Thank you guys for diving so deeply into the Gretsch world (and thanks Ben for making me pick my guitar up once again this morning!). I was an ES335/Sheraton snob for years - until I got to play a Chet Atkins model. That deep body just felt so much more "real" in my hands. Finally I got my hands on one in the form of the G6120CMHOF 1954 Prototype units from the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. In my case, it has the T.V. Jones T'Armond Dynasonic pickups and I love the tonal image that I can create. One of these days, I will try to connect with a G5422T (in Cadillac Green, of course). But I will have to admit that the Azure Metallic is very, very gorgeous. I started on a Sears Silvertone $69 parlor acoustic. My first electric was a 1971 SG (back when we thought that SG meant Student Guitar because of the price). My next was a 1971 Ovation Breadwinner. Since then - well, I'm an original victim of GAS!
Glad you are enjoying the videos. The Gretsch world is an interesting one that doesn't get as much 'airtime' as the Gibson and Fender world, so we thought (as much for our own discoveries) we should explore it more. That Proto You have sounds cool. From cheap to expensive, they all have a voice and are looking for the right player to help release it. Also, Bens playing always inspires me to pick the guitar up too. Conan. PM
I have the G5420T. I agree that the 22 sounds more to my liking. I LOVE the look of the 22 walnut/gold. Probably would have gotten that instead had it been available at the time I got the 20. Only thing I don't like bout the 22 is the cloud inlay markers, as well as it applies to my guitar. I grew up in the 60's and George Harrison's Gretsch having those 'thumbnail' fret inlays is burned into my brain so much that without them I lose the full Gretsch vibe, lol. If they ever put the thumbnail inlays on that particular 22, I'd buy it.
Started on a Strat copy, m’self. I’m a Fender guy to this day, nearly 30 years on. Those Gretsch’s do look absolutely lovely, though. I can see one in my future. Must be psychic, or something 😂
I've got a few Gretch guitars, including the 20T in the Blue Azure - same one as in this vid. And that guitar is incredible. The thing is absolutely beautiful clean... but the thing also ROCKS hard! I just love that one - and I love all my Gretsch guitars! They're just incredible. They play amazing. They sound amazing. They look amazing, and they are just wonderful instruments. Great vid and playing, guys!
Well Fender and Gretsch went into partnership in 2002 and have had the rights for producing and distributing Gretsch guitars since then. So fair enough they don’t ‘own’ Gretsch, but they have control over the brand and what comes out and goes into it.
Best way I heard Black Top and FT5-E Filtertrons described is a more modern Filtertron tone. with a Baldwin era look. They are still very much Gretsch for sure. By the way, Gretrsch is not owned by Fender. Gretsch is it's own company in partnership with Fender. Fender takes care of Marketing and customer Service and production. Can see why so many make the mistake.
I own a 5422tg in orange and a 5420t in azure blue. Both great guitars, the 22 has more punch due to the shallower body. Also have the P90 pristine double cut in black cherry, which is a beast. I play a fair amount of rockabilly, hence my love for gretsch. But also play rock and blues stuff, as well as playing in church
Great review - thanks! I came to a different conclusion than you did tonally, but that could be my headphones vs being in the room. I felt the G5420 had a bit more ‘Gretchiness’ … I heard more high overtones/chime and yes a bit more bass as well. Both sound great!!! I get the tonal balance you mentioned…but I would perhaps call it more compressed than balanced? I think the playability factor can certainly factor into a personal connection which will influence tone and you mentioned the 22 was a little better setup. Thanks again!
Thank you guys for diving so deeply into the Gretsch world (and thanks Ben for making me pick my guitar up once again this morning!). I was an ES335/Sheraton snob for years - until I got to play a Chet Atkins model. That deep body just felt so much more "real" in my hands. Finally I got my hands on one in the form of the G6120CMHOF 1954 Prototype units from the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. In my case, it has the T.V. Jones T'Armond Dynasonic pickups and I love the tonal image that I can create. One of these days, I will try to connect with a G5422T (in Cadillac Green, of course). But I will have to admit that the Azure Metallic is very, very gorgeous.
I started on a Sears Silvertone $69 parlor acoustic. My first electric was a 1971 SG (back when we thought that SG meant Student Guitar because of the price). My next was a 1971 Ovation Breadwinner. Since then - well, I'm an original victim of GAS!
Glad you are enjoying the videos. The Gretsch world is an interesting one that doesn't get as much 'airtime' as the Gibson and Fender world, so we thought (as much for our own discoveries) we should explore it more. That Proto You have sounds cool. From cheap to expensive, they all have a voice and are looking for the right player to help release it. Also, Bens playing always inspires me to pick the guitar up too. Conan. PM
I have the G5420T. I agree that the 22 sounds more to my liking. I LOVE the look of the 22 walnut/gold. Probably would have gotten that instead had it been available at the time I got the 20. Only thing I don't like bout the 22 is the cloud inlay markers, as well as it applies to my guitar. I grew up in the 60's and George Harrison's Gretsch having those 'thumbnail' fret inlays is burned into my brain so much that without them I lose the full Gretsch vibe, lol.
If they ever put the thumbnail inlays on that particular 22, I'd buy it.
Started on a Strat copy, m’self. I’m a Fender guy to this day, nearly 30 years on. Those Gretsch’s do look absolutely lovely, though. I can see one in my future. Must be psychic, or something 😂
I've got a few Gretch guitars, including the 20T in the Blue Azure - same one as in this vid. And that guitar is incredible. The thing is absolutely beautiful clean... but the thing also ROCKS hard! I just love that one - and I love all my Gretsch guitars! They're just incredible. They play amazing. They sound amazing. They look amazing, and they are just wonderful instruments. Great vid and playing, guys!
They really are unreal guitars. PM
@@ProjectMusicSWagreed the 30 is broader sound
When, exactly, did Fender buy Gretsch Guitars (3:22)? --- Fender did buy the Bigsby brand from Gretsch in 2019.
Well Fender and Gretsch went into partnership in 2002 and have had the rights for producing and distributing Gretsch guitars since then. So fair enough they don’t ‘own’ Gretsch, but they have control over the brand and what comes out and goes into it.
Best way I heard Black Top and FT5-E Filtertrons described is a more modern Filtertron tone. with a Baldwin era look. They are still very much Gretsch for sure. By the way, Gretrsch is not owned by Fender. Gretsch is it's own company in partnership with Fender. Fender takes care of Marketing and customer Service and production. Can see why so many make the mistake.
I own a 5422tg in orange and a 5420t in azure blue.
Both great guitars, the 22 has more punch due to the shallower body.
Also have the P90 pristine double cut in black cherry, which is a beast.
I play a fair amount of rockabilly, hence my love for gretsch.
But also play rock and blues stuff, as well as playing in church
I own a 5422TG. One of the best guitars I've ever heard clean. I sometimes prefer it over my American Tele for chordal stuff
They are such great guitars that dont get enough love!
Nice playing👌🏼😊
Great review - thanks! I came to a different conclusion than you did tonally, but that could be my headphones vs being in the room. I felt the G5420 had a bit more ‘Gretchiness’ … I heard more high overtones/chime and yes a bit more bass as well. Both sound great!!! I get the tonal balance you mentioned…but I would perhaps call it more compressed than balanced? I think the playability factor can certainly factor into a personal connection which will influence tone and you mentioned the 22 was a little better setup. Thanks again!
They are both so great! Funny how we all hear in different ways!