Tell me about 5129's with the big F holes...
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I’ve had 3 of these I think……and I STUPIDLY let each of them go. I don‘t kick myself over selling stuff often, but those guitars are TWANG CITY and I hate that I don’t have one anymore. I think my fave was the powder blue, and they were all non-tension bar models(my preference).
JeffreyLeePierre
Country Gent
I'm back home now -which also means that I'll be back to work tomorrow 
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The serial number starts with KS05, which is the second version, made by Samick in 2005.
Then both @bluenote23 and @Randy99CL are right.
.The serial number starts with KS05, which is the second version, made by Samick in 2005.
Then both @bluenote23 and @Randy99CL are right.
calebaaron666
Friend of Fred
I had a 5129 and a 5128. Both of them had huge F-holes and were awesome guitars.
I thought the giant F-holes were so cool.
I thought the giant F-holes were so cool.
stiv
Country Gent
One guitar that's really missing on the Electromatic line it's a Jet with Dynasonics, something similar to a DeArmond M77 for Guild. But I guess we'll never see it, as Electro Jets there's have a construction issue that simply doesn't allow stock Dynas (even the 2000) to be placed under the strings.
I would have loved a Jet counterpart to the 512x line though...
I would have loved a Jet counterpart to the 512x line though...
Bradford
Electromatic
They are The 2K versions of Dynasonics, so a ceramic magnet version. Not saying that's good or bad just saying it's what they are. They are basically a 5120 with the 2K's. The 5125, 5127, 5129 were all the same guitar, each was its own color. Gotta love Gretsch with their models and naming rationale. There was one more color/number but I can't remember,maybe the 5126. They are referred to as the 512X models. People try to pretend, on Reverb, they are worth over a grand. They are not. I wouldn't pay more than $600-$650 for one and would feel better being at about $450. A couple came up at Guitar Centers used listings when I was looking for one. One was $450 and one was $650. They both sold quick. It's a fair price for that guitar. Meanwhile, several were listed on Reverb ranging from $850-$1200. They had been sitting there for a minimum of 7 months. Things sell when they're priced right. Cool guitars. I ended up getting a 5420 and putting T-Armonds into it.
Bradford
Electromatic
Yeah for sure. I have a Nick 13 Jet and that guitar is cool and all but it's really just a tribute and not a signature model. I've heard there were a limited number of them made with Dynasonics but I'm not sure. I put some T Armonds into mine. I had them in a 5420 but just didn't love them in there. Stock sounded better with tht Blacktop Filter'Tron pups. The T Armonds sound way better in the jet. The Nick 13 should've had the Dynasonics to be a true(r) signature. They could change the construction method. And offer a different model. For sure. Price it in the range of the 5420 and people would buy it for sure. Do something like what Epiphone does, putting Gibson parts on a few of the models; the modified 5230 to have the same Bigsby the Duo comes with and the Dynasonics. Sell it for $849. That would be rad.
All the 512x models have the (modern) DeArmond 2000 which are comparable construction to original Dynasonics, not the DeArmond 2k, which is effectively a P90 and turned up on Guilds and the oddball Tele-Sonic.
bobeschism
Gretschie
Here's my 5127 which is a KP. Has the B70, but the f-holes don't look obscenely large. Got it for a very good price a few months ago in an auction, and it's a cracking guitar, esp with flatwounds.
Gretschy
Synchromatic
Here’s my 5127 next to an Anni for F-hole comparison (and low key guitar porn.) It’s a Samick built in ‘05, stocked with Dearmond 2000s and non tension bar Bigsby. Neck is pretty similar to proline, IMO. All my Gretsch necks feels pretty similar to me, that what makes them so easy to switch between.
The F-holes are definitely freakishly large and my only complaint. The rest of the guitar is fantastic! It plays like a dream after a good setup and the fit and finish is great, maybe not proline great but definitely far better than any other guitar I have owned anywhere near that price range.
Those pickups are what it’s all about though. They sound unique to any other stock pickup Gretsch made. I have never played a guitar with original Dearmonds but this is what I would expect them to sound like. Leaps and bounds better than the stock Gretsch Dynas of that era, IMHO, or at least different enough to justify having both. It’s a twang machine and also dirties up with a nice crunch that I can’t coax out of stock dynas. It’s a keeper for sure!
The F-holes are definitely freakishly large and my only complaint. The rest of the guitar is fantastic! It plays like a dream after a good setup and the fit and finish is great, maybe not proline great but definitely far better than any other guitar I have owned anywhere near that price range.
Those pickups are what it’s all about though. They sound unique to any other stock pickup Gretsch made. I have never played a guitar with original Dearmonds but this is what I would expect them to sound like. Leaps and bounds better than the stock Gretsch Dynas of that era, IMHO, or at least different enough to justify having both. It’s a twang machine and also dirties up with a nice crunch that I can’t coax out of stock dynas. It’s a keeper for sure!
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The place I traded mine to got $549.00 pretty quick iirc.
Freshy
Country Gent
My Dyna stable
My 5128 KS
DeArmond M75T - Solar Bronze
DeArmond by Guild Starfire Special Korea 1999
My 5128 KS
DeArmond M75T - Solar Bronze
DeArmond by Guild Starfire Special Korea 1999
calebaaron666
Friend of Fred
My 5129 originally had the B70, but worked great with a B6. Especially with the custom Tru-arc bridge made with deeper grooves. The strings never jumped from their saddles, and it stayed in tune very well.
I modified the 5128 into a hotrod with just a switch and a master volume. I equipped it with a set of TV Jones Classic/Classic Plus in the dearmond mount. This was the best feeling Electromatic I had ever played.
Of all the Gretschs I’ve sold, I miss this one the most, but it went to a good home.
I modified the 5128 into a hotrod with just a switch and a master volume. I equipped it with a set of TV Jones Classic/Classic Plus in the dearmond mount. This was the best feeling Electromatic I had ever played.
Of all the Gretschs I’ve sold, I miss this one the most, but it went to a good home.
stiv
Country Gent
Veery nice.
I’m being honest here. It’s not that I don’t like my 5220 with Filtertrons, but I’m aiming for a Dyna-equipped guitar and these DeArmonds really speak to me. I also have a pair of real Dynas sitting in my drawer that I could use instead of the 2000… the only thing that I’m not sure it’s the fact that M75’s aren’t chambered (as opposite of the 5220) and they would weight a ton.
But I guess I’d sacrifice the Electromatic pretty soon. I really love those DeArmonds, and I could see a Champagne Sparkle on my future…
juks
Country Gent
Baba Joe
Gretschie
Since the 512X series are all the same guitar except for color and mods and, also believing that all tension bar models are the same within their category, as members are sharing photos of non-5129 guitars within the series, here is my ‘05 KP 5125.
SneakyPete
Electromatic
I was under the impression that Samick never made any Gretsch guitars, that the 'KS' in the serial numbers stands for SPG or Saehan.
Is this not correct?
Is this not correct?
gtttrrr
Country Gent
How about some very expensive F holes?? 
🫣🫣🫣
🫣🫣🫣
gtttrrr
Country Gent
That is a looker!! New to me
