Gretsch 5120....VERY impressed....video demo

[jimfog]

Hey,

I've had my 5120 for a few weeks, 4-5 gigs now, and I'm REALLY liking it. The quality is just amazing for the price (for any price, really)........a cut above the Epi's and Artcores I've owned.

I liked the stock Gretsch-buckers, but they were a tad dark for my use, so I swapped in a set of TVtrons (thanks, Richard!), and couldn't be happier.

My dad down in Tampa asked me to record a little something so he could hear the new axe, but I went a step further and YouTube'd a quicky video.....5120--->delay----->LoopStation----> LOW volume DR------>iMac's internal cam and mic.

Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70_iNA9N9lg

Highly recommended!

- Jim

PS....I also just posted a vid of my new Paul Beard/Goldtone National-style Resonator.........another great deal.

[Sadhaka]

cool man, the gretsch looks good :-)

[EuroCool]

Hey Jim! Cool video & sweet playing! Thanks for sharing.
Can't wait for your Tele to come... Take care. Marc.

[Taller]

Cool, Daddio! There's only one kind of guitar that sounds like that - Gretsch!

Without me making the effort to jump on the Gretsch site and researching, what's the difference between that and the 6120?

[barron]

Thanks for the video.
What amp do use with your 5120?
I really want one of those. I just bought
another amp but the 5120 will be next.
Are those tv's a drop in?

[WordMan]

You sound great.

[Pete Galati]

Good playing Jim! I love the Bigby thing you throw in a few times. I could almost work up some Bigsby GAS.

Did you see the youtube tour of Leo Fender's office? One of the things that's still sitting on Leo's desk is a Bigsby!

Pete

Might as well include a link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nBw--ohySw

[Gas-man]

Nyesch lickages!

[Jon C]

great, Jim, I think they are incredible guitars esp. for the price...

Aren't those the original Gretschbuckers in there (the double polepieces)? The TVTrons would have single polepieces, no?

I have a set for my 5120 but they're gold unfortunately, I may toss em in there anyway.

Great playing!

Jon

[RocknRollFever]

fantastic playing man, I wish I knew those rockabilly licks and could do that right handed technique...I'm pretty much stuck using a pick but I'm trying to slowly learn how to do the Brian Setzer thing with the pick and the fingers at the same time, any tips?

[morlll]

Nice playing. Nice guitar also.

[guitarman_1]

Great all around playing and tone. I love that gretsch sound.

[Jon C]

I think one cool thing is that so many are giving thumbs up on the "Gretsch sound" since some of the purists think these "Gretschbuckers" don't have pure Filtertron mojo... they don't, but they do sound Gretsch-like to me, esp. in the bridge position.

Cheers,
Jon

[Taller]

I think one cool thing is that so many are giving thumbs up on the "Gretsch sound" since some of the purists think these "Gretschbuckers" don't have pure Filtertron mojo... they don't, but they do sound Gretsch-like to me, esp. in the bridge position.

Cheers,
Jon

See the first post - he swapped out the Gretschbuckers for TV Trons.

[TNJ]

Nice playing.
Nice tone.
Nice guitar.
Nice video.

GO GO GRETSCH!!!

S.
j

(owner...6119, 6118jr)

[jimfog]

Wow......I REALLY appreciate the nice words, fellas. Does my heart good, after feeling like I played LOUSY on my gig tonight.....I've been in such a rut. Tell you what though.....I'm completely digging this 5120.....My first Gretsch.....and it won't be my last.

Some answers...

Hey Jim! Cool video & sweet playing! Thanks for sharing.
Can't wait for your Tele to come... Take care. Marc.

Thanks, Marc.......you buying the tele helped me keep this this one......looks like it should be there real soon...enjoy!

Without me making the effort to jump on the Gretsch site and researching, what's the difference between that and the 6120?

Hmmm....not 100% sure.....6120 made in Japan....5120, Korea........6120 has real Filtertrons, 5120 has standard sized Gretsch-buckers (I replaced w/ TVjones)....6120 might have better tuners, pots and a nicer pickguard......otherwise?!?!? Major difference is @ $2000!!!

for the video.
What amp do use with your 5120?
Are those tv's a drop in?

