Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Hollowbody Demo | First Look

[@premierguitar]

More First Look videos: bit.ly/FIrstLook Subscribe to PG's Channel: bit.ly/SubscribePGKZbin Don't Miss a Rundown: bit.ly/RIgRundownENL Merch & Magazines: shop.premierguitar.com

[@reverb508]

Gretsch has been doing a great job over the past few years. From their cheapest models, to their Japanese-made pro line, to their crazy masterbuilt custom shop guitars, Gretsch is consistently punching above their weight across their product line. Great review, John!

[@user-tf5lg7fc9s]

No, they're not... you might as well spend the extra grand for a Japanese model instead of wasting a grand on a cheap chinese imitation.

[@reverb508]

@@user-tf5lg7fc9s I’ve played dozens of Gretsch Electromatics and they’ve all been great. Yeah, the Japanese models are better, but some people don’t have $2k+ to throw down on a Players or Pro series guitar.

[@user-tf5lg7fc9s]

@@reverb508 They've all been trash, especially the new chinese ones. Especially compared to the Japanese ones. If you have a grand, save up one more grand and pay for quality. If you're going to pay a grand for a chinese plywood guitar, then don't complain when it craps out on you.

[@jsullivan2112]

@@user-tf5lg7fc9s What's trash about them? Give details, and lots of them. Also please explain how pickups can tell the difference between plywood and solid wood when pickups are not microphones, unless they're defective. They can only pickup vibrations from magnetic strings, nothing from the wood (tonewood is a marketing myth invented by Gibson). So anyways, yeah please provide details backed up by physics. I'm really interested in one of these guitars, I would like advice from someone who knows what he's talking about. Thanks!

[@MichaelHattem]

@@user-tf5lg7fc9s The cheapest prolines are 2500 and the best are 3500-4000. The difference is not just “another grand.”

[@richardlynch5632]

Gretsch has blown me away with fretwork, tone, playability and fun factor 😎👍 Construction is top notch. Would gig this new Gretsch's over my 70's White Falcon which has from day one felt fragile. Good on Gretsch...INDEED 😎👍❤🖖

[@trevornever27]

Still got that 70s White Falcon? Serious inquiry only

[@richardlynch5632]

@@trevornever27 😎👍 It was a 7595 stereo DC Baldwin era. And it was sold, Thanks though.

[@trevornever27]

@@richardlynch5632 hey Richard,’) 👍🏼 Thanks, you get points for just replying at all. I always wanted a White Falcon and just saw the G5420T Blue (featured in this video) in a music store today. I wanted to pull it down off the wall n play it, now I’m sorry I didnt. Im not much into “new” guitars but this one seems like its worth the hype

[@richardlynch5632]

@@trevornever27 😎👍 Been a Gretsch fan ever since watching Neil Young and Stephen Stills as a kid...My dream guitar. When two of these new 7595s came up for sale...(for $750.00 each), I had to have one. Think in vg condition, they are going for $ 3,000.00 or so without a bidding war😉👍 Todays offerings from Gretch are a must have in your stable. Can't go wrong imo😉👍 Good luck to you and...Play On😎👍👍

[@trevornever27]

thanks for taking the time to share your experience; I recently bought an early 70s Epiphone Riviera that sounds great and looks beautiful but feels a bit like an acoustic guitar when playing leads on it.. its priced about the same as the blue Gretsch here in the video but i was so dead set on the vintage Riviera I didnt take the time to check it out. I have a few semi hollowbodies, Sheration II (2) from early 90s and a ‘61 Casino so was keeping it all in the Epiphone family, but the Riv just doesnt seem to have the same feel as my others. I can only return it for store credit so it is quite possible I could end up with this azure Gretsch instead. So I appreciate your endorsement n will def give it a test drive if the Riv doesnt pan out, it would be my first n only full Hollowbody guitar … take care Richard n thanks again for your input

[@JimWalkerMusic]

I just played one of these at Sweetwater last week. It was so hard to walk out without it

[@thewey]

LOVE the sound and variety of sounds and feels from the G5420T. Thanks for showing all aspects, especially strumming.

[@jackaro2]

Man, that was some nice playing on the intro. The written review convinced me that I want one of these! Cheers.

