Great review! And the first time I've hard somebody play the FT-5E pickups rockabilly style. I wasn't impressed before, but am now. I have a 5420 from 2021 and it arrived with a perfect setup and primo intonation. Great guitars!
Hey. Great video! I have an Electromatic and I use it all the time for practice etc. Mine is the 5420T and I had a completely different experience getting it right as I had nothing but problems with it to start off. The “licensed” Bigsby kept hanging up out of tune. I found it is was because the bearings are rubber! I switched that for the B6 original patent Bigsby in the end. I also had trouble with the “BlackTop” FilterTrons so I replaced them with DynaSonics. I had no trouble with the bridge saddles but I did treat myself to a TruArc. The guitar is now absolutely perfect. I love playing it, almost as much as the “Eddie Cochran” 6120 I have. As you rightly say, these Electromatic guitars are great, I guess I was just unlucky with mine but I love it now!
I've got 3 Gretsches. They're great guitars. I had a similar experience as you when I got my first Gretsch. I acquired it pretty much out of curiosity until I took it home and played it. Now I have the aforementioned three and I would NEVER get rid of any of them. It's the Cadillac of guitars.
The lower, forward knob is Master Volume. The lower, rearward knob is Master Tone. The upper, rearward knobs are Neck Pickup Volume (forward) and Bridge Pickup Volume (rearward).
I have mine at a lower action, and it is fantastic. The only downside for this kind of guitar is that it is sensitive to high humidity. But there it is. I love mine, and all of my Gretsches.
LoL, you did the same exact thing I did, I just bought the streamliner hollow body and love the way it plays but not crazy about the broad Tron pickups and didn't realize it was just like another humbucker sounding guitar untill I played it at home for a while. I'm going tomorrow to trade up to either the EM 5420t or the 5427t so I can get that classic twang. Yours sounds beautiful.
Everyone who compares the Streamliners to Electromatics seems to overlook the fact that Filtertron Are Humbuckers . The Broadtrons are more of a Gibson sound where the Filtertrons are some place between a Gibson humbucker and Tele single coil sound. Gretsch is Not owned by Fender, Fender has a distribution agreement with Fred Gretsch Jr and the Gretsch corporation. Most Electromatics are made at the Samick factory to Gretsch specs Samick is the largest stringed instrument manufacturer in the world and build for everyone.
@@jimoverly5386 Hi Jim At first I had the blue the new blue did not like it so I found myself the Fairlane blue in the Korean model but then I got the walnut stain in the new model which l rather like the new blue l am not too crazy about
@@keithclark486 The nut and the tuners are fine. I don't have any need to replace them. I keep the nut lubed and I don't have any tuning issues. And I abuse the bar.
Fender basically owns the name and marketing rights, Gretsch is in control of manufacturing and development of the guitars. Fred Gretsch is still the ceo.
Something wrong with my 54227t it no way sounds like yours, well It could be me trying to play it lol....very good excellent playing sir you do that guitar justice you play that Gretsch the way it should be played.
I bought the dark sapphire version. Great guitar. My neck strap pin came out. I just need to get it repaired. A friend said I could glue a couple of matchsticks in the hole and screw the pin into the body.
The knobs are 2 pickup volume 1 main tone 1 main volume with treble bleed. Gretsch is owned by Gretsch, Bigsby is owned by Gretsch, Fender does the marketing, shipping etc. In my experience Gretsch's will play everything from chicken picken country to metal, Ive owned hollow body, jet, corvette models. Single coil, ft and bt pickups, all good. Had a Setzer model but it was stolen.
Great review, I've been thinking of getting one recently. Shame about the background music while you're talking, I personally find it distracting, I enjoy hearing you play though without talking.
How timely! I am thinking of buying my first electric guitar and comparing this with the streamliner. I have many acoustic guitars. I am looking for some distinct sound for my loops. It would have been nice if you still had the streamliner and did a comparison between the two.
I can tell you that the electromatic felt more solid than the streamlined. I honestly wouldn’t have known the difference without playing the 2 but there was just something nicer with the electromatic. I also thought the pickups sounded better with the electromatic. The streamliner wasn’t bad but the electromatic was just a better instrument.
@@efxloopjaybyrne it definitely looks better and sounds better. The sound of the streamliner is a bit warmer and the electromatic is a little brighter from RUclips videos - is that true or is it just because I am listening to different videos?
