Last update 5/2/2024
In this Gretsch G5420T review, we look at the Gretsch G5420T is a Single-Cut, Hollow Body Electric Guitar with Bigsby. Anyone wishing for a Gretsch Hollow Body Electric Guitar has probably lusted after an orange G5420T with a Bigsby; they will realize their wishes with this beautiful guitar. The Gretsch G5420T is part of the Gretsch Electromatic range, about the middle of the entire range.
Table of contents
Gretsch G5420T review
Boasting that Gretsch twang.
The G5420T salutes the cherished hollow body guitars that first turned country, Rockabilly, and rock worlds on its head. This guitar is a single-cutaway beauty with its oversized F-holes in the body and a beautiful arched maple top.
The G5420 T’s main features
Furthermore, it boasts a rosewood fingerboard along with a maple neck. We love the neck; it’s slim and very comfortable; it’s a joy to use. The enlarged Pearloid Hump Block inlays and period-correct headstock add to the guitar’s visual beauty.
Tonal controls
The Gretsch G5420T features Gretsch’s famous Black Top Filter’Tron pickups for those classic tones. Additional tonal options can be enabled by using the three-way toggle on the guitar’s body. In addition, a master volume control with treble bleeds circuitry ensures getting the tone you want.
Also, there are individual volume controls for the neck pickups and bridge. The treble-bleed system allows highs to be still heard, even at low volumes.
The guitar boasts gold hardware, which works well with the guitar’s orange color. Work the Bigsby B60 soft for subtle vibrato or wild, reckless rockabilly rave-ups. Tuning is a breeze with vintage-style open-back tuners. The body hardware is a secured Adjusto-Matic bridge and a Graph Tech NuBone nut.
Gretsch G5420T review | Features
- Arched Maple Top, Maple Back, and Sides, with an Aged White Body Binding with black/white/black Purfling.
- A “U” Shaped Maple neck with a 12″ Radius.
- Bigsby® Licensed B60G Tremolo Tailpiece.
- Black Top Filter’Tron™ Humbucking Pickups with Beautiful Tortoise Inserts.
- Gold hardware.
- Graph Tech® – NuBone® nut.
- Early-50s Colour Co-ordinated Headstock.
- Master Volume Control, which features a Treble Bleed Circuit.
- Pearloid Hump Block Inlays and a 22 Fret Rosewood Fretboard.
- Pinned Adjusto-Matic™ bridge.
- Three-ply Tortoise Pickguard.
- Vintage-style open-back tuning machines.
Beyond the 50s period in time
This Gretsch G5420T evokes the adored mid-’50s period of the Gretsch hollow-body guitars. It features Hump Block fretboard inlays, large body-color-matching headstock, and pickguard-matching pickup inserts.
Construction features
The Gretsch G5420T is built with five-ply maple to the top, back, and sides. The guitar feels solid and is well-made. It feels relatively light for a big guitar. The beautiful arched Maple top boasts sound-post bracing with oversized F-holes for astonishing acoustic breadth. The Maple neck and Rosewood fingerboard are appealing appointments that work on this guitar.
The pickups – Great tones
Resonant and alive, the G5420T is an entirely hollow construction with an honest Filter’Tron™ voice that explodes with a huge punch, clarity, and strong presence. As with all Electromatic guitars, it offers the fearless and electrifying authenticity that has set Gretsch apart for providing classic rock ‘n’ roll guitars from the very start.
Gretsch has used the Black Top Filter’Tron pickups to offer a thundering, versatile sonic palette. This guitar can take you through a catalog of blues, classic jazz, and all the rock ‘n’ roll tones. In addition, both pickups have matching tortoise inserts and a matching pickguard that adds a further touch of distinction.
Other fine features include a secured Adjusto-Matic™ bridge.
The Graph Tech® NuBone® nut, the G-arrow knobs, a Bigsby® B60G tailpiece, and the hollow body all help deliver that classic twang and thump.
Tone quality
This guitar is a Gretsch, with that famous Gretsch sound in spades. The guitar allows a variety of tones suitable for any genre of music.
The body
The body is 5-ply Laminated Maple; it’s strong and not overly heavy, which is in no small part because of its hollow body.
The neck
Gretsch G5420T neck profile is Standard “U” and feels slick and comfortable. Furthermore, the neck is fixed to the body using a dovetail joint. Its fretboard is made from Rosewood and is 43mm wide at the nut.
Scale length
By the way, It’s effortless to play, which is at least partly because of its short-scale length of 24.6″ (625 mm).
Strings
The strings are Nickel-Plated Steel .011-.049 Gauges. They feel suitable for this guitar and its 24.6″ scale length.
Bigsby® tremolo
A licensed Bibsby that makes a Grestsh a Gretsch.
G5420T Specifications
- Body Colour: Orange Stain.
- Body Material: 5-Ply Laminated Maple.
- Bridge Pickup: Black Top Filter’Tron™ with Tortoise Inserts.
- Bridge: Pinned Adjusto-Matic™.
Pros
- A beautiful tone is suitable for a wide variety of musical genres.
- It’s a stunning guitar with a flawless finish.
- Great guitar for playing Rockabilly or a broad range of musical styles.
- The G5420T range is middle-priced in the full Gresch models and very affordable.
- The controls for this guitar allow the player to dial in the desired clean tones or growl as required.
- G5420T comes with appointments usually found on guitars that are twice the price of this one.
- Great value for money.
Cons
- It’s a prominent guitar under your arm, not uncomfortable, but it might not suit some.
- It does not ship with a gig bag or case. The case is sold separately.
- The G5420TG-OS 50S LTD, as described in the review, may be hard to find. However, Gretsch G5420TG is the same guitar as the special appointments found in the G5420TG-OS 50S LTD.
A Little About Gretsch the Company
Gretsch is one of the most iconic and enduring brands in the music industry, celebrating its 140th anniversary in 2023. Founded by German immigrant Friedrich Gretsch in Brooklyn, New York, in 1883, the company has a rich history of innovation and quality craftsmanship, producing a wide range of instruments, including banjos, drums, tambourines, and, most notably, guitars.
Gretsch guitars are known for their unique sound, often described as “bright,” “jangly,” and “chimey.” Furthermore, the distinctive tone is due in part to the company’s use of high-quality materials and innovative design elements, such as the Filter’Tron pickup, which was developed in the 1950s. Gretsch guitars have been played by some of the most famous musicians in the world, including Chet Atkins, Eddie Cochran, Billy Duffy, Bono, Duane Eddy, George Harrison, Brian Setzer, Stephen Stills, and Malcolm Young.
Gretsch G5420T review: Our Verdict
Overall, the Gretsch G5420T is a great guitar for guitarists of all levels. It is well-made, versatile, and affordable. In addition, it’s a particularly good choice for guitarists who want a classic Gretsch look and sound.
The G5420T guitar will not disappoint; it’s a lot of guitars for the money and should be on your new electric guitar shopping list. Our review is for the 50’s limited edition; it may prove challenging to find. However, consider the Gretsch G5420T; it is the same guitar but with fewer special appointments.
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