[@arustydodge2111]

Well done JOHN! Just something about a GRETSCH! That unique amazing sound, and the looks to match! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🎸⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@user-tf5lg7fc9s]

Shill

[@yestoES355]

Played one at a local GC, gotta say as a players white falcon owner and a Gibson country gentleman, these new electromatics are freakin incredible. Not sure what new pickups they are using, but man they cleans were crystal clear without the single coil buzz played great, get great and for $800 wow it played better than the epiphone and Mexican fenders I tried there.

[@Little960]

Nice tones and nice playing. I have an older 5420 and I love it. Those nwe Filtertron sounds great. I may just need another Gretsch.

[@user-tf5lg7fc9s]

The new chinese imitation filtertrons, like pickups that say "inspired by duncan" or "duncan designed"? Yeah.. they sound "great". Lmfao

[@Rwtheking]

@@user-tf5lg7fc9s I mean you can probably just replace them with TVJones if you don’t care for them. I’m just trying to find the best hollow body in my price range.

[@user-tf5lg7fc9s]

@@Rwtheking I mean... a $900 guitar should come stock with good pickups so you're not spending even upgrading a cheap Chinese piece of plywood. There are $300 hollow bodies that are on the same level as these new Gretsch guitars. It's like they said "let's just bump up our mid range to high range, but make them worse than what they currently were".

[@The-End-Of-The-Line]

John, You are absolutely right about the strumming tone on a Gretsch. Love them!

[@billnelson9413]

You proved that guitar is great!

[@davidpepper442]

Excellent demo John. I'm a big fan of your playing and your collection. I've seen many videos, but I haven't seen one with your White Falcon. Bust that thing out at your soonest opportunity please! Cheers

[@69voxbeetle]

Been shying away from the cheaper - made in China models, but I gotta tell 'ya this review made me smile, big time. You know you've got something when you are trying out something new like this and it hits and makes you smile and go 'damn...' I'd put this in the same category as my ES-125 - and I LOVE the Blue!! Great review!!

[@EdVanMeyer]

Nice guitar, I have the earlier Fairlane one and it is so good, against a 6120 it is a good performer. Nothing wrong with Chinese made, the Squire CV Stratocasters are so nicely made and playing I owned 10 of them over a few years. I had a 2015 Streamliner and that was a very nice guitar too. I think these will be collector's pieces in a few years.

[@45327chris]

I got an older version of this guitar. I love it! Thank you for this video

[@richardnagamitsu1582]

I’ve been hesitant about the 5XXXX series pickups, but this sounds fantastic.

[@mikemcintosh9933]

Uh...John Bollinger is really good :)

[@justiceforall6412]

After acquiring a Gretsch on a trade I now have three of them and despite my boutique guitars it is the guitar I almost always grab to play first.

[@richardnagamitsu1582]

Love the Billy Duffy reference.

[@pharmerdavid1432]

That model is the classic Gretsch model, like the 6120, or my more affordable Korean 5120, which is upgraded with TV Jones pickups and wiring, and rocker bridge. I wanted to have a Gretsch simply because I love how they sound, nothing else sounds like a Gretsch, and I had to have the classic Gretsch orange color. I've tried some other models in stores, and Gretsch is making some really nice and affordable instruments. I've got my 5120 in my arms, and love playing it un-amplified too, it's plenty loud played acoustically. The top seems a tad thinner than my Gibson and Ibanez hollow body guitars, so maybe that's why it seems louder and more resonant, or maybe it's the woods used in the laminate? It seems to stay in tune even after using the wang bar, an excellent design all around, and good looking too. The new ones are still well under $1,000-, and used ones like mine can still be had for around $500-. Get your Gretsch on!

[@anthonyroach7974]

Beautiful bought one it was a wild card in the the shop tried some expensive guitars out to .just give one a try it was amazing bought it in 5 minutes plays like a dream it has that certain feel about it Brill action is so low to

[@stevonh]

I bought a G5422TG (similar guitar) two days ago. Tried it out in the store and was amazed at how nice it plays. "Crafted in China" but feels like a professional guitar for the money ($899.99). Haven't put it down yet. I rotate guitars and keep a few out in the living room to keep me motivated and this one will probably stay out for a while before it gets rotated to another. Would have liked a green version of this guitar but bought the orange one.

