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Gretsch G2220 bass

#21
JohnnyB53 said:
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.
Click to expand...

Yes, the bridge appears to be identical in size and spacing to those Fender-style bridges. There's nothing wrong with this one, other than looking a little cheap or flimsy. I will probably replace it, just for aesthetic reasons, if I can get a good deal on a high mass bridge on eBay or something.
 
#22
I am really happy to hear that the bass is working for you. :cool:

Enjoy.

-- LoTone

ih8law said:
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.
Click to expand...
 
#23
So I just replaced all the pots, and tossed the pickup selector switch in favor of a second volume knob (so it is wired like a jazz bass). I noticed that when both pickups were on there was a slight volume drop. Now I can slightly roll off the bridge volume and get a fuller sound. I also added a higher mass bridge (really just for aesthetics).

Here's a clip I hastily threw together to sample the sound:

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I should note a few frustrating things that go along with these mods: First, you have to enlarge the holes in the body so that the new pots can pass through. Also, the stock knobs will not fit on CTS solid shaft pots, so you have to drill/ream out the knobs to get everything to fit right. At least it doesn't look half bad:


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#24
Hey ih8law!

Great thread you got goin' on here.
So glad you did all this.
I too have the Original single pick-up G2202 bass (and love it) and I have a question you can help with since you also have the bigger Gretsch bass.
Do you think I could fit one of the "actual" TV Jones pickups in the Junior Jet?
It looks close at least - I sent an email to TV Jones asking them - but never heard back.
Also regarding the sound of the 2 pickups - do you think it is even worth doing? Or do the Gretsch Junior Jet pickups sound the same as the TV's?

Thanks mate!
 
#26
thedane said:
Hey ih8law!

Great thread you got goin' on here.
So glad you did all this.
I too have the Original single pick-up G2202 bass (and love it) and I have a question you can help with since you also have the bigger Gretsch bass.
Do you think I could fit one of the "actual" TV Jones pickups in the Junior Jet?
It looks close at least - I sent an email to TV Jones asking them - but never heard back.
Also regarding the sound of the 2 pickups - do you think it is even worth doing? Or do the Gretsch Junior Jet pickups sound the same as the TV's?

Thanks mate!
Click to expand...

I will measure the dimensions of the pickups and cavities when I get home and will let you know if TV Jones pickups would fit in there. If I had the money to burn on new pickups I would probably put some Thunder'trons in the G2220, but that said, I think it has a character on its own that does not require a pickup replacement.
 
#27
Before I sold my G2220 to ih8law, I did look into this and based on the information available at the TV Jones' website,
a TV Jones ThunderTron pickup would fit exactly. They are the same size.

Start dreaming... :cool:

-- LoTone

thedane said:
Hey ih8law!

Great thread you got goin' on here.
So glad you did all this.
I too have the Original single pick-up G2202 bass (and love it) and I have a question you can help with since you also have the bigger Gretsch bass.
Do you think I could fit one of the "actual" TV Jones pickups in the Junior Jet?
It looks close at least - I sent an email to TV Jones asking them - but never heard back.
Also regarding the sound of the 2 pickups - do you think it is even worth doing? Or do the Gretsch Junior Jet pickups sound the same as the TV's?

Thanks mate!
Click to expand...
 
#28
Unfortunately, it's not going to be a simple plug and play switch to TV Jones Thunder'trons :( The TV Jones pickups are about 3-4 mm longer (from top to bottom) than the stock pickups. The width (side to side) is the same. The problem this presents is that while the Thundertrons will probably fit in the cavity of the G2220 without any need to route the wood, the stock pickup ring ("bezel") is simply too small.

Here's some picks to show what I'm talking about:

DSC_1352-1.jpg


This is the G2220's pickup ring on top of a Thunder'tron bridge pickup in my G5123B. It is just a little too small to clear the pickup.


DSC_1354-1.jpg


Next, the same problem arises over the neck pickup.


DSC_1357.jpg


Here's the G2220's pickup route. I measured the height at 38mm, which should accomodate the Thunder'tron.


