New bracing and pickups make this mid-priced take on a Gretsch classic a lively and engaging inspiration machine.
Smooth playability on par with much more expensive instruments. Airy, open pickup sounds with lots of clean-to-mean latitude.
Blue finish is pretty but thick in spots. Vintage sticklers might miss some old-school Filter’Tron bite.
$799
Gretsch G5420T
gretschguitars.com
Though big hollowbodies like the Gretsch G6120 are beautiful and an essential ingredient in countless classic records, they can be a tricky playing experience for the uninitiated. Navigable fretboard space is limited by solidbody standards. Big bodies can feel bulky. They’re sometimes feedback prone in high-volume situations, too. Consequently, I’ve watched many solidbody-oriented chums who rarely play hollowbodies handle a big Gretsch with the baffled look of a spacefarer deciphering an alien tongue.
This latest affordable, mid-line evolution of Gretsch’s classic 6120, the re-designed Electromatic G5420T, smooths navigation of those intrinsic challenges. A new approach to trestle block bracing and FT-5E Filter’Tron pickups give the guitar a zingy, lively, and surprisingly feedback-resistant resonance. And the ultra-smooth playability makes it relatable for the average solidbody player. Together, the improvements make the G5420 a welcoming and intuitive-feeling vehicle for the less-orthodox modes of guitar expression that big Gretsch’s enable.
New Shoes in Blue
Trestle bracing, as a name and design concept, graced Gretschs beginning in the ’50s. That system utilized a bridge-like pair of laterally oriented braces. Trestle block bracing is different. It situates a slim, light center bock that is shaped like a bridge arch at a 90-degree angle between two straight, lateral braces. In one sense, the construction is akin to a center-block semihollow body. But the Gretsch trestle block has much less mass and a smaller footprint than the center block in, say, a Gibson 335, making the design a great compromise between rigidity, stability, and resonance. The effects, at least to my ears, are audible. And one thing every staffer that touched this guitar agreed upon was that this was the liveliest affordable Gretsch that any of us remembered playing.
The G5420T also feels like a dream underneath the fingers. The 12" radius makes string bends extra easy. Hammer-ons, pull-offs, and, yes, fleet-fingered Chet Atkins picking feel effortless. And in general the playability is so nice you often forget that notes much past the 17th or 18th fret are a pretty uncomfortable reach. The control layout is a familiar take on Gretsch convention. The master volume control on the treble-side horn is always a blast to use for volume swells. And while the bridge volume is situated pretty far aft on the body, it’s easy enough to reach for fine tuning adjustments and corrections to the neck/bridge blend. The Bigsby, meanwhile, is both fluid, smooth, and, in relative terms, pretty tuning-stable if you’re not too aggressive.
You don’t achieve playability and intonation like that on our review model without sweating the details, and the 5420’s neck, nut, fretboard, and frets all feel very much of a piece.
Construction quality is typically very good in Gretsch’s more affordable Streamliner and Electromatic series, and the G5420T does its part to hold up the family reputation. You don’t achieve playability and intonation like that on our review model without sweating the details, and the 5420’s neck, nut, fretboard, and frets all feel very much of a piece. Little details like the binding around the f-holes are also flawlessly executed. One of the only overt signs of the G5420T’s mid-priced status is the polyester-azure-blue finish, which, while dazzling, looks a bit ripply and thick in spots. Even so, in sunlight, it reveals traces of pearlescent turquoise and lake placid blue, depending on the angle from which you view it.
Balance and Brawn
As Gretsch tells it, the new Filter’Trons are designed for stronger bass output and more articulate high end. I don’t know if I would call the low-end exceptionally robust. But 6th-string notes exhibit a concise, classy punchiness that resonates with just-right complexity and gracefully adds balance and ballast to chords. Some players expect low notes on a Gretsch hollowbody to explode with the heft of a grand piano. But the chiming low notes of a Fender Rhodes electric piano are a more apt analogy for the 5420’s present, overtone-rich-but-understated bottom-string output. This same knack for balance translates to awesome, articulate overdrive and fuzz tones (though, needless to say, it is important to mind the feedback when messing with the latter).
High-end output, meanwhile, is beautiful. First- and 2nd-string notes ring presently and in graceful balance with the rest of the strings, lending a kinetic but not-too-hot edge to leads and chords. And anyone with an affinity for vintage rockabilly or late-’60s West Coast psychedelia will love the way these high notes hop, quaver, and sing with a waggle of the Bigsby. For this author, anyway, it’s a visceral, addictive thrill—particularly with a big Fender amp and a heap of spring reverb and slapback echo.
The Verdict
Any player well versed and at ease with the idiosyncrasies of a Gretsch hollowbody will love the way the 5420 sounds and feels. And on the latter count, certainly, the 5420T is the equal of many much more pricey guitars. It’s very easy to imagine an upmarket or vintage Gretsch owner who sweats gigging with an expensive axe taking this guitar out instead and feeling right at home. The pickups are very well balanced, present, and detailed. And the Bigsby is smooth and invites all manner of twitchy or surfy vibrato moves. Most important is how these factors conspire to offer an uncommon playing experience with an upmarket feel. “Riff machine” may be a term that you could apply to many guitars, but the combination of the 5420T’s playabililty and open, detailed, and balanced pickups add up to a deep well of habit-smashing inspiration—all at a very nice price, to boot.
Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Hollowbody Demo | First Look
After introducing modern upgrades to Electromatic Classic Hollow Bodies earlier this month, Gretsch launches its updated collection of Electromatic Jets and Lapsteels.
