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Gretsch Electromatic G5122 GuitarSummary: Big hollow body Gretsch tone in an affordable guitar. This is one impressive-sounding axe!
Pros: Unlike higher-end Gretsch models, this guitar is pretty basic and straight-forward. But that’s okay because it has tone for days! And for the price, it just can’t be beat. Cons: None. Features:
Price: $675-$699 Street Tone Bone Score: 5.0 ~I’m all about value, but when you get value along with fantastic tone, I’m all over it! This is a SWEET guitar that also feels as good as it sounds! |
I’ve never been one for pure hollow body guitars, but the Gretsch Electromatic that I just played during my lunchtime has completely changed my mind about hollow body guitars. I literally was blown away by the sweet sound that the guitar produces, and also by its incredible playability. For me at least, this is one guitar that I’m going to have to take a real serious look at.
Fit and Finish
There’s a reason why this guitar is so affordable: It’s made in Korea. But that shouldn’t stop you from considering a non-USA made guitar. Both PRS and G&L use Korean manufacturers for their affordable lines and for good reason: The quality of the workmanship is excellent. The Electromatic line from Gretsch is no exception. The finish is incredible, with the poly coat evenly applied over the body with no bubbles or gaps. I played the walnut stain model, which is a reddish-brown, and the thin, translucent stain brings out the gorgeous grain of the wood, producing and almost wine-red effect. Very sexy.
The Bigsby trem bar finishes the look to give the Electromatic that classic, vintage Gretsch look. Truth be told, I’ve never been into Bigsby trems, but it just works for this guitar. I wouldn’t have it any other way!
For a Gretsch, the Electromatic Double Cut is quite simple. Not sporting the filter knobs and switches that you normally see in the higher end models, the Electromatic has a pickup selector, a single tone knob (next to the bridge pickup), independent volume knobs for each pickup, then a master volume knob. That’s it. If you’re looking for simplicity, then this is a great guitar to have!
How It Sounds
Most reviews of the guitar’s sound are very good, though there are some who don’t like it. I think it really depends on the amp you play it through. I played it through a Mesa Royal Atlantic at a local shop, and it sounded absolutely gorgeous! In fact, the tone was incredibly acoustic. The G5122DC is generally known for its “twang.” But dialed in correctly, I could see using this guitar in my acoustic sets. Really. The neck pickup was definitely my favorite, with the middle pickup, which allowed me to blend the two, coming in a close second. The bridge pickup’s tone is definitely twangy. Overall, tonally, this guitar is very versatile. I could see using it in a variety circumstances, not just limit it to blues and rockabilly. I love it! I’m going to get it! 🙂
Update May 13, 2011 – Since I’ve been seriously evaluating this guitar (and am picking it up today, as a matter of fact), I played it through a few amps and also directly through a PA board, and my Fishman SoloAmp. It’s going to do the job and then some for my solo gigs!
Playablity
Gretsch’s have always been known for their playability, and the G5122DC is no exception. Didn’t matter where I was on the neck, I could get great tones out of this guitar, and it always felt incredible. The action was perfect on the guitar I played, and frankly, I just don’t have a single complaint about the guitar; not a one. I love the thinner profile of the neck, and the gentle “C” feels like a 60’s Les Paul neck. Not sure what kind of rosewood they used, but it’s very smooth to the touch, and digging in feels amazing!
Overall Impression
Here I was all GASsed out after getting my Les Pauls, but this Electromatic G5122DC is a clean machine. Add a little ‘verb and some slapback delay, and you’ve got a great rockabilly tone. Take out the delay and add just a touch of ‘verb and back off the volume knobs, and you’ve got an incredible acoustic tone. How incredibly versatile!
