Gretsch Guitars G5420T Electromatic Hollowbody FSR Electric Guitar 

Comments about Gretsch Guitars G5420T Electromatic Hollowbody FSR Electric Guitar:

I've been wanting a Gretsch for a while and picked up the smoke green when it was on sale.

The smoke green color is somewhat mysterious. When I pulled the guitar out of the shipping box my first thought was "This looks more like an aged white". But then as I looked at it more and my eyes adjusted the subtle green color started coming out more and more.

As far as playability the fit and finish of this guitar out of the box was really good! I played with the stock strings for a couple days and had no fret buzz or rough spots on the neck. After I decided she was a keeper I put on a fresh set of strings and now she sounds even better.

The pickups have a unique sound that is much different from my Strat or LP so this compliments my those guitars nicely. It also sounds great unplugged for those times I just want to noodle around for a couple minutes.

Comments about Gretsch Guitars G5420T Electromatic Hollowbody FSR Electric Guitar:

I consider myself to be a Tele guy through and through, but have been eyeing the 6118 Anniversary Model for a long time, (love the tone and the look of that smoke green!)but have never been able to justify the price. I was dead set on buying a custom ash 1958 style Tele when I accidentally found this guitar while trying to show a friend the anniversary model. Subsequently, I read some fantastic reviews and heard Andy destroy it in a PGS video and knew she was calling me.
Absolutely a great decision. Came well set-up and protected with new strings, beautiful ivory/tint of green color, pickups that beat those on the 5120 and 5122 in every way (both of which I am very familiar with) and a fantastic neck! Plus the pearl inlays and f-hole binding! I love the chimey Gretsch tone I get through my Fender Blues Deluxe. I play ambient style, and the hollowbody resonates beautifully with my delays and reverb. A small amount of overdrive and compression really sweetens up the tone. Crank the drive to 12 o'clock and the filtertrons start snarling! This guitar is a no brainer over any of the other Gretsch's in the price range! Thanks Musicians Friend!

Comments about Gretsch Guitars G5420T Electromatic Hollowbody FSR Electric Guitar:

I'm a big George Thorogood fan, and I don't have nearly enough money to buy a Gibson ES-125 (like he uses). So I replaced that with this, and on my opinion, it made a great replacement. It feels like a Gibson and sounds like a Gibson, you can't ask for any more. The guitar also has a Bigsby! I am also a huge Johnny A. fan and like to use Bigsby's like Johnny does. Overall, this is a great guitar for a great price!

Comments about Gretsch Guitars G5420T Electromatic Hollowbody FSR Electric Guitar:

Two-tone Smoke Green Gretsch Anniversaries are some of my favorite looking guitars. Thus, I chomped at the bit when I noticed a FSR 5420 being offered in the finish. Speaking of which, this is an incredibly difficult color to photograph. The MF photos here make it look cream, which it does in direct sunlight. However, in artificial light it takes on a 'key lime' type green, which is the lighter half of the two-tone annies. The finish of the guitar is great. Just wish it would come with the dark green acrylic pick guard instead of the silver. Purely a cosmetic preference of mine, no biggie.

Excellent feel and tone. The Blacktop pickups are very nice. I won't be replacing them. Warm yet still crisp. Versatile. The Bigsby is great, no issues. I enjoy the feel of the neck. Frets are well dressed with no sharpness to be found. The nut works for me. The guitar is a joy to play.

There are two particular issues with this guitar: the buzz-tastic stock tune-o-matic bridge and the bridge base.

Do yourself a favor: order a Compton Compensated Bridge immediately once you receive this beauty and take its measurements. Google them for more information. That is unless you strangely love the sound of the buzz-o-matic. I, for one, do not.

Secondly, you will probably need to perform some light sanding to the rosewood bridge base to match the curvature of the arched top. There are ~1/16" gaps between the bridge and body, which unfortunately shouldn't be an issue on a guitar of this caliber. Be careful, but Stew-Mac has a great tutorial as to how to go about this without ruining your finish or bridge base.

Very happy with my new smoke green 5420 after these modifications.

Comments about Gretsch Guitars G5420T Electromatic Hollowbody FSR Electric Guitar:

Great for Jazz & surf -switch to flat wounds & get butter warm tone for days

Comments about Gretsch Guitars G5420T Electromatic Hollowbody FSR Electric Guitar:

Very nice guitar. I bought a used one, hoping it was in great shape. It was, and I'm pleased with the sound of the Gretsch as well as the feel of the neck. Cadillac Green is a sharp color. Since this color is a FSR, I'm hoping the guitar retains a great deal of its value over the years.

Comments about Gretsch Guitars G5420T Electromatic Hollowbody FSR Electric Guitar:

I bought this as a complement to the 5122 thinking maybe a slight change in tone...What a difference...The 5420 stays mellow and sounds much different than the 5122. I would say if you want something to produce the 60's type or country twang try this guitar you will love it. It came pretty well set up and ready to play. the Cadillac Green is a beautiful finish...

Comments about Gretsch Guitars G5420T Electromatic Hollowbody FSR Electric Guitar:

I traded in a 5122, and the difference is remarkable. I use the Bigsby a fair amount, and this guitar has stayed in tune unbelievably well since day one. When I was originally test-driving double cuts vs single cuts, I thought the thicker body on the '20s made them less comfortable to play, but after a week now, I don't notice that difference at all. I do notice the fuller sound unplugged, which is great for practicing around the house or yard. I definitely notice the bigger thicker more powerful sound of the blacktops vs the gretschbuckers. Both pickups are better, but the bridge pickup sound is such an improvement over the previous one. The bound f-holes and neck inlays make it look pretty swell too. It was a tough decision losing the '22, but I'm really happy to have wound up with this guitar and I would definitely recommend it.

Comments about Gretsch Guitars G5420T Electromatic Hollowbody FSR Electric Guitar:

The three features that distinguish the 5420T FSR from the 5120 it replaces are, Blacktop Filtertron pickups, Cadillac Green finish, and F hole binding. The Blacktop Filtertron pickups lack the definition and articulation of Gretsch High Sensitive Filtertrons. These pickups may be fine for many, but some will also want to upgrade to single coils, Gretsch HS Filtertrons, TV Jones pickups, etc. The F hole binding is a nice addition, but why not take it a step further and add binding to the headstock too? The Bigsby and the Tuneomatic bridge are the same as the 5120. Nothing better, nothing worse. Cadillac Green is a great color, that could be enhanced with gold hardware, and/or a little metal flake in the paint. I own three modded 5120's, I saw no need for a modded 5420, so, it was returned.
The tone control/volume pot layout is the same as the Gretsch G5120. The Cadillac Green paint job is very well done. When word started to spread on this new FSR, many were hoping the Caddy Green would have a little metal flake in it. It does not. The Gretschbucker pickups of the 5120 have been replaced by Blacktop Filtertrons in the new 5420. The ceramic Blacktops lacked the definition and note articulation I was hoping for from what most called "upgraded" pickups. Had I kept the guitar I ordered, I would have replaced the pickups. The 5420 FSR sports F hole binding, something the 5120 did not have. The chrome hardware of the liscensed Bigsby, pickup surrounds and control knobs, look much like the 5120 this guitar replaces. The Cadillac Green finish and gold hardware, would be a spectacular match. Finally, the Tuneomatic bridge, also called the "rattleomatic" by some, is standard on the 5420, as it was on the 5120.
The 5420 is a well built guitar, but for many, it will be the platform for mods, as was the 5120.