I walked into a guitar store near my friends house, and for the first time ever in my 6 years of playing I went into a store, saw a guitar, played it, fell in love with it, and walked out with it. As a lefty I've never really been able to buy a guitar I genuinely liked in person but today was the magical day and it was one of these exact Gretsch guitars, no regrets whatsoever I absolutely love it. Never fear my fellow leftys, your day or triumph awaits you!
Should I buy this guitar? 🤷♂️🤣 New backing track jam yet again! This guitar rocks. Timestamps and links below! 0:00 - Jam Track 2:36 - Overview 5:07 - Guitar Tones 11:04 - I Want this Guitar! This is my review of the Gretsch Electromatic Jet G5230! Check it out here: ► Sweetwater - imp.i114863.net/JeqZr ► Thomann - bit.ly/3jM7T9A ► Sky Music - alnk.to/b7sfY6G
you absolutely should get it. I own quite a few guitars, some quite fancy american made stuff. I picked up a gretsch 5220 LH a few months ago and it's fast becoming one of my most played guitars! absolutely spectacular for the price.
Bought one two weeks ago on a whim and I must say I can't stop playing it. Such a great guitar for the money. I play mainly metal this thing can certainly handle anything.
just bought one of these at guitar center with minimal research. I just played a bunch of guitars and this sounded and felt the best in my price range. It was also $100 off so it was a no brainer. I've spent the whole day playing it and its amazing. Highly recommend trying one out. There's so many different models too, semi hollow and full hollow, whami, etc.
I really like reviewers that take the time playing the guitar through a clean channel. To really hear the guitar itself. Playing a guitar right off the bat with Overdrive, Distortion really don't do it for me. Because quite honestly I can make a 99 dollar Strat knockoff sound amazing with heavy overdrive!!! Thanks for take the time to use in on the clean channel! Well done and good playing by the way!
I bought one in dark cherry metallic with the black walnut fretboard. I ordered it (on a whim because it wasn't costly), without ever playing a Gretsch, based on some youtube reviews. I have bought and sold and swapped several very high end American guitars so i was expecting a nice little bedroom practice guitar and not much more. I was godsmacked. The build quality, fit and finish, feel and play, simply eclipsed my other much more expensive guitars....period. Wow. This one holds it's own against anything. The chambered body gives it nice weight relief and also provides it's responsive tone. Such presence I was not expecting !!
We live in an age where inexpensive guitar no longer means looks or feels cheap. Great times for guitarists. The finishes and craftsmanship of these guitars puts others costing 3 time as much or more from ten years ago to shame,
@Mike Price Interesting viewpoint Mike. I have the G5230T in stunning Aleutian Blue, which is the most beautiful instrument I have ever owned. I have owned many American made Guitars over the years, including Strats SGs Peavey Reactors, and 4 Gibson 335's. The quality control on most of these was great except for two of the 335's. The point I am trying to make here, is that I also have a Chinese built Artist Cherry 58 335 copy which is superb in all respects and only cost $350.
Totally agree the Gretsch master volume control works brilliantly when you’re playing live. People sometimes say that design is outdated but I think it’s perfect.
Not outdated so much as badly engineered. You better not touch the tone control with the master volume at anything less than 10, because it acts like a sympathetic volume control. That's the only thing I don't like about the master volume on Gretsch guitars, and it seems to affect every model that has one.
In fact my 2655T is in the shop right now. Master volume delete, switch moved to the bottom bout, Dimarzio Air Classic pickups, etc etc the old switch hole is going to have an amp Jewel in it and a bridge volume will be added by the other knobs. No more master volume, and will have a tone and volume for each pickup.
Someone may correct me but I'm pretty sure there is a treble bleed/high pass filter on the Master Vol so you can leave the neck pickup vol on high and use the Master to roll the volume down and keep the treble present at lower volumes. Obviously the tone changes the minute you adjust the neck volume in middle position but I like that it adds another way of finding the sound you want.
@@intheblues I definitely agree. Only problem is I want that P90 Revstar first. Priorities, I guess. :) What I really need is to magically become independently wealthy. Working for it is just too hard. Ha!
He doesn't seem to have any issues with it. The nut is cut really well, so no binding or anything there. This is the only bigsby that I've been around, so maybe we were just lucky on this one.
Had one of these for a while its ace guitar for the money, i have an older jet and hollow body gretsch too, just great guitars, buy it! Dont regret it!
I have the 5230t, which is this model with a Bigsby. Love it! Can't praise it enough. Mine is in the airline silver instead of black and it looks stunning. Great guitars! I play everything on this guitar - blues, rock, jazzier stuff, you name it this guitar can do it.
I picked up a Gretsch about a year ago. Haven't looked back. There is a meaty warm tone that is real nice and retro. It really works with early early rock and roll stuff, also has more of the lead tones used by CSNY. So right in my ballpark.
I have a G5420T limited edition. and love it am thinking of one of these and a white falcon bass Had some Orig.Gretches at my shop years ago These play just as well but if you ever need to do a neck reset the modern glues make them almost a throw away.But for the price you can sell off the guys and buy another.Gotta have at least a couple Gretsch guitar always But it.
I own the Gold top version. Fantastic instrument. Probably the ONLY guitar I've purchased online that didn't need any setup work out of the box. The pickups are just KILLER
I picked up a g5222 (double cut with broad'trons) earlier this year. Had a nice discount because of a blemish under the clear. It quickly became my favorite. It's just a different beast and that's what I love about it.
I have the 5220 in Firestick Red. It's a good Americana/Blues guitar. The pickups are Broadtrons, not Filtertrons. I also have a semi-hollow Streamliner with Broadtrons. I'm sold on the pickups and their sound. Nice video and excellent playing. Peace.
I bought a FSR G5245T Electromatic Double Jet with Bigsby Two-Tone Casino Gold/Snowcrest White and liked it so much I then bought a G5448G Two-Tone Electromatic Double Jet in Surf Green and White. Really like the 'Malcolm' guitars. Both sound different with Black tops on the Gold/White and Filtertrons in the Green/Wwhite. Both were excellent out of the box. Both are keepers.