Guitar Gear 
Good review, Dawg. It was quite a shock to me when I first came to realize that you don’t have to pay a lot of money to get a great guitar. The little $500 Strats and Teles often sound and play as good as the $1200 models. The $900 Epiphone Les Pauls, such as the Slash and LP Tribute models, are sometimes better guitars than the $2600 to $3000 Gibson models. I’ll have to try this Gretsch; it looks like the real McCoy. Glad to hear it sounds good, too.
Definitely!
I swapped-out for H.S. Filtertrons to eliminate pick “Tappings” from the original PUP’s overly microphonic condition, and put in a “MUD” switch, (yes, a drilled hole), also, a standby Sw. (yup, another hole!), and finally a Rocking Bar Bridge, (pinned), and boy, were the changes worth it. I’ve owned two G6122’s , and wasn’t happy with either of them, (neck warpings), but this “Lady” really is COOL!!! Put Flat’s on her, and BeaTle-out! Gb bg
I had a similar experience recently with a “56 Goldtop LP reissue by Epiphone. For $500 I got a guitar that completely exceeded my expectations. Solid mahogany gold top, 50’s neck profile and two P-90’s. Simple as it gets. I added a Bigsby B7 using a Vibramate kit and the results are perfect. Total investment, about $750. Don’t knock the foreign made instruments until you’ve taken them for a ride! For working musicians with families and other obligations, great gear is available at reasonable prices. While my vintage gear is near and dear, I take my less expensive (and ultimately replaceable) girls to the gig.
Totally with you there, Mike. Lots of people have this perception that “Made in China” or “Made in Korea” are somehow brands of low quality. Couldn’t be further from the truth. The stuff I’m seeing out of those two countries alone has been spectacular. My Squier CV Tele 50’s is a perfect example of a great guitar that has quality and workmanship on par with US-made stuff.
I went to China in 2009 and was totally unprepared for what I saw. The level of prosperity in the major cities exceeds many US cities. The quality of their products is world-class. The times, as Dylan says, are a changin!
Apple launches the thinner and lighter iPad 2, available from March 11th
[…] I took it and got set up to test it. I tested it through a 100 Watt Sebago Double Trouble with a Gretsch Electromatic at the shop and immediately fell in love. This is a keeper, and will be going on my board – […]
[…] Gear Review: G5122DC Electromatic® Double Cutaway Hollow Body … For working musicians with families and other obligations, great gear is available at reasonable prices. While my vintage gear is near and dear, I take my less expensive (and ultimately replaceable) girls to the gig. […]
I just bought one of these guitars yesterday. It’s in the same condition that it left the factory. All for $500. My first impressions are very positive. Very good quality hardware and workmanship has gone into this guitar.
It hasn’t been professionally set up and I might have to get that done. Action is a little highter than I prefer past the 12th fret but the bridge is raised fairly high. This may be due to the presence of the Bigsby (which I am unfamiliar with as I’ve never had a guitar with one of these installed), but the bridge looks as if it could be lowered a bit. It could be the neck which needs adjusting as there is very low action on the lower frets and this might be the way to go to eliminate and possible fret buzz low down.
The versatility of this guitar has impressed me with wonderfully deep blues/jazz tones and a bit of crunch too if would turn up the overdrive. I put it through my Fender Deluxe Combo and it would do anything you wanted to do with it, Clean sounds are great. Yes, you can play it acoustically but it doesn’t have any real projection if you want to do anything but mess about quietly.
I’m not sure why anyone would want to change the pick ups on this beautiful instrument as they provide real depth and variability of tone. It’s a really stunning guitar to look at and I can’t see myself parting with it. The Gretsch is a keeper. I’m delighted with it.
Great to hear, Mackem! I did the setup myself – it was pretty simple – though I’m usually deathly afraid of doing it. But the neck was already straight, so getting the action to where I wanted it and setting intonation was relatively simple. I love this guitar! Been using it for most of my holiday gigs! It’s definitely a keeper!