Electromatic Jet BT
The Jet BT has a chambered mahogany body with a maple top produces a rich, present mid-range with the perfect combination of attack and resonance. A pair of Black Top Broad’Tron Pickups deliver the tone you’d desire from a Jet: capable of aggressive overdrive with the definition needed for pristine clean tone. The combination of individual pickup volume controls, master tone and master volume with treble bleed circuit provides global control over your pickup and tone settings. The Jet BT Single-Cut comes in a left-handed configuration finished in Jade Metallic and in a right-handed configuration finished in Jade Metallic, Bristol Fog or Midnight Sapphire.
Electromatic Jet Baritone
Thanks to the balance of its solid mahogany body, the mini-humbuckers drive subsonic tones while keeping each note beautifully distinct. Measuring in at 29.75”, the extended scale neck allows B to B tuning — use it to add color and texture in the studio or to double a lead onstage for a fiery live sound. The Electromatic Jet Baritone is available with a fixed v-stoptail tailpiece finished in Bristol Fog or Imperial Stain or with a Bigsby tailpiece available in Midnight Sapphire.
Electromatic Junior Jet Bass II Short-Scale
These bass guitars sport all the classic Gretsch appointments delivering massive, room-filling subsonic tones that boom out from the solid basswood body and versatile pickups. The Junior Jet Bass has a smooth and balanced tonality that’s easily delivered through the comfortable, easy-to-play short-scale maple neck (30.3”) with laurel fingerboard. Low-end color, smoothness and comfort make this a bass guitar worthy of the Electromatic name. Available in Imperial Stain, Bristol Fog and Shell pink.
Electromatic Lap Steel
The Lap Steels produce one of the most unmistakable sounds out there:the beautifully rich electric Hawaiian guitar. Featuring a solid mahogany body and an intense tonal response that new and veteran players alike will appreciate. The single-coil pickup provides excellent note clarity, which sealed die-cast tuners keep locked-in. Available in the brand-new colors: Broadway Jade, Tahiti Red and Vintage White.
Introducing the New Gretsch Electromatic Jets
Introducing the New Gretsch G5700 Electromatic Lap Steel Guitars
More info at: www.gretschguitars.com
A collection that includes six and twelve-strings, baritones and basses, lap steels and left-handed options for hollow bodies.
Gretsch announces today that its Electromatic Collection of electric guitars, basses, baritones and lap-steels is refreshed and refined with modern features for today’s players. The Electromatic’s Classic Hollow Bodies are available today, while the Collection’s Jet and Lap Steel models will launch March 30.
Electromatic Classic Hollow Bodies
These big, bold electric guitars bring the brand’s prized snap and roar to life. Whether you’re looking for the punch of a six-string or a shimmer of the twelve-string, the FT-5E Filter’Tron pickups will bring the vintage thunder over the booming deep tones that only a hollow-body can deliver. All models feature a stunning refined laminated maple body reinforced by trestle block bracing. A classic “C” shaped maple neck with laurel fingerboard gives the guitar a classic feel in the hand, and the Graph Tech NuBone nut and Adjusto-Matic bridge makes for impressive sustain. The Master Volume with treble bleed circuit keeps tone bright at high volumes. The Electromatic Classic Hollow Bodies are available in single or double-cutaways, with either a Bigsby B60 Vibrato or G-cutout Tailpiece. These Classic Hollow bodies are available in a variety of colors specific to each model, such as Orange Stain, Azure Metallic Airline Silver and Snowcrest White.
Electromatic Jet BT
These models are perfect instruments for those looking for a next-step into the classic tone Gretsch is famed for. Their chambered mahogany body with a maple top produces a rich, present mid-range with the perfect combination of attack and resonance. A pair of Black Top Broad’Tron Pickups deliver the tone you’d desire from a Jet: capable of aggressive overdrive with the definition needed for pristine clean tone. The combination of individual pickup volume controls, master tone and master volume with treble bleed circuit provides global control over your pickup and tone settings. The Jet BT Single-Cut comes in a left-handed configuration finished in Jade Metallic and in a right-handed configuration finished in Jade Metallic, Bristol Fog or Midnight Sapphire.
Electromatic Jet Baritone
These guitars bring a tone all their own to the Electromatic series. If you’re looking for deep lows, thick mids and a vivid high end, the Jet Baritone delivers. Thanks to the excellent balance of its solid mahogany body, the mini-humbuckers drive subsonic tones while keeping each note beautifully distinct. Measuring in at 29.75”, the extended scale neck allows B to B tuning — use it to add color and texture in the studio or to double a lead onstage for a fiery live sound. The Electromatic Jet Baritone is available with a fixed v-stoptail tailpiece finished in Bristol Fog or Imperial Stain or with a Bigsby tailpiece available in Midnight Sapphire.
Electromatic Junior Jet Bass II Short-Scale
These bass guitars sport all the classic Gretsch appointments delivering massive, room-filling subsonic tones that boom out from the solid basswood body and versatile pickups. The Junior Jet Bass has a smooth and balanced tonality that’s easily delivered through the comfortable, easy-to-play short-scale maple neck (30.3”) with laurel fingerboard. Low-end color, smoothness and comfort make this a bass guitar worthy of the Electromatic name. Available in Imperial Stain, Bristol Fog and Shell pink.
Electromatic Lap Steel
The Lap Steels produce one of the most unmistakable sounds out there: the rich electric Hawaiian guitar. Featuring a solid mahogany body and an intense tonal response that new and veteran players alike will appreciate. The single-coil pickup provides excellent note clarity, which sealed die-cast tuners keep locked-in. Available in the brand-new colors: Broadway Jade, Tahiti Red and Vintage White.
Introducing the New Gretsch Electromatic Classic Hollow Body Models
For more information, visit www.gretschguitars.com.