I have the 5230 , same model but with bigsby, and I can confirm, it's a killer guitar, for the price it's almost unbeatable (in the same category, of course )
The Jet lefty isn't available with a Bigsby until you get up the Player series. There is no left handed version of the licensed Bigsby so you have to get the real deal and pay the real deal price for it. So now instead of the $100 premium for a lefty model, you're looking at a $250+ difference which really prices this out of its intended market.
I have this guitar Shane. I'm way more if a Fender guy, but I absolutely love this guitar. Not only is it sexy, but it sounds fantastic with basically any amp. The middle position is my favorite spot to play in because it sounds very much like my jazzmaster with both pickups on - just with more grunt. Being able to add or subtract the amount of each pickup volume is my favorite thing about it. It ensures whatever amp you use will sound right with it. Add to the fact that it never goes out of tune, has perfect intonation and just the right amount of sustain... And it's great bang for buck. Can really do it all with any style of play.
Hi Shane After your review & some other research, I bought a G5220 in Casino Gold, it arrived today and you were right, it is fantastic! Not just great for the money but great full stop. I have and have had lots of guitars Gibsons, Fender, PRS etc but this is my first Gretsch and i don”t know why I’ve never had one before, it is without doubt the best value I have ever seen. (In 40 years of buying gear) The fit, finish, tone and set up is excellent, right out of the box, no need to change or adjust anything. Thanks for the heads up, keep up the great work!👍👍👏👏👏
I have the G5230T Nick 13 edition of this guitar and it is rapidly becoming my favourite guitar of my collection after a week of ownership for all the reasons you mentioned. Mine however has the treble bleed circuit you mentioned so volume roll off has little to no effect on the highs. Even with the Bigsby, tuning stability is solid unless you abuse the tremolo arm, but then you should be using a Floyd Rose equipped axe if thats your style. Its an absolute gem.
Gretsch Electromatics can't be beat. And the fact that just about everyone can afford one just makes them more amazing. I was looking for a cheap guitar that I could transplant Variax electronics into at Guitar Center. A beautiful black double jet caught my eye. $499! Anyway, it is such an excellent guitar, I begged Santa for a red/white Pro Jet the following year. Same goodness. The pair cost less than the cheapest guitar I owned previously, and they are the ones I grab now 90% of the time. Big fan!
Love the sound of this guitar. The pickups are to die for. I have a Streamliner G2655 (small semi-hollow body) with Broadtron Humbuckers that I bought last year around Xmas time. Really nice guitar. First Gretsch, definitely not the last. Definitely want to get filtertrons on my next Gretsch. Thanks!
finally a great review on left handed guitars. I have usually go into a guitar store find what I am looking for in a right handed version, flip it over, play a few chords and if I order it, hopefully it will be what I want. Thanks
Yep this is the one I had! Nice guitar ! Couple small issues I had were the strap hardware broke out as well as the 3way switch separated! Ordered a replacement strap holder and epoxy to the switch and no more complaints. The number you’re saying is not the number your title is showing. Good video as always!
I have expensive guitars. I bought one of these just because. I was not expecting much. Its fair to say I am blown away. Plays great out the box, finished well, nice slim neck and the pups are great. Nothing not to like here. Well ok no valute and three piece neck but consider the price. A keeper for sure, can't wait to gig.
As a follow up. Still have this guitar and still gig it. It's close enough to my Gibson Les Paul so not to upset my sound at a gig but is different enough to give you some different sounds and inspiration. Much better than Epiphones I have owned in the same price bracket.
I have a G5220 (couple of years old) which is very similar. The major difference would be the Broadtron pickups instead of the Filtertron. I would say it sounds a little more mellow than the G5230. However... I like your idea of a high-pass filter. I'm not much into modding my guitars, but I might just have to try that one!
Once you have a Master volume & treble bleed on a guitar you want one on every guitar. I love my Rat Rod. It has the treble bleed as well. A MV is a must have. It's so convenient.
I have a G5420T which is a hollow body and made in Korea. Gretsch guitars are awesome these days! They kept the tone but improved the build quality over the last couple of years. My favourite guitars and I would definitely recommend them. I mostly played acoustic and I wasn't really into electric guitars, but I won't lie, I fell in love with my hollowbody straight away, it sounds amazing and it didn't cost anywhere near to what some other brands would charge. Guitars tend to be judged when they are made in Asia, but people forget that Japan and Korea really made some amazing instruments throughout the years and they are always really well made.
Put Stringjoy Broaway 11's on mine and it is pure tone😎👍 For some reason...they don't feel like 11's. It's the pure nickel. Easy to bend😎👍 Had Stringjoys 11' Signature to begin with and they are great ss well, but the nickel is better to my ears for my Gretsch's 😎👍
@@QS-si3cq Just to let you know that english is not my mother tongue. Yes I can make mistakes when I write in english. Not everybody is perfect like you.
Not sure if it's the same number but i got one in dark cherry and it did come with a high freq pass through on the tone connected to Blacktop broad'trons tuned to 5.18 resistance(filter'trons are about 4.3). It's very clever. The knobs look exactly the same but instead of normal, they function as a simple eq where the vol rolls down the low end and tone rolls down the high end. I also have an older one with custom tuned filtertrons that's been modded with knob style coil splitters replacing the isolated volumes. Filters in single mode sound amazingly clean in low gain but almost act like p-90s when under distortion.
Hey Shane. I have the Double Jet version of that guitar but with a Bigsby on it rather than the stoptail. I love it to death. Its the Casino Gold version and like you, I went for it based on the fact that its a really quality instrument and those blacktop pickups are out of this world. I took it to a gig the day I purchased it and it knocked it out of the park. No tuning issues even with the bigsby and the tones those pickups put out were glorious. It stands its ground with anything,even the more expensive guitars. I vote you grab the one you played in this video. You wont be sorry.
I feel so validated! This is my jet :) Apart from mine has the Bigsby. Picked it up for £200 preowned and it is FANTASTIC. You should buy it Shane ;) I put in a treble bleed and swapped out to HS Filtertrons. More refined, slightly lower output and just superb. Totally agree with you, they are just superior to any Epiphone in terms of build and sound. The build quality and overall feel remind me of PRS SE guitars.
@@EightNineOne I could not find one left-handed :( However!! I did just purchase the model in the video lol! the G5230!! Bigsby bar or not, I am so excited.
