Gretsch G2220 bass

[slowburnaz]

So, has anyone had the chance to play one of these yet?

Gretsch G2220



I remember really liking the older single-pickup model. Very fun to play, and a really cool tone. So of course I'm dying to hear what the addition of the second pickup is gonna sound like.

[mpdd]

curious about the same thing

[ebonalley]

Reminds me of the short-lived Ibby ARTB100. I'll give a tip of the hat to the Ibby for looks but the pup positioning on the Gretsch looks like it offers a better thumb rest.

[ih8law]

Subscribed!

I love the single pickup model Gretsch makes. I mean, I was blown away by how much sound that little guy could put out. Does this two pickup model use the same TV Jones-designed pickups?

[Jawbone]

I've been looking at this bad boy - looks really cool considering it's a short scale and the price is right!

Never ever played a short scale before, is it more difficult?

[Bongolation]

Originally Posted by ih8law

Does this two pickup model use the same TV Jones-designed pickups?

No TV Jones anything listed in the link's spec sheet.

I don't remember the old single pickup ones having them either.

Those things used to be dirt cheap. I bet these are twice as much.

[slowburnaz]

Originally Posted by Bongolation

No TV Jones anything listed in the link's spec sheet.

I don't remember the old single pickup ones having them either.

Those things used to be dirt cheap. I bet these are twice as much.

Well, MF has them listed for $334.99:
G2220

[Bongolation]

Originally Posted by slowburnaz

Well, MF has them listed for $334.99

Well, that's more or less twice as much as the old ones.

GC used to have them for $199.99 every day a few years ago, and every sale seemed to have them at $149.99. CL used price here was around a hundred bucks.

[mazareth]

From the MF website:

G2202 - "TV Jones designed Gretsch mini-humbucker"

G2220 - "Gretsch® mini humbucking bridge pickup
Gretsch® mini humbucking neck pickup"

I own the single pickup G2202. As several have already mentioned, it's a great pickup. With both of these basses being in Gretsch's budget line, I don't see them using different pickups.

There's also a G2210 with a sunburst finish. Aside from that, and what looks to be a narrower headstock, it looks to be the same bass as the G2202. It's $30 more. Maybe that's the sunburst finish. The pickup shecs are the same: "Gretsch® mini humbucking pickup."

If I didn't have the G2202, I'd be interested in the G2220. Looking forward to reading the reviews...

[LoTone]

I got my G2220 bass today from Music123. I used to own a G2202.

On the G2202, the pickups were stellar; powerful and full sounding.

My G2220 sounds awful. The pickups hiss and hum like crazy. I will keep it because it has a nice, straight and comfortable neck but I will replace the pickups and the lowly Fender bridge.

I suspect that the hiss/hum comes from cheesy wiring and/or pots.

Also, the bass comes with long scale D'Addario Nickelwound strings. Our Chinese brethren did not even bother installing short scale strings on it.

Not a disaster but more of a project.

-- LoTone

[ack]

I think Pilgrim owns one of these...

[ack]

sorry, my bad - he has the 1222 - double pickup model

[ih8law]

Originally Posted by LoTone

I got my G2220 bass today from Music123. I used to own a G2202.

On the G2202, the pickups were stellar; powerful and full sounding.

My G2220 sounds awful. The pickups hiss and hum like crazy. I will keep it because it has a nice, straight and comfortable neck but I will replace the pickups and the lowly Fender bridge.

I suspect that the hiss/hum comes from cheesy wiring and/or pots.

Also, the bass comes with long scale D'Addario Nickelwound strings. Our Chinese brethren did not even bother installing short scale strings on it.

Not a disaster but more of a project.

-- LoTone

Did you try messing around or fixing the wiring on this yet? I'm really curious to hear or read a first hand review of one of these basses in action.

Thanks!

[LoTone]

Originally Posted by ih8law

Did you try messing around or fixing the wiring on this yet? I'm really curious to hear or read a first hand review of one of these basses in action.

Thanks!

No, I have not. I usually let my luthier deal with stuff like that. I just might have got one bad unit in a batch of good ones?

All I know, is that mine is definitely subpar compared to the G2202 I had previously.

I have been looking for replacement pickups and found a number of options. I am at a point where I am pondering whether to invest money to fix it to my taste or getting rid of it.

I am leaning more toward getting rid of it right now...

-- LoTone

[ih8law]

I think I'm going to have to bump this thread every month or so until someone posts a substantive review of these new Gretsch Junior Jets. I can't believe none of the big guitar store websites have any reviews yet (nor does even Amazon or Youtube). I still haven't seen one at Guitar Center, so I haven't been able to try it out yet.

Anybody here have any insight on the G2220s yet?

Thanks!

[LoTone]

Here is an update on the G2220.

I have adjusted the height of the pickups and it did improve the loudness of the pickups.

Also, I have replaced the strings with a set of d'Addario Chromes flatwound strings and again, it did improve the sound tremendously.

However, I still feel that the previous version, the G2202, was a better instrument.

If you want to buy mine, PM me and I will sell it to you cheap.

-- LoTone

[ih8law]

Originally Posted by LoTone

Here is an update on the G2220.

I have adjusted the height of the pickups and it did improve the loudness of the pickups.

Also, I have replaced the strings with a set of d'Addario Chromes flatwound strings and again, it did improve the sound tremendously.

However, I still feel that the previous version, the G2202, was a better instrument.

If you want to buy mine, PM me and I will sell it to you cheap.

-- LoTone

So I ended up buying LoTone's bass since he gave me such a generous offer (thanks!). Here are my first impressions:

The weak link on this bass is the cheap pickup selector switch. When I first plugged it in, it was in the center position (both pickups on) and had very low output. When I flicked the switch to solo the neck pickup, I heard a little crackle and pop, and the output nearly doubled. I took the control cavity cover off and examined the switch. Sure enough, it is pretty flimsy in design. I just ordered a higher end Gretsch selector switch with solid lugs and internal mechanisms. I'm also going to replace the two pots while I'm at it. I do this with most basses I buy anyway, so this is nothing to special or out of the ordinary for me.

When I got the switch to cooperate and pass along a good, clear signal, I really liked what I heard. The bass has some pretty impressive sounds. My favorite aspect to this model, however, is the smooth-as-glass neck (!). It is truly a joy to play.

I'll make a short demo/review as soon as I get the new pots and switch installed so everyone can hear what this sounds like. Right now, my opinion is that this bass is a good buy if you are comfortable changing out a couple of cheap parts.

[ih8law]

The tobacco burst finish is kind of hard to really judge from the Guitar Center and Gretsch websites. Here are some pics that may help you decide whether or not you want it over the plain black finish that is also available:



I'm a recent Gretsch convert, so here's a family picture while I'm at it.















IMO, I really like the burst finish. That said, I wish that the burst continued into the upper-left arm instead of tapered into the teardrop shape. That's just a little nit on my part, though. The bottom line is that the true burst color is much more lively than the dull brown depicted on the retailers' websites.

[JohnnyB53]

Is that basically a Fender style bridge on that Junior? If so, you could really soup it up with a Babicz Full Contact bridge, which is a drop-in replacement for the Fender.

[barroso]

intriguing...