Why do I see so many Gretsch guitars in worship bands?

[eddie101]

Who started the trend - Edge? I thought they were reserved for country/soft rock music, no?

[Eugene]

Who started the trend - Edge? I thought they were reserved for country/soft rock music, no?

Like AC/DC?:rotflmao

I own a couple of Gretsches...no soft rock for me!

[Hulakatt]

or the Cure...

http://cache.interscope.com/images/local/500/a6822e21-256c-47c7-b4ea-e676321a6eeb.jpg

or Rancid...

http://www1.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/KROQ+Weenie+Roast+Y+Fiesta+2009+1JnSInf19nbl.jpg

You need to get out more dude!

[sanhozay]

I thought they were reserved for country/soft rock music, no?

boundaries are what make rock such a tempting platform to defy & fracture & maim preconceived notions & traditions. If there’s a reason not to do something, then rock & roll is the perfect place to take a stand against reason.

[DSnellen79]

Its from Hillsong. They all used Gretsch untill Duesenburg came around. A lot of P&W guys mimic Hillsong because they are responsible for most of the modern worship music these days. Basically if you want to be a P&W guitar geek, you buy a Grestch or Duesenburg run it into several TS knock offs then into a delay pedal then into some form of a Vox amp. There you have the overly done and very common worship rig. I'm not against this kind of rig, it sounds good. Its just whats popular right now. In a few years everyone may be playing ibanez and mesa's (I hope not) who knows. :)

Edit: Hillsong got it from the Edge, yes.

[Stike]

The Cult and Brian Setzer soft?

[eddie101]

The Cult and Brian Setzer soft?

I meant to write Country/Rockabilly together. No clue about the Cult.

[eddie101]

or the Cure...

http://cache.interscope.com/images/local/500/a6822e21-256c-47c7-b4ea-e676321a6eeb.jpg

or Rancid...

http://www1.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/KROQ+Weenie+Roast+Y+Fiesta+2009+1JnSInf19nbl.jpg

You need to get out more dude!

I have heard neither. I guess I'm too old. ;)

[dmraco]

jack white...malcolm young...even has his own signature model.

I do see what you are saying though...they are an overlooked axe.

[eddie101]

Like AC/DC?:rotflmao

I own a couple of Gretsches...no soft rock for me!

Well, I guess I dissed AC/DC. I forgot all about Malcom ;)

[budglo58]

I dont really follow the P&W crowd, but I play in church every week.I have a strat , LP and a Gibson semi hollow.Whatever is working for me is what I bring.Never really understood the whole " I am doing it because they are doing it, therefor it must be annointed " mentality.A guitar is personal and what works for one doesnt work for another.

[aarondavis]

Its from Hillsong. They all used Gretsch untill Duesenburg came around. A lot of P&W guys mimic Hillsong because they are responsible for most of the modern worship music these days. Basically if you want to be a P&W guitar geek, you buy a Grestch or Duesenburg run it into several TS knock offs then into a delay pedal then into some form of a Vox amp. There you have the overly done and very common worship rig. I'm not against this kind of rig, it sounds good. Its just whats popular right now. In a few years everyone may be playing ibanez and mesa's (I hope not) who knows. :)

Edit: Hillsong got it from the Edge, yes.

I was about to post nearly this exact post DSnellen79. I aggree with everything you've said here. Unfortunatly "modern worship music" has ruined delay for me...;) Don't get me wrong, I love the music and am thankful I'm involved with some great churches, but the whole Gretch/Delay/Vox sound is so overused... So I play a Koll through a Dr. Z and try to leave the delay off.

[eddie101]

I do see what you are saying though...they are an overlooked axe.

That's probably what I meant to say. It was a bit "weird" to see them pop up like mushrooms after all these years and with worship bands no less. No disrespect intended, btw.

[eddie101]

... There you have the overly done and very common worship rig.

:agree

[Guitar4Lunch]

I dont really follow the P&W crowd, but I play in church every week.I have a strat , LP and a Gibson semi hollow.Whatever is working for me is what I bring.Never really understood the whole " I am doing it because they are doing it, therefor it must be annointed " mentality.A guitar is personal and what works for one doesnt work for another.

I agree. I've been playing P&W for 12 years with my RG Ibanez, and lately through my POD HD400.

[telecasting]

There is such a mindset it seems amongst P&W guitarists (of which I probably should count myself one although I don't share the mindset) that sounding the same as the record or the original performance including tone is a good thing. Hence; tubescreamers, delay, vox amps.

