Overall Rating: Been playing for 25 years...where has the time gone? It's my third Gretsch & currently the 2nd Gretsch in my current aresenal of guitars. Hope to add another in a few years.
How does it compare? The closest thing I can compare it to is my Setzer Signature model. I'll list the differences from the Hot Rods perspective: Slightly thinner body (1/4"), Solid Color Finish vs. Tiger/Flamed Maple, Normal Nut vs. Graphite Nut, Single Volume vs. Master & 2 P/U Volume Knobs, No Tone Switch vs. Tone (Mud) Switch, Gretsch Tuner's vs. Sperzel Locking Tuners, Regular Screw On strap buttons vs Strap Locks, louder acoustic output, ebonized rosewood vs. real ebony fretboard, larger frets. The Signature has a more mellow, even acoustic sound vs. the Hot Rods more in your face acoustic sound. Both guitars were built in 99, so there shouldn't be any sound difference due to age. The thickness of the actual wood in the top is the same for both guitars. The Hot Rods standard pick ups have a better defined sound than the original Signature p/u's. They both have AlNiCo magnet poles, however, there was some updating done to the pick ups by Brian Setzer-He employed the expertise of TV Jones (who sells his own version of the Filter Tron pick ups) in getting the Hot Rods to sound more like the vintage Filter Trons in his old Gretsches. They do have more growl & bite than the Signature pick ups. My Signature now has TV Jones Filter Tron's in them & it SMOKES!
Features: Brian Setzer version of his faithful old 6120. Very simple straight forward guitar. Pick Up selector & master volume. 2 AlNiCo Filter Tron's (designed by TV Jones). Chrome hardware, Bigsby, Rosewood Fretboard (Ebonized-not ebony), 22 med frets, Gretsch tuners. Mine is Candy Apple Red Metallic. Gorgeous. Made in Japan. 1999.
Sound Quality: When I play my Gretsches, it's rockabilly, fingerpickin', rock n' roll. I play it thru a '67 Blackface Fender Super Reverb. Wonderful. Volume at about 5, treble-7 or 8, mid-7, bass-4. Nice midrange growl. Even unplugged, this is very LOUD guitar. Very present. It gets that great Gretsch Sound!
Reliability/Durability: I've played my other Gretches live for quite a while & never had any reliability problems. Only caution is the bridge-If it floats, it WILL float at the most inappropriate time (during your best solo) and pop the guitar hopelessly out of tune (throwing your singing off) and promise yourself to get some double sided tape in the morning...
Customer Support: No need. I've heard horror stories about Gretsch, but I've heard good stories too.
Purchased From: Guitar Center
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