@@justinforman13 as far as i know, no manufacturer of Bigsbys, patent, license, or knock-off, produces a left-handed Bigsby. for all practical intents and purposes, they don't exist. BUT Gretsch install genuine Filtertron Blacktops in the left handed, hard-tail Jets, not Broadtrons. the right-handed hard-tail Jet gets Broadtrons, the Bigsby Jet gets Filtertrons. i will soon get the guitar from this video in right-handed. single-cut, stop-tail Jet in black. visually the only difference is the "Broadtron" Jet has block fretboard inlays in the right and left-handed version, but there is no right-handed, non-Bigsby version like the one in this video, that has Filtertrons. FTs are *slightly* narrower than BTs, but that is only apparent on close scrutiny so the only visual difference is the left handed v stop-tail version has thumbnail inlays instead of block. the left-handed Jet with the block inlays has Broadtrons like the right-handed. Filtertrons are widely considered to be superior to Broadtrons which is, sort of, correct. Broadtrons were developed to provide the Filtertron Blacktop tone profile to a pick-up with a dynamic range closer to a PAF humbucker. it has it's uses, can shoulder more gain and deliver more punch with it. but *genuine* Filtertops have a huge dynamic range allowing for *much* more "expression" in your playing. it's like giving a painter more colours to work with. the art becomes better, and so does the *artist* . and all 'Trons, Broad or Filter, are very articulate, bright, and clear. the Jet is a very "bright" guitar. put the two together with very good "fingertone" and elegant, solid techniques and it is MAGIC. but bad playing is *also* magnified, and even average playing becomes more identifiable. a Gretsch loaded with Filtertron Blacktops, any 'tron really, is a high risk, high reward instrument. thing is, i don't think this bloke Shane knows he got the "good" left-handed Jet here. were he to play the Filtertrons and Broadtrons "side by side" he would be able to tell the difference immediately.
Nice Review Shane! I’ve got one from about 5yrs ago in Black with the Hump Inlays. I put a Treble Bleed Circuit in and just Love it!! Please keep up the Good Work, Stay Healthy and Safe! Cheers from Ohio US!!
My first guitar was a cheap Harley Benton ST-20 to relearn on 3 yrs ago after putting down my guitar 40yrs ago, as a stupid teenager 😖, but i seen the Gretsch 5230T in Aleutian blue and just had to have it and it was a beautiful quality made guitar and even after buying 5 more guitars since, i always go back my blue baby, I even pick this over my latest buy a limited edition Fender Player series, which was £230 more expensive, but I still just love my Gretsch and still learning 🥰 EDIT: sorry i forgot to say, brilliant review of an excellent guitar 👍
@@mattholden5224 I have the G5230T as new, in Aleutian Blue with a couple of hundred dollars spent on Grover Locking Tuners and a Wilkinson Roller Bridge. Its for sale for $1K. Are you interested?
@@mattholden5224 Sorry you have lost your Job Matt. I am in no hurry to sell this beautiful instrument, so if your situation improves you can contact me on 09-4054643. Cheers Rob
I've got a late 90s Silver Jet, I think Japanese build. It's survived many guitar culls over the years. Super comfortable, offers a really different sound to the typical Fender, Gibson sound. Its got the Bigsby and just looks cool. I'll likely never sell this one, its even starting to qualify as "vintage" :)
Shane you made that black beauty sound so very sweet. To me the back of it ought to be how the front looks. I love the wood grain and overall finish of the back. Not griping about the overall aesthetic because she's a beaut anyway ya look at it and sounds dang good in all configurations you can play it in. If you can swing it ya oughta park that axe in your arsenal, brother. As always, thanks for sharing that sweet sounding Gretch with us man! later!
I bought one just over two years ago from Guitar Guitar . I sent it back with various problems one being the G gear tuner was broken. They repaired it sent it back completely missing the other problems (won’t bore you with details) but it’s cost me over £100 to put right . I took the pick guard off completely as it was cracked because the peg was raised causing a stress point which the useless store refuses to fix. Guitar is fine now but it’s been a long and painful road. Avoid GG is the motto . Love your channel btw. 🏴✌️
After 30 years of strat ownership, I finally added another electric guitar to my collection, this model Gretsch (with Bigsby tremolo) from the friendly team at Sky Music! Love the bite of the tone, but struggling to find a hard case to house it in.. any others finding this tricky especially with Bigsby adding extra thickness??
Great guitars, I just bought a second hand Gretsch G5439 in lefty version. Looks very similar to yours but the tailpiece is not V-shaped. The master volume feature is really smart!
I bought a goldtop 2016 version of this (before they switched to the V-style tailpiece). I've had nothing but good things to say about it. I did replace the tuners, but that's only because I put locking tuners on all my guitars. Very solid instrument.
I have one in Airline Silver, lefty also. Sounds great. Fit and finish is awesome, especially for $599 US. I did replace the tuners with Grover mini lockers, which drop right in.
Sounds great!!! I've got two LP style guitars an Epi Special with P90's and a CMG LP Style Guitar (USA Made) with PAF style pick ups. The Gretsch just SINGS!! LOVE IT!
Of course your playing is great. Ive wanted a duo jet for awhile now but i always end up getting something else. Am on the process of building a telecaster that is completely to my specs. Just ordered the body and neck from warmoth. Pick ups are Bare Knuckle Brown Sugar pups for tele. But one day i will get a duo, just not today. Great vid shane as always
You got me confused with your thumbnail displaying the 5220. That's my guitar and I'm crazy about it. I might get this one with a Bigsby next because of the Filtertrons as opposed to mine's Broadtrons
I purchased the G5622T Imperial brown Double cut semi hollow body. It has the broadtron humbuckers and I love the hell out of it. You should review one of those sometime. I definitely want one of these also.
They're really nice. I really like my jet with the Bigsby. It's a really verstatile guitar. While being it's own thing, it's more useable in the neck pickup than the woolier neck pickup tone of an Epiphone Les Paul. Then in the mid-pickup, like you said, rolling back the neck a tad, you can get some very nice Les Paul-ish tones. And then in the bridge it's honky and spanky, like a Telecaster, but maybe shades of Epiphone Casino or Les Paul Special too. And I like Casino's, but this has more range, especially with the trem. The white gold, and jet (black) ones with the Bigsby's look very classy too.