Meh.

I would add that Gretsches fit the 'tonal' characteristics of what a lot of P&W guitarists are looking for with accentuated high mids and highs (especially with dynasonics) and the bigsby allows for 'tasteful' whammy action occasionally, such as the hillsong-standard lead riff to 'from the inside out'.

I'm personally veering more towards a strat or J Mascis JM for whammy action and a cheap LP to compliment my farty tele for worship. That and going for an 18watt early marshall tone and getting rid of my... Vox. Oh, and my pedalboard does contain a nova delay and an m5 for extra delay, chorus and the occasional verb-drenched pad; and a few drives. Fail.

[Pietro]

I work in the "worship thing" and I have avoided Gretsch because everybody else does it... so there...

[sonic_777111]

I'll break the mold too. When I played in a worship group I used an SG into a Crate V50, and our other guitarist used some sort of Jackson into a Peavey XXX...that was a little bit strange.

[BuffDriver]

I occasionally play with my church and I use a 335 into a whole slew of different dirt pedals (some TS type, some not... varying amounts of gain) with some delay into a Tweaker that I usually set to British or US voicing depending on who I'm playing with to add another flavor to the guitar section. The trick is to STAY AWAY from the dotted 8th!! There are some great worship songs out there, but the "Big" groups that play these songs unfortunately have quite a following that turns the music into a mass-produced canned product that you hear on Sundays. BORING PP&W results (Pop P&W).

[mnjordan]

Its from Hillsong. They all used Gretsch untill Duesenburg came around. A lot of P&W guys mimic Hillsong because they are responsible for most of the modern worship music these days. Basically if you want to be a P&W guitar geek, you buy a Grestch or Duesenburg run it into several TS knock offs then into a delay pedal then into some form of a Vox amp. There you have the overly done and very common worship rig. I'm not against this kind of rig, it sounds good. Its just whats popular right now. In a few years everyone may be playing ibanez and mesa's (I hope not) who knows. :)

Edit: Hillsong got it from the Edge, yes.

Holy crap, that's nuts. I have a friend/acquaintance who's a really big P&W guy.

He has a rack of Dusenbergs, booteek TS9s, and a Matchless. I've never thought about it before, but you seem to be right on the money!

[gillman royce]

They made a deal with the devil ??

[Virtual Pariah]

Holy crap, that's nuts. I have a friend/acquaintance who's a really big P&W guy.

He has a rack of Dusenbergs, booteek TS9s, and a Matchless. I've never thought about it before, but you seem to be right on the money!


What do you use the TS for? To add treble?

Just can't imagine you're looking for a lot of heat going into the amp.

[shredtrash]

Who started the trend - Edge? I thought they were reserved for country/soft rock music, no?

Were you being serious when you asked this?

[mralmostpopular]

Wow. I had no idea this was a thing. It must be the circles I've run with/churches I've been involved in. I have seen telecasters (lots, and in different varieties), stratocasters, les pauls, and a few others sprinkled here and there (PRS, Ibanez, etc), but I have yet to see a gretsch on stage.

[jmacsyodaddy]

Its from Hillsong. They all used Gretsch untill Duesenburg came around. A lot of P&W guys mimic Hillsong because they are responsible for most of the modern worship music these days. Basically if you want to be a P&W guitar geek, you buy a Grestch or Duesenburg run it into several TS knock offs then into a delay pedal then into some form of a Vox amp. There you have the overly done and very common worship rig. I'm not against this kind of rig, it sounds good. Its just whats popular right now. In a few years everyone may be playing ibanez and mesa's (I hope not) who knows. :)

Edit: Hillsong got it from the Edge, yes.

SO TRUE! but it is a good sound..us worship guys are just copy-cats..haha

[nl128]

same reason you see any band with any guitar

[FuzzGazer]

I hate to break it to the P&W guys, but God plays an ES-335.

[budglo58]

I try not to emulate others . Nor do I like copying the cd verbatim .Thankfully my Pastor writes alot of his own music , so its easier to avoid such things , plus my Pastor believes a solo can still be from the Lord.

[Craig Gates]

I thought they were reserved for country/soft rock music, no?

Neil Young! Pete Townshend! George Harrison! :bonk

[eddie101]

Neil Young! Pete Townshend! George Harrison! :bonk

Like I said.........ok w/exception of Pete.

I did not know Pete used a Gretsch with The Who?? Hmmm...

