Gretsch Electromatic G5232T Double Jet with Bigsby Guitar Review | Is this a Guitar You Should Buy?

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  • Опубліковано 4 лют 2025

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  • @philipmailhot
    @philipmailhot 4 роки тому +15

    I recently purchased a Gretsch Electromatic (in Surf green and white) with Bigsby as my choice for learning how to play an electric guitar. As a beginner, all I can say is that it is an awesome guitar. The Bigsby makes learning even more interesting!

    • @bsideguitar
      @bsideguitar  4 роки тому +3

      I like the perspective! More interesting is definitely one way to look at it. Excited for you, they are great guitars!

    • @CillBlintonOfficial
      @CillBlintonOfficial Рік тому +2

      Great choice! A gretsch just isn't the same without a bigsby. My favorite tremolo system ever

    • @fistovuzi
      @fistovuzi Рік тому +1

      @@CillBlintonOfficial *vibrato system
      tremolo is variance in volume, vibrato is variance in pitch. they were always called vibrato before Leo Fender (who wasn't a musician, couldn't play a lick) misnamed his a tremolo system. there is some debate as to whether he *deliberately* misnamed the system so he could patent "tremolo system" since "vibratone", "vibramate" and any number of variance of the word vibrato were taken. and he cannot have been unaware of the naming conventions of such systems. Leo Fender was many things (not a musician, tho) but stupid isn't one of them.
      Paul Bigsby was a musician, however, so his system is named correctly. the Bigsby Vibrato System.

    • @lcglazer
      @lcglazer 11 місяців тому

      does this guitar neck dive? how did you deal with it?

    • @philipmailhot
      @philipmailhot 11 місяців тому

      @@lcglazer Not that I’ve noticed!

  • @madgedeepers5746
    @madgedeepers5746 4 роки тому +7

    I love the guitar but all your comments are valid so thanks for an accurate and clear review.

    • @bsideguitar
      @bsideguitar  4 роки тому +2

      Thanks for the comment, really appreciate it. 🎸

  • @chrisdee5032
    @chrisdee5032 4 роки тому +12

    3:20 now that's a neck tone! Love it!

    • @bsideguitar
      @bsideguitar  4 роки тому

      The best tone on this guitar!!!

  • @ericwalsh2155
    @ericwalsh2155 4 роки тому +4

    Super useful review especially regarding bridge and controls!!

    • @bsideguitar
      @bsideguitar  4 роки тому

      Thanks for the comment and feedback. Glad it helped!! 🎸 rock on!

  • @chrisnedbalek2866
    @chrisnedbalek2866 Рік тому +1

    That tahiti red is absolutely gorgeous.

  • @barrysmith8193
    @barrysmith8193 9 місяців тому

    Just bought a left handed one without Bigsby in midnight sapphire. I am deaf and have very sophisticated hearing aids so the less controls to work with delivers what I need. Thanks for the in-depth review.

  • @towboaterky
    @towboaterky 3 роки тому +5

    Not into dive bombing. I bought one. Love it

  • @vielstein
    @vielstein 11 днів тому

    Well , someone told me to use wd 40 on the bearings of a Bigsby and on its spring, that would help. I tried and yes, wd 40 carefully used can helpto give a guitar a stable tuning.

  • @paulsmith616
    @paulsmith616 4 роки тому +5

    A second tone is a piece of wire and a soldering iron away from happening whenever you want just use one of the volume pots as your new tone pretty simple

  • @lazarusman86
    @lazarusman86 4 роки тому +4

    About the tone control issue, I'm in a similar mindset about it. My thought would be to de-couple the contact from the neck volume, leaving the tone adjustment for only the bridge pickup. Simple thing, and you can always re-solder later (if you decide).

    • @bsideguitar
      @bsideguitar  4 роки тому +1

      For the DIYer that is a pretty good idea! Probably the best workaround. Thanks for the comment!

    • @JamieToddBand
      @JamieToddBand 2 роки тому

      Perfect solution, did this to my Telecaster.