I've got the same basic thing. It's a Long & McQuade (Canada) exclusive G5220G. Beautiful guitar. I take exception with your critic of Epiphone, though. Last year I bought a Casino in Sunrise Orange. Although it came with a poorly cut nut once I fixed that and did some of the normal tweaks it now plays like butter and I would rate it equal to my Gretsch. I see you have 2 Casino videos but not with you playing one. I've heard it's hard to track down a lefty Casino so I hope someday you get a chance to try one. It's that complete hollow body thing where the feedback potential could be considered either a hindrance or a new tool to add to your arsenal depending how you look at it. You'll definitely want to try out some late period Beatles John Lennon licks.
I don't own a guitar with 'FilterTron' -style pickups. This Gretsch Electromatic Series looks like it might be a great way to add FilterTrons to my stable of guitars. I think I like the double-cut style body better than the LP-style... and I might want the Bigsby... but thanks for this video. It's a terrific display of the tones and quality. Cheers!
Hey Shane! I was playing one of these at Guitar Center the other day, and was thinking about buying/trying one with my rig. Your demo helped me decide to try it out. Thanks.
I bought this guitar a couple years ago and absolutely love it. Sounds great and stays in tune really well. Only concern are the volume knobs, I find that turning them down is more like a switch, turning from 100% to 20% doesn't really do anything, 20% to 10% and it basically turns the pickups off. Maybe a manufacturing fault here.
Are you a lefty as well? I tried one of these in a shop and found the same thing. The guy in the shop tried to tell me I was wrong but I wasn’t. It’s sadly true that many left handed guitars just have right hand wound logarithmic potentiometers wired backwards. And that turns them into on-off switches. My first electric was a Fender Player Strat which was wired like that. The American Pro Strat I have now has left-hand wound pots (and they actually advertised them in the specs so they know it’s an issue on their cheaper guitars!) and it’s like night and day. With properly wound pots you can clean up with the volume control. I bought a second Hand Player Telecaster knowing it would be an issue but got it cheaply enough to make it worthwhile having the pots changed when I put it in for a setup. CTS make lefty wound pots, if you otherwise love the guitar and intend to keep it I’d say it’s worth spending the money getting a tech to make the change. It’s actually a disgrace when left hand guitars are sold with reduced functionality in comparison to their RH equivalents. If the pots are a bit more expensive because of fewer manufactured, then increase the price to cover it. It would still be cheaper for us than having to pay labour charges (or our own valuable time) when we change them later.
I notice for some reason the stop tail right handers have block inlays on neck, while the lefty stop tail has the top half circle markers - which is the same as the Bigsby version.
Just picked up my electromatic today, I own multiple 1k guitars and this feels better and plays smoother than them all. For classic rock this is a must have🤘😎 don't let people discourage you about the made in china factor this guitar is immaculate, sit down and play one, your pockets will be lighter I guarantee it lol
I 've got one of these (my first Gretsch) and I love it. Very well made, nice to play and the Filtertron pickups are just superb. I've played (and own) more expensive guitars that aren't nearly as versatile as this. I'm thinking about getting one of their more expensive single cuts down the line because I like it so much. Great value for money too.
I just purchased this guitar. Let me just say, this thing is AMAZING. I highly recommend adding one to your arsenal.
I walked into a guitar store near my friends house, and for the first time ever in my 6 years of playing I went into a store, saw a guitar, played it, fell in love with it, and walked out with it. As a lefty I've never really been able to buy a guitar I genuinely liked in person but today was the magical day and it was one of these exact Gretsch guitars, no regrets whatsoever I absolutely love it. Never fear my fellow leftys, your day or triumph awaits you!
Should I buy this guitar? 🤷♂️🤣 New backing track jam yet again! This guitar rocks. Timestamps and links below!
0:00 - Jam Track
2:36 - Overview
5:07 - Guitar Tones
11:04 - I Want this Guitar!
This is my review of the Gretsch Electromatic Jet G5230!
Check it out here:
► Sweetwater - imp.i114863.net/JeqZr
► Thomann - bit.ly/3jM7T9A
► Sky Music - alnk.to/b7sfY6G
It's cool but I preferred the semi hollow Gretch you reviewed the other day
@@prd004 this is semi hollow, it is chambered
@@dt9r I think he's referring to the one with the F-holes :)
marcello252 I just meant that I liked the other one better
you absolutely should get it. I own quite a few guitars, some quite fancy american made stuff. I picked up a gretsch 5220 LH a few months ago and it's fast becoming one of my most played guitars! absolutely spectacular for the price.
Bought one two weeks ago on a whim and I must say I can't stop playing it.
Such a great guitar for the money. I play mainly metal this thing can certainly handle anything.
just bought one of these at guitar center with minimal research. I just played a bunch of guitars and this sounded and felt the best in my price range. It was also $100 off so it was a no brainer. I've spent the whole day playing it and its amazing. Highly recommend trying one out. There's so many different models too, semi hollow and full hollow, whami, etc.
I really like reviewers that take the time playing the guitar through a clean channel. To really hear the guitar itself. Playing a guitar right off the bat with Overdrive, Distortion really don't do it for me. Because quite honestly I can make a 99 dollar Strat knockoff sound amazing with heavy overdrive!!! Thanks for take the time to use in on the clean channel! Well done and good playing by the way!
I've purchased two of these new Electromatic series for my wife and I. We love them! They sound, look, and play like a thousand bucks!
I bought one in dark cherry metallic with the black walnut fretboard. I ordered it (on a whim because it wasn't costly), without ever playing a Gretsch, based on some youtube reviews. I have bought and sold and swapped several very high end American guitars so i was expecting a nice little bedroom practice guitar and not much more. I was godsmacked. The build quality, fit and finish, feel and play, simply eclipsed my other much more expensive guitars....period. Wow. This one holds it's own against anything. The chambered body gives it nice weight relief and also provides it's responsive tone. Such presence I was not expecting !!
We live in an age where inexpensive guitar no longer means looks or feels cheap. Great times for guitarists. The finishes and craftsmanship of these guitars puts others costing 3 time as much or more from ten years ago to shame,
@Mike Price Yes really
@Mike Price Call all you want Mike. I presume you own one of these beautifully made Guitars, and are speaking from first hand experience?.
