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Tony Adams · July 24th, 2012, 10:40 PM

Yes I am a newbie, but always interested!
Been in the business for years in all aspects, touring, recording etc.,
Do love the look of the latest 6120 orange Chet Nashville with all the gold business on it and although I love old guitars, I'm not one for new guitars given the antiquated treatment!
I'll let mine age gracefully.
My issue is, I do tend to crank it from time to time and I have heard that the trestle bracing offers better control of feedback and helps with a snappier tone!
I can get a G6120 Chet Atkins Hollow body 2401250812 new in the look I absolutely love at a great price, but if the trestle bracing does make a substantial difference, the only models that I can get my hands on are loaded up with different hardware, aged finishes etc., and substantially more dollars!
Has anyone put this to the test? Done a decent A-B on a with and without?
Thanks in advance,
Tony Adams

Luchador · July 24th, 2012, 11:19 PM

I don't understand your concern about aged finishes...
The only Gretsch guitars that are sold with "aged finishes" are the uber-expensive artist tribute models, such as:

Or, it's possible place a one-of-a-kind (read: very expensive) order with the Gretsch Custom Shop and specify that they "relic" your guitar.

If you're looking for a model with '59 Trestle Bracing, take a look at the '59LTV and the Brian Setzer models:

All of these feature '59 trestle bracing with shiny, brand new, un-aged finishes.

I can't tell you if '59 bracing makes a tangible difference in tone or feedback control versus a 6120 without '59 bracing.

Tony Adams · July 25th, 2012, 10:21 PM

Thanks for your time.

I've reseached a little more and thought I could replace the dice on the Setzer model with standard hardware. but discovered narrower necks on his & I'm for the wider.

I guess I may have mistaken other 6120s on the Gretsch site as having aged finishes, if not relic, as they appeared to look somewhat washed out in comparison to the Chet Atkins orange which was rich and vibrant in colour.

I'll take another look at the '59LTV, and thanks again.

Tony Adams · July 27th, 2012, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luchador

I don't understand your concern about aged finishes...
The only Gretsch guitars that are sold with "aged finishes" are the uber-expensive artist tribute models, such as:

Or, it's possible place a one-of-a-kind (read: very expensive) order with the Gretsch Custom Shop and specify that they "relic" your guitar.

If you're looking for a model with '59 Trestle Bracing, take a look at the '59LTV and the Brian Setzer models:

All of these feature '59 trestle bracing with shiny, brand new, un-aged finishes.

I can't tell you if '59 bracing makes a tangible difference in tone or feedback control versus a 6120 without '59 bracing.

Thanks for your time.

I've reseached a little more and thought I could replace the dice on the Setzer model with standard hardware. but discovered narrower necks on his & I'm for the wider.

I guess I may have mistaken other 6120s on the Gretsch site as having aged finishes, if not relic, as they appeared to look somewhat washed out in comparison to the Chet Atkins orange which was rich and vibrant in colour.

I'll take another look at the '59LTV, and thanks again.

cowmoo · July 27th, 2012, 10:19 AM

I had a 59 ltv, beauty if a guitar, I believe the Setzer necks are thinner front to back not narrower edge to edge.

Bob M · July 27th, 2012, 10:45 AM

While I can't compare trestle braced to non trestle braced 6120s, I have a trestle braced 6120-1959 and a Guild Starfire 3 with no interior bracing. I can crank the 6120 (40 watt HRD) without a whimper. At the same level the Starfire 3 is out of control. If you play out I think the trestle braced guitars are the ticket.

Luchador · July 27th, 2012, 05:04 PM

I have the 59ltv. It appears "washed out" on the website because it has a nitrocelulose lacquer finish as opposed to a polyurethane finish. It may also be a lighter, "vintage" shade of orange than the standard 6120. I can assure you, though, that it is not "reliced" in any way. There is no artificial aging, nicks, dings, scratches, oxidation, etc.

Gotone · July 27th, 2012, 07:43 PM

Actually you'd have a hard time trying to see the difference in a Terada lacquer finished 6120-1959LTV versus a poly finished 6120, they are both applied so well. The difference may be only the shade of orange.

Tony Adams · July 27th, 2012, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowmoo

I had a 59 ltv, beauty if a guitar, I believe the Setzer necks are thinner front to back not narrower edge to edge.

Thanks for the info on the neck! Fingerboard width is my concern, not neck depth, so your information makes a difference!

Tony Adams · July 28th, 2012, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob M

While I can't compare trestle braced to non trestle braced 6120s, I have a trestle braced 6120-1959 and a Guild Starfire 3 with no interior bracing. I can crank the 6120 (40 watt HRD) without a whimper. At the same level the Starfire 3 is out of control. If you play out I think the trestle braced guitars are the ticket.

