Gretsch Guitars G100CE Synchromatic Archtop

Mark Wein

Mark Wein

Grand Poobah
Staff member
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guit...synchromatic-archtop-electric-guitar?pfm=ac-a

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[h=2]Jazzalicious
[/h]Take a ride uptown in style and plug it in! Reminiscent of the early Synchromatics of the 1940s, this archtop acoustic/electric has a spruce top, maple sides and back, maple neck, and rosewood fingerboard. The G100CE features a Gretsch pickup, separate volume and tone knobs, chromatic tailpiece, aged pearloid block inlays, vintage headstock logo, and compensated bridge. The 40's design is simple and elegant, and you'll be unlikely to find anything like it in the market at this price.

Perfect for the Gretsch player looking for a no-nonsense, the G100CE guitar is a vibe-loaded acoustic that allows you to plug it in and won't break the bank! It's the couch guitar you can take to the streets.

The Synchromatic's Gretsch pickup offers flexibility and tone. The chromatic bridge and tailpiece provide balanced string tension and enhanced bass response. The art deco design is vintage cool!

[h=3]Features[/h]
  • Body Style: Archtop Acoustic
  • Scale Length: 25.5"
  • Top: Laminated Spruce
  • Bracing: Parallel Tone Bars
  • Back And Sides: Laminated Maple, 16" Wide, 2.75" Deep
  • Neck: Laminated Maple
  • Pickups: Gretsch Single Coil
  • Controls: Volume and Tone
  • Width At Nut: 1-11/16" (43mm)
  • Fretboard: Rosewood
  • Bridge: Gretsch Rosewood Chromatic Bridge
  • Tailpiece: Gretsch Chromatic Tailpiece
  • Hardware: Chrome-Plated
  • Finish: Matte Urethane
  • Frets: 20 Extra Broad Frets
  • Machine Heads: Chrome-Plated Die-Cast Tuners

You know you want it. Order today!
 
Looks wise, it's fantastic. They play and sound good too in person.

But...it has one of those turn offs to me, one that would stop any real lust dead in it's tracks. A single pickup. I know it's for jazz and all, but..it's the same reason I generally buy guitars without a vibrato. I like the option of more versatility rather than less.

Having actually never plugged in a jazz box with a floating pickup...what's the deal? Do they actually sound any different than a traditionally routed pup? It's essentially a mini humbucker or p-90, right?
 
Grave Bomber said:
Looks wise, it's fantastic. They play and sound good too in person.

But...it has one of those turn offs to me, one that would stop any real lust dead in it's tracks. A single pickup. I know it's for jazz and all, but..it's the same reason I generally buy guitars without a vibrato. I like the option of more versatility rather than less.

Having actually never plugged in a jazz box with a floating pickup...what's the deal? Do they actually sound any different than a traditionally routed pup? It's essentially a mini humbucker or p-90, right?
Click to expand...

I'll speak to my experience with the Fifth Avenue, at least. I picked it up expecting to hate it. I was sure it would be a dull, dead sound that combined the feedback and poor sustain of an acoustic with the cold, harsh sound of an electric.

It turned out to be a wonderful blend of the best aspects of an acoustic and electric guitar. It has the pretty "singing" quality of an electric on single notes and the dynamics, clarity, and response of an acoustic.

I don't think of it or play it as an electric guitar. To me, it's an acoustic that gets louder and can cut through with melodies better than a standard flat top. In that way, the simplicity of a single pickup and two controls is nice.

Funny thing about it is it's like I become a different player with it -- I'll do more jazzy chromatic stuff and more interesting chords and it freakin' works. There's just something inspiring about the sound.
 
Grave Bomber said:
Looks wise, it's fantastic. They play and sound good too in person.

But...it has one of those turn offs to me, one that would stop any real lust dead in it's tracks. A single pickup. I know it's for jazz and all, but..it's the same reason I generally buy guitars without a vibrato. I like the option of more versatility rather than less.

Having actually never plugged in a jazz box with a floating pickup...what's the deal? Do they actually sound any different than a traditionally routed pup? It's essentially a mini humbucker or p-90, right?
Click to expand...

It's a mini humbucker. These are built basically like the LP deluxe version which is a 4/5 scale PAF. The one Gretsch uses is an ok import but like with any other ok import, a good pickup will make a huge difference. They hang em off the fretboard like that so it doesn't dampen the acoustic sound of the guitar. Or to avoid cutting giant holes in the top of a vintage piece. :embarrassed:
 
Elias Graves said:
They hang em off the fretboard like that so it doesn't dampen the acoustic sound of the guitar. Or to avoid cutting giant holes in the top of a vintage piece. :embarrassed:
Click to expand...


Yeah, this. That´s why they mount the volume and tone pots on the pickguard as well instead of drilling holes into the top.

Playing an archtop feels great and is its own beast. The combination of acoustic and amplified tones gives a wonderful "3D" feeling to your playing. It feels odd since I am used to a solidbody where the volume comes strictly from the amplifier. Plus, you can dial down the volume and comp acoustically, like Jim Hall.
 
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Zetor said:
Yeah, this. That´s why they mount the volume and tone pots on the pickguard as well instead of drilling holes into the top.

Playing an archtop feels great and is its own beast. The combination of acoustic and amplified tones gives a wonderful "3D" feeling to your playing. It feels odd since I am used to a solidbody where the volume comes strictly from the amplifier. Plus, you can dial down the volume and comp acoustically, like Jim Hall.
Click to expand...

So you're saying if I get a guitar like this I can play just like Jim Hall? Awesome!
 
I know it would ruin it for some people, but please put a bridge pickup in it. I own an Electromatic (5120) and they're fantastic. I'd have no hesitations about buying this if I were a jazz dude.
 
It's a cool guitar, but I think I'd only buy one if it's stupid cheap, since I already have a killer jazz box (my 1954 Gretsch Country Club). Besides, I just bought a Cabronita Telecaster Thinline today (online) from zZounds.com, so I don't need another guitar. :grin:
 
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