Great to have a guitar of this quality for so little money. I bought a G5122 four years ago and have never found fault with it. I am retired, and play every day. I do not use most of my other guitars. I paid $900. Canadian. I gave my Les Paul to my adult granddaughter. I would recommend this Gretsch to anyone. I think a novice guitarist would be wise to buy one. They will not outgrow it, and will learn to play it . Many lesser or cheaper guitars are very hard to play. These new Gretsch guitars are awesome for anyone. Good choice people ! Alberta Bud
Thanks for visiting, Bud! BTW, I love Alberta and spent quite a bit of time up there on family vacations when I was growing up. Glacier, Banff, K-Days in Edomonton, and of course, the Stampede. So beautiful up there.
It’s funny, I’ve got so many guitars, I was considering selling mine just recently, but when I picked her up and plugged her in, I realized that she produces cleans unlike anything that i have. Plus, that guitar is just so playable. So I started gigging with her again.
Folks, Bud’s right. This is a guitar that you can play and play and play for years. Don’t be fooled by the Chinese manufacturing, thinking it might somehow be of lower quality. That couldn’t be further from the truth. The workmanship of these guitars is impeccable. But the three-dimensional clean tone that this guitar produces makes it an absolute keeper for me.
I drive a Korean-made automobile – a Hyundai Sonata – which has out-lasted and out-performed every American-made automobile I have ever owned. I own a $600 Korean-made PRS guitar which plays like a dream and feels better than any $3000+ Gibson I’ve picked up the past few years.
I’m the PROUD ,and Blessed owner of the 125th Anniversary model G5122! I switched over to H.S. Filtertrons, and silver Pup rings, with silver Lettered pickguard. Also opted for Nickel Rocking Bar bridge, along with a Gold Tone Zero-Glide fret nut The changes made an already great guitar into a FANTASTIC lady! Why no one seems to be bothered by the HORRIBLE microphonics of the original “Gretsch-Buckers” I don’t understand? I guess I am a deeper “pick digger” than most, but the accompanying pick “Rhythm section” was totally unacceptable! The Filtertrons make all that go away!! Have owned two “GENTS” (in my past life, LOL), and seriously this one tops them both. Had neck problems with one, (roller-coaster fretboard), and don’t remember what the other’s problems were. Am considering the addition of a “MUD” Sw as soon as I can locate a proper wiring diagram, ( GOT ONE?). Prefer to keep the original circuitry, and just “add-on” the Mudder. Last Mod might be ditching the hokey “open-back” tuners for some Grover Imperials? Y’all enjoy your models, cause for the $$, it don’t get no better’n this Instrument!! Gb bg.
P.S. If ya want the real “BRIT” sound, go with Flatwounds, the BeaTles did! D’Addario Chrome 10’s work for me! Gb bg
Bought one for my kid maybe five years ago? Well, I had to trade him for my Ricky. Hahaha. Put some TV Jones pickups in. A silver (real, that is) pickguard–as the original was a totally iffy clear thing (unsightly). What’s the result? Bigshot producer, as I was playing a part through a Vox AC15, goes: “That is one of the very nicest-sounding guitars I’ve ever heard!” And he has a ’59 Jazzmaster and scads of other vintage axes. Get one. Brilliant guitar.
Hey John, George here, Mine now has Std HS Filtertron’s, Silver rings, and silver Guard. Rocking Bar, Gold Tone Zero Glide Nut, It’s my own Bone nut due to my preference for a wider string spacing, (I Thumb ‘wrap’ a lot), About to receive a “Mud” Sw, and Standby Sw, (Holes drilled, waiting on USPS to Fill them, Ha!). Plays through my own DIY AC30 Cab, with a Fender PRO 185 Amp residing inside. I “BeaTle with delight, (Flatwound D’Addario Chromes). Mine is, (Was ?, LOL) a 25th Anniv. model, I guess one among the first “Batch” to come forth? It’s a great Axe, and for the Buck, I don’t think it can be beat, (even before the “Mods”). The “TWANG’s the THANG! Gb bg