[cutaway]

you didn't see this guy in church :) (one of my favorite guitarists)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1231/1048357453_e60c98a851.jpg

[snarkle]

A little P&W music, with Gretsch content:

zZ5PWflZ7y0

Well, I'd praise and worship Ms. Ivy, anyway.

[Craig Gates]

I did not know Pete used a Gretsch with The Who?? Hmmm...

Yup - Pete's signature sound on the later recordings is a 6120 (http://www.thewho.net/whotabs/gear/guitar/gretsch.html). He didn't play it live though, because he claimed he couldn't keep it in tune. :)

[HP Hovercraft]

Who started the trend - Edge? I thought they were reserved for country/soft rock music, no?

A Gretsch (any Gretsch) is probably the second most popular guitar in rock these days, after the Telecaster.

Maybe P&W reflects what's going on in rock in general?

[Jon C]

the obvious (corny) answer is that I'm sure many (as I have) have had religious experiences while playing a Gretsch (even tho' I am def. not a P/W player, lol).

cheers....

[Prerequisite]

I, for one, am really dying to see a change in the P&W genre, not because I dislike Hillsong style music (I myself use low gain ODs into heavy delays) but just because P&W is such an easy genre to stereotype.

[eddie101]

you didn't see this guy in church :) (one of my favorite guitarists)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1231/1048357453_e60c98a851.jpg

Keith Urban?

[Preacherofrock]

I tried a gretsch because of hillsong, but I kept it because it has the same general dimensions and fel of an acoustic guitar-something I cherish. For some reason I find that body depth easier to play while I am singing.

[cutaway]

Keith Urban?
Yep.

[eddie101]

Yep.

I did not know he played a Gretsch either. I thought he was Fender/Gibson guy like everyone else. A heck of a player for sure.

[kev1n]

Who started the trend - Edge? I thought they were reserved for country/soft rock music, no?

A lot of P&W guitar tones sounds would sound very comfortable in a soft rock or country setting.

[nl128]

A little P&W music, with Gretsch content:

zZ5PWflZ7y0

Well, I'd praise and worship Ms. Ivy, anyway.

P&W kicks ass , I never gave it a chance before. I been really missing out

[TwoTubMan]

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg184/TwoTubMan/ivy_mask_HI.jpg

[cutaway]

I did not know he played a Gretsch either. I thought he was Fender/Gibson guy like everyone else. A heck of a player for sure.
I'm kidding man. That's Billy Duffy from the Cult. ;)

[Mullenski]

We play all the Hillsong, etc. stuff. Been at it for 7 years.

With a Grosh, or Swamp Ash Special, and a Budda. Seems to work...

[Stike]

Keith Urban?

Yep.

I'm kidding man. That's Billy Duffy from the Cult. ;)

Billy rocks!!!

[powermatt99]

Maybe these are just incredibly versatile guitars. Jazz. AC/DC.

[LJOHNS]

I play a Strat in our P&W band. Other than some delay I try to go for my own sound. I have no desire to get a Gretch. I see a Tele in my future though just to cut through the mix better. Check out Lincoln Brewster or Third Day for a some variety. Much better tone than Hillsong - and Lincoln even uses modelers. Third Day if my favorite P&W band - PRS guitars and Dr. Z amps!

[Ascension]

I work in the "worship thing" and I have avoided Gretsch because everybody else does it... so there...
:agree
LOL I know what you mean. At my home Church I play the same MK III 1990 Marshall JCM 900 Dual Master that I used in the "day" with the old Hair bands I played in. I run it with a lot of gain and it has no reverb, no clean channel and I don't use a dirt box of any kind. My other 2 rigs are a Zinky Blue Velvet combo and a Fender Prosonic, my only effects are a DD-7 Boss Delay and a Rocktron Deep Blue Chorus + my WAh.
I play a variety of guitars including a 1990 Pearl Pink Carvin X220C a Royal Blue PRS Custom 24 and a Variety of 1990's Grover Jackson era USA Washburns.
I gig in bands ranging from pure Black Gospel to all out rocking modern worship and play out at least 3 times a week. So much for the my meeting the stereotypes;)!!

