Bought A Cheap Gretsch

jrockbridge

jrockbridge

Stealing Your Riffs
It’s a used G2410TG Streamliner. I stopped by Guitar Center. I’m used to most of their guitars having fret sprout which is a deal breaker for me. This one feels and sounds good. It stays in tune well.

I’m still trying to decide if it’s a keeper (45 days). I’m not a big fan of gold hardware and pups but it looks ok.

Quick phone pics…
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The current lineup of Gretsches are stupidly good!

The only thing I wish is that the Streamliners got the Black Top Broad'Trons (which are constructed and spec'd like Filter'Trons but with more space between the coils for a reading a wider area of string vibration) instead of the BT-2 and BT-3 pickups, which are basically bright-sounding Gibson-size humbuckers.

I keep looking at some of the Streamliners and thinking about dropping some Filter'Trons in with adapter rings.

I have two Electromatics, a G5220 Jet in Dark Cherry Metallic that I put HS Filter'Trons in and put a B7 Bigsby with a Vibramate on and a G5655TG in Amethyst. I haven't dropped the Duncan Psyclones I have in the G5655TG, yet, but that's easy once I found the quick-connect plugs on eBay, plus the BT Broad'Trons actually sound really good in it.

Beware... You may end up with more.
 
I adjusted the truss rod. I loosened it a bit. And, I raised the action a slight amount.

It’s unique in my collection in several ways. It’s my lightest electric at 6.5 lbs. It’s loud acoustically and sounds really good unplugged. Plugged into an amp, it does not sound like any of my other guitars. It’s unlike my Gibsons, Fenders, Squire or Sire. It’s my first Gretsch and first Bigsby. As long as I use the whammy for subtle color, it stays in tune.

Somebody, played the heck out of this thing. Maybe, that’s part of why it feels so good. It’s played in without being worn down. It’s been knocked about a bit, nicks and gouges. So, I don’t have to treat it as precious. Yet, it still looks nice enough. I’m a sucker for subtle finishes that show off wood grain. I think it’s going to stay.
 
GilmourD said:
The current lineup of Gretsches are stupidly good!

The only thing I wish is that the Streamliners got the Black Top Broad'Trons (which are constructed and spec'd like Filter'Trons but with more space between the coils for a reading a wider area of string vibration) instead of the BT-2 and BT-3 pickups, which are basically bright-sounding Gibson-size humbuckers.

I keep looking at some of the Streamliners and thinking about dropping some Filter'Trons in with adapter rings.

I have two Electromatics, a G5220 Jet in Dark Cherry Metallic that I put HS Filter'Trons in and put a B7 Bigsby with a Vibramate on and a G5655TG in Amethyst. I haven't dropped the Duncan Psyclones I have in the G5655TG, yet, but that's easy once I found the quick-connect plugs on eBay, plus the BT Broad'Trons actually sound really good in it.

Beware... You may end up with more.
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This used G2410TG Streamliner I bought seems to be a model from 3 years ago. I have no idea which type of Broad’trons are in it vs other models. I watched an old video of the G2410TG being compared to similar models of Gretsch from that same production year, including Filerton equipped. They all sounded close with only slight discernible differences in the sound.

I know from experience that a compressed YT video is not the same as hearing things in person. Subtle differences in a YT video will often sound drastically different in person. But, I’m going to delude myself into believing that my Broad’trons are close enough for now.

I have no doubt that I’ll GAS for a genuine Filerton pickup Gretsch. But, I’m enjoying rolling off volume on this Streamliner and getting sounds not possible with any of my PAF equipped guitars. It’s a good gateway drug into Gretsch and I’m becoming addicted.
 
jrockbridge said:
This used G2410TG Streamliner I bought seems to be a model from 3 years ago. I have no idea which type of Broad’trons are in it vs other models. I watched an old video of the G2410TG being compared to similar models of Gretsch from that same production year, including Filerton equipped. They all sounded close with only slight discernible differences in the sound.

