Inform me on the Gretsch Duo Jet

[npirt.89]

I've been a tele player for years and want something with a thicker sound. Not super beefy like a Les Paul, but still clear. I think the Duo Jet is up my alley, but what pickups do you recommend? I've heard a lot of hype about the TV Jones. I also want a Bigsby on it. So what model do I need to be looking at?

[twangbanger]

I'm also a teleman and happen to have a Duo Jet w/ dynasonics, those PU's are just slightly beefier to my ears than stock tele pu's. I have another tele w/ TV Jones. Classic in the bridge, magnatron in the neck and really like that combo. Love the way that the bigsby is set up on the Duo's. smooth as it gets . spend some time w/ it as it has a lot different sound and feel from a tele. great guitars!

[Billy Penn]

I would check out the G6128T. It has the Filtertron type pickups and bigsby. I have a Brian Setzer Hot Rod and swapped the pickups for TV Jones and imo the guitar sounded way better and hed better dynaimcs. BTW- I'm a Tele nut as well!!!

[nosacter]

I thought the Setzers came stock with TVs???
Anyway, I would go with the 61128 DS--preferably used because they're way too expensive. But that guitar needs Dynas IMHO. Sounds like a Les Paul with Filtertrons.

[DrumBob]

It may look a little like a Les Paul, but the Duo Jet is way different, expecially with TV Jones FilterTron pickups. Even the stock Gretsch FilterTrons have a growl and raunchiness you don't get with a Gibson. The Duo Jet with DeArmond pickups is cleaner and less nasty sounding. I like FilterTrons much better. You could try examples of both and pick what you like.

[Waxhead]

Here's my 2004 Jet Firebird 6131. Same as a Duo Jet except red. Has the stock Gretsch Filtertron PUP's. I've tried the TV Jones Classics too. The 2 PUP's are very similar IMO and I don't think one is better - just a little different is all. So what do I think of this guitar. I love Tele's, Strats, Ibanez and most Gibsons. They all have their own character that suits them to particular styles of music. But my Gretsch is definitely my No 1.

Why - cause it's by far THE most versatile guitar I've ever played. You think a Tele is versatile. It ain't compared to a Jet. This baby does every style fantastic except heavy metal. I've used it in jazz bands, blues, rock, heavy rock, rockabilly, folk - you name it. It's got the Les Paul growl going but sounds much better clean, it's got the Tele/Strat twang, plus the ES-335 warmth. The bigsby & the whole guitar design works flawlessly, it's light weight, comfortable to play, the build quality is beautiful and they're cheap compared to other high end guitars. PLUs they have a unique Gretsch tone goin and you'll sound like no-one else. They look classy and classic too and when people see you on stage they look and think - ok not just another boring Fender player. I get alot of comments on my Gretsch from punters. Add that all up & these guitars simply cannot be beat IMO.

[npirt.89]

Thanks guys, I think i've pretty much ruled out the single coils because I do want something a lot thicker than my tele. Can someone tell me the tonal difference in the Filtertron PUs and the TV Jones?

[Drew816]

Welcome to Duo Jet Madness, it's an all consuming disease and no government funded vaccination effort will quell the desire; these buggers RULE!!!!

The stock Fender HS Filtertrons are more big humbucker sounding to me, nice pickups in their own right but missing a bit of the 'twang' that you'll get with TV Classics. If you want a Les Paul 'killer,' go with Powertrons which are hot-rodded Classics, evil pickups, they loose some of the twang but get a lot of GROWL in the process. I'm a TV Classic person myself but I've had most of Tom's offerings in one guitar or another; my Rev Horton Heat has Classics and that's the way I like it baby!

Lots of models with the spec's you're looking for, just keep an eye out and get a 2004 model or later (Fender era) as they have better electronics, they're lighter, built more like the originals, etc. Just my opinion but a few of the pre-Fender Jet's I've played were serious heavy weights and without a complete electronics replacement they sounded like CRAP (complete wiring harness + pickups so think $350+).

Contact Joel at Shanghai if you're thinking new, ask him if he can track down any B Stockers (which only have minor cosmetic flaws, no 'real issues' and he'll get you the best price on TV's around more than likely as well. Used, it's a buyers market... Vintage, a little more risky but WOW; you cross into another world with you get into Vintage Jets and 'non-perfect' one's can often times be had for not much more than these reissues and let me tell you my friends, vintage Filtertrons in an original Jet; well, they're their own slice of heaven for sure...

As for Setzer's and TV's; SOME Setzer models have them, others don't; I think if the model number has TV in it then you've got them otherwise they're just stock HS Filters.

Good luck and let us know what your second Gretsch is going to be, because there of course will be another, and than another and then...

[npirt.89]

I really like the looks of the Silver Jet. Does Gretsch have a Silver Jet with Filtertrons or TV Classics?

[Stringz]

Originally Posted by nosacter

I thought the Setzers came stock with TVs???
Anyway, I would go with the 61128 DS--preferably used because they're way too expensive. But that guitar needs Dynas IMHO. Sounds like a Les Paul with Filtertrons.

I've read early Hot Rods came with Filtertrons.

[art_z]

+1 on the TV Jones. I've had a couple 60s era 6120s over the years and to my ears, the TV Jones in my RHH 6120 are as close as you can get to that "Great Gretsch Sound"

[drbob1]

I had the 6128 modelled after the Beatles one (bar bridge and bigsby). GREAT sounding guitar, ran it thru a couple of Hermida pedals into a 65 AC30 and it rocked. I sold it when I got my 59 Jet Firebird, which is just a world more light and resonant (but twice the price, I'm afraid). Anyway, I wouldn't be afraid of single coils on a 6128, they have balls like a P90 with less noise. I kinda want that guitar back in a way...

[fancychords]

I too have been a Tele/Nocaster for many years..I bought the G6128 with Dynasonic pickups...I always found that single coils always lend themselves better to effects and all around playing..This guitar is tele like but also can get nice and thick using the neck pick up..Do your self a favor and try the dynas first...

[eddie101]

Originally Posted by drbob1

I had the 6128 modelled after the Beatles one (bar bridge and bigsby). GREAT sounding guitar, ran it thru a couple of Hermida pedals into a 65 AC30 and it rocked. I sold it when I got my 59 Jet Firebird, which is just a world more light and resonant (but twice the price, I'm afraid). Anyway, I wouldn't be afraid of single coils on a 6128, they have balls like a P90 with less noise. I kinda want that guitar back in a way...

Say, didn't you get that '59 from me? I still have the brown Super that I got from you in trade, if you are the same DrBob that is. That is the best Gretsch I've ever played. I miss that Jet! Best, Ed

[MBreinin]

Get a vintage one. Nothing better. Trust me.