[Ascension]

I, for one, am really dying to see a change in the P&W genre, not because I dislike Hillsong style music (I myself use low gain ODs into heavy delays) but just because P&W is such an easy genre to stereotype.
WORD bro WORD :agree

[mikejr555]

I very rarely post anything here but I have to weigh in on this. I am a full time P&W player and I do use much of the gear mentioned but so do a ton of other players in other genres. I see ts type drives into delays on the vast majority of boards out there. Just check the pedal board threads here. I have a duesenberg but I first played it because I thought mike campbells was cool and bought it because it was amazing, not because it's some kind of iconic church guitar. And how is this any different from all the strat/les paul players around here rehashing the same minor pentatonic licks our heros played over and over in every song. In my opinion, much of the sound that characterizes contemporary worship music is a result of players attempting to create a sound that appeals to many people from very different age groups, backgrounds etc. Players who like it will emulate it and use the gear used to make it, just like all you blues guys with your strats, country guys with teles etc. We are all copying someone.

[Holliman]

I very rarely post anything here but I have to weigh in on this. I am a full time P&W player and I do use much of the gear mentioned but so do a ton of other players in other genres. I see ts type drives into delays on the vast majority of boards out there. Just check the pedal board threads here. I have a duesenberg but I first played it because I thought mike campbells was cool and bought it because it was amazing, not because it's some kind of iconic church guitar. And how is this any different from all the strat/les paul players around here rehashing the same minor pentatonic licks our heros played over and over in every song. In my opinion, much of the sound that characterizes contemporary worship music is a result of players attempting to create a sound that appeals to many people from very different age groups, backgrounds etc. Players who like it will emulate it and use the gear used to make it, just like all you blues guys with your strats, country guys with teles etc. We are all copying someone.

Well said.

[wire-n-wood]

Why do I see so many Gretsch guitars in worship bands?
Ummm, because you go to church a lot...? :hide2

[bikeracr]

I hate to break it to the P&W guys, but God plays an ES-335.

I'm with you, brother!

[budglo58]

I very rarely post anything here but I have to weigh in on this. I am a full time P&W player and I do use much of the gear mentioned but so do a ton of other players in other genres. I see ts type drives into delays on the vast majority of boards out there. Just check the pedal board threads here. I have a duesenberg but I first played it because I thought mike campbells was cool and bought it because it was amazing, not because it's some kind of iconic church guitar. And how is this any different from all the strat/les paul players around here rehashing the same minor pentatonic licks our heros played over and over in every song. In my opinion, much of the sound that characterizes contemporary worship music is a result of players attempting to create a sound that appeals to many people from very different age groups, backgrounds etc. Players who like it will emulate it and use the gear used to make it, just like all you blues guys with your strats, country guys with teles etc. We are all copying someone.To an extent I agree.The problem I see is some people quit seeking their own unique voice that God has gifted them with.At some point I had to take those licks I learned and make them my own.Those minor pentatonic blues licks dont really fit well with major songs anyways.I play several different types of guitars because there is something to be said in flexability.I think what some of us see in SOME P and W settings is of the cookie cutter variety. Emulating is ok , imitation isnt.

[SFW]

The guys that play at my church use strats and POD Live rigs. Unfortunately, I don't think they have bothered to tweak any of the factory setting on their PODS....

I've thought about giving it a try, as I always like to place myself in new playing situations... but I'm afraid I might burst into flames if I set foot on the stage at church...lol!

[Bantha]

I play every week in church...my 81 Custom LP get most play time and I do have an Abyss (Kevin Pederson Guitars) that gets some play time...Dr. Z Amps but I do have my eye on the new "worship amp"...Jackson Ampworks Britain.

[marshall2288]

I play pretty moderate amounts on gain with no delays whatsoever on Sunday mornings and everyone loves it. We do all the standards these days: Hillsong, Tomlin ext. The other electric guitar player, however, does the same ole' boring delay and reverb soaked noodling that is all to common these days.

[amc]

you would have to have faith to stay in tune with a gretsch................

[eddie101]

.... The other electric guitar player, however, does the same ole' boring delay and reverb soaked noodling that is all to common these days.

Then for the love of God, you should tell him. I would, and that would not make me a sinner one bit. ;)

[Ascension]

To an extent I agree.The problem I see is some people quit seeking their own unique voice that God has gifted them with.At some point I had to take those licks I learned and make them my own.Those minor pentatonic blues licks dont really fit well with major songs anyways.I play several different types of guitars because there is something to be said in flexability.I think what some of us see in SOME P and W settings is of the cookie cutter variety. Emulating is ok , imitation isnt.
WORD bro this is one of the quarks of playing in the style. Many worship leaders want you to sound just like the recording every time and leave NO room for any thing else. I simply don't play for those guys not because I can't it's just not what stirs me. If you want it to sound just like a CD just put on the CD!