[@utahprepper8925]

Good review John and GREAT PLAYING!! You got some serious chops my friend!

[@chrisnedbalek2866]

The older ones were made in Korea. For the last couple years they're made in China. You can pick up a K made one on reverb. The K made ones also had rosewood fb's. The Chinese ones have laurel fb's.

[@GRBAquatics]

Very Cool Demo/Review, Thankyou. This is my dream Guitar, I have a Gretsch G5215 and a G5248T and love them both so much. Both are such awesome Guitars, but a Full Hollowbody Gretsch will always be my Dream. Cheers

[@glendoggett9670]

Also a big part of their flashy and ornate guitar history is the Sparkle wrap finish from their drums that they put on a guitar.

[@scottagar6061]

Nothing sounds like a Gretsch! The cleans are chimey! Does dirt as well. Bigsby is as fun as it gets!

[@Frankie_Holt]

Pretty sure it doesn’t come with a gigbag, prolly the one that gets shipped around for review does.

[@stringbender57]

Beautiful looking and sounding guitar. I love it! I just ordered one exactly like it and it is on the way!

[@dbwindhorst1]

Would sure like to hear an A/B with a 6120.

[@RobertSaxy]

It’s my understanding that the tresel lacing was a discovery more than invention, they found an example of an old gretsch that had it and were impressed with the sound and performance

[@dlewtweentorla1210]

Thought the same thing. Didn't Gretsch get a bunch of old Gretsch's from the 50's & 60's from Randy Bachman on loan? Then went over them with a fine tooth comb even scanning and x-ray'd some coming to this "discovery"?

[@RobertSaxy]

@@dlewtweentorla1210 yeah I think you have the info I didn’t remember

[@marcschleicher9383]

Fantastic playing! Awesome guitar!

[@JimWalkerMusic]

Good morning John

[@bobmccaslin2040]

Well done! I want one of these! Bob from Spokane Valley, WA USA

[@BedeLaplume]

I guess the 5420 is not really different from the 5410T, because I was also impressed by how well the 5410T handles gain for a hollowbody.. Probably it's due to those thin-precise sounding pickups and the hollowbody construction but I also agree with your statement about how good it sounds when it is strummed compared to many solidbodies.. The fit and finish on the 5410T's made in Korea is impeccable. One thing I don't get from Gretsch, is that they use regular hard edge and should put roller saddles.. I guess it's a cost saving and tradition thing, because a Bigsby and Roller saddles should go together.. One simple tip to get around the tuning issues related to those saddles is to file them to round the edges and apply some lube .. As we all know it's almost irresistible to use the Trem bar with a Gretsch ..

[@georgearagon2546]

Your playing is amazing as usual. Great tone out of that guitar. I have an Electromatic 5420 in Fairlane blue which looks identical with a country of origin listed as South Korea. Im curious if Fender has switched all mid level Electromatic line to China? I know it matters little to some and a lot to others. Anybody out there has any insight? Thanks in advance.

[@benlogan430]

This year the electromatic hollow and semi-hollow line went to China where most of the solid body electromatic guitars were made I do believe. My 5420 is from the Korean factory also.

[@thorrolandson]

Great review, cheers, great selection of tones tried

[@ptolemy8818]

Im thinking this is gonna be my first guitar upgrade. Im currently learning on an Epiphpne Less Paul special.

[@KeyDreamer]

The only new thing about this model 5420 (that was introduced ~10 years ago) is that they aren't made in Korea anymore. However, the prices didn't come down.

[@cburgess2805]

Bingo

[@DMSProduktions]

@@jorgegauthier7697 Ryan Burke troll account huh?

[@DMSProduktions]

@@jorgegauthier7697 HAH!

[@jsullivan2112]

If they kept making them in Korea the prices would have went up. Ever think of that? Look around you, everything is going up. Korean factories have gotten so good they can justify charging more with a much stronger economy than they've had in the past.

[@MrMichaelConstantine]

I had a G2420T Streamliner, looked amazing, played beautifully, the pots were rubbish, all or nothing, the broadtron pickups did not sound typically gretsch at all. For these reasons I sold it, it wasn't terrible, just not what I expected it to be, I might take a chance on one of these, quite expensive though.

