I've recently been getting really interested in Gretsch guitars, particularly (but not exclusively) double cutaway White Falcons.
What are people's experiences, thoughts, reflections on these? There are several that really catch my eye but I'm wondering, having owned a fully hollow bodied ES-175 before and loved the "live" feeling, how they open up and can sit on the edge of full body feedback at the turn of your body.
I don't play with high gain, or hardly, and I have other guitars for that.
Do folk recommend the centre block players versions? I'm liking the string through Bigsby idea and the slightly thinner body but I'm also really attracted to the bigger bodies of the full on Falcons.
I'm really liking the G6636T idea but also loving the fatness of the White Falcon G6136T-LDS
What do y'all think....?
Comments
The hollow body feels alive like nothing else, the Blacktop Filtertrons are nice clean but love a bit of drive. It really is a gorgeous and versatile guitar.
I'd like to try a Pro series, mainly for the HS Filtertrons, would be nice to have a couple of different Gretsch guitars. One day I'll be on the lookout for an Anniversary....
I had a centre block model too and that felt a lot snappier , almost like a slightly twangier 335. Mine hand the fulltrons in iirc.
I think @Benm39 had it off me - how are you finding it Ben ?
I'd go fully hollow for home use personally, it's just more Gretschy!
@TheMarlin would have some useful advice.
Love the look, adore the sound, never liked the necks.
I played loads as well.
The country gentlemen was the model I liked the most but I could never get past the feel of the necks.
Have you ever played one before @merlin
What about the necks don't you like?
Personally, the only centre block model i like is the Panther, but i think its been discontinued.
Another good shout from the Player's Edition might be the G6609 Broadkaster. Very similar to the centre-block Falcon double cuts, but has Full'Tron pickups instead of the High Sensitive Filter'Trons, so perhaps a little bit more versatile and gain-friendly:
Gretsch G6609TFM Players Edition Broadkaster w/Bigsby - Bourbon Stain | Steven James Guitars & Amp Centre (northeastguitar.co.uk)
Admittedly, they don't look as cool as the Falcons, though there is a limited edition shell pink one that looks sweet (though would be even better if it had gold hardware IMO!)...
Gretsch Limited Edition G6609TDC-BTFT Broadkaster Centre Block Shell Pink (guitarguitar.co.uk)
Good to hear you are going to play it out when that all becomes possible - just slinging a gretsch over your shoulder will make you stand differently and play differently - they are not like other guitars that you have played and that’s one of the main draws
I can offer views on the 6120 and the 6118 Anniversary Player Edition as I own both and (used to!) gig them both at every opportunity doing rock and roll, americana and “classic” rock stuff.
The 6120 is un adulterated Gretsch… Poison Ivy, Eddie Cochrane, Brian Setzer show that it’s not simply one sound its very versatile… I think it’s my fave but it was a bit of an odyssey to sort the bridge and eventually get the bridge replaced and the base pinned but it was very much worth it to do it. If I had to choose then it’s the one my heart would keep.
The 6118 Anniversary is a really giggable guitar. It’s still a deep hollow bodied guitar just not as deep as the 6120. It is unmistakably gretsch sounding but almost “practical” with a Schiller strap locks, a bar bridge, string thru bigsby and locking tuners - the strings actually do get changed regularly. I use it a lot probably more than the 6120 as it’s less of a thoroughbred than the 6120 and so less temperamental - I can’t say I have had much bother with feedback. It’s the head choice as it is a well sorted modern guitar.
The Centre Bloc models are really very good I have my mate’s Panther on a long loan at the moment - it is a very cool guitar. It’s the most “rock” of the three I mentioned - it is very stable thanks to the Centre Block. The Centre Block is a great but you just might not need it - the main contrast I experience is on the feel and resonance of the instrument. It’s the slimmest and most “regular” feeling and sounding of the three. Incredibly difficult to find a second hand one as they tend to be keepers.
For the G6636T and the Falcon I understand the scale length is longer than the three I have mentioned above - I think that's he big difference but would look to see who has played both for their wiz on the subject.
They all team up nicely with reverb and echo and boosts and they seem to like my DOD Overdrive Preamp 250, Full Tone mosfet and the OCD. If you already have a Fender Amp you are off to a flying start.
There are often some great second hand options on Gretsches and in the last few years the Anniversaries do seem to come up brand new in the good guitar shops with a bit of a reduction.
Do expect to have to get used to the bridges and consider that you may end up looking at after market bridges (both mine have tru-arcs which I bought from “F-Holes” in the UK).
Sorry this ended up as an essay it's just Gretsches are massively more interesting than the stuff I'm putting off writing about.
Anyone got anything gorgeous, Gretsch, white and sexy for sale???