Gretsch Gin Rickey: 2 Year Review!

[@JackFossett]

Thanks for watching everyone! Remember to like and subscribe, and check out my personal gear recommendations on my webpage! www.jackfossett.com/gear-recommendations

[@dciccoritti]

incredibly tasteful playing.

[@cheeseburgerbae5272]

PLEASE do a Gin Rickey vs Jim Dandy review! I can’t decide which to get 😅

[@frankfarklesberry]

Hey @JackFossett , have you considered installing a nice ebony tailpiece to take the tension off of the bridge? I think it would look good!

[@xodarap37]

I just added a chrome resonator tailpiece to my Jim Dandy, along with the Deltoluxe pickup, placed closer to the neck, and the tailpiece adds a crispness and twang that makes it sound like a resonator somewhat... also, really really loud....

[@TheRealTush]

Damn, now you got me back on the path of wanting either a Gin Rickey or a Jim Dandy, or what the heck why not both 😁 In regards to the way you describe evaluating keeping or selling a cheap guitar, is exactly how I evaluate mine. If I enjoy owning or playing them more than whatever money I would get from selling them, then I'd rather just keep them. Actually come to think of it, that's really how I evaluate all my guitars, amps or pedals. Selling a piece of gear also needs to not be a hassle, and if you are enjoying using it, why sell it? I personally rarely sell a piece of gear too, but I guess that's just the hoarder in me 😉 The price point you can get them at in Europe makes both the Dandy and the Rickey a no-brainer. And I have noticed that they are fairly rare in the used market too, which tells me, that a lot of people are thinking the same as you. Which is something I personally always look for in a "cheap" /budget instrument. Because if people don't sell something, it's because they like it enough to keep it. Unless they are total mules, and people are trashing them, but I don't think that's the case here.

[@JimMorrisonsBathtub]

My two wood acoustic guitars are Stellas (a 6 and a 12 string) from the late 60s/early 70s and I got them for all the same reasons you're talking about here. They were cheap and have a great sound to them that I'd still want even if I had a more expensive acoustic guitar. If I didn't already have the Stellas I'd have a Jim Dandy.

[@barbmelle3136]

From Leo: I have seen plenty of big body Jazz box guitars with Flatwound strings, but you are the first I have seen use them on a Parlor size. You are great at playing a wide variety of instruments and styles. Good to know about the new String set, Traditionally I have been buying a heavy gauge Flatwound set, throwing away the thickest string and adding a plain third string. It will be nice to buy them already packaged.

[@homeboyjon4885]

I appreciate this video so much!! I have a Jim Dandy and I love playing it. I can’t say why, but it brings joy. And it does sound like a cheap guitar, by design. This led me to getting another little acoustic which sounds better, but isn’t as much fun. I also am having the warping on the top under the bridge. I got a dobro tailpiece and I thinks it’s relaxing a bit. Great vid!

[@atomgroup3179]

I think it’s exactly because it has such a small body body, the high end sounds are mostly killed, leaving the midrange to be focused on.

[@roblynch6665]

Can i ask which dobro tailpiece you got please, or is there just the one type?

[@jazzalmenasmusic]

Funny, I was planning to buy this one with a set of flatwounds, and you did exactly that! Thanks!!!!!

[@r0de0]

Thank you for this excellent review. I have the GR, JD, and a couple of Americana's.

[@JackFossett]

Awesome! I have the same - I have one of the Roots Collection acoustics that wound up being discontinued. Would love to see those make a comeback.

[@nellayema2455]

The bridge is pulling up on my Gin Rickey, too.

[@timelwell7002]

This sounds geat with the faltwound strings. It's good to 'think outside the box' sometimes - in this case with a really good result.

[@oneszeros1]

Personally went the mod route with a Dandy ... drilled headstock for Grover tuners, dobro style tail piece and a Guitar Madness retro DelRay gold foil with a couple more holes for vol and tone pots. Mounting the pickup in the soundhole I used 2 very small nut and bolts ... nut on top face of guitar and then a dremel grind of the excess bolt and a dab of clear nail polish for good hold as well as same for the jack ... pickup install was very very fiddly as there aint much room left over at all for a finger to push a bolt up and through but the result was well worth it. I have 4 high end electrics but this thing always gets time for a solid playing.

[@alastair6356]

I have a limited addition Jim Dandy had three issues with it, a dead note on the 12 fret which needed fret levelling, the tuning machines where dreadful as the guitar was drifting in and out of tune. I replaced them with Wilkinson tuning machines on the bar to give it a authentic look and accurate tuning. The action was also to high, which I took down. The guitar now sounds amazing and plays really well now. Gretsch has a great product hear , I love the chocolate brown fret board and big button markers but I think with better quality control and better tuning machines they could improve this instrument without adding to the cost. I would also add that it's a great guitar for alternative tunings slide and travel. 🤩👍

[@008kdawg]

Nice Review! I have a GR... one of the best kept secrets among acoustic / electric guitars!

[@glendoggett9670]

Is the Deltoluxe Soundhole Pickup a single coil or a humbucker? JLD Bridge Doctor will keep the bridge in place.

[@BreadLightPray_EWFMgtr]

single coil w/five alnico magnets

[@timothyawoodphdpe]

So I picked up a Gin Rickey and strung it with EB Flatwounds. Love the sound and feel! Any recommendations on how to address the intonation issues associated with changing string gages? I've always had electric guitars with adjustable saddles before now...

[@belmontbutty4143]

Nice review. Especially good info on the nut width - the extra width that increases string spacing would really help fingerstyle. How are the machine heads? Are they keepers or would you swap them out?

[@JackFossett]

I actually haven't had any trouble with the tuners on either the Jim Dandy or Gin Rickey. They're holding up and stay in tune surprisingly well.

[@graemero5532]

I'm not an acoustic guy at all, but you play it well Jack 👍🏻

[@pepecardenasmusic4226]

Wich preamp are you using? I had to and a ground cable to mine yo Fox ground noise. When I use it live I have to increase the gain a lot and still sounds quiet

[@SuperEvan2005]

On mine the fret tips are a little sharp. Does anyone else notice this? 🤔 thank you

[@goodtimefolkrock]

A&L Roadhouse parlor costs a little more but is superior in every way......and north American made.

[@goodtimefolkrock]

Steel reinforced neck = no truss rod

[@jackpijjin4088]

= Exactly the same system Martin used into the 70s.

[@goodtimefolkrock]

@@jackpijjin4088 ...and?

[@xodarap37]

That's funny, because just today I took a little belly out of my JD's neck, with an allen key, but the adjustment is inside the soundhole, not on the headstock... plays like an electric now, with acoustic strings...

[@musicmatty67]

All this was looking good until you said the nut was fuckd’ and the bridge is suspect. The old Gretch were nice guitars before they sold out.

[@jasondorsey7110]

I had 2 junior jet basses, one of which was pre-fender, and they were both junk...took a chance on the double cutaway hollowbody when they were still $900 and it's been worth every penny, so I suppose you get what you pay for

[@patricklemire9278]

The Arkansas years?