• Registered: 2007-09-16
  • Posts: 3

Topic: I want a gretsch g5120

been playing for about 5 yrs... mostly acoustic, I have a fender "beginner acoustic" moved up to a guild... have a cheap electrip guitar and a cheap bass acoustic guitar, also restored a 1900-1920 parlor guitar.... ready for an upgraded electric, love the sound of the rockabilly or old jazz guitar sound... my mind is set on this guitar, I have no cash (( I'm inot harley's and clasic cars, spent way too much on other toys)))... might finance it at sam ash or guitar center... what kind of amp do I need to get this kind of sound?

2 Reply by dguyton (edited by dguyton 2008-12-08 13:40:26)

  • From: Central Flatland
  • Registered: 2007-05-30
  • Posts: 223

Re: I want a gretsch g5120

Well, if you're not made of money, then a Gretsch amp is pretty much out of the question.  wink  If you ever get a chance to play through a Variety, do it!  Then lament the fact that you can't afford the thing.

Seriously, just about any tube amp will do, I'm very fond of my Fender Blues Jr.  I also like the sound of the Hot Rod Deluxe, and many Gretsch players like the Fender Blues Deluxe and the Deluxe Reverb Re-Issue.  You're looking for lots of clean headroom for that twangy "Great Gretsch Sound" but that touch of tube breakup when your amp is working hard is kinda like the sound of angels.

One word of caution regarding the 5120, but look carefully at the back of the guitar before you buy.  There was apparently a batch of too-long sound posts in some made last year, which caused hairline cracks in the center of the back.  I haven't heard of any problems with the 2008 models (stock with the silver pickguard), but exercise a little caution with anything having a clear pickguard and/or a KS07 serial number.

"There's such a fine line between genius and stupidity."
                              --David St. Hubbins