Scratching my "GRETSCH ITCH" at Sweetwater - I try 4 Electromatic models, but which would I buy? 

My first Gretsch was a "Historic" model, a line they made before their association with Fender. I've lost count of how many more I've acquired since then, including a 6120 Nashville and the Bo Diddley signature Pro version. I have a good friend who has been playing professionally for over 40 years, and after noodling with mine, he put away his Strat and his Nashville Tele in favor of a new double-cut Electromatic. I smile every time I hear him sing the praises of his Gretsch to his professional peers.

Gretsch was outside my circle, I didn't know anyone who owned one. I bought a new G2622 Streamliner as a 335 clone and love it, that one opened the door. Then got incredibly lucky and found a beautiful older G5129T on local CL for a great price and later snagged a G2622T-P90 that is now my Blues/Rock/R&R P-90 machine. Recently got a Jim Dandy (parlor acoustic) on sale for $150 and it is way better than expected, sounds and plays great! All my Gretsches are fantastic and everyone should at least try one, they deserve all the good things said about them.

Thanks for that nod to the Kids in the Hall team. I always loved that tune!

I scratched my first Gretsch Itch in 1965 with a single PAF Filtertron 1957 Streamliner with a Melita bridge. It was wonderful and I recorded my first professional recordings with it. I moved on to a Chet Atkins Nashville a year later and use it for years. Neil Dimond borrowed it at a show that my band and he appeared in together. He said that he liked it a lot. No doubt. I later traded it for a new Gibson SG in 1968, and while that guitar was hot as hell, I missed the Nashville's distinct character very much. I now have a Harrison Duo-Jet with Dynasonics and a TV Jones Spectra Sonic Supreme with his Filtertorns. I'm satisfied.

Gretsch are literally slaying the competition with their tasty choices of mouth watering #colours. Well done #Gretsch

Loved the Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet intro. "Having an Average Weekend" is one of my favorites!!

I have the G5230T in black, it's a fantastic guitar with plenty of versatility and definitely a lot of twang. I love it.

I have just retired and therefore have more time to play guitar. I have only had three guitars in my life. I started playing on a Yamaha 075 acoustic now long gone. I have had an Ovation acoustic Baladeer model 1111-1 which has been a fantastic instrument for the last forty-four years. My Gretsch 5120 I have owned for about ten years now. Upgraded the pickups and added dot fret markers. It even sounds great played unplugged. Has a very fast fret board action too! Very pleased with both guitars! I think Gretsch make great guitars.

The "solid" body Gretsch is really nearly hollow inside. The sides and top are pretty thick, and there's a center block going back to the tailpiece inside, but everything else is hollow. It's "chambered"- but VERY chambered.

Opening with the Kids in the Hall theme. Love it. That two tone electromatic is an instant fave too.

Go with the full sized hollow body. That's THE Gretsch sound and feel. The otger ones are great but you will still want a full hollow body if you buy those. I have an older model with TV Jones pickups in it. Love it!

Man I think the fullness of the tone on the semi hollow but still having a nice healthy portion of twang really complements your surf style

Man, a Gretsch definitely seems like a guitar you should have based on your style. Great guitars.

I fell in love with the tri-five as soon as I picked it up. I took the ocean turquoise one, we hit it off immediately. It's beautiful, it sounds charming and it's fun to play unplugged on the couch while the wife watches Netflix. Go for it! I can't really make friends with the duo jet.

Loving seeing you play a Gretsch. My first one was the 2420T but then I found the 5422T and it is the double cut hollow thinner body to the 5420. Has a great acoustic sound. It only sounds better electrified. Good luck in you decision.

I have a discontinued Gretsch G5120T in black with chrome hardware. Picked it up back in 2012. Absolutely love it. It’s my only hollow body guitar and (as far as I’m concerned) no need for me to get another. I was also loving the Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet intro jam. 😁

You can tell when Ryan digs a guitar because his riffs change up from his regular stuff. The black electromatic was clearly enjoyed

When I saw a Gretsch I always thought rockabilly and 1950's, which is not really me. That said, I always thought they looked cool. But as I play classic rock, metal and blues I really never thought I would buy one. Until I visited a music shop and tried a G5230T off the shelf. Damn, it was so loud as I strummed it. Never heard a solid body guitar be so loud without being pluged in. So I gave it a test run and wow, it played like butter and I found that when I pushed the distortion and gain it sounded even better (never expected that, a Gretsch that was a Metal Machine). I bought it there and then and got a discount too as I wanted this one and not a new boxed one. Tip here, if you try a guitar in a store and it sounds amazing TAKE that guitar home. You may well find the one in the box you never played sounds and feel totally different.