I'm into pure tones, no peddles if I can get away with it, so if I need grunt, I reach for the amps volume knobs, and I own a couple of 100 watters with quads!
I have an AC30 as well, so feedback is a concern! I hear you!!
A smaller amp will be next on the agenda.

Tony Adams · July 28th, 2012, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luchador

I have the 59ltv. It appears "washed out" on the website because it has a nitrocelulose lacquer finish as opposed to a polyurethane finish. It may also be a lighter, "vintage" shade of orange than the standard 6120. I can assure you, though, that it is not "reliced" in any way. There is no artificial aging, nicks, dings, scratches, oxidation, etc.

The Ltv is coming to the surface quite a bit, from 6120 players. I guess my next query would be the bridge being a rocking bar. Is there any issues with these?

Tony Adams · July 28th, 2012, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gotone

Actually you'd have a hard time trying to see the difference in a Terada lacquer finished 6120-1959LTV versus a poly finished 6120, they are both applied so well. The difference may be only the shade of orange.

Yeah, the finish is an issue with me, and thanks to Luchador and yourself, for helping address this! I'm a big fan of Gretsch orange!

Gotone · July 28th, 2012, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Adams

The Ltv is coming to the surface quite a bit, from 6120 players. I guess my next query would be the bridge being a rocking bar. Is there any issues with these?

You shouldn't expect to have any issues with the rocking bar bridge on the LTV. Since it is slotted for each string, the chances of a string hanging up is minimal when using the Bigsby. It works very well.

GADify · July 28th, 2012, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Adams

Thanks for the info on the neck! Fingerboard width is my concern, not neck depth, so your information makes a difference!

Setzer SSLVO owner here. I have a lot of nice guitars, and the SSLVO is one of my favorites. Yes, the bracing makes a difference. It deadens the top a bit compared with a fully hollow guitar, but my full hollow bodies scream with feedback at even practice volume while trestle bracing or a sound-post makes them much more manageable. They'll still feedback, especially at volume, but it doesn't happen as often and it's much easier to control.

I'll let the pics do the talking from here on out:

Luchador · July 28th, 2012, 10:57 AM

Rocking bar bridge works fine for me as well.

Remember that these are floating bridges. You can swap them out for whatever you want, no tools required. There's a member on this board who makes custom, radius-appropriate bridges out of aluminum, brass, copper, stainless steel, and titanium:
http://www.comptonbridges.com/home
Many people here swear by his product. I haven't tried one yet.

Luchador · July 28th, 2012, 11:01 AM

By the way, a minor cosmetic thing, I just noticed that the 59LTV on Gretsch's website looks like it has a plan orange headstock. On mine, the headstock has a flamed maple veneer in a much darker color than the rest of the guitar.

Here's a good stock photo:

freddyfingers · July 28th, 2012, 05:10 PM

I cant speak about the guitars that were mentioned, but i think my hotrod has trestle bracing. Compared to my 5129, and even the 6122 1962 with no open holes, it feeds back less. My guess is the bracing inside. Doesn't mean I can crank the amp to 10 in a small room and play, it just takes more to make it feedback. i can control it by facing the amp, and muting the strings. Its a good sound when used at the right moment, but awful when you are trying to crank, and you cant take your hand away from the strings. Not sure if the finish, which i think is poly, has anything to do with it, as the other two i had also had a poly finish.

Tony Adams · July 29th, 2012, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GADify

Setzer SSLVO owner here. I have a lot of nice guitars, and the SSLVO is one of my favorites. Yes, the bracing makes a difference. It deadens the top a bit compared with a fully hollow guitar, but my full hollow bodies scream with feedback at even practice volume while trestle bracing or a sound-post makes them much more manageable. They'll still feedback, especially at volume, but it doesn't happen as often and it's much easier to control.

I'll let the pics do the talking from here on out:

Thanks so much for your replies fellas! You too freddyfingers!
Bracing it will be!!!!! Your experience with & without bracing is what I was looking for!!!

Tony Adams · July 29th, 2012, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luchador

By the way, a minor cosmetic thing, I just noticed that the 59LTV on Gretsch's website looks like it has a plan orange headstock. On mine, the headstock has a flamed maple veneer in a much darker color than the rest of the guitar.

Here's a good stock photo:

Thanks Gotone and Luchodor for the contact on the bridge maker and the clear image of the 59LTV!
Great help on this forum!

Tony Adams · July 29th, 2012, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luchador

By the way, a minor cosmetic thing, I just noticed that the 59LTV on Gretsch's website looks like it has a plan orange headstock. On mine, the headstock has a flamed maple veneer in a much darker color than the rest of the guitar.

Here's a good stock photo:

Thanks Gotone and Luchodor for the contact on the bridge maker and the clear image of the 59LTV!
Great help on this forum!