Ok, so i went to my local guitar store to try a load of Gretsch guitars and Les Pauls and although I love the look of a good les paul they just don't feel right in my hands. I tried lots of centre block and hollow Gretsch guitars but the one guitar i really bonded with was the Electromatic G5220 Jet.
For the price i though it was insane money. It did feel quite heavy though.
Now after coming back and doing some research Gretsch make the Japanese G6228 which looks the same but you can get a Flame Edition too. Do people like the Flame version or plain.
Looking at the Players Edition it seems to be well spec'd with the locking tuners, treble bleed, no load tone pot. Do they have better pickups? Lighter in weight?
My real question is do i buy blind (not try one out) as the newest store that have them in stock is too far. Do i go for the G5220, G6228 or G6228FM?
Comments
I have held one of the 5220 Jets, side by side with the 6 version and they are different. Nowhere near enough for me to justify the vast price difference though. I didn’t get to plug it in but if I liked the pickups, they’re not the Blacktop Filters that I really like, it would be the one I’d choose. Probably in the gold top.
If you’re buying with intellect and on the best tool for the job, it has to be 5220.
With the Japanese version you go get better woods, nut is better etc.
I read this http://www.gretsch-talk.com/threads/gretsch-g5220-vs-g6228-comparison.186900/
which was interesting!
to show up. Definitely not just better but very different and it always comes down to what you want to spend. Is that difference worth 6 times or more the cost to you?
https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Gretsch-G6229-Players-Edition-Jet-BT-Silver-Sparkle/2SE6?origin=product-ads&campaign=PLA+Shop+-+GENERIC&adgroup=GENERIC&medium=vertical_search&network=google&merchant_id=1279443&product_id=130110d1&product_country=GB&product_partition_id=96391400411&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3ZKRuMjw4QIVKBbTCh2BvwLcEAkYAyABEgKiuvD_BwE
i went for the 6228 in classic jet black.
A very wise choice sir!
Don’t buy Electromatics, too expensive and too many issues. The can be great guitars, fantastic guitars even, but only after you’ve thrown more money at them, replaced the crappy hardware, and fettled the hell out of them.
Save your pennies, and go for quality. Japanese Gretsches are in a completely different league.
Wise decision sir!
I got the guitar from @peachguitarsdotcom so thanks guys!