@@efxloopjaybyrne I went ahead and purchased a Used G5420T, 2017 model from a guy here locally. It looks almost identical to yours. I just need to find a way to dial in the tone. This is my first electric. Did you say you keep the bridge and neck pickup volume all the way up all the time? Also what Amp are you using? You have one of the best sounds for this guitar on RUclips.
Got mine at Sweetwater, so it was set up perfectly. No issues. I love it!
Shadowy Men on a shadowy planet! Nice! (Fella’s from my home town of Toronto Ontario Canada also 😉👍🏻🧡)
Great review! And the first time I've hard somebody play the FT-5E pickups rockabilly style. I wasn't impressed before, but am now. I have a 5420 from 2021 and it arrived with a perfect setup and primo intonation. Great guitars!
I've got one just like yours and it was perfect right out of the box also. Its a keeper for sure.
Earlier this year, I purchased a G5422TG, and the quality is incredible for a sub $1,000 guitar.
Hey. Great video! I have an Electromatic and I use it all the time for practice etc. Mine is the 5420T and I had a completely different experience getting it right as I had nothing but problems with it to start off. The “licensed” Bigsby kept hanging up out of tune. I found it is was because the bearings are rubber! I switched that for the B6 original patent Bigsby in the end. I also had trouble with the “BlackTop” FilterTrons so I replaced them with DynaSonics. I had no trouble with the bridge saddles but I did treat myself to a TruArc.
The guitar is now absolutely perfect. I love playing it, almost as much as the “Eddie Cochran” 6120 I have.
As you rightly say, these Electromatic guitars are great, I guess I was just unlucky with mine but I love it now!
I enjoyed your review, thanks!
I've got 3 Gretsches. They're great guitars. I had a similar experience as you when I got my first Gretsch. I acquired it pretty much out of curiosity until I took it home and played it. Now I have the aforementioned three and I would NEVER get rid of any of them. It's the Cadillac of guitars.
The lower, forward knob is Master Volume. The lower, rearward knob is Master Tone. The upper, rearward knobs are Neck Pickup Volume (forward) and Bridge Pickup Volume (rearward).
Just got mine today!!! It's incredible!
I just got one today right out of the box I love it forget the streamliners....
Also on sale at Guitar Center right now for $649.99...$250 off. You can't beat that!
Great deal. $50 less than what I payed. Score.
I have mine at a lower action, and it is fantastic. The only downside for this kind of guitar is that it is sensitive to high humidity. But there it is. I love mine, and all of my Gretsches.
Diggin in to Gretch , baby. Cheers!
LoL, you did the same exact thing I did, I just bought the streamliner hollow body and love the way it plays but not crazy about the broad Tron pickups and didn't realize it was just like another humbucker sounding guitar untill I played it at home for a while. I'm going tomorrow to trade up to either the EM 5420t or the 5427t so I can get that classic twang. Yours sounds beautiful.
Your guitar sounds great! It's a keeper.
Everyone who compares the Streamliners to Electromatics seems to overlook the fact that Filtertron Are Humbuckers . The Broadtrons are more of a Gibson sound where the Filtertrons are some place between a Gibson humbucker and Tele single coil sound.
Gretsch is Not owned by Fender, Fender has a distribution agreement with Fred Gretsch Jr and the Gretsch corporation.
Most Electromatics are made at the Samick factory to Gretsch specs Samick is the largest stringed instrument manufacturer in the world and build for everyone.
Just love my Gretsch.It,s great.
I have one of those new ones in the walnut stain and it's really nice 👍
I think walnut stain was the best choice, thats why i chose it, for my 5420
@@jimoverly5386
Hi Jim
At first I had the blue the new blue did not like it so I found myself the Fairlane blue in the Korean model but then I got the walnut stain in the new model which l rather like
the new blue l am not too crazy about
Recently bought a new 5420t, in stained walnut. Very nice
@@jimoverly5386
Yes a very nice guitar Jim that walnut Stain
I put a roller bridge and a soft spring in the bigsby on mine. I love this thing. My next thing will probably be some tv jones "Ray Butts" pickups.
@@keithclark486 The nut and the tuners are fine. I don't have any need to replace them. I keep the nut lubed and I don't have any tuning issues. And I abuse the bar.
