| Gretsch G5420TG |
| The Specs |
Year: 2017
Builder: Gretsch
Series: Electromatic
Model: G5420TG
Color: Black
Hardware Finish: Gold
Serial Number: KS16123145
Top: Laminated Maple
Body: Laminated Maple
Body Finish: Gloss
Body Binding: Aged White
Cutaway: Single
Pickguard: Gold Plexi
Bridge: Adjusto-Matic
Tailpiece: Bigsby B60
Fretboard: Rosewood
Fretboard Binding: Aged White
Fretboard Inlay: Pearloid Neo-Classic Thumbnail
Neck: Maple
Neck Profile: Medium "U"
Neck Finish: Gloss
Nut: Synthetic Bone
Headstock: Gretsch Hollowbody
Headstock Binding: Aged White
Headstock Logo: Pearloid Gretsch
Tuners: Gold Open-Gear
Neck Pickup: Black Top Filter'Tron
Bridge Pickup: Black Top Filter'Tron
Pickup Switching: 3-Way
Control Knobs: Gold G-Arrow
Controls: Master, Volume, Volume, Tone
Case: Grtesch G6421FT hardshell case
Body Size/Shape: 6120/Nashville
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo
Frets to Body: 14/18
Fretboard Radius: 12"
Scale Length: 24.6"
Nut Width: 1.6875"
Body Width: 16"
Body Depth: 2.5"
Strings: D'Addario Chromes ECG25 (12-52)
The Gretsch 6120 (Nashville) is one of my all-time favorite guitar designs, and at one point I owned 4 of the Electromatic line 5420T models—in white, orange, red, and blue. I ended up selling those when I started playing mostly jazz, because I wanted more "traditional" jazz guitars.
However, I missed having a Bigsby-equipped Gretsch, and greatly underestimated just how good these guitars can sound for clean jazz styles. The Filter'Trons on the 5420 have a very transparent sound that emphasizes the acoustic qualities of the hollowbody very well, and while they might not be a warm as a traditional humbucker, their clarity reminds me a lot of the P-90 tones I get from my Gibson ES-330.
When I had a chance to acquire this particular G5420TG in a local trade, I knew it was going to be a bit of a rescue project. The previous owner didn't necessarily neglect it, but it wasn't particularly well-maintained, either. It spent 10 years without ever being stored in a case and as a result the gold hardware had developed some oxidation/pitting that I was able to clean up fairly well with a lot of elbow grease and patience.
The mirror black finish also had a lot of fine scratches/swirls and some cloudy spots that I was able to buff out and get shiny again. It still shows signs of its age, but it's in dramatically better condition than wehn I received it. I also ordered a hardshell case for it right away, since I like to keep my guitars stored safely when not in use.
After cleaning the guitar up, I gave it a thorough setup for flatwound 12s—the D'Addario Chromes I like to use on everything—and the Gretsch now has that vintage sound and plays really smoothly. The heavier gauge strings also did wonders for the tuning stability; I can use the Bigsby freely without having to worry about knocking the guitar out of tune.