@Mike Price Interesting viewpoint Mike. I have the G5230T in stunning Aleutian Blue, which is the most beautiful instrument I have ever owned. I have owned many American made Guitars over the years, including Strats SGs Peavey Reactors, and 4 Gibson 335's. The quality control on most of these was great except for two of the 335's. The point I am trying to make here, is that I also have a Chinese built Artist Cherry 58 335 copy which is superb in all respects and only cost $350.
I live in Australia. For me Asian-made guitars are domestic.
@Mike Price Calling BS on your "BS".
Totally agree the Gretsch master volume control works brilliantly when you’re playing live. People sometimes say that design is outdated but I think it’s perfect.
Not outdated so much as badly engineered. You better not touch the tone control with the master volume at anything less than 10, because it acts like a sympathetic volume control. That's the only thing I don't like about the master volume on Gretsch guitars, and it seems to affect every model that has one.
In fact my 2655T is in the shop right now. Master volume delete, switch moved to the bottom bout, Dimarzio Air Classic pickups, etc etc the old switch hole is going to have an amp Jewel in it and a bridge volume will be added by the other knobs. No more master volume, and will have a tone and volume for each pickup.
Someone may correct me but I'm pretty sure there is a treble bleed/high pass filter on the Master Vol so you can leave the neck pickup vol on high and use the Master to roll the volume down and keep the treble present at lower volumes. Obviously the tone changes the minute you adjust the neck volume in middle position but I like that it adds another way of finding the sound you want.
I bought the silver one a while back, and there really is something special about it! It’s my first Gretsch, but it won’t be my last.
I played a Grertsch streamliner guitar few months back. And after never giving Gretsch a second though for all my life I loved it and gotta get one !
We bought one for my son's 18th birthday. It's the blue one with the bigsby. He loves it. Won't let me play it. lol.
haha. Sounds like you need one too lol
@@intheblues I definitely agree. Only problem is I want that P90 Revstar first. Priorities, I guess. :) What I really need is to magically become independently wealthy. Working for it is just too hard. Ha!
@@TheBigH1975 does the bigsby stay in tune ? i would always worry about that
He doesn't seem to have any issues with it. The nut is cut really well, so no binding or anything there. This is the only bigsby that I've been around, so maybe we were just lucky on this one.
@@TheBigH1975 thnx
Tried this guitar out, fell in love. Just need to buy it...
Had one of these for a while its ace guitar for the money, i have an older jet and hollow body gretsch too, just great guitars, buy it! Dont regret it!
I have the 5230t, which is this model with a Bigsby. Love it! Can't praise it enough. Mine is in the airline silver instead of black and it looks stunning. Great guitars! I play everything on this guitar - blues, rock, jazzier stuff, you name it this guitar can do it.
I picked up a Gretsch about a year ago. Haven't looked back. There is a meaty warm tone that is real nice and retro. It really works with early early rock and roll stuff, also has more of the lead tones used by CSNY. So right in my ballpark.
The opening riff of Ohio sounds awesome on a Gretsch.
I have a G5420T limited edition. and love it am thinking of one of these and a white falcon bass Had some Orig.Gretches at my shop years ago
These play just as well but if you ever need to do a neck reset the modern glues make them almost a throw away.But for the price you can sell off the guys and buy another.Gotta have at least a couple Gretsch guitar always But it.
this guitar has the best tone ive heard the grestch tone is amazing
Their old slogan was “that great Gretsch sound” and as generic as that sounds, it really does apply, doesn’t it? Nothing sounds like a Gretsch.
I own the Gold top version. Fantastic instrument. Probably the ONLY guitar I've purchased online that didn't need any setup work out of the box. The pickups are just KILLER
I love Gretsch guitars. I hope you review more of them.
I picked up a g5222 (double cut with broad'trons) earlier this year. Had a nice discount because of a blemish under the clear. It quickly became my favorite. It's just a different beast and that's what I love about it.
I have the 5220 in Firestick Red. It's a good Americana/Blues guitar. The pickups are Broadtrons, not Filtertrons. I also have a semi-hollow Streamliner with Broadtrons. I'm sold on the pickups and their sound. Nice video and excellent playing. Peace.
100% agree. I love the broadtrons in my 5622T. They sound so good and the Bigsby gives it that extra stank.
hi. is the 5220 neck heavy when playing standing? tks
@@globalnova The neck is not heavy at all. The guitar is balanced very well. Hope this helps. Peace.
@@potwms99 yes it does. tks!
I bought a FSR G5245T Electromatic Double Jet with Bigsby Two-Tone Casino Gold/Snowcrest White and liked it so much I then bought a G5448G Two-Tone Electromatic Double Jet in Surf Green and White. Really like the 'Malcolm' guitars. Both sound different with Black tops on the Gold/White and Filtertrons in the Green/Wwhite. Both were excellent out of the box. Both are keepers.
I have the 5230 , same model but with bigsby, and I can confirm, it's a killer guitar, for the price it's almost unbeatable (in the same category, of course )
Nice! :)
The Jet lefty isn't available with a Bigsby until you get up the Player series. There is no left handed version of the licensed Bigsby so you have to get the real deal and pay the real deal price for it. So now instead of the $100 premium for a lefty model, you're looking at a $250+ difference which really prices this out of its intended market.
@marcello252 any issues with it staying in tune when using Bigsby?
That is a sexy looking guitar. Sounds great. Would love a CD of all your intros..Outstanding review Shane
Love Gretsch-beautiful guitars with some unique flavors of pickup tones and controls.
I have this guitar Shane. I'm way more if a Fender guy, but I absolutely love this guitar. Not only is it sexy, but it sounds fantastic with basically any amp. The middle position is my favorite spot to play in because it sounds very much like my jazzmaster with both pickups on - just with more grunt. Being able to add or subtract the amount of each pickup volume is my favorite thing about it. It ensures whatever amp you use will sound right with it. Add to the fact that it never goes out of tune, has perfect intonation and just the right amount of sustain... And it's great bang for buck. Can really do it all with any style of play.
I have the G5220 which is pretty similar to this one and it’s a great guitar. Awesome playing Shane.
I got this one. With bigsby added! Absolutely amazing!
ok now youve got me wanting this guitar!
I've had the version with the Bigsby since 2015. Its a great guitar and you get a lot for your money. Great video Shane. Thanks.
