Gretsch adds guitars, bass to Electromatic Series

(Dave Molter | Posted 2011-09-17)

Gretsch guitars leapt into the public consciousness when George Harrison played his Country Gentleman during the Beatles' first appearance on the "Ed Sullivan Show" in 1964. In fact, it's reported that on the following Monday, US music stores were flooded with calls about Gretsch, Hofner and Rickenbacker guitars (and Ludwig drums). Over the years, Gretsch fell out of favor with guitarists, but there's been a resurgence lately because Gretsch is being used by high- profile players like Brian Setzer, David Byrne, Colin Melloy of the Decemberists and Brian Ray, who plays guitar and bass with Paul McCartney.

Within the past year, Gretsch has released commemorative editions of the Duo jet played by Harrison on the "Please Please Me" album, and now the company has announced the release of several new Electromatic Series guitars and basses. The additions to the immensely popular Electromatic collection take on a new voice and identity while resonating true to the unmistakable Gretsch sound. The series adds nine new models, including two basses and two left-handed guitars.

New to the series are the Black G5445T and Gold G5448T Double Jet™ (pictured at top) models. These double-cutaway guitars have a chambered basswood body and an arched maple top; a two-tone body color scheme; dual “Black Top” Filter’Tron™ pickups and a Bigsby® B50 tailpiece. Other features include a 12” radius rosewood fingerboard with 22 medium jumbo frets and “Hump-Block” inlays; three-position pickup toggle switch; anchored Adjusto-Matic™ bridge, G-arrow knobs and a white pearloid Gretsch-logo pickguard. MSRP: $1,000 USD

The Cherry G5103 (pictured) and Black G5105 CVT III guitars offer a slim design with a thundering sound. These sonically stellar models sport the original Gretsch “CVT” thin-profile mahogany body design; a bolt-on maple neck that joins the body at the 18th fret, and three Gretsch mini dual-coil pickups that sound hi-fi rich and high-gain friendly. Additional features include three-position pickup toggle switch; 12” radius rosewood fingerboard with 22 medium jumbo frets; G-arrow knobs and anchored Adjusto-Matic™ bridge with stop tailpiece. MSRP: $600

The series also welcomes the Junior Jet™ Bass. “The Great Gretsch Sound” rings true with this solid body bass equipped with classic Gretsch appointments capable of filling a room with massive subsonic tones. Features include a 30.3” scale neck; Gretsch mini dual-coil pickup; 12”-radius rosewood fingerboard with 20 medium jumbo frets; four-saddle bridge and a black Gretsch-logo pickguard. This model is available in Black and Tobacco Sunburst finishes.

Also new to the collection are the Two-Tone Sunburst G5434, Black G5435 and Gold G5438 Pro Jet™ models. These chambered, single cutaway classics, also available in left-handed models (G5435LH and G5434LH), have an arched maple top; a 12” radius rosewood fingerboard with 22 medium jumbo frets and “Hump Block” inlays; three-position pickup toggle switch; anchored Adjusto-Matic™ bridge and stop tailpiece; G-arrow knobs and white pearloid Gretsch-logo pickguard. MSRP: Pro Jet with Bigsby $1,000 USD w/o Bigsby, $850

For more information, and to locate a dealer near you, visit www.gretschguitars.com.

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