NGD Gretsch 5420

Benmurray85 · Post by **Benmurray85** » Fri Aug 16, 2013 6:50 pm

Been GASsing for ages for a gretsch. Finally jumped at this the other day (stupidly)

I've never really fallen for a guitar solely on its aesthetics before but I wholeheartedly have done with this (will try and upload pics) but its obviously all standard in aspen green.

It plays lovely, I'm not a tech head with this sort of stuff so couldn't give proper indications beyond vague adjectives. Couple of niggling issues. The nut is very sharp at the sides and a couple of times playing chords at the bottom end I've nicked myself on it. Haven't seen any other info on this so maybe it's a small issue?

Where the neck meets the body is a bit weird? There's a fair old gap at the end which doesn't look right?

Sounds. I really really like the pickups. They are jangly but in a pleasant, full way. Slight niggle I would say there is too much treble on tap. Even the neck HB is pretty thin. I was hoping to get rockabilly-jazz sounds out of it. Rockabilly is perfect but can't quite comp the jazzies.

I love the guitar and I can't see me ever getting rid but I w ill say I paid 630 and I do feel (in Heinz sight) that that price is maybe a bit rich for the guitar. Even if it was sub 600 I wouldn't feel half as bad splashing out on something that's potentially gonna need tarting up. Other than that I would recommend it as an introduction to this kind of guitar (which it is for me)

There ya go. Make of that what you will

Chris Fleming · Post by **Chris Fleming** » Fri Aug 16, 2013 8:29 pm

I've looked at a few pictures of the 5420 and there does seem to be a gap that's on all of them bellow the last three frets if that's what you're talking about? I've seen other archtops with it to. Some of which use the gap as a slot for a pickup and control plate, but I think it's normal.

The nut just needs a light sanding on the edges to take the sharp corners off.

Found a couple of places listing it a little lower online, but Â£630 seems to be about right. Really pretty guitar in my opinion.

Benmurray85 · Post by **Benmurray85** » Tue Sep 03, 2013 8:58 am

just a quick update a few weeks in if anyones interested. tuning can be a bit funny. if its left for a while on the stand it will drop quite a bit. the strings seemed new and were daddario so i havent rushed to change em but when i do i think i'll stick some pencil lead or something in the nut see if that helps. otherwise its still pretty good. its very nice un plugged and the cleans are nice. overdrive is pleasantly different.

Chris Fleming wrote:I've looked at a few pictures of the 5420 and there does seem to be a gap that's on all of them bellow the last three frets if that's what you're talking about?

there is what is an "obvious" gap but then next to that theres another "hairline" gap/crack is the only way to describe it. i will try and get pictures up if anyones bothered

BobArsecake · Post by **BobArsecake** » Tue Sep 03, 2013 9:55 am

Sounds as if you need to adjust the pick up height and stretch the strings. Lovely guitar too, congrats!

Chris Fleming · Post by **Chris Fleming** » Tue Sep 03, 2013 12:20 pm

fire up a picture and we might be able to comment

DGNR8 · Post by **DGNR8** » Tue Sep 03, 2013 10:52 pm

Where the neck meets the body meaning under the fretboard? I think they have always done it that way, to allow for proper neck angle. It may even bet better for tone than gluing the neck onto the top. They must have that stuff on the Gretsch forum. I go there when I am working on one.