[redhandderek]

I know you love pics and when I first joined I was playing catch up with all this new fangled social media iPad stuff and I had no idea how to upload pics. Anyhow, sorry for the wait but here is are some pics of me with what represents my mid life crisis. Some guys buy a Harley. I got a 5122dc. I love it so much. It plays really well and I find it easy to play. I only put it down because my finger tips hurt. It still has the strings that were on it when I got it in a Sam Ash Store in Orlando. Is it worthwhile getting it restrung and set up? Can I put Ernie Ball super slinkys on it?

[Dan C]

Glad you are happy with your Gretsch!

So that we can help decide whether or not it is necessary to change the strings...How long have you had the guitar and how often do you play it? And i'm pretty sure that you can put Ernie ball super slinkys on it

D

[SteveT59]

Congrats redhandderek on your new purchase!
I bought a 5122dc last week(my first gretsch guitar) and am loving it!(have played it every night for a week).
Mine is also walnut because I like the country gentlemen style.
I'm also looking for someone here in aus for a professional setup.
I've found with my other guitars it is worth getting a professional setup.

[mrfixitmi]

+1 for Dan,

Beautiful Guitar for sure, thanks for sharing.

In my opinion a professional set up is a good thing since, the guitar has had a chance to settle, and you are considering a different type of string.

If you could tell us what type of music you play, what style, (fingerpick, flatpick, slide), we will have more info. to help.

In addition, were you looking for more clarity, a softer tone, or more volume, those details are helpful.

You have come to the right forum, people here are not only passionate, but are very sincere, since there are numerous string to chose, it can be very confusiong

[Tony65x55]

You can put slinky's on it but I wouldn't go lighter than 10's with a Bigsby and floating bridge.

[beep.click]

Originally Posted by redhandderek

here is are some pics of me with what represents my mid life crisis. Some guys buy a Harley. I got a 5122dc.

ONE Gretsch does not constitute a mid-life crisis! You need to go right back out there, and get yourself 5-6 more!

[montereyjack66]

Originally Posted by beep.click

ONE Gretsch does not constitute a mid-life crisis! You need to go right back out there, and get yourself 5-6 more!

Bet his wife hasn't even threatened to leave him.

Tsk, tsk.


Poseur.

When the fire department is issuing you citations for storage issues and fire hazards, THEN we'll start entertaining words like "awkward situation" and "bummer".

Informally, the demarcation line for "midlife crisis" for this group is when you attend more than six Gretschtogethers per year AND you can no longer fit all of your gear into an eighteen wheeler.

Say, you ever try a Pisco Sour?



mj

[mike77rios]

I have a 2011 5120 that I use Hybrid Slinkys which consist of 9-11-16-26-36-46. Initially I found that using 11's (which I prefer) made the playability way too stiff for the type of lead that I do. So I did a set up myself. The guitar would not stay in tune so I replaced bridge with a Gretsch "Space Control" bridge" because of the roller style saddles, and it eliminates bridge rattle. I used a set of 11's like a "round file" to open the slots at the nut a bit and since then I've found that I can place any gauge strings on it and it will stay in tune even after being the case for three or four days at a time. I write/play original Rockabilly/Psychobilly and I literally attack the guitar when I play, use the Bigsby alot and it stays in tune. I would suggest that you get to know your guitar first then decide on which strings to use. You DO have to set it up to your playing style, If you cant do it yourself, then by all means pay some one to do it for you but know what you want first. I love my Gretsch. Enjoy yours!

[mike77rios]

the solution to the wife leaving is to name the guitar after HER!

[stevo]

Put them new strings on there when you feel like it, nothing thinner than 10's, and if you feel like it could use some professional attention, then take it in.

[redhandderek]

Guys
Thanks for all this fabulous advice. The strings on it are absolutely fine. It stays in tune really well. I needed a hard case too get it home ok in the hold of the plane back to Ireland. The only case they had had Ibanez printed on it but I had no choice. I bought the guitar in December 2011. I love the walnut colour. I don't play anything fancy due to a lack of talent and ability which I try to make up for with enthusiasm and enjoyment. I always wanted a Gretsch and had to wait until I turned 50 before I bought one. My wife was not pleased and I think any mention of another one would result in divorce proceedings. I am afraid to do anything with the strings myself because of the floating bridge so I would take it in to my local guitar experts. My wife's uncle is a luthier who worked for Lowden and latterly Avalon so he would be a potential source of help.

[telespank]

The floating bridge is not a problem for changing strings - just change them one a time and the bridge will remain in position. You can also use masking tape to either mark the bridge location or tape the bridge in place if you want to remove all of the strings at once.

However, with that being said, it never hurts to have a luthier look over your guitar and do a good set up. I'm glad you're enjoying your new Gretsch.

Perhaps you could learn your wife's favorite song and play it for her?

[redhandderek]

Telespank
The marking the bridge position tip is so simple I feel really stupid now for not thinking of this myself. My wife's favourite song is anything I sing in another room where she can't hear it. I am a lifetime Beatles fan with a liking for new country music. One of the best things about my iPad apart from this forum is being able to listen to US country radio on the web. The World has become the size of a postage stamp. Who knew?

[beep.click]

Originally Posted by redhandderek

I always wanted a Gretsch and had to wait until I turned 50 before I bought one. My wife was not pleased and I think any mention of another one would result in divorce proceedings.

So what you're saying is, it's a tossup, and you're not sure yet whether to go with "wife" or "second Gretsch..."

[MyBootsOnFire]

Don't feel bad about not thinking to mark the bridge position. I remember my first string change on a Gretsch. I had no idea it was a floating bridge, or what a floating bridge was. It scared me to death when I took all the strings off and my guitar started falling apart.

[HypotenusLuvTriangle]

Pictures are upside down. I can't figure out what's what!

[NickGretsch]

Hi Redhand,
Great pics but...

you must live in Australia/New Zealand as they're ALL upside down

[redhandderek]

I apologise about the pics being upside down. I don't know why the are upside down and I can't seem to fix it. That's going to take another six months to figure it out. Another Gretsch v staying married is not really a contest. It may seem like blasphemy on this site but 24 years married and you get really attached. She knows how much I love the guitar though and she has already put it on the top of her revenge plan if I ever cheat on her so that pretty much rules that out.

[NickGretsch]

Yes indeed, always keep the little lady sweet.

Keep working on the Brownie Points and you're sure to get another Gretsch sometime down the line

And hey, no worries Bout upside down pics, all mine seem to come out tiny for reasons I can't understand, you're not alone