  • @chrisnedbalek2866
    @chrisnedbalek2866 5 місяців тому

    Very helpful review, thank you!

  • @chrisnedbalek2866
    @chrisnedbalek2866 5 місяців тому +1

    That is a BEAUTIFUL guitar. Talk about eye candy.

  • @Bliggick
    @Bliggick 4 роки тому +1

    I hear what you're saying about the disadvantage of only one tone knob. You could convert the master volume to a tone, though. If you look at the front of the guitar there is a perfect spot to install a fourth knob but routing out the back and making a new cover would be a big job. Yes, Bigsbys do get in the way unless you are playing a big hollow body and have more real estate. Tuning can be improved with a Tusq nut and saddles or roller bridge, locking tuners or a minimal-wrap self-locking string winding technique.

  • @AndyDion
    @AndyDion 4 роки тому +1

    Very cool Gretsch, dig that color. Love my Gretsch Streamliner, has a nice clean and has a cool growl with some dirt.
    Rock on 🤘

  • @greghill7459
    @greghill7459 2 роки тому +1

    The most helpful guitar review I have ever seen. Most just give you the "Pro's" as if they are a paid reviewer.
    Thank you!

  • @CillBlintonOfficial
    @CillBlintonOfficial Рік тому +1

    I dont know what makes gretsch guitsrs sound so unique, but it is the best guitar tone on planet earth imo. It's hard for me to consider buying any other brand tbh. This red finish looks amazing!

    • @blueeyedsoulman
      @blueeyedsoulman Рік тому

      Try a Rickenbacker 360. I'll never go back.

    • @fistovuzi
      @fistovuzi Рік тому

      @@blueeyedsoulman if i got a Ricky i could never go back........ to my house, i'd have to sell it to buy the guitar.
      these aren't "real" Gretsches. they're Electromatics, very good mid-range line. but still mid-range. that Bigsby on the Jet? it's a *licensed" Bigsby, not an original, and that matters a LOT if you're going to use it. the main thing is the licensed ones have a synthetic, plastic like sleeve in the rotation mechanism instead of the micro-bearings in the proper Bigsby, making the tuning stability way worse than an original. and it fights you. a GOOD Bigsby will stay in tune if used correctly with good technique. not a Licensed.
      all this being said, i just got a Gretsch Electromatic DESPITE it's licenced Bigsby (i don't use them, minimizing tuning issues) because i played it in the store out of curiosity. i'm an OLD musician, i see Gretsch on a guitar i assume big $$$. but this one was under a grand US$ (i'm not US$), that means it's a badly made piece of shit that will fall apart in a few years.
      IT WAS NOT THAT. it is *shockingly* well made. aside from the licensed Bigsby all the appointments on the guitar are very good at a minimum. granted, on a "real" Gretsch everything would be *excellent* quality, but that doesn't take away from the value of my Electromatic, it just shows it off.
      for slightly less than a Rickenbacker and no waiting period, i can get a Players Edition Jet (superb Japanese made guitars). for a little more i can order one from the US Custom Shop by a Master Luthier. and you'll know his name because you'll be updated on the build progress regularly and sent photographs.
      nah.
      i got the Electromatic version of the Broadkaster Jr because i needed an electric guitar to substitute for acoustics in sets because age and to *much* acoustic playing has given me the left hand of a 70 year old. i went with the "Jr" because i was dreading having to play a "335" style guitar (we've never got along, i find it "awkward" to play) and Jr is basically a scaled down single cut "335" with that 'Tron "sparkle".
      thing is, i have the Bigsby arm in the tail position and don't use it, but the big, heavy, brass Bigsby itself RINGS and vibrates the centreblock and is half the tone and three quarters of the sustain.
      i plan on getting 2 more Electromatics, Jets, hardtail not Bigsby. i like what it brings to the Jr, tonally, but *one* Bigsby in my life is plenty.

