Gretch or Gibson

rh4blade · #1 July 22nd, 2006

Hi guys and gals, I'm looking at either a gretsch Duojet with filter-trons or a Gibson Les Paul Standard. Any advice or info on these guitars would be appreciated in regard to versatility. I play everything from Rock to blues, jazz and country.

Thanks once again for your time.

Ultimate Garage Band · #2 July 23rd, 2006

This is more of a personal choice. I'd go w/the Gretch.

Lcjones · #3 July 23rd, 2006

Ditto, UGB.....

A Tennessean would be nice too!

A red one!

**
Les

rh4blade · #4 July 23rd, 2006

I realise it's a preference thing, but what are you're reasons for going for the gretsch. Also have you had any experience playing rock on one.

Thanks again for your time

Ultimate Garage Band · #5 July 23rd, 2006

I'm not partial to Gibson because I know I'm paying an inflated price due to the product name and their quality generally ranges anywhere from 'ok' to horrible. If I'm in the market for a quality, made in the USA, electric guitar, Carvin gets my money every time.

I guess for me it's a value issue.

At this point in my playing life, I can make pretty much any guitar sound like I want it to because the tone is ultimatly in the fingers, both on the strings and the knobs of the guitar and amp. I own guitars that cost $1000 or more but I gig every weeek w/one that I bagged in a pawn shop for $50 and then spent $85 on used pickups and new tuners. My currently weekly gig has me handing my guitar to total strangers to play and I'm not going to do that w/my nice guitars, so I put together a used 'beater' to fit the bill. That guitar plays and sounds so well I could have sold it to a guy last week if I wanted to, he was that impressed with it.

Rockerbob · #6 July 23rd, 2006

I think the Gretsch and the Les Paul are really very different. In feel and in tone. Personally, I think I would prefer the Gretsch for tone most of the time, but sometimes I do like the Lester sound. I'm more of a single coil (Fender type) guy most of the time. My preference for the Gretsch over the Les Paul is likely because I get more "Twang" from the Gretsch.

rh4blade · #7 July 23rd, 2006

Thanks again for the info. I've heard that the gretsches are a little hard to keep in tune. Do you know if this is just the vintage ones or does it apply to the reissues as well? Over here in the land down under the prices for guitars is generally super inflated, the Gretsch retails for $4500 and the Les Pauls about the same. I have managed to track down a new duo jet for $2795 and a used Les Paul for $2400, so the gretsch for me is the dearer option. I'll be honest, I tried the 57 reissue duojet unplugged next to a lespaul studio plus, and the paul felt like a piece of mud next to it. I guess it's mainly the tuning and whether the guitar will hold up well under heavy distortion (not metal though, and I already know that the gretsch sounds beautiful for jazz).

737blues · #8 July 23rd, 2006

I don't know if the prices here are really that much inflated rh4, it's just supply and demand, but if you can afford a Gretsch I'd go for it. Beautiful guitar and I reckon it's value will increase, more so than a Gibson. What UGB said about Gibson IMHO.

facefish · #9 January 8th, 2009

I recently bought a Gretsch Electromatic Pro Jet on spec just because it looked so cool. It arrived with two strings out of tune. A little tinkering with the intonation and some graphite (6B pencil) on the nut and bridge, and a bit of string stretching and the little beauty is perfect - the Bigsby tremolo doesn't pull it out of tune. It plays like a dream and sounds simply amazing. Brand new it is fraction of the price of a Gibson and to be honest, I will never get rid of this guitar. Get one now while they are still a huge bargain. It's made in China but you would never guess. The build is superb and it screams quality throughout, except maybe the machine heads could be a bit more sturdy. Not that they're no good, they just feel a bit flimsy compared to the rest of it. Heavy bugger though, being solid mahogany.
Not my ideal Gretsch, that would be another £2000, but hey...

Lcjones · #10 January 8th, 2009

Gretsch's rock....

'79 BST - 1000 Double 'Bucker Solid Body
'05 6119 T- Rose - Filtertrons

**
LC

lorispencer · #11 January 8th, 2009

as pointed out those have very different sounds. i have a Gretsch (nashville) and a Les Paul (classic). they will both do all the sounds that you mentioned but with a slightly different tone. the only time that i have trouble with tuning on the Gretsch is if playing outside in high humidity.

facefish · #12 January 8th, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorispencer

as pointed out those have very different sounds. i have a Gretsch (nashville) and a Les Paul (classic). they will both do all the sounds that you mentioned but with a slightly different tone. the only time that i have trouble with tuning on the Gretsch is if playing outside in high humidity.

Why are you playing outside in high humidity???

lorispencer · #13 January 8th, 2009

i'm from the south. that's life. 2 years ago i played for 4 hours on july 4th mid day with the temp over 100 and the humidity right below rain.....

facefish · #14 January 8th, 2009

That's not the south of England is it?
I guess you're from USA.

lorispencer · #15 January 8th, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by facefish

That's not the south of England is it?
I guess you're from USA.

North Carolina. southern us