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Cheaper Gretch ripoffs
Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:10 am
by Mike
So Amy & I saw Emmy The Great this weekend at Cecil Sharp House and she's started to play some Gretsch electrics with f holes live which Amy fell in love with.
I think they were both Chet Atkins versions of one type or another but can't seem to find any photos of her playing them on google. One was Orange, I think single cutaway and had the two toggles on the top horn. The other was silver sparkle and I think was thicker in the body width. Both had Bigsbys.
Any ideas what these models might have been and whether there are any cheapo versions or people that make guitars in the same vein for cheaps? Might be nice to surprise her with one.
Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:12 am
by Mike
Actually looks like the silver one didn't have F holes and was thinner after all.
And here's the Orange one
Good ol' flickr. So what models are these Gretsch experts?
Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:12 am
by Mike
Gah - there is a second silver one which is a fuller bodied F hole Semi. I think these two Semis are the ones I'm interested in.
Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:19 am
by DanHeron
Not sure about the silver one, but the orange is definitely this chet atkins model:
http://www.gretschguitars.com/products/ ... 2401255822
Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:25 am
by James
Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:28 am
by Doog
Built-in whoopee cushion, yeeeeah!
Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:30 am
by James
The silver one is a Duo Jet, and probably a 6129 model
http://www.vintageandrare.com/product/G ... rkle-14487
Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:41 am
by Nick
Gretsch themselves made cheap duo jets in their electromatic and synchromatic series. I used to have a red sparkle "synchromatic" Duo Jet with an F Hole and a bigsby, I think I paid $250 for. They made them both with and without f holes and bigsbys
Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:45 am
by Mike
What about the second silver one, with the F hole?
Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:45 am
by Mike
Nick wrote:Gretsch themselves made cheap duo jets in their electromatic and synchromatic series. I used to have a red sparkle "synchromatic" Duo Jet with an F Hole and a bigsby, I think I paid $250 for. They made them both with and without f holes and bigsbys
Nice. Worth an ebay search I reckon - thank
Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:55 am
by benecol
Warning: the actual mid-price Gretsch hollowbodies I've played have been pony. The solidbodies less so. A friend of mine swears by his LP-alike one. There's also a bolt-on version of the LP-style one that looks the part but doesn't cost the earth.
If it was me, and I was after a decent hollowbody with these looks in the same price bracket, I'd go for one of the 90's DeArmond reissues. They're lovely, but going up in price.
Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:58 am
by Fran
Didn't donk have a Chet copy made by Vintage? Some other brands like Skylark make copies as well.
Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 11:07 am
by Mike
Ta, boys.
I think Johnstone loves the fatty F hole ones so that's the solidbodies out I'm afraid.
Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 2:28 pm
by Johno
benecol wrote:Warning: the actual mid-price Gretsch hollowbodies I've played have been pony. The solidbodies less so. A friend of mine swears by his LP-alike one. There's also a bolt-on version of the LP-style one that looks the part but doesn't cost the earth.
If it was me, and I was after a decent hollowbody with these looks in the same price bracket, I'd go for one of the 90's DeArmond reissues. They're lovely, but going up in price.
Apparently Gretsch(Fender) have listened to the complaints and have relaunched the electromatics with upgraded hardware etc... think I read this on musicradar a couple weeks ago.
I have wanted a Gretsch for ages (To play Cramps songs) I have an Epi Sheraton that kinda fills the void.
Ibanez Artcore are well thought of inexpensive hollowbodies Hagstrom Vikings to.
Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 2:38 pm
by dezb1
Peerless do a few gretsch rip offs, and the ones I've played have been rather nice.
Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 2:45 pm
by stewart
there was a silver (and gold) sparkle in the electromatic range, which looks very similar to hers but i'm not sure if they still make them.
Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 2:56 pm
by stewart
here we go- G5126
seems to be discontinued.
Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 2:59 pm
by Mike
Cheers boys, all good stuff. I'll just leave a few searches on ebay and see if something turns up.
Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 3:56 pm
by Fran
Wimmin and fatty f-hole guitars seems a good excuse to post this here..
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 4:08 pm
by lorez
Fran wrote:Wimmin and fatty f-hole guitars seems a good excuse to post this here..
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at first I thought she had a polaroid camera hiding in her hair
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