    • @blueeyedsoulman
      @blueeyedsoulman Рік тому

      @@fistovuzi I have no idea re details but a lot of parts they put on "American" guitars and vehicles are probably from other countries anyway. It's just a mess. The most important thing at this point is, does it work for you?

    • @duanecostello2188
      @duanecostello2188 Рік тому

      To be honest I’m a Gibson and Ibanez fan, but after trying this Double Jet Electromatic, I just had to have it. Got the exact Tahiti Red and is a beast for recording

  • @LMacNeill
    @LMacNeill 5 місяців тому

    I've got a G5220-LH on order. Similar to this guitar, but a single-cut, left-handed, no Bigsby, and Broad'tron pickups instead of Filtertrons. Had to special-order it because it's a left-handed guitar -- no one stocks them. And apparently they simply do not make left-handed Bigsbys? Anyway -- it still has that awesome Gretsh tone, and I can't wait to get it! 🙂

    • @chrisnedbalek2866
      @chrisnedbalek2866 5 місяців тому +1

      Tell us how you like it. I'm interested in how you like the pickups.

    • @LMacNeill
      @LMacNeill 5 місяців тому

      @@chrisnedbalek2866 I received it two days ago. It’s great! The Broad’trons are not quite as bright as the Filtertrons, but the amp I got with it, a Marshall Origin 20C, can be quite bright all on its own (almost too bright, sometimes), so the two together sound amazing. There are so many EQ adjustments on the Marshall that you can get just about any tone you want. So far, I’m extremely happy with this guitar/amp combo.
      Gotta play around with it, tho - leaving all the controls at the 12-o’clock position definitely will not get you the best sound. But so far, I have no problems getting everything from a “twangy” late ‘50s clean Gretsch sound to a mid ‘70s AC/DC Malcolm Young crunch sound. Just gotta play around with it.
      If you’re looking for a REALLY crunchy sound (that heavy metal “chug” sound, for example) this is *not* what you’re looking for. But your average heavy-metal guitarist would probably already know that. 😊

  • @drewsleyy3836
    @drewsleyy3836 Рік тому +1

    Sounds like there was an audio problem with this video, maybe a torn speaker - buyers keep in mind, this is not what the guitar sounds like through a proper rig! It's capable of sounding amazing.

  • @crawlingman7003
    @crawlingman7003 2 роки тому +2

    Lots of distortion. Can it produce clean?

  • @paulchoate1
    @paulchoate1 3 роки тому +1

    I like the guitar...pickups, neck, nut width. Don't need the Bigsby but Gretsch doesn't offer the non-Bigsby in the color I like (Casina Gold)

  • @chriswrenuk
    @chriswrenuk 4 місяці тому

    the tone sounds different to when i have heard these player before. It is clipping and sounds quite thin. Not sure if its the guitar or your set up?

  • @VladikK-r6b
    @VladikK-r6b 6 місяців тому

    Would this guitar be good for worship music?

    • @BackToTheBlues
      @BackToTheBlues 6 місяців тому

      A channel named 'all about worship guitar ' certainly feels Gretsches are! There's another channel run by a couple of guys who think so too, but I can't remember the name of their channel. I don't know if either of them review this particular model, though.

  • @noelwinters1210
    @noelwinters1210 3 роки тому +1

    But is it NECK-heavy? I had a 6122jr, semi-hollow, had to move the strap-lock to the neck heel rather than the cut away to try to balance it but as soon as i let go of the neck it dropped like a stone...All the reviews show playing it sitting down with no strap: how aabout a review standing, letting go of the guitar to sing without supporting it?

  • @arjots
    @arjots 2 роки тому +1

    Doesnt sound like this when i tried at the guitar store. Maybe ur amps or recording setup is bad?

  • @justanotherguy9012
    @justanotherguy9012 3 роки тому

    Good point about the tone knob, it definitely isn't everyone's cup of tea, however, I think it was designed to allow you to keep your two pickups preset with the ability to roll off their combined volume for swells. Kirk Douglas' signature SG also has a master volume which he uses for the same purpose. However, I agree with not being able to control the tone for each pickup, maybe Gretsch should have made it with five knobs. The Bigsby is awesome and could be improved with a roller bridge, locking tuners, and a higher retainer bar.