I know from experience that a compressed YT video is not the same as hearing things in person. Subtle differences in a YT video will often sound drastically different in person. But, I’m going to delude myself into believing that my Broad’trons are close enough for now.

I have no doubt that I’ll GAS for a genuine Filerton pickup Gretsch. But, I’m enjoying rolling off volume on this Streamliner and getting sounds not possible with any of my PAF equipped guitars. It’s a good gateway drug into Gretsch and I’m becoming addicted.
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Well, it looks like they say BT-2S on them, so they're the older version that's basically a Gibson-style humbucker. Fortunately, adapter rings aren't rocket science.
 
Welcome to Gretsch World!
I think you are smart to give the pickups a chance if you like what you have.
If it was me I would first:
Get me some nickel or chrome G arrow knobs on it. The black plastic just aint it IMO. Otherwise great color, nice looking Gretsch.
Replace the Tuneomatic bridge with a Compton or Tru Arc (But thats just my preference).
 
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Pine Apple Slim said:
Welcome to Gretsch World!
I think you are smart to give the pickups a chance if you like what you have.
If it was me I would first:
Get me some nickel or chrome G arrow knobs on it. The black plastic just aint it IMO. Otherwise great color, nice looking Gretsch.
Replace the Tuneomatic bridge with a Compton or Tru Arc (But thats just my preference).
Click to expand...

I'm not ruling out upgrading the pickups at some point. But, I just bought it for $350. Spending another $240 on pickups and another $27 on adapter rings does not make a lot of sense to me. It evokes that cliche of putting silk socks on a hog.

Don't get me wrong. I used to swap pickups all the time back in the day. But, I approach things a bit different now. If the guitar needs different pickups, why not buy a different guitar? I think it makes more sense to play the guitar as is and if I desire to go to the next level of Gretsch, then I spend the money for one that either has the Filtetrons stock or at least is high end enough to justify a $267 upgrade.
 
jrockbridge said:
I'm not ruling out upgrading the pickups at some point. But, I just bought it for $350. Spending another $240 on pickups and another $27 on adapter rings does not make a lot of sense to me. It evokes that cliche of putting silk socks on a hog.

Don't get me wrong. I used to swap pickups all the time back in the day. But, I approach things a bit different now. If the guitar needs different pickups, why not buy a different guitar? I think it makes more sense to play the guitar as is and if I desire to go to the next level of Gretsch, then I spend the money for one that either has the Filtetrons stock or at least is high end enough to justify a $267 upgrade.
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What I'm getting is you are not unhappy with the sound. So, I agree with not changing the pickups but, for a different reason. If I change the pickups, I no longer have a guitar that sounds like this.
 
jrockbridge said:
I'm not ruling out upgrading the pickups at some point. But, I just bought it for $350. Spending another $240 on pickups and another $27 on adapter rings does not make a lot of sense to me. It evokes that cliche of putting silk socks on a hog.

Don't get me wrong. I used to swap pickups all the time back in the day. But, I approach things a bit different now. If the guitar needs different pickups, why not buy a different guitar? I think it makes more sense to play the guitar as is and if I desire to go to the next level of Gretsch, then I spend the money for one that either has the Filtetrons stock or at least is high end enough to justify a $267 upgrade.
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As a manufacturer of $5 slide switch spacers that was just accused of overcharging when somebody can just buy washers () $27 for adapter rings is ludicrous. TV Jones sells rings for much less than that.

I have a red Jazzmaster that I built with vintage-spec Filtertrons (double thick A5 magnets, 4.0K neck, 4.8K bridge) that I got from one of my suppliers. If I actually carried them (I don't normally) I'd probably price them at $40 each. That's not to say TV Jones stuff (which is where I assume you're getting that $240 price) aren't worth it, but you also don't have to go crazy. I got an set of actual Gretsch High Sensitive FilterTrons for $130 used to put in my Jet.