Gretsch guitars are super cool. They do everything their own way so they're very different from your common Gibson's and Fenders. My current love is the Double Jet.

man! I just needed video like this one. I was like you, curious in Gretch guitars, especially interested in hollow body ones. Unfortunately I don't have a chance to try one here. You did it for me in this cool shop. And you know what? I realized I liked the sound of G5230T in your hands more than anything else you've tested there! More expensive hollow body models maybe have more rounded sound, but my budget is limited. This twang coming out from G5230T was astonishing! Luckily you felt this guitar have potential for good sound on overdrive even so you cranked it a bit. That was exactely what I needed to hear! And I liked what I've heard so much that I will order one now! Will come back after a while with my impressions. Thanks again

As a long time Tele player, I wanted something different to add to my sound options, so I picked up the Gretsch G2655T-P90 Streamliner Center Block Jr. from Sweetwater, it had some minor tuning issues, So I upgraded with all the trem options, Reverend spring, new roller bridge and chrome knobs, now it plays and sounds like a much higher end Gretsch, but on a budget, really worth the money and I love the guitar too, play it as much as I do my Tele.

If it “scratches the itch,” I wouldn’t overthink it. That said, I have a G5422TG that I adore and would be worth checking out. I swapped the stock pickups out for HS Filtertrons to make a “discount Country Gentleman.”

Absolutely love our G5622t although the stock pickups require a bright boost for that twang like you got on the Jet. Thanks for playing through them Ryan. Might have to look at one of those carved top Jets more closely soon!

I once had the opportunity to play an Anniversary model, and I really enjoyed it so I always figured if I were to ever buy a Gretsch it would be that model.

It's a G5410T. It's a fantastic guitar. I have an older G5420T in Fairlane Blue and it's almost identical except the color. The main difference is the 5410 Hot Rod colors. My older 5420 was made in Korea like the current 5410. The new 5420's are made in China.

I have the 5422t in walnut stain with gold hardware. Stunning to look at and very versatile in style.

If you want to see which one he picks just hover your cursor over the timer bar from about 16:25.

Just stopped by Sweetwater last week during a road trip vacation. What a store to visit. Eye candy and great toys everywhere, lol....

Electromatic Jets are my favorite sub $1000 guitars. The Streamliners are killer for their price point too

I have a 2019 Jet Club, pre "Streamliner". It's a tiny bit nicer, has binding on the body and neck. Same pickups -- not super great, and not 'Trons. It's my first electric and I love it. For a very low-priced guitar, it's really well-made. Solid. Very tuning stable (it's a hardtail, so no bigsby). I woudn't buy it again -- I'd pay for the next step up with the V style stop bar and broad'Trons. But I super don't regret the purchase.

My good friend from high school has the Reverend Horton Heat Gretsch guitar. Absolutely beautiful looking and sounding guitar. Absolutely bad ass. Gretsch Drums are bomb as well. The 30° round over bearing edge and silver sealer inside the drums gives them that distinct sound. Hopefully one day I can afford a Set of American made Brooklyn series. I would love a Max Roach small bop kit, however I would go 24” kick and 16”/18” floor toms, 14/15” rack….. it’s nice to dream

That 1st one screams '50's! Sharp looking guitar! I do like the pickups and sounds as well.

Fantastic Kids in the Hall intro!

I could hear you play the “Kids in the Hall” theme song on every Gretsch guitar there is in the whole store for the whole video!!😂

"I should be shopping for new riffs instead of new guitars." That's a wise quote! In fact you've put the finger on the reason why we buy so many guitars.

Been playing Gibson's and Fenders over 40 years, and last year my son bought me a Gretsch Streamilner for Father's Day. Didn't know what I was missing, especially the Bigsby. Have since bought an Electromatic and have a Baritone Jet on the way!

Get the big body 5410T Fiesta red one. All your other choices are either smaller with center blocks or double cut. You have enough other guitars that can check every box you wanted to fill. This G5410T has everything you both like and better still can not be covered with your present collection :-)

Bought a G5520 used on eBay £180… perfect condition. Love it, bright and sparkly, well made, and excellently set up, right out of the box. scratches the LP itch with out going down that particular rabbit hole…

Can't go wrong with the full hollowbody Electromatics. That first Gretsch you played reminds me of the special run G5420TG-59 in trans orange I picked up a bit ago from Sweetwater. You choose well....I think!

Nothing sounds like a Gretsch that's for sure. I once had an Electromatic Pro Jet hard tail but it had mini humbuckers I just couldn't bond with so I let it go. The 6120 I have now is just amazing, I have trouble putting it down. In the Electromatic range I'd be partial to the classic 5120 in Fairlane Blue.

I've got a Korean made semi-hollow and a Chinese made Jet. Both very well made and play really well.

I've got whatever that black one with the bigsby was. Mine came perfectly set up, and the only gripe I have with it was the pots. For that master volume on the treble horn, it's either full on, or almost off. Quick, easy, and cheap fix.

