Just want to say thanks for taking the time to shoot this. I’m trying to decide between the 5422 and the 5622 and this is one of the only videos I’ve found that directly compares them. I initially was thinking the 5622 but this has me swaying toward the 5422.
Hi Daniel. They are really quite different beasts. If you are going to do lots of ud higher gain playing then the 5622 suits more. The 5422 is titall hollow, so is more touch responsive, but will feed back at higher volumes. Ahhh...the joys of choice!!
Great video, thank you. Retired and just started out playing for the first time. I did a lot of research before making my purchase. I went with a 5622T and have no regrets. I envy your level of playing. :)
Hi David. Thanks for watching, and I,m glad it helped in your choice. Great guitar by the way!! Just remember , one day, a long time ago, I picked up a guitar for the first time and knew nothing, and could'nt play an E chord!!! Just love it and put in the time. Anyone can play, it's up to you how well!!!
I found this just in time,I’m off to get a 5420 tomorrow but was wondering what the others sound like as well,they all sound great but I’m going with the 5420 for now and who knows what I’ll end up buying later Thanks for taking the time to do this video and all the best bud
Haha. I'd like them all! You'd be the best international representative face for Gretsch guitars quite separate from your actual day job as such Damon. You many vids have been invaluable in triaging my first two of hopefully many future Gretsch guitar purchases. I've found my personal niche with the Gretsch sound, Electromatic build quality, features and playability. Many to love making it so hard to choose just one, or even two, but in the cull the G5232T in DCM and G5422TG in WS both won the day for my wallet, purchased in that order. Love playing them both! Thanks.
I liked the thinner Hollow-bodies the best. The G5410 and the G5422. My current band is doing a late 50s / early 60s Retro thing, so the mid forward Rat Rod is my choice for my needs. I ordered one a few days ago, and it will be coming tomorrow.
I've discovered Gretsch very late when i got one to review....now i fell in love and i'm planning to by the 5420T. Great playing in your hands every one of those guitar sounded great
@@damonthegnomeoftonechivers I’m looking at a white gold trim G5420TG the year 2018 fender special run made in Korea for $700 with the case. Is that a good price?
Great Demo, Thank You. I can't Decide which one I like Best but I Own a 5420T. Since I am a NOVICE Player, I can't Play as Well as You do but I Very Much Enjoy Listening to you Play.
Hi Sandy. Thanks for watching. They are all cool. The biggest difference is really the ones that have a center block, that runs down the middle of the body, that stops feedback at higher volume. The 5420 and 5422 are both totally hollow, so are very responsive and great for jazz, blues, country etc. As for the playing, just keep practicing dude, it takes time and effort, but it’s a lot of fun.🎶😀
One of their best, but I'm now 'owner pride' as well as player biased. I thought it sounded great with the former years' Black Top Filter' Trons, but the new FT-5E Filter'Trons now fitted to them take it to a new level. For the money, utterly tone-a-licious.
I have the 5655tg limited. Is center block is chambered. I believe it differs from the non limited in that as the center blocks aren't chambered in the regular version. It's what I've read at least. I love my 5655 though. Streamliner too and a 5420 on the way but T-Armonds are going in it.
Great video and answered the questions I had regarding response and tone for each of them. Surprised how the 5622t sounded "smoother" than I thought it would.
I really appreciate the video. Thanks. The comparison helps, and fun to listen. Somewhat torn between the 5410, 5420, and 5422. Still. I am looking for basically my first guitar. I had an acoustic for about two months around 20 years ago. I also could use a suggestion for an combo amp. I will be a beginner, but my preference in music is rockabilly, blues, and some rock... I live on Texas, so some country, too.
I don't why it's because I play a 5622t or what, but this demo gave me the spine tingles when you played the 5622t! It's a pity Jimi never seemed to play Gretsch. He'd have dug 'em.
Fantastic and very helpful review ... I have my G5220 solid body and after listening to the comparison I feel it would make a great combo with G5422T ... I think I am sold ... 😁
@@damonthegnomeoftonechivers Could you please share some thoughts on Bigsbys on these guitars? As I can see the hollowbodies have a different Bigsby system (without tension bar) than the centreblocks ... Does this make any difference in tuning stability of these two types of guitars? I have never owned a Bigsby guitar and there are all sorts of internet ''experts'' that know everything about it ... Well, I know who to ask ... 😉
@@boriskumer6060 Hi Boris...thanks you for trusting me in matters of the Twang!!! I couldn't detect any real difference between the Bigsbys. They all loosen up a little with use. These guitars now all have pinned bridges which helps massively with tuning stability. Buy remember, its a very old peice of technology, and should be treated with love and respect. Just a gentle wobble...no Hendrix or Vai antics or it will go out of tune. heavier strings, well streched and some graphite in the nut slot all help. Cheers!