  • @faautobahna9416
    @faautobahna9416 3 роки тому

    Very good review.

  • @glick278
    @glick278 4 роки тому +1

    Thank you! Much Love #HareKrsna&GodBless❤️🙏

  • @417DrumBob
    @417DrumBob 3 роки тому +15

    I've hear that guitar sound much better through different rigs. Honestly, your tone in that video was awful. Watch the Anderton's video to hear what I mean. If this was the only video I watched of the F5232T, I wouldn't buy one. It's a very cool guitar, true, but the way presented it was a turnoff.

  • @konjunto2477
    @konjunto2477 2 роки тому

    Does this model have the huge neck heel that prevents you from playing the higher frets? Thank you.

    • @lcglazer
      @lcglazer Рік тому

      I don't think so, Ive been researching this issue in my search. The ones with the "larger" heel is at the 16th fret, which is quite normal for most guitars.
      This one has the smaller heel that slowly builds up, and where it reaches the heel is at the 19th fret. 16 vs 19, thats how you can know on any Gretsch.

  • @timmackinnon
    @timmackinnon Рік тому

    The only problem with buying the version without a bigsby is it doesn't come with the same pickups. They aren't filtertrons.

  • @underground_man
    @underground_man 4 роки тому +1

    What amp are you using?

  • @misterknightowlandco
    @misterknightowlandco 4 роки тому +6

    Tbh, Gretsch gives you the highest quality guitar at the price point. You wont find a better guitar, new, for 600 bucks.

    • @bsideguitar
      @bsideguitar  4 роки тому

      They are really great for the price! Hoping to get a hard tail one to demo on the channel.

    • @ohcaptainmycaptain3019
      @ohcaptainmycaptain3019 4 роки тому +2

      Word on the street is that the Fender spies recruited the Chinese luthiers that had been producing the excellent knock-offs, they now work for Fender making these guitars. The thing with china is that they can build anything according to your budget, and if they are paid well then you get an excellent item.

  • @qddk9545
    @qddk9545 2 роки тому +1

    I have one of those, for me the master volume sometimes come in the way when strumming. I may disable the master volume, and put something in the whole,
    and disable the tone control on the neck PU. But I like it a lot.

  • @iplayloud2
    @iplayloud2 10 місяців тому

    The blue ones sound better 😏

  • @17th_Street_Preacher
    @17th_Street_Preacher 4 роки тому +1

    Can't get those pickups in a stop-tail which sucks!

    • @jst601
      @jst601 2 роки тому

      Guitar Center sales a G5237 hardtail duo jet which has these blacktop Filter'tron pickups. I have one; look them up. You may not dig the surf green over white color scheme but, for me, it's a winner.

    • @Desirsar
      @Desirsar 2 роки тому

      G5222, which was already out before this video was made.

  • @stevegarner
    @stevegarner 3 роки тому

    Does the Bigsby's weight at the back help with the neck dive? I have the G5222 with the stop tail and it is taking some getting used to and I may end up moving a strap button. I also had to lightly sand the back of the neck because it was too glossy/sticky for me.

    • @bsideguitar
      @bsideguitar  3 роки тому

      I would say it helps a little but the bigsby is not super heavy. I can definitely see why you feel that way about the neck. About as glossy as they come ;)

    • @robertbrown2728
      @robertbrown2728 3 роки тому

      Have you considered adding a weight to the strap?

    • @stevegarner
      @stevegarner 3 роки тому

      @@robertbrown2728 Yes, but it feels like a kluge of a solution. Personally, I think I am better off with single cuts.

    • @EastCoastDave
      @EastCoastDave 2 роки тому +2

      I know this answer is really late, but using a wide strap cures neck dive. I use a 2.5" wide leather strap (suede on the side that touches my shoulder) with my double jet, and the neck no longer dips when I let go of it.

