The Chetboard

I have a chance to get this Gretsch on Craigslist. It seems like a good deal. I can't afford a Country Gent just yet and I thought this may be a nice step to go before the gent. Do these 5120's have a fingerboard similar to the gent...as far as dimensions? Any one...reviews?

Unfortunately, I can't tell you how it compares feel wise to a CG because I've never played them side by side, but I've owned a 5120 for about 4 or 5 years now and really liked it. I know a lot of folks don't care for the gretschbuckers, but I've been able to get a really good sound out of them. Nut width on the 6122-1962 and 5120 are both 1.68, but if you're looking at a 1959, then the nut width is slightly larger at 1.75. It's a great guitar for what costs and I've used it for everything from big band jazz to rockabilly to thumb style picking (Corey Christiansen has commented on it the past couple years in master classes I've taken it to as well if that's any consolation). I'd go for it if you really are wanting a Gretsch because it sounds and looks great in my personal opinion, or you could just keep saving up for the CG if that's what you're really truly wanting.
Hopefully that helps a little bit.
-bella

I have played about 4 of them and the play just like a 6120. The pickups aren't filtertrons but they are pretty close. I wished they had this step down model when I was a teen. Nice bang for your buck. If you can get it for $500 or below on craigslist, you are doing good.

Go play it. Korean. The nut should be 1-11/16", like a regular 6120. The new '59 CG is 1-3/4", of course. The PUPS on a 5120 are not usually filtertrons, but some persons upgrade to TV Jones then sell them for about what they paid new. Mysterious. I have played some 5120s that I could bond with and others that I could not. Don't know why. Go play it. LMark

Hi Allan,
I think when we talked on the phone the 5120 came up. The one I have has a TV Jones pick up at the neck and I like it quite a lot. I've compared it to a Joe Pass Epi that I also have and found that for me it plays quite a bit better. I haven't been able to find any flaws in it, not even any little bubbles or defects in the finish. The neck adjusts really well and I get a low action without fret buzz and with the bridge properly positioned the intonation is very good. Agreeing with other posts, I would think you should probably play it first if you can, but it does seem to be a lot of guitar for $500 or less. However, one thng is that I think these are "assembly line" guitars and that therefore one might play better than another. I do like the one I have.
Best,
Art

Yeah, go play it. I have a 5120 that I won at one of the dog-and-pony shows that Fred Gretsch and Jim Carducci put on. I put a fixed Chet arm on it and replace the pickups with a TV Jones Supertron and a Filtertron Classic Plus. I like it so much that I sold my 6122-1959 to a friend. I never could warm up to the thin 17" body on the Gent, or the 25.5" scale.

Hey Art, when you gonna post a tune for us on your new(?) 5120? LMark

Hey Mike D., you mentioned the 17" body on the Gent and the 25.5" scale - what are they on the 5120? I'll look that up in a bit.

Well, I went over to the guys house and looked at and played the 5120. I am going to be buying it, he's holding it for me for a few days. He has this case that goes with it that he says is much better than a Gretsch case. I looked at it and it is a really nice case. I didn't get the name of the case but I'll let ya'll know when I get it.

Got the new (old) Gretsch:

Bravo!