New Gretsch Electromatic Hollowbody bass? - Page 31

Jefenator · #**601** 01-07-2013, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ih8law

I'm thinking of adding a pickguard to my G5123B. Gretsch doesn't sell pickguards for these, so I'd have to make one myself using something similar as a template. I made a mockup using a piece of mirrored vinyl I found at Walmart, based on a modified tracing of the PG from my G5120 guitar:

Before I start making a real pickguard or drilling holes I thought I'd ask for a few opinions here first. Any thoughts?

Looks like you're on the right track. The Broadkaster bass (spelt with the K like that if you're Googling) might also give you some inspiration.

Oh, and what do you know, just found the link:

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/b...rd_gretsch.htm

Jefenator · #**602** 01-07-2013, 02:03 AM

18 months in, my 5123 has become a long-term keeper! It has become a go-to, not just for the Rockabilly trio but also for a Salsa band and various Jazz casuals. (And it can crash most other parties I take it to as well.)

A friend sat in with it a few weeks ago and liked it so much he went out and bought one of his own! Crazy stuff...

Jefenator · #**603** 01-13-2013, 11:33 PM

Turns out my friend who bought his own Gretsch after trying mine (first electric bass purchase of his since 1979) really got a Broadkaster on eBay. I went over today with my 5123 and we compared the two. All that extra money for the MIJ Broadkaster gets you:

Bound f-holes and a pickguard - the 5123 looks a bit plain by comparison
Better tuners, bridge & pots
Some nice flame in the neck wood that goes all the way through the headstock (no cheesy angled joint near the head)
Narrower nut and slightly shallower body - and of course shorter scale

The Broadkaster seems like a solid little gem, a little more classy-looking if that's a priority.

It was hard to compare them sonically because my friend's bass had the original round wound strings and mine had broken-in Pyramid Gold flats!

Best I could tell, playing action and and amplified sound seemed like a tie. (The Broadkaster did have a punchier presence with the neck pickup that could be due to any number of things...)

I wouldn't mind trading up, except I really do prefer the medium (as opposed to short) scale.

joebar · #**604** 01-13-2013, 11:55 PM

i bought a gretsch electromatic this summer (G 5420T) guitar, mind you
made in korea
brand new with filtertron PU`s and bigsby
awesome attention to detail and build quality is spot on
compared to an epi dot and an epi swingstar, it killed both of them for fit and finish and execution.
with the trons, it sounds like the real thing-i cannot play guitar well enough for it to matter anyways...

astack · #**605** 01-14-2013, 12:05 AM

Saw two lonely Gretschs at the Emeryville GC this weekend. I think they've been sitting there for quite some time up in the corner...

supakneegrow · #**606** 02-08-2013, 06:52 AM

i also have a road runner for my G5123b. just got it yesterday, so far so good, but i worry about the handle a little. anyone have any issues with it yet?

Pilgrim · #**607** 02-08-2013, 05:10 PM

No issues with the Road Runner case after more than a year here.

I used my 5123 at practice the other day and frankly wasn't pleased with it...the sound got lost in the mix. I recently installed my favorite Labella Deep Talkin' flats and I wasn't getting good note definition.

Next time I play in a mix, I'm going to boost the mids and highs a bit to see if that helps. If it doesn't, I think I'll re-install the rounds for a while. LOVE the bass, just need a bit more note definition.

ih8law · #**608** 02-10-2013, 08:30 AM

Pilgrim: do you think that a pedal like a EHX Steel Leather expander would help? Maybe a Boss LM3 with the enhancer level cranked? I've never used a pedal like that with a bass strung with flats, but on paper it seems like it might work.

Pilgrim · #**609** 02-10-2013, 12:45 PM

I'd rather work directly with the EQ on the bass and the amp. I'm not big on pedals to solve basic problems. I keep a TU-2 tuner, an overdrive and a reverb pedal and that's it.

If EQ doesn't do it, I'll put roundwounds back on it for a brighter sound.

Pilgrim · #**610** 03-18-2013, 02:55 PM

Hey gents....does anyone still have the original rounds on their 5123? I'd like to know the color of the silks on them.

I tried Labella flats on mine and thought I lost too much definition on the notes. I re-installed a set of rounds I had - they have all black silks - I was wondering if I managed to re-install the OEM strings.

Jeff K · #**611** 03-18-2013, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jefenator

Turns out my friend who bought his own Gretsch after trying mine (first electric bass purchase of his since 1979) really got a Broadkaster on eBay. I went over today with my 5123 and we compared the two. All that extra money for the MIJ Broadkaster gets you:

Bound f-holes and a pickguard - the 5123 looks a bit plain by comparison
Better tuners, bridge & pots
Some nice flame in the neck wood that goes all the way through the headstock (no cheesy angled joint near the head)
Narrower nut and slightly shallower body - and of course shorter scale

The Broadkaster seems like a solid little gem, a little more classy-looking if that's a priority.

It was hard to compare them sonically because my friend's bass had the original round wound strings and mine had broken-in Pyramid Gold flats!

Best I could tell, playing action and and amplified sound seemed like a tie. (The Broadkaster did have a punchier presence with the neck pickup that could be due to any number of things...)

I wouldn't mind trading up, except I really do prefer the medium (as opposed to short) scale.

The other difference between the two is scale length. My Broadkaster had a 30.5" scale, whereas the 5123 has a 32" scale if I'm not mistaken.