Hi Shane
After your review & some other research, I bought a G5220 in Casino Gold, it arrived today and you were right, it is fantastic! Not just great for the money but great full stop. I have and have had lots of guitars Gibsons, Fender, PRS etc but this is my first Gretsch and i don”t know why I’ve never had one before, it is without doubt the best value I have ever seen. (In 40 years of buying gear) The fit, finish, tone and set up is excellent, right out of the box, no need to change or adjust anything. Thanks for the heads up, keep up the great work!👍👍👏👏👏
Hi ! what's the difference between the 5220 and the 5230 model ?
I have the G5230T Nick 13 edition of this guitar and it is rapidly becoming my favourite guitar of my collection after a week of ownership for all the reasons you mentioned. Mine however has the treble bleed circuit you mentioned so volume roll off has little to no effect on the highs. Even with the Bigsby, tuning stability is solid unless you abuse the tremolo arm, but then you should be using a Floyd Rose equipped axe if thats your style. Its an absolute gem.
Gretsch Electromatics can't be beat. And the fact that just about everyone can afford one just makes them more amazing. I was looking for a cheap guitar that I could transplant Variax electronics into at Guitar Center. A beautiful black double jet caught my eye. $499! Anyway, it is such an excellent guitar, I begged Santa for a red/white Pro Jet the following year. Same goodness. The pair cost less than the cheapest guitar I owned previously, and they are the ones I grab now 90% of the time. Big fan!
Love the sound of this guitar. The pickups are to die for. I have a Streamliner G2655 (small semi-hollow body) with Broadtron Humbuckers that I bought last year around Xmas time. Really nice guitar. First Gretsch, definitely not the last. Definitely want to get filtertrons on my next Gretsch. Thanks!
Love my Electomatic Pro Jet! What a unique great sound, that great Gretsch sound! And yes great priced 💵
finally a great review on left handed guitars. I have usually go into a guitar store find what I am looking for in a right handed version, flip it over, play a few chords and if I order it, hopefully it will be what I want. Thanks
Just bought one in vintage white. Love the look, love the sound.
Hi Shane, Greetings from Kilmore, Vic. I just picked up a 5232T in Broadway Jade. Amazing!! now it's time to make some music.
My 1 year old daughter started clapping when the lead tone came on!
haha that's awesome :) thanks for the cool message.
She's a ROCKER chick from BIRTH! Get her a uke/guitar SOON!
I have also been wanting one of these guitars with the bigsby on it.
@@DMSProduktions Nah a Bullet mustang!
@@_MetaL LOL!
Yep this is the one I had! Nice guitar ! Couple small issues I had were the strap hardware broke out as well as the 3way switch separated! Ordered a replacement strap holder and epoxy to the switch and no more complaints. The number you’re saying is not the number your title is showing. Good video as always!
Thanks, mate. I have fixed the title :)
I have expensive guitars. I bought one of these just because. I was not expecting much. Its fair to say I am blown away. Plays great out the box, finished well, nice slim neck and the pups are great. Nothing not to like here. Well ok no valute and three piece neck but consider the price. A keeper for sure, can't wait to gig.
As a follow up. Still have this guitar and still gig it. It's close enough to my Gibson Les Paul so not to upset my sound at a gig but is different enough to give you some different sounds and inspiration. Much better than Epiphones I have owned in the same price bracket.
I have a G5220 (couple of years old) which is very similar. The major difference would be the Broadtron pickups instead of the Filtertron. I would say it sounds a little more mellow than the G5230. However... I like your idea of a high-pass filter. I'm not much into modding my guitars, but I might just have to try that one!
Im picking one up tomorrow lookimg forward to it sound mint. Great demo bro
Looks very pretty, and for a surprisingly non-bank busting price.
Gretsch guitars are great values for the money and have their own vibe - usually a more airy sound!
Shane! You SHOULD! That guitar really suits your playing!
The MASTER volume HAS a treble bleed on it, on those models but the pick up volumes, do not!
Once you have a Master volume & treble bleed on a guitar you want one on every guitar. I love my Rat Rod. It has the treble bleed as well. A MV is a must have. It's so convenient.
@@brandonlesko3126 Cool! I REMEMBER Johnny Wadd! ;oP
I have a G5420T which is a hollow body and made in Korea. Gretsch guitars are awesome these days! They kept the tone but improved the build quality over the last couple of years. My favourite guitars and I would definitely recommend them. I mostly played acoustic and I wasn't really into electric guitars, but I won't lie, I fell in love with my hollowbody straight away, it sounds amazing and it didn't cost anywhere near to what some other brands would charge.
Guitars tend to be judged when they are made in Asia, but people forget that Japan and Korea really made some amazing instruments throughout the years and they are always really well made.
I have this guitar and I putted 11's on it......amazing tones......I had Les Pauls but I prefer this one. Yes, I like it that much
Put Stringjoy Broaway 11's on mine and it is pure tone😎👍
For some reason...they don't feel like 11's. It's the pure nickel. Easy to bend😎👍 Had Stringjoys 11' Signature to begin with and they are great ss well, but the nickel is better to my ears for my Gretsch's 😎👍
"putted"? Seriously? Ooph. Go back to 1st grade.
@@QS-si3cq Just to let you know that english is not my mother tongue. Yes I can make mistakes when I write in english. Not everybody is perfect like you.
One classy take on both LP & tele world imo.
Not sure if it's the same number but i got one in dark cherry and it did come with a high freq pass through on the tone connected to Blacktop broad'trons tuned to 5.18 resistance(filter'trons are about 4.3). It's very clever. The knobs look exactly the same but instead of normal, they function as a simple eq where the vol rolls down the low end and tone rolls down the high end. I also have an older one with custom tuned filtertrons that's been modded with knob style coil splitters replacing the isolated volumes. Filters in single mode sound amazingly clean in low gain but almost act like p-90s when under distortion.
I’ve just bought one Metallic Cherry..arrives Tuesday
These guitars are great. You should definitely buy it. Love gretsch guitars.
i've been always a fan of gretsch guitars hoping to have one soon.
Hey Shane. I have the Double Jet version of that guitar but with a Bigsby on it rather than the stoptail. I love it to death. Its the Casino Gold version and like you, I went for it based on the fact that its a really quality instrument and those blacktop pickups are out of this world.
