Hot or Not? Gretsch 5120

[ellengtrgrl]

speaking of Gretschbuckers and replacements. Ellen, have you played either the TV Jones SuperTrons or the Dimarzio EJ Custom humbuckers?

I haven't tried out the DiMarzios, but since the place I hang out at has mucho vintage guitars, including vintage Gretsches, I did try out a '67, or '68 Country Gent, with Supertrons in it, a couple of years ago. The Supers were a bit smoother sounding, and had a bit more kick than a regular Filtertron. As far as I know the TV Jones Supertrons are pretty close to the vintage ones soundwise.

 

[Tig]

Now the hard part... Finding 5120's that have the new pickups. Any info on new pup detection or manufactured date?

__________________________

Ah, and then there are the 5122DC double cuts...

 

[ellengtrgrl]

Ellen, the new releases have different gretschbuckers that are darn close to filters to my tin ears. I could live with stock, I think.
Honestly, I'm getting tired of fiddling. I just want to play.

EG

I disagree. But, that's just my opinion. NOW, if you get a Tim Armstrong model, or one of the new Projets or the new Double Jet, with the blacktop filtertrons, you basically end up with a Baldwin era Filtertron in the guitar.

 

[Help!I'maRock!]

I haven't tried out the DiMarzios, but since the place I hang out at has mucho vintage guitars, including vintage Gretsches, I did try out a '67, or '68 Country Gent, with Supertrons in it, a couple of years ago. The Supers were a bit smoother sounding, and had a bit more kick than a regular Filtertron. As far as I know the TV Jones Supertrons are pretty close to the vintage ones soundwise.

the Dimarzios are modeled after Eric Johnson's Gretsch Country Gentleman pickups. he wanted that sound in his Les Paul. so it's probably halfway between a PAF and a Filtertron. Which, to me, not having played one, kinda sounds like the SuperTron description.

 

[Elias Graves]

I guess the price tag reflects it, but they do seem to be among the better of the asian imports. Played it side by side with a standard casino and it wasn't really close.

EG

 

[Help!I'maRock!]

I guess the price tag reflects it, but they do seem to be among the better of the asian imports. Played it side by side with a standard casino and it wasn't really close.

EG

what about against that Elitist Casino you and i were drooling over earlier this year?

 

[Coda]

...I love it...

 

[paulskirocks]

I guess the price tag reflects it, but they do seem to be among the better of the asian imports. Played it side by side with a standard casino and it wasn't really close.

EG

How weren't they close? Feel? Setup? Tone and sustain unplugged and plugged in? Details, please...

 

[Elias Graves]

I'd say the limited casino is on par with the gretsch. The standard casino felt kinda cheap and the tone was real thin in comparison. I know the casino has singles, but, compared to the gibson p90s in the anniversary casino, they just sounded cheap.
The pots felt loose and cheap, fit and finish were nowhere near as nice and the casino had that standard epi dipped in plastic look. The gretsch looks and feels like a real paint job, not shrinkwrap.
The gretsch tuned up nice and easy, but the D and G strings on the casino kept jumping in the nut, overshooting the tuning. The output jack was loose and one of the tuners was crooked.
To me, those casinos ought to be priced like a Dot, not $600.

EG

 

[sunvalleylaw]

I love those double cuts too. It was pretty much between one of these guitars and my Hag. Since I have my Hag I won't be getting one of these. But they shore look purdy!

 

[grover]

I really liked mine with original pick-ups. I love it with the TV Jones pick-ups!!!
I dig the white version they have now. But I have to admit I'm still a sucker for the Gold trim on the White Falcon. I guess I'm into the bling thing.