Members Aster1 Posted January 23, 2010 Members Share Posted January 23, 2010 Hi Everyone, I don't own a Gretsch yet but will soon. What I'm asking about is which of these two guitars would help me grab into the 60's British sound esp. The Beatles ( oppps, can you say that w/o being sued for some copyright infringement)? Since I can't locate a Model 10 copy of a Ric, and won't invest $2k+ in a Ric, would either of these two sound anything close to the 325 Rickenbacker? I know, I know, you Ric owners, "nothing sounds like a Ric" but that's just not going to happen. Rather buy a midrange Gretsch and add more candy on my Harley's this year than one git. I only play music for myself and am just a good "hacker" at this moment. So you Gretsch owners help me locate the right git and become "happily involved in the Gretsch culture!" Also, I would prefer to get one at a shop, but no one has them in stock so I will be mail ordering as it's a long travel to just order one at a store that ain't "local" anyhow. Deal is on at one of the online stores and for a good discount thru Sunday and want to get one on the way. Thanks! Aster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Elias Graves Posted January 23, 2010 Members Share Posted January 23, 2010 Well, a Casino would do that better. Both of those models you mentioned have humbuckers where most of those great Beatles songs were done with single coil guitars. Between the two you mentioned, though, I prefer the Jet. I like a fiixed bridge and you can get that on the Jet. Either of those is a nice guitar. The Corvette is gonna be a little lighter probably. EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Aster1 Posted January 23, 2010 Author Members Share Posted January 23, 2010 Thanks for the help. Would there another model Gretsch that would be more useful or change out the pups in the Jet? I have an Epiphone Casino ( just got that for the later years sound ) and I do like it a lot. Also, any Pro Jet owners have a good case with excellent fit other than the Gretsch case for $179.00? It the Gretsch case lined with some exotic and endangered leopards fur or what? Aster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members EllenGtrGrl Posted January 23, 2010 Members Share Posted January 23, 2010 Here's a listing of all the Gretsches, George Harrison played. http://www.celebrityrockstarguitars.com/rock/harrison.htm If you can't afford a Duo Jet, or a Country Gentleman, there are ways to get close: 1. Buy a Pro Jet, and put GFS NYII pickups in it.2, Buy an Electromatic Special Jet. These are solid body guitars, that have deArmond 2K single coils in them. They don't sound exactly like the Dynasonics in a Duo Jet, but they will get you in the ball park soundwise. These are no longer made, but do occasionally show up on eBay. http://www.gretsch.com.au/featured/electromaticsj/ 3. Buy an Electromatic G5122 ( http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gretsch-Guitars-G5122-Double-Cutaway-Electromatic-Hollowbody-Electric-Guitar?sku=514651), and install either a set of TV Jones Classics or HiLoTrons (George played a Tennessean with HiLoTrons) in it, or if you're tight for the cash, a set of GFS Retrotron Liverpools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Gumkick Posted January 23, 2010 Members Share Posted January 23, 2010 I've been wanting a Gretsch for a while, I've played a couple Pro Jets and read a lot but I can't say I know a lot about them and I know nothing about Rickenbackers but there's a DeArmond M75T on the spam thread which is a real bargain and would satisfy 90% of my Gretsch GAS (Bigsby, DeArmond single-coils). If you want something visually closer to George's Duo Jet TV Jones has announced the T-Armond pickup which is his version of the Dynasonic; buy the trapeze tail Pro Jet, a proper Bigsby and you'd be very close but it would probably be about $900 all in (no price yet from TV Jones). But if you want it to sound like a short-scale hollowbody? I don't know, Lollar apparently makes a toaster pickup (on his blog, but not the main website) but I have no idea what guitar you would put them in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Aster1 Posted January 23, 2010 Author Members Share Posted January 23, 2010 I'm more of a Rhythm player and want to do more of John Lennon parts right now. Wouldn't the G5122 be much like my Casino though? I think I would like a smaller guitar more like the Ric size and if I have to change the pickups, so be it. I can save for my first mod if needed. Also, any thoughts on the case situation? Aster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Elias Graves Posted January 23, 2010 Members Share Posted January 23, 2010 Yeah, the 5122 is pretty close to your Casino. I'd take this in a minute over the Corvette. That's just me though. These things are seriously nice guitars. EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bud M Posted January 23, 2010 Members Share Posted January 23, 2010 ^ Agreed. I had a Corvette. Not that great IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members EllenGtrGrl Posted January 23, 2010 Members Share Posted January 23, 2010 Then, you're better to get something more Ric-like. If you don't mind dealing with export, the Agile Harm sort of captures the Ric vibe. http://www.rondomusic.com/harm1toastfg1.html http://www.rondomusic.com/harm1minihumfg.html You aren't going to get super close to a Ric copy. Rickenbacker, is very big on suing companies that make guitars that are too much of a knock-off of a Ric. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Elias Graves Posted January 23, 2010 Members Share Posted January 23, 2010 Italia, maybe? EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Aster1 Posted January 23, 2010 Author Members Share Posted January 23, 2010 Yeah, I keep hearing that about Rickenbacker. I would love to find a Model 10 325 Miami somewhere/sometime and will keep my eyes open. Are you all saying that the 5235 Pro Jet won't have any of that "British" sound? I saw the "toaster" pups for $260 and that's something I could do in the future to get more of the Ric sound. I may love the Gretsch sound and not do anything too. EG, what type of git is that deco green beauty you post about? Aster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Aster1 Posted January 23, 2010 Author Members Share Posted January 23, 2010 Is the Pro Jet a "poor man's" copy of a 6128 Duo Jet? Again, w/o having a place to get to play these just looking at the pictures is kind of hard to get a handle on stuff. Also, EG do you have a Pro Jet? Aster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BlackCat Posted January 23, 2010 Members Share Posted January 23, 2010 I haven't tried the reissues but my 60s Corvette has a distinctly gritty edge to it that may not be what you're looking for. (It works for me though). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Elias Graves Posted January 23, 2010 Members Share Posted January 23, 2010 The green one is an Italia. I guess they are supposed to be an affordable Ric-like guitar. Never played one. No, I don't have the Pro Jet, but looked really hard at them and the Corvettes for a while. Played a lot of them. And, yeah, the Pro is a poor man's Duo Jet more or less.TV Jones does make replacements for the Pro that should give you that sound but his pickups aren't cheap. Over $100 each I believe. EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ten56gibby Posted January 23, 2010 Members Share Posted January 23, 2010 Any kind of Jet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bara Posted January 23, 2010 Members Share Posted January 23, 2010 I haven't tried the reissues but my 60s Corvette has a distinctly gritty edge to it that may not be what you're looking for. (It works for me though). I played an old Corvette for a long time. I love them to death, but I have to agree; it seriously might not be what you're looking for. To me, it almost had an SG feel to it. It did gritty rock wonderfully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members paulisme Posted January 23, 2010 Members Share Posted January 23, 2010 May I ask where you're getting the deal on the Pro Jet? I've been considering buying one and was hoping I could use the current Guitar Center 20%-off deal, but the Pro Jet is exempt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Wulver Posted January 23, 2010 Members Share Posted January 23, 2010 Honestly, yeah, maybe try the Agile Harm. http://www.rondomusic.com/product2563.html Admittedly I dunno how good their toaster pickups sound, and they're built differently than a Ric, but in terms of looks and sound I'd imagine it's relatively close. More finishes than that on their website, check page 13 under Electric Guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Angry Tele Posted January 23, 2010 Members Share Posted January 23, 2010 Id get the pro jet based only on playing a few of each in stores. I was not impressed at all with the corvette and would only get one if I could play a bunch first, def not something Id do online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Rob Dobbs Posted January 23, 2010 Members Share Posted January 23, 2010 Ive got a rough and ready Pro Jet thats been around the block a few times. To some they claim they are too muddy but im a noise player not a shredder or lead soloist. Its a great little guitar with a very wide range. The Corvette is a little more of a beast and I see someone already compared it to the SG which is spot on. I believe the reissues are a little hotter in output than any original was but ive not heard any complaints from owners of them. Its still the one guitar thats on my hit list when the right one comes around. To hear what a Pro Jet and a Corvette sound like playing together, check out the band "Freeheat". http://www.myspace.com/freeheatIts Jim and Ben after the Jesus and Mary Chain broke up back in the late 90's. Lots of over drive to the point I believe they fried amps on the regular during the tour. Jim mostly played a rough and ready Pro Jet thats been around the block a few times, Ben the Corvette as well as an old Tennessean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MattLivingInVan Posted January 23, 2010 Members Share Posted January 23, 2010 i own both. the re issue electromatic corvette, the electromatic projet, as well as a 65' corvette. and a few higher end jets. the re issue corvette is really nice to play. fast neck. light body.the electro jet is also a very solid guitar. is on the heavy side but plays awesome. the only thing i dont like about both guitars is the tuning heads. are made very fragile. with thin posts so then break and bend easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Muddslide Posted January 24, 2010 Members Share Posted January 24, 2010 1. Buy a Pro Jet, and put GFS NYII pickups in it. +1. First off, welcome to the World of That Great Gretsch Sound. I have been a Gretsch convert for the past couple of years. My #1 is an Electromatic Bo Diddley model and I also have an Electromatic Double Jet. Hope to get a 5120 someday. For what it's worth, I really, really think the Corvette is a cool as hell guitar. Hot looks and the few I've played (originals and some recent reissues) have played and sounded great. However, I prefer the Jets and Double Jets to the Corvette personally just because I find the Corvette too thin for me and the neck joint seems weakish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tartanphantom Posted January 24, 2010 Members Share Posted January 24, 2010 My reissue Corvette is a great guitar. But it won't exactly cover the musical ground you mentioned. It's quite snarly and twangy, but the pickups have a pretty agressive sound. The only thing that the Pro Jet has in common with a Duo Jet is the name on the headstock and the body shape. Soundwise, it's a very different guitar, much darker in tone than a Duo Jet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gearnut Posted January 24, 2010 Members Share Posted January 24, 2010 I had an early electromatic (bolt-on neck) duo jet-ish model, and it was much more les paul sounding than a real duo jet. I did swap the pickups, but it didn't help that much. The newer pro models are closer in tone to what you're after (and better built), but I'd maybe look at the Agile or a maybe a Reverend. Also JD's guitar shack in canada carries Dillon's which has a Ric copy: http://www.jsdguitarshack.com/dillion_guitars/drg-40/dillion_rockinbetter.html The MIK Dillons are supposed to be nice, but I have no experience with them myself. I just keep finding myself staring at their white firebird... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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