Music should have heart and be FREE in many Worship circles it is NOT.
This is also why we see SO many folks asking questions on Boards like this about how to get a particular tone or use a specific effect in Worship the Worship Leader is demanding that a player do something that is outside the box for them.
For myself I play with guys that are WAY out of the box. Many times we will will start with a set list and then as the night progresses move away and into uncharted water. Many nights after the first song or 2 we do whole sets of stuff that are completely improvised and spontaneous stuff that is written on the fly examples.
http://www.box.com/shared/x9bzd9cdm8
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=6777974
http://www.box.com/shared/ebaqasdnyc
This is some what is truly unique to playing this STYLE of stuff in the environment we play in.

[Hulakatt]

I have heard neither. I guess I'm too old. ;)

I'll say, the Cure were in their prime in the 80's!

[Chadley]

I totally agree with the consensus that there should be room for originality and freedom in the music. I picked up my Gretsch not so much because other church guitarists were using them, but more so because I thought the timbre and qualities of the instrument would work well with a lot of the music we are currently doing. I wanted a big sounding guitar that could handle rhythm stuff well and had a tremelo.

I have a 6131 (basically a Duo Jet) with a Bigsby. The guitar can really rock out with tons of overdrive or sound beautiful and chimey clean. It also really holds up well when you push it with pedals, cleaning up with the just slightest twist of the volume knob.

It's not the only guitar I use, but I use it often. If we are going to do a Lincoln Brewster tune , I will more than likely not use my Gretsch. It all depends on what the song calls for.

[eddie101]

I'll say, the Cure were in their prime in the 80's!


Totally skipped MTV generation and I don't think I missed much. YMMV.

[powermatt99]

I've been thinking of getting an SG and an 18W Marshall for P&W. Though AC/DC and P&W rarely end up in the same thread, there a lot of tones that would work in P&W, especially if you don't soak everything in 12 seconds of delay and reverb.

I was talking to a young friend who was lamenting that most of what we play at church uses 25 year old U2 tones. We've not progressed very much in since Joshua Tree.

[HP Hovercraft]

Totally skipped MTV generation and I don't think I missed much. YMMV.

Wow, so you've skipped all music made from 1981 to present?

The Cure started in 1976 btw.

[sector9]

I have never been to a church that had a band.

[ToneSter]

DSnellen79 (http://www.thegearpage.net/board/member.php?u=70325)................. nailed it from the start, 5th post, a lot of these guys are young and do not know much about gear!
the old guys are trying to copy the young guys because they think they are bringing a new sound which is like a regurgitated form of U2 but most people like it, should I tell you what I really think................lol
same thing in regular society, Page, Zakk & Paul's, Hendrix, Blackmore, Yngwie, Beck, etc,/strats..... Randy/Jacksons.........list goes on but the P&W thing mainly being the falcon, come - on, it is a nice guitar, but it is way old.
that's all I got to say about that....................... now back to recording

[Polynitro]

Totally skipped MTV generation and I don't think I missed much. YMMV.

I think you missed 30 out of the 50 years of rock and roll. Thats a bit much Id say.

[vortexxxx]

I think that Gretsch guitars are getting re-discovered so I see lots of them everywhere.

[MartinCliffe]

Meh. Can't be doing with the generic P&W genre. Some nice songs, for sure, but the sound is too saccharin, like Taylor Swift's version of country music. I play at church every week. DiMarzio loaded Ibanez into Egnater Tweaker, usually without pedals. Occasionally I'll go direct via my Digitech GSP1101 instead, but still with very little delay.

[HP Hovercraft]

I think that Gretsch guitars are getting re-discovered so I see lots of them everywhere.

Exactly. In terms of popularity in rock, it goes Telecaster > Gretsch > Fender offsets > any non-Strat or non-Les Paul > Les Paul > Strat

[Brantleycoker]

i am a worship leader at my church, as well as the tech director. no one at our church has a gretsch, I lead for our high school ministry and I lead on one of my telecasters every week. the 4 lead players we have at our church use a les paul, sg, tele, starfire. the other worship leaders have teles also and 1 has a duesenburg as a backup. i do however have a tele with tv jones. but mainly i lead on a 50s style partscaster or my 1972 thinline. we do play with heavy delay and reverb but I always have. i played in an atmospheric indie band for years and we used tons of delay well before i started playing at church. the styles just seemed to work together.