New 2021 Gretsch Models!

why no electro billybo???!!

 

I'd jump on the waiting list for one so fast...

 

As would about half this forum I'd say, maybe that could be the GretschTalk FSR someone mentioned about in another thread.

 

I agree with all that. I'm not sure where the 'radical offset' is..? I can't see one. Leave that to Fender.

My comment was more about the complaints about Gretsch 'chasing' Gibson. I see it as Gretsch expanding marketshare and exposure. If people don't know who Gretsch is, they won't buy Falcons. If people have experienced Gretsch, stepping in with a G2215 or a G2622 or another Streamliner (rather than an Epiphone, etc), or jumping from their Epiphone to an Electromatic (given there's a gap between the Epiphone range and Gibson prices), they'll be more aware of G5420's, and G6120's. And Tennessee Roses. And they'll learn not to pigeon hole Gretsch in styles they may well not play.

The reason CITES clamped down on Rosewood was that people were making entire furniture sets out of it. An 'entire' hollowbody Gretsch doesn't use much timber.

Which is why Guitars are now exempted from the CITES Rosewood ban, but furniture (and unfinished timber products) are still part of it.
And the only Brazilian Rosewood that's able to be used now had to be harvested in the 60's. If you can't provide documentary evidence of the origins of the Brazilian rosewood in your new guitar (that you've produced), you can expect to have it seized. I'm pretty sure I saw a video where Framus still has some Brazilian Rosewood in their timber pile. Not much, but a little. And they have all the documents.

It's similar in Australia with Huon Pine. You can use it, provided it was harvested before a certain point in time. You can't fell trees (they grow very, very slowly, and only in a small part of Tasmania). Given the number of trees that were felled up until the ban, and were lost in rivers, there's companies who are licenced to collect timber that's been felled, or has naturally fallen, but hasn't been utilised. Trees that were left in rivers, etc. There's three timber mills in the entire state which are licenced to work with the timber. It's made the timber extremely expensive, and given the respect it deserves. I say it that way, as being such a slow growing tree, and being extremely oily, the locals believe it was the best timber for shipbuilding ever known, as it was resistant to pests as well as saltwater.

 

I've said it before and I'll say it again, if Gretsch put out a 2420T with 2 P90s they'd be very popular. I really don't see why they are doing it with the double cutaway models and not the single cut.

 

I have two small pieces of Brazilian rosewood. All of it from a violin maker who got it in the '40s b ut how the heck do you prove that. I heard of someone who got some documentation but the international airport still took their instrument away. It had a Brazilian rosewood bridge, they could have just taken that part but didn't. I don't think they ever got it back. I am convinces the documentation is a scam to get money and the airports take the instruments because they can. I do think it is to rare to use now but the old stuff that is already cut use it up. The country tries where these tress grow manage it much better. I honestly believe we need way more tree farms.

 

I'm a big Gretsch center-block fan so I'm really digging the G2622T Streamliners with the mahogany bodies and P90 staple pickups, as well as the new speyside and aged walnut finishes on the 5622 models.

 

This is sort of getting off topic of the new Gretsch guitar catalog. But there’s been an increased deforestation taking place in Brazil recently too. Apparently enabled by those in power. I don’t know if it’s rosewood areas though.

https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/world-latin-america-55130304

 

Yeah, their pm, Jair Bolsonaro is totally nuts.

 

what if Chicago Music Exchange would run one if we got enough guys here on the forum to push for it? Even Rocky from Street sounds might be key for say a falcon Electro Bo!!! Of course I would tear out the electronics but still... they waste so much money on the falcon ranchers, bring that vibe to an electrobo.

 

I'm in!

 

I'd definitely be interested.

 

mhhhh ..... they look nice and probably they also sound great , no doubt , but imho P90 give'em some Gibson appeal which .... is not so gretschy . Maybe it's only due to the white PU cover , but ... far better TVJ or BT Filtertron , in terms of look . Obviously , it's a matter of taste !

 

Is there a reason not to make a Proline BillyBo, an Electromatic BB and even a Streamliner BB? There are 6120s, 5420s and (don't know the Streamliner full hollowbody No). Wouldn't that be great for everybody, Streamliners for those with real low budget or those who want to extremely mod them?

 

One of my band mates has a Dean Razorback and everybody is worried about getting an eye poked out!

 

I actually agree with bringing the Billy Bo for the masses. But the design has been out for a while and already a Gretsch. So I don’t view it as being new and radical per say. My reply was in the suggestion of bringing a newly designed hollowbody or semi hollow offset Gretsch. Maybe I mis-read the posters words. But I don’t believe a full hollowbody offset that’s the thickness of a 6120 with f-holes is the way to go. At least that’s what I envision with the description. The majority buyers of hollow bodies likely want something more traditional.

 

A lot ask for an electro Billy Bo, I wonder would there be an agreement not to do that so legally they can't?

 

And I'm guilty of not answering to your post's original intention, sorry. It was just a thought that came to my mind, three Billy Bos in three price ranges.
You are right, they are not new designs, and an offset full hollowbody would be odd, even for Gretsch with a history of quirky guitars like the AstroJet.

 

What do you guys mean by offset?