I know that one of the things that Chet wanted from Gretsch over the years was a guitar with a solid center block. This was theoretically for more sustain. Gretsch never would do it (The Axe doesn't really count).
Anyway, at the 2013 Winter NAMM show, Gretsch has finally unveiled one. I don't really like the white color, or the cat, but the rest of the appointments look pretty good.
I wonder what Chet would have thought?
http://www.themusiczoo.com/blog/2013/gr ... 013content
Gretsch with center block....
Thanks,
George
George
- George Beasley
- Posts: 387
- Joined: Mon Aug 16, 2010 9:08 pm
Re: Gretsch with center block....
Hard to say what he would have thought.
He wasn't a fan of the double cutaway but if it truly added sustain he certainly would have at least had a couple of samples in his basement storeroom.
It was good to be Chet. Lotsa free guitars
He wasn't a fan of the double cutaway but if it truly added sustain he certainly would have at least had a couple of samples in his basement storeroom.
It was good to be Chet. Lotsa free guitars
...that's how it looks to me...The opinion expressed above is my own and does not necessarily reflect the views of this station. Your mileage may vary...
Audio samples: http://www.youtube.com/user/acountrygent/videos
That should do it.
Audio samples: http://www.youtube.com/user/acountrygent/videos
That should do it.
- Norm
- Posts: 1333
- Joined: Wed Aug 31, 2011 12:36 pm
- Location: redwood city ca
Re: Gretsch with center block....
Haha. Yep, you are right on, Norm. MOMG would definitely be a few pages longer!
I do want to try one of these, though.
I do want to try one of these, though.
Thanks,
George
George
- George Beasley
- Posts: 387
- Joined: Mon Aug 16, 2010 9:08 pm
Re: Gretsch with center block....
I think there trying to hit a rock and roll type player with these guitars.
Overdrive and loud amp stacks don't work with these kind of guitars.The feedback is a major issue.
Nice looking guitar though!
Mark
Overdrive and loud amp stacks don't work with these kind of guitars.The feedback is a major issue.
Nice looking guitar though!
Mark
- cettyboy
- Posts: 103
- Joined: Sat Oct 29, 2011 2:38 pm
Re: Gretsch with center block....
Nice looking guitar,reminds me a lot of a GIBSON country gent! Looks like Chet and Gibson were correct with the center block. Nice.
- srgntschultz
- Posts: 88
- Joined: Wed Aug 18, 2010 6:08 am
Re: Gretsch with center block....
Chet was actually disappointed by the original Gibson CG. He had asked for a maple block and the resulting guitar was way too heavy to be comfortable for him so they ended up using compressed balsa for a center block. It'll be interesting to see how sales are in this item.
People are driven to buy guitars, not so much by how they sound as by which popular artist is playing a given model. The Les Paul as we know it was a moderate seller when Les was active with Gibson but it was phased out due to weight complaint until it got picked up by British blues and rock players. Chet's basic 6120 and single cut Gents did well but Harrison using a CG for a year or so caused a spike in sales. Brian Setzer's models sell fairly well but the new Gretsch model actual marketability will be interesting. Particularly if no iconic guitarist doesn't use one.
And "iconic guitarists", those who can influence sales, are getting rare.
People are driven to buy guitars, not so much by how they sound as by which popular artist is playing a given model. The Les Paul as we know it was a moderate seller when Les was active with Gibson but it was phased out due to weight complaint until it got picked up by British blues and rock players. Chet's basic 6120 and single cut Gents did well but Harrison using a CG for a year or so caused a spike in sales. Brian Setzer's models sell fairly well but the new Gretsch model actual marketability will be interesting. Particularly if no iconic guitarist doesn't use one.
And "iconic guitarists", those who can influence sales, are getting rare.
...that's how it looks to me...The opinion expressed above is my own and does not necessarily reflect the views of this station. Your mileage may vary...
Audio samples: http://www.youtube.com/user/acountrygent/videos
That should do it.
Audio samples: http://www.youtube.com/user/acountrygent/videos
That should do it.
- Norm
- Posts: 1333
- Joined: Wed Aug 31, 2011 12:36 pm
- Location: redwood city ca
Re: Gretsch with center block....
Looks like Gretsch is taking on Gibson pretty well.
If they can keep their prices competitive and still have good customer service
they will win that battle.
Eddie
If they can keep their prices competitive and still have good customer service
they will win that battle.
Eddie
- Eddie Estes
- Posts: 489
- Joined: Mon Aug 16, 2010 9:13 pm
Re: Gretsch with center block....
I had Gretsch pickups on a Gibson CG. They sound different but not like a Gretsch.
It has to do with the construction.
It has to do with the construction.
- Eddie Estes
- Posts: 489
- Joined: Mon Aug 16, 2010 9:13 pm
Re: Gretsch with center block....
Gibson sounds and plays better!
- srgntschultz
- Posts: 88
- Joined: Wed Aug 18, 2010 6:08 am
Re: Gretsch with center block....
Not in my experience. I have not seen one bad new Gretsch. The old ones even made in Brooklyn could be hit and miss.
In my humble or not so humble opinion Martin and Taylor are the two best factory guitar makers in the US. If Gibson got new leadership and better customer service they have a chance to join that.
I'll stack my 2008 CGP up against anything Gibson makes as far as workmanship and playability and for that matter sound.
In my humble or not so humble opinion Martin and Taylor are the two best factory guitar makers in the US. If Gibson got new leadership and better customer service they have a chance to join that.
I'll stack my 2008 CGP up against anything Gibson makes as far as workmanship and playability and for that matter sound.
- Eddie Estes
- Posts: 489
- Joined: Mon Aug 16, 2010 9:13 pm