  • @paulhanna5925
    @paulhanna5925 4 роки тому

    Is this guitar neck heavy?

  • @ohcaptainmycaptain3019
    @ohcaptainmycaptain3019 4 роки тому +1

    I recently joined the Gretsch Family, with that same guitar.

    • @keoym
      @keoym 4 роки тому +1

      How does it feel?

    • @ohcaptainmycaptain3019
      @ohcaptainmycaptain3019 4 роки тому

      @@keoym It hasn't arrived yet. But I've also bought a brand new amplifier fjust for this guitar. The amplifier I bought locally, the guitar us coming from a different State.

    • @ohcaptainmycaptain3019
      @ohcaptainmycaptain3019 4 роки тому +1

      @@keoym It arrived. It is quite heavy. The frets have a buzz when playing unplugged, but the pickups cancel out the buzz, it is quite surprising. It is very well made, maybe I got lucky, but the neck, fingerboard, the binding, the frets are all excellent. It is completely brand new so the strings will need to be played in for a few days, it goes to of tune quickly but should be better once the strings are settled. The action is very low, I am a heavy strummer and press the strings hard, I may need to go with heavier strings. But first impressions is that this guitar is excellent!! Sounds and feels great, despite being a little on heavy side.

  • @michaelbyrd7883
    @michaelbyrd7883 4 роки тому +1

    What's the draw back it's not American made?

    • @bsideguitar
      @bsideguitar  4 роки тому +1

      No real drawback, most of the higher end Gretsch guitars are made in Japan so USA for Gretsch is much less common.

    • @michaelbyrd7883
      @michaelbyrd7883 4 роки тому +1

      @@bsideguitar Thanks for that info, my friend bought the Chinese Gretsch not Japanese for $600 he said he likes the feel, and the playability for him works. The pickups are fine through his Fender deluxe What would you say of that guitar?

    • @housebaelishgaming
      @housebaelishgaming 4 роки тому

      Indonesia

    • @ohcaptainmycaptain3019
      @ohcaptainmycaptain3019 4 роки тому +1

      @@michaelbyrd7883 Friend, Gretsch belongs to the Fender Music Industry, Corporation, the very best luthiers in China have been recruited by them. This is why the online Chinese knock-offs are becoming harder to find and are now a poorer quality than before.

    • @michaelbyrd7883
      @michaelbyrd7883 4 роки тому

      Oh I see, so in other words this electro matic Gretsch from China is actually a good guitar, "ya know" like a proper guitar? He said he got it from a reputable music store that had all the top line brands made in America and else where. Thanks for answering me back, I can't believe someone with professional knowledge as you is not asking me for money for this information.

  • @TheUndead1
    @TheUndead1 Рік тому

    what is the model called without the bigsby on ? thanks

  • @jeremybaker195
    @jeremybaker195 3 роки тому

    Bigsby is for vibrato not tremolo. Tremolo is a volume thing vibrato is a note pitching thing. Not trying to bust your balls common mix up. Leo Fender labeled them wrong and now people are always mixing them up. A lot of times when you Google it they even get it wrong giving the same definition for both but if you Google the difference between vibrato and tremolo then you will get the correct definition.

  • @johnlafleur3593
    @johnlafleur3593 2 роки тому

    Sounds kind of muddy, think you talked me out of one I was thinking about.

  • @michaelromeo5689
    @michaelromeo5689 4 роки тому +22

    I'm assuming that it's your amp that sounds terrible.

    • @chasefogleman343
      @chasefogleman343 4 роки тому +5

      For real I honestly can’t tell if he’s going for a clean tone or a lightly driven tone but either way he failed miserably

    • @theblytonian3906
      @theblytonian3906 2 роки тому +1

      Black Top FilterTrons are ceramic.

