I really don't know anything about Gretsch, I played them but never liked them. A friend of mine wants to start playing better guitars than his old copies. He asked me what's better Gretsch or Gibson? I said to him ''Gibson'' But's that's a one fold opinion, what do you think ?

[scotty_b]

It is a matter of opinion. I like Fender more than Gibson, but I know many who think Les Paul's are 'it'. It comes down to what the player wants from the instrument, and how that instrument responds to the player's touch.

Thanks Scotty, my friend Ted really needs to here from the Gretsch/Gibson fanatics. Those will be his weapons of choice.

[coldethyl]

Perhaps the best thing for him to do is go to the guitar shop, plug in both Gibson's and Gretsch's and let him decide based on what he likes the most.

That's what I'd do anyway!

[chammon]

I'm no expert on either (or anything actually), but a friend of mine recently received a stunningly beautiful pure white Gretch with gold appointments and trim. Really like a presentation guitar. Breathtaking! But....heavy as lead and it sounded like lead too. (When I played it that is.) I didn't like it at all. It came from Japan where I presume Gretch's are being made now.

[lorispencer]

most know that i am a big gretch fan but it comes down to the necks and tone. Both have good necks and tones but the neck on a gretch is easier for my small hand than most gibsons and the tone is a bit fatter. bottom line, they both make good guitars but like any guitar you need to try specific guitars. Both gretch and gibson make the ocasional dog. I do have two gibsons on my wish list which are a guality es335 and a 175. There are some good vintage years for those (along with some crappy years) and some good signiture models made now.

[Andy S]

Originally Posted by chammon

It came from Japan where I presume Gretch's are being made now.

I played a Brian Setzer model a few months ago and I think ( this is getting sad, the memory is really going !! ) that particular model was made in Korea.

It played beautifully, though. So, Like Lori said, they can all make a dog once in a while. And the Gretsch tone, depending on the pickups in that model, is quite a bit different from the standard humbucker sound.

I guess in your friend's case, he needs to think about what kind of music he play most of the time. Then, go out and play some Gibson and Gretsch
guitars. If he is in a locale that doesn't afford a wide variety of stores, hmmm that would be difficult then.

Also, stop and think about this. It's not just the manufacturer that differs. There is a huge difference in the types of guitars made by each manufacturer.

Case in point, Ibanez makes some solid body guitars that fall under the category that was called the super strat. It has a pickup configuration like the strat (s-s-s or H-s-s) and has the same neck length and usually a FLoyd Rose style trem) That plays DRAMATICALLY different than their ArtCore Semi and hollow body styles with floating bridge.

A Gibson Les Paul plays a bit different than the ES-175 and the ES-335.

So it's a bit difficult to say which is "better". Hope he can go visit some places and play a bunch. That's the best way to do it.


Of course, this is just my opinion and YMMV.

[allthumbs]

Gretsches go in and out of favour. Right now there is something of a revival in Gretsches with Bigsbys. Gibsons don't go out of fashion. I wouldn't recommend it as a first number 1. The Gibbie is going to be much more versatile.

Allot of really decent info. on all accounts, this will be valuable for Ted in making a selection. I really appreciate all of you! John.