[@fordsrestorations970]

I think Gretsch is the classiest guitar out there if you can find one that stays in tune

[@yodasecondave]

I’m in the process of shopping for a new guitar. Sold my strat. I’m torn between this and the Epiphone Les Paul 59 standard. I play a lot of punk rock green day, living end, but also into grunge, 90s pop rock like third eye blind, love the 80s stuff ,particularly U2, cure, clash, cult, inxs. I also grew up on zeppelin and like the old blues rock. No idea which way to go….any thoughts?

[@stevenxowens792]

Question, I mostly play thin profile necks. Think Ibanez, Jackson soloist, etc.. I do have a Fender Ultra and I LOVE that neck. Profile is a little thicker but the quality and smoothness is incredible. That said, how thick is the Classic "C" profile on this gretsch series? How does it compare to say the 6556 (Jr) ? Thanks!

[@slimsantilli4476]

I love mine. Roller saddles are a must

[@johnrogers2826]

That outro was just, wow! Spine tingling.

[@skellez83]

Is bending comfortable? Meaning, is it hard on the fingers or it doesn’t take too much effort? Cheers

[@duaneulman9915]

Thank you

[@ryaandnice]

Smooth noodling there!!

[@richardmckrell4899]

The Blue Buzzer by Gretsch?

[@no59do56]

Billy Duffy 👍👍👍👍🍀☘

[@t-bone3657]

I get zero feedback & no humming - love it 🎉

[@douglasstewart6596]

Just ordered one of the 140th anniversary models from Sweetwater - can't wait. John, did you know you're sportin' sleeping bag hair in the video?

[@elpresidente3025]

I have two, orange stain and fairlane blue, they're made in Korea dude.

[@ds97853]

They weren't when he did this 2 years ago and they still are not. It must suck to be a know it all who doesn’t really know jack shit.

[@leesanna7835]

How's the playability?

[@Tony-it5tt]

"Damn c'mon" my thoughts this whole video

[@hlnmusicvideo]

What strings are you reccomending for 5120 hollow body electromatic?? Thankfully

[@no59do56]

Pinned bridge ??

[@hasanferitderman1754]

Excellent

[@mikem4905]

Are the new FT-5E Filter’Tron pickups in the new Electromatics ceramic or alnico?

[@mikem4905]

I found out from Gretsch that they are Alnico! And they sound great!

[@michaelhanby1898]

One question, John; is the bridge pinned, or floating? There's nothing quite like knocking the bridge out of whack, then trying to get it back where it belongs...

[@sethwaldo]

It's pinned. I have one and it's a great feature.

[@michaelhanby1898]

@@sethwaldo Thanks for your reply. I had an idea it was; & you confirmed it.

[@humanbeing2420]

@@sethwaldoIs palm-muting difficult? I've always looked at those bridges and figured it must be difficult or impossible...

[@terryhanley8579]

Is this really John or is Timothy Olyphant playing John in an upcoming movie ? Put a hat on him & he could be Raylan Givens twin brother 😁

[@danraan]

Yes

[@cameronjonesmusic]

So, a Brian Setzer model

[@tonyjames2144]

where is it made

[@joerobbins5173]

Nice guitar for the money

[@dlewtweentorla1210]

This saddens me. The Korean 5420T after it was updated in 2017 (I think) was really the best version to date. Pickups were much better than before, quality control was very, very good and crafted with a rosewood fret-board. Now Made in China using a cheaper laurel fret-board kill it for me. Had the smaller body (Made in China) 5655T with the Laurel Fret-board for a short time, couldn't stand the Laurel board. From the start the grain was splintering in a few spots close to the middle and on the edges splintering off at the binding. Now, that said could have been a very bad chunk of wood and a random occurrence. However the much larger grain, could see this not being a one time issue. Years down the road if someone lives in a dry area and doesn't condition the fret-boad or lives in a climate that constantly changes, how will the Laurel hold up? On the other hand, perhaps it was bad Quality Control, cheaper and less discriminating labor. Either way, the Electromatic series no longer being made in Korea is a big step down IMO. Used to be the Professional's Made in Japan, the mid level Electrmatic's Korea and entry level and much cheaper Streamliner's made in China. Now there's no distinction.... Sad day indeed.