It's an older Deluxe Reverb........yeah, the humbucker-sized TvTrons drop right in.

Aren't those the original Gretschbuckers in there (the double polepieces)? The TVTrons would have single polepieces, no?


Nope...these are the 'Bucker-sized TV Trons......double polepieces.....maybe the Filtertron-sized ones are sinple pole???

fantastic playing man, I wish I knew those rockabilly licks and could do that right handed technique...I'm pretty much stuck using a pick but I'm trying to slowly learn how to do the Brian Setzer thing with the pick and the fingers at the same time, any tips?

Merle Travis, Merle Travis, Merle Travis!!!! Get that "Boom-Chicka" rhythm down...the rest will come naturally (they tell me!!!)

Again.....really apprecaite you guys taking the time to watch that vid and post. Next time, I'll actually put in some effort.....you know, tune up and actually TRY, since someone might be watching!!!!

:D

- Jim

[Jon C]

5120 has Bigsby licensed vibrato, 6120 is the real thing (they feel about the same to me)... 6120 has bound f-holes and multi-bound body, 5120 has cream bound body and no f-hole binding, 6120 has the tone switch setup usually, 5120 has master volume, individual volumes for each pickup, and a tone pot (no tone switch).

jc

[gtrfinder]

5120 has Bigsby licensed vibrato, 6120 is the real thing (they feel about the same to me)... 6120 has bound f-holes and multi-bound body, 5120 has cream bound body and no f-hole binding, 6120 has the tone switch setup usually, 5120 has master volume, individual volumes for each pickup, and a tone pot (no tone switch).

jc

I actually prefer a dedicated tone pot vs. a switch. Anyone else?

[jimfog]

I actually prefer a dedicated tone pot vs. a switch. Anyone else?

I'm with you.......don't think I would have much use for the tone switch thing...

Be aware.....the tone pot on these 5120's needs replacing, though......pretty useless.

- Jim

[Alvis]

Sweet,Sounds like buttah!!!

[Jon C]

I'd plan on replacing all the pots w/ CTS...

[jimfog]

I'd plan on replacing all the pots w/ CTS...

Yeah......that's in the works. Might as well do'em all while it's being operated on.....

[gururyan]

Man, that was great! Nice job, thanks for the gas!

[jimfog]

Ok.....two years and 100,000 Youtube views later (wow....don't people have a life???).

Sold the one in the video......like a dumbass.

With the Fender Inc. price increases, I got panicky and started searching again, before the used market shot up, too.....found another one, local, which I like even more. A bit more solid, tuning-wise. A set of TV's on the way, and I'm set.

Did a Jump Blues set with it tonight, and even the Gretschbuckers sounded really sweet.

What cool axes.

[JiMB]

Nice to see and hear this again, Jim.

Sounds great and glad you found another one.

Jim

[fieldhdj]

Sold the one in the video......like a dumbass.

That video helped me make up my mind to get a 5120 and some TVJs. Since then I've bought and sold a few Gretsch guitars, but that 5120 (now with a TVJ Magna'tron bridge and a Fralin P90 neck) isn't going anywhere. Just a great guitar.

[Wagster]

Sounds great Jim.Got me thinking about buying one.

[jimfog]

Thanks, guys!

Since then I've bought and sold a few Gretsch guitars, but that 5120 (now with a TVJ Magna'tron bridge and a Fralin P90 neck) isn't going anywhere. Just a great guitar.

Hey........did you route it for the P90? How do you like the sound? That really appeals, as my only issue with the TV Classic neck, is it's a bit mid-sucked.........not quite enough in that frequency for the blues and jazz I play. It works fine, but could be a wee bit better in that regard.

cheers!

[svenhoek]

I'm two years late to the party it seems, but wow, great video! Really nice playin...

Been considering a 6120 ever since playing one a few weeks ago in LA.