Love your videos Damon, can you tell me is the gretsch 5655tg a balanced guitar to hold? I'm ready to purchase but worried it might be neck-heavy ? Thanks
Cheers for this Damon. Im currently considering my first Gretsch and really torn. I'm a small guy and can see the appeal of the 5655t jnr but I have a Les Paul and feel it might cover similar ground. Im actually looking for something with low output jangle again as an alternative to my les Paul. I can't decide between 5622t, 5422t or Rat Rod. I play in church but also punk/ indie bands. (45 year old guy, who never moved on). I was thinking Gretsch as while I love a telecaster I prefer shorter scale. Any advice?
Hi Kenny....I too am a slightly shorter guitarist! But I do use a 335 a lot and also a Les Paul. If you want something that would work in a lot of styles, but with a real Gretschy twang and definition,I would go for the 5422T....the 5655 and 5622 both have Broadtrons , so tonally would be more similar to the Les Paul.
I am buying a Gretsch for my son for Christmas and am torn between the 5420T and the Limited Edition 5422TG. Both have fantastic colors but the 5420 is thicker, offering more of that Rev Horton Heat rockabilly styling, as well as the rounder top, while the 5422TG has gorgeous gold and appears to be your preference among the two. Could you help me decide between the 2? Thanks for all you do
HI Matt. You are spot on. If you are really into the whole Rockabilly vibe, then the closest you will get is the 5420T. The '22 is double cut, but still ttally hollow and a more alround performer. If you love th the 50's rockabilly vibe, check out the Rat Rod 5410t, slightly thinner and a matt finish...very cool.
An interesting video, thank you. However, I don't think any backing track is necessary when doing this type of tone check comparison. I have a 5422, so I found it interesting. I would have bought the orange 5420, but a good deal on the 5422 was the clincher. All my other electric guitars are solid bodies, so the acoustic properties were what I was looking for. The 335, Ibanez, Guild, and Epiphone were all considered, but the Gretsch won easily. A great guitar.
I have a g5422tdc that is completely hollow, in the video it was the one that sounds sweeter, the central block felt a little more aggressive, I guess it is the difference between a hollow body and a semi-hollow
I am looking to replace my '70's Tele as I am now playing more softer rhythm style and find the Tele far to "twangy" for my needs. What would you suggest in the Gretsch range to give a softer sound.
I have a 5420T but hearing these others. I really liked the5655 and the 5422 also. Have to admit that they all sound great though. Listen to Clint Curtis play his black 5422 which are really hard to find.......Sal : ). Thanks for this comparison!
Hey, Damon! I bought my first Gretsch last week after watching a video of you playing it. I bought the Gretsch G6659TG Players Edition Broadkaster Jr. CB Single-Cut with String-Thru Bigsby and Gold Hardware - Cadillac Green. The guitar is killer! I was wondering if you can you decode my model # for me? I can't seem to find it on the net. Thanks!
amazing. So glad to hear you like it. 6659 is the code for the body shape. So it's a Broadkaster, but smaller, so JNR, CB means that it has a centre block down the middle to alleviate feedback at higher volumes. TG means gold hardware. Players edition means it has things like a pinned bridge and locking tuners to make it more usable than a vintage model. See....simple!!!!!!
Hi there, really good video. I've been trying to get my hands on a G5622T in Imperial Stain for a while now but nowhere seems to have them available in the UK? Any suggestions as i've been trying for anout 3 months.
Hi there. The 56 has a centre block so is a bit more focussed at higher gain settings and doesn’t feedback. A little bit more compressed tonally. The 5422 is totally hollow so it has that real jangle and open vibe to its tone. It’s very touch sensitive to how hard you pick as well. More traditional Gretsch tone really, where’s the 5622 veers into 335 territory .🎸👍😁
Hi. Great video. I have a Les Paul (57 Classics) and an SG (Dirty Fingers). Also, I'm a fairly new beginner. Looking for something different than what I have, something along blues sound and alike. I LOVE the Rat Rod, but seeing your video can't ignore the 5420/5422. Will the Rat Rod fit the bill or would you suggest the 20/22? I'm assuming only difference with the 20's is single/ double cut? Also, do you believe I'd be better with the Filtertrons than the Broadtrons? Thank you!!! Your opinion will be appreciated and respected.