I took it to a gig the day I purchased it and it knocked it out of the park. No tuning issues even with the bigsby and the tones those pickups put out were glorious. It stands its ground with anything,even the more expensive guitars.
I vote you grab the one you played in this video. You wont be sorry.
It sounds somewhat similar to tele pickups. But when you throw at it more gain it sounds fatter. I like sound and look of those Gretches!
I picked up the FT. I love it. After about 40 years with primarily 25.5" scale necks, the Gretsch is a joy to play.
I feel so validated! This is my jet :) Apart from mine has the Bigsby. Picked it up for £200 preowned and it is FANTASTIC. You should buy it Shane ;) I put in a treble bleed and swapped out to HS Filtertrons. More refined, slightly lower output and just superb. Totally agree with you, they are just superior to any Epiphone in terms of build and sound. The build quality and overall feel remind me of PRS SE guitars.
Wait so you installed a bigsby onto this? (I’m new to the Gretsch game lol)
@@justinforman13 There's a version that comes with one for a little more money :)
@@EightNineOne I could not find one left-handed :(
However!! I did just purchase the model in the video lol! the G5230!! Bigsby bar or not, I am so excited.
@@justinforman13 hooray! They're phenomenal guitars, hope you like it!
@@justinforman13 as far as i know, no manufacturer of Bigsbys, patent, license, or knock-off, produces a left-handed Bigsby. for all practical intents and purposes, they don't exist. BUT Gretsch install genuine Filtertron Blacktops in the left handed, hard-tail Jets, not Broadtrons. the right-handed hard-tail Jet gets Broadtrons, the Bigsby Jet gets Filtertrons.
i will soon get the guitar from this video in right-handed. single-cut, stop-tail Jet in black. visually the only difference is the "Broadtron" Jet has block fretboard inlays in the right and left-handed version, but there is no right-handed, non-Bigsby version like the one in this video, that has Filtertrons. FTs are *slightly* narrower than BTs, but that is only apparent on close scrutiny so the only visual difference is the left handed v stop-tail version has thumbnail inlays instead of block. the left-handed Jet with the block inlays has Broadtrons like the right-handed.
Filtertrons are widely considered to be superior to Broadtrons which is, sort of, correct. Broadtrons were developed to provide the Filtertron Blacktop tone profile to a pick-up with a dynamic range closer to a PAF humbucker. it has it's uses, can shoulder more gain and deliver more punch with it. but *genuine* Filtertops have a huge dynamic range allowing for *much* more "expression" in your playing. it's like giving a painter more colours to work with. the art becomes better, and so does the *artist* . and all 'Trons, Broad or Filter, are very articulate, bright, and clear. the Jet is a very "bright" guitar. put the two together with very good "fingertone" and elegant, solid techniques and it is MAGIC. but bad playing is *also* magnified, and even average playing becomes more identifiable. a Gretsch loaded with Filtertron Blacktops, any 'tron really, is a high risk, high reward instrument.
thing is, i don't think this bloke Shane knows he got the "good" left-handed Jet here. were he to play the Filtertrons and Broadtrons "side by side" he would be able to tell the difference immediately.
Nice Review Shane! I’ve got one from about 5yrs ago in Black with the Hump Inlays. I put a Treble Bleed Circuit in and just Love it!! Please keep up the Good Work, Stay Healthy and Safe! Cheers from Ohio US!!
I bought a G5230T and a G5220 about a year ago and I can't put them down. Amazing guitars.
which of the two id better
I just got mine yesterday... so far.. Damn thing is great!! so far the tuning stability is great also...
My first guitar was a cheap Harley Benton ST-20 to relearn on 3 yrs ago after putting down my guitar 40yrs ago, as a stupid teenager 😖, but i seen the Gretsch 5230T in Aleutian blue and just had to have it and it was a beautiful quality made guitar and even after buying 5 more guitars since, i always go back my blue baby, I even pick this over my latest buy a limited edition Fender Player series, which was £230 more expensive, but I still just love my Gretsch and still learning 🥰
EDIT: sorry i forgot to say, brilliant review of an excellent guitar 👍
Looks so classy in black, hard to believe these are only £400ish here in the UK!
Yes they are... can't believe it. Bought one... its a keeper.
$1200 here in New Zealand 😢
@@mattholden5224 I have the G5230T as new, in Aleutian Blue with a couple of hundred dollars spent on Grover Locking Tuners and a Wilkinson Roller Bridge. Its for sale for $1K. Are you interested?
@@MrNordertitoff if I had the money I would be, but unfortunately I lost my job due to covid so no new toys for me for a while yet. Cheers though.
@@mattholden5224 Sorry you have lost your Job Matt. I am in no hurry to sell this beautiful instrument, so if your situation improves you can contact me on 09-4054643. Cheers Rob
I've got a late 90s Silver Jet, I think Japanese build. It's survived many guitar culls over the years. Super comfortable, offers a really different sound to the typical Fender, Gibson sound. Its got the Bigsby and just looks cool. I'll likely never sell this one, its even starting to qualify as "vintage" :)
Shane you made that black beauty sound so very sweet. To me the back of it ought to be how the front looks. I love the wood grain and overall finish of the back. Not griping about the overall aesthetic because she's a beaut anyway ya look at it and sounds dang good in all configurations you can play it in. If you can swing it ya oughta park that axe in your arsenal, brother. As always, thanks for sharing that sweet sounding Gretch with us man! later!
best demo of this I've watched - really sounds great
I love my Gretsch! I have the 2620. Great products! Next I want to get a model with a Bigsby on it.
I have the right hand version of this guitar and I love it! Mine is the G5220 has the block inlays other than that the same I believe.
The master volume has a treble bleed on it. Great playing !
I got one of these a couple weeks ago, it’s amazing how much bite it has.
I bought one just over two years ago from Guitar Guitar . I sent it back with various problems one being the G gear tuner was broken. They repaired it sent it back completely missing the other problems (won’t bore you with details) but it’s cost me over £100 to put right . I took the pick guard off completely as it was cracked because the peg was raised causing a stress point which the useless store refuses to fix. Guitar is fine now but it’s been a long and painful road. Avoid GG is the motto . Love your channel btw. 🏴✌️
After 30 years of strat ownership, I finally added another electric guitar to my collection, this model Gretsch (with Bigsby tremolo) from the friendly team at Sky Music! Love the bite of the tone, but struggling to find a hard case to house it in.. any others finding this tricky especially with Bigsby adding extra thickness??