I have owned the junior jet in the gunmetal like you played and it is a fantastic budget guitar.

I recently bought a 5420 and loving it. A jet is good but not different as have the LP and SG and even the 335 which is my favorite is still different to Gretsch, go for it even if just for a change

My drinking game left me cold sober…you only said “wiggle stick” twice in this video. 😂😂😂 I love your videos and reviews., thank you. 😊

Just found one of these Red and White on ebay still with the stickers on it , had to get it after your video didnt realize it was a limited run ..... In all the other video this color looked washed out and weak , yours showed what it truly looks like ,Great Video ...Thank You

You should do a 60 Cycle Yum episode there, and get all hopped up on candy, lol.

I have a G5230T in Cadillac Green. A chambered solid body. Punches well above its price point.

Love it. I just bought a G5427T can hardly wait for it to arrive. 🎉

The electromatics have improved in quality over the last decade. I remember playing one about 10 years ago, and cringed at the build. The Korean models have come a long way.

I just got the limited edition Tri Five you open with in the exact fiesta red color and white. I LOVE IT

I have Gretsch G5420T in Fairlane Blue I really like the colors Gretsch uses for their guitars they really stand out with those colors.

The Orange and Cream looks and sounds 🤩great!

That G5622T amber semi-hollow guitar looked really nice. That's the one I would get.

Man, between that Red one and the Yellow one, hard decision. I'd have to play both to decide as I like the looks of the Yellow Gretsch better, but from what I could hear, I like the sound of the Red one better. Beautiful guitars.

I Love the Shadowy Men reference.

Well chosen.. I like that one too…great Colour combo and fifties style too

That red one takes it. I think that's a 5420 and I think their the best guitar in that price range. The last picks you did at the end of the video were sounding really good.

I have the Streamliner Full Hollow, G2420T, in Riviera Blue. It’s a sweet guitar. I like it as much as my Stratocaster, that was almost triple in price.

The 5230T is the guitar I have and it is the best guitar I have ever owned!

I have this exact Guitar, it is a really great player and sounding guitar. Can't go wrong with it!

The solid body black one in the regular USA models was called the DUOSONIC. That is actually the model George Harrison used when the Beatles first started recording, it was used for I SAW HER STADING THERE and PLEASE PLEASE ME and that first album but then he got the bigger Country Gentleman model by the time they came to the US. I love the way it sounds.

I fondled the same Tri-Five Fiesta red one while I was there at SweetWater, it's a sweet guitar. Wish I would have bought it.

I bought a Gretsch G2627T Streamliner that absolutely love. I can pull so many tones out of it and the price didnt break my bank, at all.

I recently got my first Gretsch - a gorgeous Streamliner. I’ve realized there is such a thing as a Gretsch itch. As soon as I got my first taste I immediately started looking and planning to get another one, a full hollow body Electromatic. I’m hoping that will satisfy the itch because the next step Player series start at over twice the price of the Electromatic, and I’m Not the kind of guy who would spend $3000 on any guitar.

I hope you bought the red Tri Five, I'm looking at a used one now - these are already discontinued. The color of this Fiesta Red "in person" is indescribable, it's kind of a soft red with a pink and tangerine undertone. I have two 5620's which are incredible, also discontinued. Love my Gretsch's!

You tried two of the Gretsch guitars I have on the wall. The 5230T (the black solid body, it's actually not completely solid) I've got in Firebird Red.. glad you liked it, it's one of my favorites! I also have the 5622T in that Speyside color they call it (the golden colored one). You are correct about it not sounding as bright as the solid, they are different pickups. Love them both! These two are in the top 5 that I grab out of the 20 I've got. And funny thing is I was considering the hollowbody you liked.too... now you've tickled that Gretsch thing again and I may have to look at it again.. haha. And yeah Sweetwater is great. I will have make a pilgrimage to their store with some cash in my pocket. I've gotten a lot from them online in last two years. Love your channel, you keep it real.. keep it up!

kids in the hall well that's just killer

Gretch as a problem staying in tune. I've found it's useful because the neck bridge needs to be carved out a little better. Also I put some foam behind the bridge between the bigsby to eliminate some of the noise.

Absolutely a great Video.. you really need to go to Top 40 Guitars and look there as well they have Gretch's as well

I have a gretch G5120 Electromatic in that same orange color. .Of course mine was less money. Anyway do yourself a favor and get the STRING BUTLER for it. Those wide 3×3 headstock sticks at the nutt. That will improve the turning greatly. Like 95%. I have one i also have one on my Epiphone Shariton 335. I first saw them on the Darryl Braun channel. P.S. I don't work for string butler. 😆

Hell Yeah. I got my G5125 with DeArmond pickups on the used market (my profile pic) and it’s my absolute favourite guitar of all time.

