tenny, the 1962 version. Thinner body easier to play. You can get them on eBay for under $1500 used. I prefer the HiLo version but the FTs rock.

[Daryl Licht]

The Filtertrons are what I'm after. At some point I may want to look into a guitar with HiLo's but gotta get the Filters first. I'm really just a living room wanker that spends too much on gear, but I enjoy it, plus as I said before the wife doesn't give me a hard time about it. We're trying to get her thru some shoulder problems so she can start playing her Gretsches again (Blackhawk EX's). That may be good or bad since I've caught her eyeballing a set of Renown '57's at a local shop.

[Tony65x55]

I'm so glad I didn't buy my 6118 Double Green Anni first as I might never have bought another guitar. A beautiful, toneful green goddess screaming with mojo. A shrieking sex machine with strings and an attitude. Simply the best of the best.

There is one at StreetSounds cheap right now. It doesn't have a bigsby but you can put one on easy and cheap.

PS: Do you get the idea I like her?

[Synchro]

Originally Posted by Daryl Licht

The Filtertrons are what I'm after. At some point I may want to look into a guitar with HiLo's but gotta get the Filters first. I'm really just a living room wanker that spends too much on gear, but I enjoy it, plus as I said before the wife doesn't give me a hard time about it. We're trying to get her thru some shoulder problems so she can start playing her Gretsches again (Blackhawk EX's). That may be good or bad since I've caught her eyeballing a set of Renown '57's at a local shop.

There's a Filtertron Tenny that should be in your price range. Check the Buy, Sell, Trade section of the forum, I think there may be a black Tenny still for sale.

Sent using G-T Forum app

[SharkAtl]

Originally Posted by Tony65x55

I'm so glad I didn't buy my 6118 Double Green Anni first as I might never have bought another guitar. A beautiful, toneful green goddess screaming with mojo. A shrieking sex machine with strings and an attitude. Simply the best of the best.

There is one at StreetSounds cheap right now. It doesn't have a bigsby but you can put one on easy and cheap.

PS: Do you get the idea I like her?

What he said! I absolutely love my 6118T Annie!! For one, she is beautiful. And, two, the Filtertrons sound incredible. She has quickly become my go-to guitar and most fun to play. No doubt! Plus, you can get a used one for a reasonable price (got mine for $1400, near mint). Good luck!

[HypotenusLuvTriangle]

Go proline.

[Crooner]

I agree with the opinion that you go Pro line. You'll never regret it.

[fjr_wertheimber]

Yup, as someone who started with a 5120 and spent (OMFG-too-much) $$ upgrading the tuners, bridge, TV Jones pups, etc. to end up with a nice (almost) 6120 for about the same amount as I'd have spent on a nice used 6120, I say get a Pro Line. You won't regret it, I gar-on-tee...

[Daryl Licht]

For some reason I really seem drawn toward the 6118t. That's a little wierd since I'm not really into the color, but decided a while back that color takes a back seat to tone and playability. I find the shade of green on the top kind of attractive though.

There is a dealer a half hour or so away that I'll most likely visit on Friday. They will be the one most likely to have some prolines in stock.

As for mounting a Bigsby on a 6118, can anybody tell me what's involved? Does it mount in the existing tailpiece holes or does it require drilling?

And thanks for the replies.

[Tony65x55]

Originally Posted by Daryl Licht

For some reason I really seem drawn toward the 6118t. That's a little wierd since I'm not really into the color, but decided a while back that color takes a back seat to tone and playability. I find the shade of green on the top kind of attractive though.

There is a dealer a half hour or so away that I'll most likely visit on Friday. They will be the one most likely to have some prolines in stock.

As for mounting a Bigsby on a 6118, can anybody tell me what's involved? Does it mount in the existing tailpiece holes or does it require drilling?

And thanks for the replies.

Generally, undo the screws on the tailpiece and screw on the Bigsby into the same holes. Occasionally not, sometimes the tailpiece is mounted wrong and you have to align the Bigsby but usually drop in.

Everyone that has a 6118T raves about them, they are really special.

[desertfox4]

Pro-line if you can swing it. I have both now and love them like children, but the 6120DSW consistently brings home better grades and never stays out late without calling home.

[Crooner]

Originally Posted by desertfox4

Pro-line if you can swing it. I have both now and love them like children, but the 6120DSW consistently brings home better grades and never stays out late without calling home.

That's what they all say until one late night the 6120DSW stumbles in drunk and pregnant.

I constantly heave to deal with random texts sent to my Silver Jets the mornings after they go out to hit the clubs.