Nice! I have one on order. Now I'm even more excited! Thanks man!
I definitely am going to get this in Cadillac Green and Bigsby!!!!
Great guitars, I just bought a second hand Gretsch G5439 in lefty version. Looks very similar to yours but the tailpiece is not V-shaped. The master volume feature is really smart!
I bought a goldtop 2016 version of this (before they switched to the V-style tailpiece). I've had nothing but good things to say about it. I did replace the tuners, but that's only because I put locking tuners on all my guitars. Very solid instrument.
I have one in Airline Silver, lefty also. Sounds great. Fit and finish is awesome, especially for $599 US. I did replace the tuners with Grover mini lockers, which drop right in.
Sounds great!!! I've got two LP style guitars an Epi Special with P90's and a CMG LP Style Guitar (USA Made) with PAF style pick ups. The Gretsch just SINGS!! LOVE IT!
Of course your playing is great. Ive wanted a duo jet for awhile now but i always end up getting something else. Am on the process of building a telecaster that is completely to my specs. Just ordered the body and neck from warmoth. Pick ups are Bare Knuckle Brown Sugar pups for tele. But one day i will get a duo, just not today. Great vid shane as always
That's some of the best playing i've seen from you Shane !!
You got me confused with your thumbnail displaying the 5220. That's my guitar and I'm crazy about it. I might get this one with a Bigsby next because of the Filtertrons as opposed to mine's Broadtrons
I have it with the bixby. Love it so much. It sounds awesome and great quality jet.
Your the coolest dude doing guitar videos
Sending me the same vibe as the Revstar 502T. Will check em out in store. Great tone demo. 👍🇦🇺
I purchased the G5622T Imperial brown Double cut semi hollow body. It has the broadtron humbuckers and I love the hell out of it. You should review one of those sometime. I definitely want one of these also.
They're really nice. I really like my jet with the Bigsby. It's a really verstatile guitar. While being it's own thing, it's more useable in the neck pickup than the woolier neck pickup tone of an Epiphone Les Paul. Then in the mid-pickup, like you said, rolling back the neck a tad, you can get some very nice Les Paul-ish tones. And then in the bridge it's honky and spanky, like a Telecaster, but maybe shades of Epiphone Casino or Les Paul Special too. And I like Casino's, but this has more range, especially with the trem. The white gold, and jet (black) ones with the Bigsby's look very classy too.
I've got the same basic thing. It's a Long & McQuade (Canada) exclusive G5220G. Beautiful guitar. I take exception with your critic of Epiphone, though. Last year I bought a Casino in Sunrise Orange. Although it came with a poorly cut nut once I fixed that and did some of the normal tweaks it now plays like butter and I would rate it equal to my Gretsch. I see you have 2 Casino videos but not with you playing one. I've heard it's hard to track down a lefty Casino so I hope someday you get a chance to try one. It's that complete hollow body thing where the feedback potential could be considered either a hindrance or a new tool to add to your arsenal depending how you look at it. You'll definitely want to try out some late period Beatles John Lennon licks.
I don't own a guitar with 'FilterTron' -style pickups. This Gretsch Electromatic Series looks like it might be a great way to add FilterTrons to my stable of guitars. I think I like the double-cut style body better than the LP-style... and I might want the Bigsby... but thanks for this video. It's a terrific display of the tones and quality. Cheers!
Always loved the look of these...never pulled the trigger.... yet.
Hey Shane! I was playing one of these at Guitar Center the other day, and was thinking about buying/trying one with my rig. Your demo helped me decide to try it out. Thanks.
I bought this guitar a couple years ago and absolutely love it. Sounds great and stays in tune really well. Only concern are the volume knobs, I find that turning them down is more like a switch, turning from 100% to 20% doesn't really do anything, 20% to 10% and it basically turns the pickups off. Maybe a manufacturing fault here.
Are you a lefty as well? I tried one of these in a shop and found the same thing. The guy in the shop tried to tell me I was wrong but I wasn’t.
It’s sadly true that many left handed guitars just have right hand wound logarithmic potentiometers wired backwards. And that turns them into on-off switches.
My first electric was a Fender Player Strat which was wired like that. The American Pro Strat I have now has left-hand wound pots (and they actually advertised them in the specs so they know it’s an issue on their cheaper guitars!) and it’s like night and day. With properly wound pots you can clean up with the volume control. I bought a second Hand Player Telecaster knowing it would be an issue but got it cheaply enough to make it worthwhile having the pots changed when I put it in for a setup. CTS make lefty wound pots, if you otherwise love the guitar and intend to keep it I’d say it’s worth spending the money getting a tech to make the change.
It’s actually a disgrace when left hand guitars are sold with reduced functionality in comparison to their RH equivalents. If the pots are a bit more expensive because of fewer manufactured, then increase the price to cover it. It would still be cheaper for us than having to pay labour charges (or our own valuable time) when we change them later.
I have a 5420t the master volume has a treble bleed. They’re easy to make vans solder on your volume pot.
I have the made in Japan G6228LH Jet Player Pro (in Cadillac Green) strung with D’Addario NYXL 10-46.
I notice for some reason the stop tail right handers have block inlays on neck, while the lefty stop tail has the top half circle markers - which is the same as the Bigsby version.
Impressed with the clarity while using higher gain, not flubby at all to my ear.
Just picked up my electromatic today, I own multiple 1k guitars and this feels better and plays smoother than them all. For classic rock this is a must have🤘😎 don't let people discourage you about the made in china factor this guitar is immaculate, sit down and play one, your pockets will be lighter I guarantee it lol
I 've got one of these (my first Gretsch) and I love it. Very well made, nice to play and the Filtertron pickups are just superb. I've played (and own) more expensive guitars that aren't nearly as versatile as this. I'm thinking about getting one of their more expensive single cuts down the line because I like it so much. Great value for money too.
I got one a few months back.. mines the right way round!
It's unbelievable for the money and with less than $100 in upgrades and a good setup, I don't find myself wanting for more