Jim Dandy vs Gin Rickey vs Americana

I made my choice many years ago...

There's really not much difference between the Jim Dandy series and the Americana series... other than when they were made. Americana guitars were made in Indonesia. Jim Dandy models were initially made in the same plant, but that plant burned in 2018, and are made at a different facility now-- still Indonesia though.

 

Yep, pretty much.

I had that choice to make around the holidays when I decided to get something like these, except that I was also considering the Recording King Dirty 30's too. They also offer theirs as yes/no option to the pickup.

I decided no pickup. To me, the whole point of the thing was to have simple knock-around guitar I could play anywhere, anytime. If I got a pickup, I need an amp. If I got an amp, I need electricity. Then I need cords, and something for carrying all this stuff around ... See? All of sudden it's complicated!

I wound up with the Dirty 30's, but it was a really close call. I didn't even get a case or a gig bag for it. I want to be able to literally, just pick it up and go. Toss it in the car, take it to the beach ... whatever. Total zero BS, just a guitar.

That it actually sounds half-way decent and is super fun to play is a real bonus!

btw, to you guys that got the whole collection - congrats! I came so close to getting a Sundown Serenade at the time, but never would have bought all four. You guys are some dedicated Gretsch fans!

 

I had an Americana, cool and kitschy but real vintage one's can be had cheap still and i love old guitars( cant help it). Old one's are better, still cheezy though. these are all made by Harmony who also probably made the Rex guitars you speak of.

 

Let's not mince words... it's a sickness...

 

When in reality, its the same basic guitar in different clothing. I had this disagreement with somebody as well, until we did a side-by-side comparison, wherein he reluctantly agreed.

Come on now, it's a sub-$200 Pacific rim-built parlor guitar... how good could it be to start with? Certainly not worth quibbling over.

 

Same guitars, different paint.

Everybody should have a beater guitar, one that you won't mind taking outside, playing around a campfire, or leave next to the couch where they can be decorated by sticky fingered toddlers and drooling dogs. It's something you can grab anytime the mood strikes you. It's the kind of guitar you give to a kid who wants to learn how to play without sinking a lot of cash into it if the novelty wears off. If that kid gets the music bug, it's the guitar he'll cherish all of his life, even if it gets beat up. It's the kind of guitar that you make real memories from, along with the music.

As to the pickup---I've a warm spot for a flat top round hole guitar with a pickup. Doesn't have to be fancy like a G5034 or a Howard Roberts. It goes back to the early days of electrified music, to the old Chicago Blues guys like Muddy Waters. It's basic as can be.

 

I went the Ricky considering the stand alone pick up is $99 on Amazon. My only complaint is that 60 cycle hum I have to deal with. I do it by positioning myself in relation to the amp and a George L cord. It sound great through my 15w Acoustic amp and delay pedal.

I have considered the Americana as wall art that's playable but I think the Ricky has a really nice visual vibe. One of my better purchases for sure. My advice...pay the extra $ and go "full" Ricky

 

Not including my own personal examples (which I still have) pictured above, I've actually given away four Americana models as gifts to friends. I bought a bunch of them when they were on closeout for $79 each, and they made great Christmas gifts one year.

 

Wow... $79! There's plenty of them on Ebay in the $500 - $1200 range these days. That was a good investment.

 

Wilbury guitars are going for big bucks as well. Some people just take advantage of the gullible types and bank on the Gretsch name and cachet. Not saying any of these are bad guitars, but they're worth no where near that kind of money.