[@lazlostrutz]

I've had a couple of electromatic (china factory) semi-hollows with horrible problems. The quality control on some of these is unacceptable.

[@dlewtweentorla1210]

@@lazlostrutz myself, haven't had horrible problems but certainly there have been a few issues. Night and day difference in Quality compared to the Korean models. Have owned a few Korean Gretsch's and worked on quite a few, quality has even improved over the last number of years. All this IMO is to cut costs of product so not to make a price increase like Gibson and Fender have across the board. Realize everything has increased manufacturing costs and shipped since Covid. Saying that, wish Gretsch had gone the price increase route with the Electromatic line. Prefer spending another 50-100 dollars more on a very good mid level guitar, than make this sacrifice in quality . Saying that ,do hope Gretsch proves me wrong and these do end up being a lot better than expected

[@ASM881]

It looks like the Tim Armstrong model.

[@miner49er79]

Is it just me or does John's back ground change colors all the time ???

[@Zoso7227]

I would assume he’s using a camera with the auto settings on and the camera auto adjusting? Adjusting the ISO perhaps

[@dananthony6258]

How did he get it to strobe out like that ?

[@phil393]

Nice bit of trambone there, chet was the man

[@davidharding200]

You pulled on that bigsby like you’re Steve Vai!😂

[@tabitharasaproject]

First look? This guitar has been out for years under this model #. Are these new pickups, though? Anyway, it sounds great.

[@harrassee]

This version has new features that did not appear in standard 5420s before: Trestle-block bracing and FT-5E Filter'Tron

[@tabitharasaproject]

@@harrassee Oh, thanks! I appreciate it. I have so much to learn about guitars :) Would it be possible to swap out the pickups for P90s on this?

[@ricardoperez5386]

Sweet guitar !..definitely adding it to my travel axe collection..but I'd really like people to actually do real demos of the guitars.. just the guitar straight into an amp w/ no pro tools , effects pedals or stompbox features.. most of us guitarist watch these demos to get the perspective of how the GUITAR sounds ..I've seem many instances where beginners are returning their guitars for one reason " it doesn't sound like the demo videos I heard"...I personally feel bad for em..it could even be discouraging to some young players who saved up for a guitar and when they plug in their excitement and anticipation turns to a MAJOR LET DOWN !so please let's see some REAL HONEST TO GOD DEMOS PLEASE

[@blackrichard1029]

Why no mention of the giant dent in the top centered a bit below the pick-up switch???

[@MrObelisk2290]

Except for the color looks just like a White Falcon

[@thomasdempsey4870]

The white falcon has a 17" lower bout, this has a 16". White falcon is alot more guitar then this. White falcon has gold drum wrap binding everywhere, tv jones classic pickups, made in japan, and it's $4000. So not exactly like a white falcon, I'd say. Body is similar, that's about it.

[@reverb508]

@@thomasdempsey4870 I think you missed the part where the OP says "looks". He's right. It looks like a white falcon just like a 6120 looks like a white falcon. The single cut hollowbody Gretsch designs are all aesthetically very similar. The fact that the white falcon is $4k is irrelevant; still looks similar.

[@DanNic88]

I thought these were made in Korea?

[@BrownAlan07]

Is there anything new about these? Haven’t these been out before?

[@reverb508]

Incremental updates. Do you ask the same question when another Stratocaster comes out? Same guitar with some minor tweaks for the new model year. That's business, baby.

[@konjunto2477]

Trestle bracing, New FT 5E pickups, treble bleed on the master control it is also 1/8 of an inch thinner than the previous 5420T. Also a C shape neck instead of the standard U. Mine is the G5427 T from MF paid $719.00 + tax in Flame maple. I e-mailed Gretsch their response is that the G5427T is a special run and is identical to the new G5420T. I hope this helps.i did side by side comparison with my Grandsons Korean made G5420T. The new one is thinner looking to the eye. The New FT 5 E's are brighter than the ones on the Korean made G5420T.

[@Southernguitar74]

Yeah. They are now made in China. Screw them.

[@_o__o_]

Ace Ventura forever.

[@benlogan430]

That never gets old.

