Epi ES-295 vs. Gretch 5120

[Gene C]

I'm trying to decide on which of these two hollowbodys I want to own. I need a thicker hollowbody for roots/rockabilly music. I played the Gretch and liked the looks and feel. The neck felt comfortable and the tone was nice (as far as I could tell in a music store).
I'd rather have the P-90's and slightly thicker body of the ES-295 but haven't been able to find one locally to test drive. Can anyone offer an experienced opinion??
thanks,
Gene

[dunara]

The Gretsch is definitely cooler. The es295 with an Epiphone headstock is bogus - there's no such guitar in the real world. If you've tried and liked the Gretsch already, it's a no-brainer - or see if you can pick up a second-hand Gibson es-135.

[MBreinin]

Originally Posted by Gene C

I'm trying to decide on which of these two hollowbodys I want to own. I need a thicker hollowbody for roots/rockabilly music. I played the Gretch and liked the looks and feel. The neck felt comfortable and the tone was nice (as far as I could tell in a music store).
I'd rather have the P-90's and slightly thicker body of the ES-295 but haven't been able to find one locally to test drive. Can anyone offer an experienced opinion??
thanks,
Gene

Well, the 5120 has regular humbuckers in it. All of the ones I have played have sounded decent acoustically, and then too muddy amplified. Of course, TV Jones makes pickups you can drop in.

Never played the Epi 295. I just got a real one and I would say that it is the best Rockabilly guitar I have ever owned. That list includes:

6120 DSW reissue;
'58 Double Anniversary with PAF Filtertrons;
'53 Duo Jet Script logo;
'64 Sparkle Jet;
Rumley Western with TV Classics;
Electromatic Jet with GFS Dyna sized P-90s.

The 295 really is tops on the Rockabilly heap...and it will do blues quite well too. The '53 Jet is a very close second as it was incredible. Of course, that is not a big body guitar.

My gut instinct is to direct you to the 295 over the 5120.

Mike

[Gene C]

Originally Posted by dunara

The Gretsch is definitely cooler. The es295 with an Epiphone headstock is bogus - there's no such guitar in the real world. If you've tried and liked the Gretsch already, it's a no-brainer - or see if you can pick up a second-hand Gibson es-135.

I thought that the Epi ES-295 was a RI of the Gibson ES-295 of the 50's played by Scotty Moore. I thought thats why they went with the floral PG and only offered in the gold top color scheme.
Are you saying only the headstock is different ? I think I can understand your point of it (Gretch) looking cooler. I heard other people say the stk. pups are kinda muddy when amplified at any volume on the Gretch 5120 too.

[MBreinin]

Originally Posted by Gene C

I thought that the Epi ES-295 was a RI of the Gibson ES-295 of the 50's played by Scotty Moore. I thought thats why they went with the floral PG and only offered in the gold top color scheme.
Are you saying only the headstock is different ? I think I can understand your point of it (Gretch) looking cooler. I heard other people say the stk. pups are kinda muddy when amplified at any volume on the Gretch 5120 too.

He is busting on the Epi style HS as not being historically correct. That may be true, but the Epi 295 is more like a real 295 than the 5120 is like a 6120. I love both Gretsches and Gibsons, and I would opt for the 295. Either one will likely have you wanting more though, keep that in mind. It will be a much more pricey proposition to step up to a 295 reissue from Gibson than it will be to step up to a 6120 reissue.....if you decide to take that path.

Mike

[dead mike]

if you decide on a korean gretsch get the single coil dearmand 2000s, they sound great, are american made, and sound way better than the humbuckers.

out of the 2 guitars i would buy the epiphone, but beware the pups do buzz.

if you can save a little more money you might be able to snag a guild x-160 which is an amazing guitar.

[BigPapiFan]

Of the two you mentioned, I'd go with the Epi. However, for rockabilly, the DeArmond 2K pickups are great. Why not try to find a DeArmond Starfire Special - thinline semi-hollow, single cutaway with dual 2K pups or a DeArmond T-400 thinline big bodied full-hollow with the same pickups.