    • @continentalaquatics2725
      @continentalaquatics2725 2 роки тому +1

      Sounds like a ripped speaker

    • @tomklover
      @tomklover Рік тому

      😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

    • @blakebutler900
      @blakebutler900 Рік тому

      I was wondering the same thing ? And is the guitar out of tune ? Is it trying to make it look like a crappy guitar

  • @bladelevinson
    @bladelevinson 4 роки тому +4

    Why not start with a clean tone instead of that horrible broken sound that makes the guitar sound crap

    • @bsideguitar
      @bsideguitar  4 роки тому +1

      Make sure you check out the video coming out Monday with some tonal modifications to the amp ;)

  • @bobgamble8204
    @bobgamble8204 2 роки тому +1

    Your amp does sound broken here, that doesn't sound right at all

  • @reneliebregt6319
    @reneliebregt6319 3 роки тому +3

    Nice demo but unfortunately a very bad sound quality. A bad weird drive sound !! and I listened on a good pair of KRK monitors.

    • @jscoppe
      @jscoppe 3 роки тому +1

      Agreed. It sounds like all of the audio was recorded on a very old camera's room mic only. Like, mic up the amp or direct in or something. A guitar demo needs to sound accurate to be of any value.

    • @reneliebregt6319
      @reneliebregt6319 3 роки тому

      @@jscoppe fully agree 👍😀

  • @ericcrawford9827
    @ericcrawford9827 3 роки тому +1

    I want one. Bastard.

    • @nonamejones2321
      @nonamejones2321 Рік тому

      I just got one in Fire Stick Red. Mmwwwaahahaha.

    • @ericcrawford9827
      @ericcrawford9827 Рік тому

      @@nonamejones2321 Congratulations

    • @ericcrawford9827
      @ericcrawford9827 Рік тому

      @@nonamejones2321 I did get a G5222 , in walnut stain, no Bigsby. Not one to boast, though.

  • @theblytonian3906
    @theblytonian3906 2 роки тому

    Too much distortion. Can't believe Gretsch fit "Black Top Filter'Tron™"(Ceramic pickups) to this guitar at its price point in my country. Ugh! No way am I paying that for a guitar without Alnico Filtertrons. Slick brand marketing by Gretsch labeling the pickups Blacktop instead of calling them what they are. Gretsch almost had a sale until I discovered this. Caveat emptor and advice to others "do your research" wins again. Another reveal that American brands are overpriced ripoffs to avoid targeting image wannabes. Fcuked if I'm forking out for TV Jones, Seymour or proper Filtertrons and fitment on top of the price of this guitar!

  • @nonamejones2321
    @nonamejones2321 Рік тому +1

    Hate to shit on your tone but, you need to find a different amp.

  • @johnlafleur3593
    @johnlafleur3593 2 роки тому

    I think you talked me out of this guitar. It sounds really muffled, no clarity.

  • @jst601
    @jst601 2 роки тому

    the audio is shizzle

  • @voiceofexperience
    @voiceofexperience 3 роки тому +2

    It sounds bad.
    Horrible, actually.
    Looks great tho 😂

    • @MrFrampo56
      @MrFrampo56 2 роки тому

      I had to stop watching it. It sounds fucking horrible! I own 4 Gretsches and none sound that bad.

  • @hustlinc3540
    @hustlinc3540 Рік тому +1

    dude your amp is dying

  • @BlackWolfTribe
    @BlackWolfTribe 2 роки тому

    Your tone man sounds very unnatural man. Sounds like your having some bad phasing issues. Or you don’t really know how to dial in a good amp tone.

  • @multipipi1234
    @multipipi1234 3 роки тому +1

    Bigsby is ok...but its not for dive bombing. I put the bar right over so I can get to the knobs. Its only used for gentle motion. The problem i have is the master knobs have no sweep if you will...but a luthier said he would change pots for me and wiring and that would would solve it.

    • @bsideguitar
      @bsideguitar  3 роки тому +1

      Good call on the master volume pot. A few dollars worth of parts can drastically change the functionality :)