Hi Sean....I would say that the '20's suit more Jazz/Blues/Swing etc...whereas the 5422 is a more all round performer. The 5422 is really reactive to your playing nuances.
That center block gives the sound a much more pronounced midrange....and slightly louder pickups too.....now if I had a mark 1 Boogie here I could really Carlos it up!!!
For my taste, the Rat Rod as an ever so slight edge on the 5422TG... it splits the best of the 5422 and the 5420, IMHO. I have the 5422TG on order. I had a chance to pick up the black Rat Rod, but am holding out for the white version... they're rare here in Canada.
I love the Ratrod. It has a slightly softer and more compressed tone than the 5420 or 5422. The 5422 is an exceptionally reactive and open sounding guitar, like a Es330 or Casino. Very different tones to the Ratrod.🎸👍🏻
@@damonthegnomeoftonechivers The profile Richard from Guitarist did on the 5422TG a few years ago on YT is one of my ATFs... what great tones... very "open", as you say. Would love to see you do a more in-depth side-by-side with the Rat Rod and the 5422!
If you know what is the best for praise and worship, im looking into the g5422t because at my church we play at really clean, and dirty and at high but not soo high volumes
5655 - direct, rocky, bit pitchy 5420 - warmer , more singing you hear town hall effect. I like it. . 5622 i d give to a metallica band. Loud and proud and as precise as 5655 5422 I it has a „washed“ sound. its not that hard to the point or stitching as the centerblocks. 5410 Very round and warm - a lady killer, I somehow see this in the hands of Dolly Parton… Hard to decide between 5410 and 5420. As I have a chance to get the 20 with some addone Aand in the colour where it started to talk zo me (love that candilac green) i suppose i d go with thie limited edition. but definetly the 5510 would be mine too
Thanks for the fantastic review, Damon. I'm choosing between 5420 and 5410 Rat Rod. The somewhat chunky size of the classic 5420 bodies puts me off a bit. Anyway, the high gloss polish and colour choices, as well as a more classic feeling attract me more to them compared to the matt finished Rat Rods. Sound-wise from your review, I liked the Rat Rod slightly more. Any hint for this dilemma? Many thanks, as well as for your highly informative reviews and inspirational playing. Martin
Hi Martin. The Rat Rod does feel considerably thinner when you play it, even though it’s only about an inch thinner. That and the matt finish really does shave off a considerable amount of top end and gives it a more compressed and middle heavy tone. For pure clean the 5420 is killer, but the 5410 is a more rounded instrument with wider applications, especially when any kind of drive is added. Thanks for the kind words.
Damon Chivers Many thanks Damon, I can't wait to compare them and choose mine. Then only I need your fingers and it's sorted :-) Have a great day and a lot of inspiration for your next vids. Martin
I dig the same music, also some QOTSA. I’m probably getting the G5622T. It sounded great in this demo! Looking forward to hearing it with a fuzz or distortion.
Hi, (sorry for my bad English) I had bought 4 5422tg one 5420 because I love the sound but I have ended sold them every time because filing to me to hard to play it, I have played guitar for many years, I love hollow body, special the gretsch but to hard to play, any suggestions? I lower the action to help a little but still filling hard. I have played a Gibson es335 for a week I love the soft strings, I haven’t lowered the action, was perfect out of the box, but I returned it because things change on my work and can’t have a $3k guitar right now, special because my main instrument is the bass, when I heard your video makes me want to order another 5422 but I’m fray that I’m ending returning or sale. The 5410 is the same hard compare to 5422? The difference is just a little beat? I appreciate any advice? Thanks for your time
Have you tried a centre block? Like a 5622? Very playable with a cntre block to stop feedback? One of these , especially with a stp tail bridge, should be as easy to play as a 335. Don't forget the 5420/22 bth have a thicker body, so try the 5622.
Thanks for this Damon! Very cool to hear the differences between them which may appear subtle on the surface but really make a difference in tone. Which is your favourite?
Hi there. I think I liked the 5422 best. It has the 330 vibe, very responsive, with a really cool , very open defined top end. For rock the 5655 is very cool.
The 5622 is a little more focused and mid heavy due to the centreblock? Also more resistant to feedback, Think Gibson 335 Vs. 330? A great all round guitar .
I thought that the 5420t was the best sounding of the 5 Gretsch guitars. Just a richer grab your soul and squeeze type of sound. I am glad that I found your show. Take care. Vaughn
Many thanks mate. The bigger body does add a different aspect to the tone, and certainly the most traditionally Gretsch sounding of the bunch. Cheers for watching.