But, also, if you like the existing pickups, fuck our opinions. :banana:
 
GilmourD said:
As a manufacturer of $5 slide switch spacers that was just accused of overcharging when somebody can just buy washers () $27 for adapter rings is ludicrous. TV Jones sells rings for much less than that.

I have a red Jazzmaster that I built with vintage-spec Filtertrons (double thick A5 magnets, 4.0K neck, 4.8K bridge) that I got from one of my suppliers. If I actually carried them (I don't normally) I'd probably price them at $40 each. That's not to say TV Jones stuff (which is where I assume you're getting that $240 price) aren't worth it, but you also don't have to go crazy. I got an set of actual Gretsch High Sensitive FilterTrons for $130 used to put in my Jet.

But, also, if you like the existing pickups, fuck our opinions. :banana:
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2 pickups. 2 rings. $13.25 + $13.25 = $26.50 + tax + shipping = more than $27. I guess TV Jones is ludicrous. :bigg:

The $240 is rounded from the price for a new set of gold Gretsch Filtertron pickups at $119 each. TV Jones versions of those pickups are much more expensive than $119 each. $119 + $119 + tax is more than $240.

I like the way the guitar sounds with the current pups. But, I don't know what I'm missing. If I swapped the Broad'trons for Filtertrons, I might like the guitar at another level. Thank goodness, ignorance is bliss. :)
 
I got a pair of Blacktop Filtertrons for $100 6-7 years ago when everybody was upgrading their spankin new 5420s with TVJs or HS Filtertrons. Agree you probably dont have to spend TVJ prices to get a "Gretchier" sound.
But I also agree you wont have the original sound anymore and you'll probably miss it.
I did. Those "Mudbuckers" in that 5120 so derided by Gretsch afficiandos were smokey snd dark and great blues or jazz pickups.
I wish I had put them back in and kept the 5120 after I got my White Falcon with TVJ classics.
If you want Filtertrons buy a guitar with Filtertrons and keep the guitar with a sound you like and will probably miss if you alter or sell it.
Speaking from experience, thats the better idea.
 
jrockbridge said:
2 pickups. 2 rings. $13.25 + $13.25 = $26.50 + tax + shipping = more than $27. I guess TV Jones is ludicrous. :bigg:

The $240 is rounded from the price for a new set of gold Gretsch Filtertron pickups at $119 each. TV Jones versions of those pickups are much more expensive than $119 each. $119 + $119 + tax is more than $240.

I like the way the guitar sounds with the current pups. But, I don't know what I'm missing. If I swapped the Broad'trons for Filtertrons, I might like the guitar at another level. Thank goodness, ignorance is bliss. :)
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Oh! Those rings are for the Gretsch body mount screw spacing. You'd need these or these.

I guess they're out of stock right now but there were plenty of sets in gold below $200 when I was looking a couple months ago.

But, like I said, if you like it as is keep it as is!
 
Pine Apple Slim said:
I got a pair of Blacktop Filtertrons for $100 6-7 years ago when everybody was upgrading their spankin new 5420s with TVJs or HS Filtertrons. Agree you probably dont have to spend TVJ prices to get a "Gretchier" sound.
But I also agree you wont have the original sound anymore and you'll probably miss it.
I did. Those "Mudbuckers" in that 5120 so derided by Gretsch afficiandos were smokey snd dark and great blues or jazz pickups.
I wish I had put them back in and kept the 5120 after I got my White Falcon with TVJ classics.
If you want Filtertrons buy a guitar with Filtertrons and keep the guitar with a sound you like and will probably miss if you alter or sell it.
Speaking from experience, thats the better idea.
Click to expand...
Here is a comparison video of 3 levels of Gretsch guitars. The video compares the Streamliner, Electromatic and Pro Series. I can hear the differences which I think would be even more obvious in person. Yet, all 3 sound Gretsch-esque to me. Also, I'm not convinced that the only reason they sound different is the electronics and pickups. Therefore, I don't believe that Filtertrons would get me the same sound of a Pro Series. But, it could get me closer.

 
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