DSC_1360.jpg


One possible solution is to get a bigger pickup ring. However, you should note that the pickup rings you can buy from TV Jones or Gretsch present a new problem: while the opening is wide enough to accomodate the Thunder'tron pickup, the outside perimeter is substantially smaller than the G2220's pickup ring (note the difference in the picture above). This means that you would have to (1) drill four new holes in your bass to fasten the new pickup ring, and (2) live with having the four existing holes for the old ring visible for all to see.

Maybe the best (however crude) solution is to simply file the G2220's pickup ring to be a little wider so it can fit over the Thunder'tron.

I hope this helps!
 
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#29
HOLY COW DUDE!
You went and started taking your babes apart just to answer my question?
You are an Officer and a Gentleman....and the Old Spice Guy....and Bob Villa all rolled into one!
Seriously - thanks Bro.
TV Jones offers a pickup ring that's bigger - I think they call it the "Gibson Style" that would cover the cavities with plenty to spare.
So I guess the overall answer is YES..this could be done.
What could I expect tone wise compared to your Thunder-Trons?
Do the TT's have a frequency response or charatcer that is different from the Gretsch pickup?
How would you describe the differences between the two?

Thanks again!
 
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#31
No problem, thedane! I'm just glad that I can help.

I really can't comment on how the Trons would be better or different than the stock pickups. The bass in which I have the 'Trons installed is a big hollowbody bass with nylon flatwound strings, so it is pretty impossible to directly compare it to my G2220 (which has nickle roundwounds on it). Personally, as I said before, it would be worth it to do if you had the money just laying around or were committed to having this be your only (or primary) bass. Otherwise, just have fun with your Gretsch as it is, since it really is a good sounding bass.
 
#33
ih8law said:
What is your opinion of the filtertron? Was it worth the cost to upgrade?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

i like it a lot. i found the tv jones pickup in the G2202 too muddy for my tastes. the filtertron was $49 on ebay so not too much cash for a slightly clearer tone. the tone now makes me smile every time i pick up the bass.

i put another filtertron in the bridge position (routing was required). here is a clip (neck pickup, both pickups, bridge pickup with labella flats):
Gretsch demo by screaminglucy on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free

see this thread for pics:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/modding-my-gretsch-electromatic-g2202-many-pics-813507/
 
#35
Thanks for the video!
Good audio quality to it - direct into the camera in some way?
Question: Would you be able to make a longer video that demonstrates the sound of the different pickup selections, and maybe alternates with the tone control set to less highs?
THAT would be the killer Junior Jet demo yet made!
 
#36
thedane said:
Thanks for the video!
Good audio quality to it - direct into the camera in some way?
Question: Would you be able to make a longer video that demonstrates the sound of the different pickup selections, and maybe alternates with the tone control set to less highs?
THAT would be the killer Junior Jet demo yet made!
Click to expand...

I can definitely give it a try, although it might not be until the weekend.
 
#37
thedane said:
Thanks for the video!
Good audio quality to it - direct into the camera in some way?
Question: Would you be able to make a longer video that demonstrates the sound of the different pickup selections, and maybe alternates with the tone control set to less highs?
THAT would be the killer Junior Jet demo yet made!
Click to expand...

Here you go!

Gretsch G2220 Electromatic Junior Jet II Bass Demo - YouTube


It goes like this:

1. Both pickups on/Tone 100%
2. Bridge Pickup Solo'd/Tone 100%
3. Neck Pickup Solo'd/Tone 100%
4. Both Pickups On/Tone 0%
5. Both Pickups On/Tone 100%
 
#40
I have a question: is the neck pickup on the new models closer to the neck than the older models?

I loved the way the older single pickup model sounded, and played it at my Guitar Center back when they stocked one. Punchy and very P like.

It looks from pics that the newer models have the neck pickup closer to the neck, which would change the characteristic sound of the bass. The older ones were really punchy, and moving the neck pickup up would make it less punchy and more thumpy.

Anyone with experience with both?
 

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