[@ThomasHope73]

Not keen on the clacky “clean” tone that John is getting. I have a Korean 2021 version, and l don’t get all those clacky sounds, because l don’t slap my right hand against the pick-ups and strings. If you have a cleaner technique it needn’t be clacky is what l’m saying, so don’t let it put you off.

[@markferguson3745]

As far as semi hollow's go, why would you choose anything other than Gretsch?I would prefer that they were made in Korea instead of the CCP, but that's politics, - not so much product quality per se. Would I pay more for a Korean made Sammick model? Yeah, - yes I would. I tried a used model in the classic orange at a local shop, and they really do look, sound, and play the part; as woth most Gretsch's I've come across, I wish the necks were a little broader and beefier, but you can't have everything .I'd say that the main competition is D'Angelico , who do offer more of the flatter, slighter fatter neck radius models.But they don't have the same pickups, and they're not quite as fully realized design wise.Comparitively clumsy and more mass produced feeling in that regard. Made me go back and watch a bunch of Cramps/ Poison Ivy videos; Rocka/ Psychobilly aren't really my thing as far as playing, but she is always fun to watch.

[@AlienGrub]

The made in china thing needs to end. I have 2 of the Korean models.

[@usnchief1339]

The big stamp on the back of the head looks like crap! Other than that, she is a beauty.

[@Guitaural.]

Thanks John...Fender/Gretsch needs to tool up and bring these back to the States, or at the very least an allied country. China made - no thanks.

[@jamesjordan4586]

It ain't mainland China dude

[@Guitaural.]

@@jamesjordan4586 Apparently it isn't Taiwan. If it's Made in China, I'm not interested. If you're into that sort of thing then it leaves more for you I guess...

[@Guitaural.]

@@djangle67 No, I avoid all products whenever possible - hopefully your implication that it's hypocritical makes you feel clever though.

[@Guitaural.]

@@djangle67 lol...it's all just my opinion man. Other people's may vary... ; )

[@Guitaural.]

@@djangle67 No worries - yeah, they show their true Communist colors occasionally. I'm old enough to remember Tiananmen Square and how they crushed those young protestors. Nobody in China now even knows it happened...unreal.

[@mickeystanic4750]

Made in Korea, I think?

[@gregoryguarneri8473]

Looks exactly the same as the last 500 gretsch releases

[@reverb508]

Were you expecting a Gretsch Flying V?

[@gregoryguarneri8473]

@@reverb508 sure! Anything. How about a change in the electronics, pickup upgrades, improvements in the neck profile. The bridges are nice traditional, intonatable bridges but they don’t feel good or transfer sound as well as the vintage ones.

[@Patrick-jo7tk]

Looks like its straight out of the 60s! by 60s I mean 1860s

[@reverb508]

1860 predates the invention of the electric guitar by about 90 years, but hey, don't let that get in the way of a mediocre joke!

[@user-tf5lg7fc9s]

@@reverb508 "aCtUaLlY" lmfao, incel

[@Patrick-jo7tk]

@@reverb508 I thought it was pretty bad old timer but ill take mediocre any day, pretty consistent with Gretsch XD XD XD

[@reverb508]

@@user-tf5lg7fc9s Jokes on you. I’m a Franciscan monk. My celibacy is quite voluntary.

[@user-tf5lg7fc9s]

@@reverb508 lmfao

[@dananthony6258]

So sad it’s made in China.

[@NiekkieNick]

These Gretsch guitars are Made in Korea I believe.

[@mkattn]

I was thinking about buying one, but I try to avoid anything that's made in China.

[@jimihendrix4376]

Has weak electronics, cheap hardware and poor QC! (no Gig Bag)

[@The170460]

made in china ?

[@frankpfau9054]

too bad it’s not made in korea or indonesia…😫

[@m4rk05R5]

Gretsch ...made in China, this is embarrassing!

[@ragingchimera8021]

Invasion of the Chinese guitars. No thanks.

[@Southernguitar74]

Chinese Electromatic....SMH...No thank you.

[@user-tf5lg7fc9s]

$800+ tax, so about $900 "affordable" "made in China" HAHAHA HAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAH AHAHAHAHAH AHHAAHAHHAH AHAHAHAH HAHAHAHAH