All the red and white one NEEDS, is a white strap and a red and white plaid case! As far as riffs go... All ya need are about five different, four chord patterns and about twenty different syncopation patterns... The pedals take care of the rest😁

I bought a Tri 5- same color. Love that guitar. The only mod I would recommend is an Aluminum bar bridge-

yes, agreed, I have the 5420t and a few others, but 5420t does it for me... Love the Fairline Blue...

The first and last is a true looker....Go for it

You need a sparkle-jet, Ryan. Carved top, Bigsby, solid body, blackface filtertrons, and looks like a 70s bicycle, glitter paint in bright colors.

You’d be surprised how many issues a little lube on the nut will fix! 😉

Well thank you for this video I just ordered the same guitar G5410t Tri Five in white. Thanks a lot for my bankruptcy Ryan. I love it.

I remember the episode where you played that vintage Gretsch, and how you liked it. I have the same model as the first orange/cream one you played, and the neck profile and fretboard suit my smaller hands beautifully. The modern Filtertron pups are quite hot into my Fender Mustang amp, and Nickel medium gauge strings, with wound third, I get a really clean country twang with the volume rolled back a little until I open up to full volume and it starts to overdrive really nicely. Sounds great through a valve amp.

Love the intro tune, kids in the hall music

I went for a full size hollow body with single coils, since it was the least like any guitar I had. It has a plausible acoustic tone too.

I just got my first Gretsch. The Black 5230ft. I gotta say I wish I bought a Gretsch when I was a kid.

Yes Shadowy Men!

The g5420 is the only way to go... if you want those Brian Setzer vibes in an affordable package and let's be honest we all want that at least a lil.

I just one of these in midnight sapphire. Gorgeous guitar! (The first electormatic)

Would have liked to see the g5655T in the mix. Recently purchased one after getting a g5235t double cut last spring and getting infected with the gretsch vibe. Absolutely love them both.

That black jet is likely a chambered rather than a solid. Also, I’ve got a couple electromatics. My favorite is my stock 5122dc. I do want a high end Gretsch but never seen that red one; may settle for that.

i have the exact model and color of that orange you picked up. mine definitely more twangy in the bridge pick up though, they are great guitars

They might have last years g5410 ratrod series left , I picked up the matte black one , heavily discounted and it’s scratched my Gretsch itch big time, I can’t leave it alone !

If I could only have 2 guitars, I am keeping my D-28 Braz and my Gretsch like the #1 here.

Ryan's in the Hall, awesome.

The G5410T Tri-Five in Ocean Turquoise has been the next guitar on my buy list since at least November. I currently own neither an arch top nor a guitar with Filtertrons, so it fills two gaps, and sounds great doing it :P

so close to the Easybeats' Friday on My Mind a few times there ...

Jets aren't really solid bodies. They are heavily chambered. I transplanted a Variax system into mine, and I only had to enlarge the control panel cover and opening. No major routing, plenty of room in there! And it's now my #1 guitar now. And they are such good guitars!

I have a 5420 electromatic and i love it. Best all around guitar.

The 5230T is the one I was interested in of these 4. For me, it's either the Electromatic 5230T in Cadillac Green or the White Falcon (Billy Duffy, The Cult & the "Sanctuary sound"). But those are 2 different price points for Gretsch. The 5230T is a chambered body, not really a solid body like a Strat or Tele. The sub $ 300 Gretsch is the solid body. And the other 2 are obviously semi-hollow/hollow bodied. Here you go, Cadillac Green 5230T, the green & Mahogany with white binding. If my worn cherry Epiphone LP Special I P90 Bigsby project wasn't such a success, I probably would get the Caddy Green 5230T.

I have two Gretsches -- a 6118 Anniversary and a 6128 Jet -- and love them both. Still want to find the 6120 of my dreams

I really do miss my Gretsch. And I've got a bunch on a Sweetwater list but those guitars really need to be played first.

On the last guitar you said you liked but were concerned about the bridge pickup not being as bright as you wanted, you needed to turn up the volume on the bridge pickup ! That guitar has only one master tone pot. the other two are pickup volumes. Turn up the bridge volume to get the brightness you desire. I've had a G5422TG for several years. I have to say, the build quality, fit and finish is far superior to the high end Gretsch guitars I owned in the 1950''s and 60's. The pickups don't seem to be as hot as the Filtertrons were back then, but they still have that great chime we have come to expect from a Gretsch guitar. As Pete Townshend said, The Gretsch 6120 is the most versatile guitar ever made ! It's no wonder all the greatest groups from the 50's, 60's and 70's used them ! Here is a great demo of the Gretsch G5422TG I have this "Walnut" version of this guitar ! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-DrikQJQbjYQ.html