@@keithclark486 I just don't like the sound of the pickups. However, I did hear the new blacktop filtertrons are pretty good.
@@keithclark486 I think mine is a 2018 5420t. My tuners are really smooth. I thought of going to locking but these have really been good.
Tv jones Brian Setzer pickups would be a nice upgrade?
@@dewaynegarrett8382 Yeah, I haven't decided which way to go. I want something a little higher output but still sound good. Hmm, I don't know.
Nothing better than a Gretsch through a fender amp.
bought one yesterday and loving it and still have 8 others but this is different
Love them. Enjoyed your playing. Peace and thank you for the video.
Love it
The third knob closest to the output jack is a tone knob. It is your friend. Get to know it well. It may save your life. At ease soldier.
I just bought one in blue! H***, now I'm all excited to get hold of it!
I’m sure you’ll love it. First couple weeks I had it I didn’t want to put it down.
I wholeheartedly agree
Gretsch is owned by Fender but it is it's own company. You can't say they basically fender.
Fair enough I’m not really sure of all those ins and outs. I just know that Fender bought them up.
They definitely have way better qc than fender.
Fender basically owns the name and marketing rights, Gretsch is in control of manufacturing and development of the guitars. Fred Gretsch is still the ceo.
Fred Gretsch owns Gretsch, but he’s got some kind of deal with Fender… It’s a tad confusing 😂
Something wrong with my 54227t it no way sounds like yours, well It could be me trying to play it lol....very good excellent playing sir you do that guitar justice you play that Gretsch the way it should be played.
I bought the dark sapphire version. Great guitar. My neck strap pin came out. I just need to get it repaired. A friend said I could glue a couple of matchsticks in the hole and screw the pin into the body.
Love the Stray Cat Strut!
I just picked one up , like new...with case...for 400 bucks. Beat that!
The knobs are 2 pickup volume 1 main tone 1 main volume with treble bleed. Gretsch is owned by Gretsch, Bigsby is owned by Gretsch, Fender does the marketing, shipping etc. In my experience Gretsch's will play everything from chicken picken country to metal, Ive owned hollow body, jet, corvette models. Single coil, ft and bt pickups, all good. Had a Setzer model but it was stolen.
Great review, I've been thinking of getting one recently.
Shame about the background music while you're talking, I personally find it distracting, I enjoy hearing you play though without talking.
What’s the song at 3 minutes?
A Chet Atkinson like version of Mr. Sandman.
Cool people know what that opening riff is from :)
Why does the Bigsby handle point towards the sky? Should run perpendicular to the body.
Ummm. Ok. That’s how it was. Not sure. It worked. Unfortunately I had to sell that guitar but it was pretty awesome.
How timely! I am thinking of buying my first electric guitar and comparing this with the streamliner. I have many acoustic guitars. I am looking for some distinct sound for my loops. It would have been nice if you still had the streamliner and did a comparison between the two.
I can tell you that the electromatic felt more solid than the streamlined. I honestly wouldn’t have known the difference without playing the 2 but there was just something nicer with the electromatic. I also thought the pickups sounded better with the electromatic. The streamliner wasn’t bad but the electromatic was just a better instrument.
@@efxloopjaybyrne it definitely looks better and sounds better. The sound of the streamliner is a bit warmer and the electromatic is a little brighter from RUclips videos - is that true or is it just because I am listening to different videos?
@@philos212 Definitely brighter sounding, the electromatic. The filtertron pickups are responsible for that.
@@efxloopjaybyrne I went ahead and purchased a Used G5420T, 2017 model from a guy here locally. It looks almost identical to yours. I just need to find a way to dial in the tone. This is my first electric. Did you say you keep the bridge and neck pickup volume all the way up all the time? Also what Amp are you using? You have one of the best sounds for this guitar on RUclips.
So it's the same thing as the 5420 ?
I think so. I’ve noticed that Guitar Center exclusives usually get a slightly altered product number.
It is. Any Gretsch name that ends in 7 indicates a Guitar Center / Musicians Friend exclusive.
The 5427 body is about 1/4” thicker than the 5420. Other than that, they are pretty much the same.
Kids in the hall 1:41
I was trying to think what that was and couldn't place it. Thanks!
Don't you know what a tone control is?