Has Gretsch been lying to us for over a decade?

[mrperkolator]

Is anyone else watching the video multiple times just to help the algorithm?

 

[flipper_gv]

Looks like Gretsch ordered "humbucker-style" pickups from a supplier thinking they would get actual humbuckers and not simply pickups that look like humbuckers.
Definitely sounds like miscommunication between brand and supplier, thinking they did it on purpose to save a couple of dollars is not reasonable IMO. Big brands like Fender or Gretsch have too much to lose to do stuff like that, especially in the days of the internet.
I doubt a ton of engineering goes into low end models like these and just make a bass "by the numbers".

 

[truand85]

Looks like Gretsch ordered "humbucker-style" pickups from a supplier thinking they would get actual humbuckers and not simply pickups that look like humbuckers.
Definitely sounds like miscommunication between brand and supplier, thinking they did it on purpose to save a couple of dollars is not reasonable IMO. Big brands like Fender or Gretsch have too much to lose to do stuff like that, especially in the days of the internet.
I doubt a ton of engineering goes into low end models like these and just make a bass "by the numbers".

Isn't Gretsch owned by Fender at this point? I think they own all rights to everything.

 

[flipper_gv]

I guess Gretsch is still a specific "entity" in the company still. It's not like they share a ton of parts between both brands.

 

[Kev1955]

I think there is a definite mistake in the labeling of the Bass that needs to be rcognized and fixed by the manufacturers. I guess I am not as outraged as others because I purchased it knowing I wanted the Basic platform, and was going to modify it to my specs. I wanted to make an inexpensive version of the Gretsch Thunderjet and am pretty happy with the results. Will be interesting to see if anything comes of this and what?
Have a great weekend everyone.

 

[Crawforde]

I’ll have to get some of that paper just because it’s cool. I’d also like to check and see if I have two pickups wound in opposite directions and that’s why it’s quiet.
if so, that may negate the accidental mixup excuse.
I like my Gretsch JJand mine is quiet so I feel lucky.

 

[mrperkolator]

I guess I am not as outraged as others because I purchased it knowing I wanted the Basic platform, and was going to modify it to my specs.

I purchased it thinking it was humbucking, and I liked the sound/tone. I still like the sound, but I've struggled with it since owning it to reign in the noise. I wouldn't mind upgrading, and I've planned several variations in my head, but ultimately I've not had the money and time. I'd make a guess that many who buy this bass may be in similar situations given the price point, and not able to return/modify a bass that they thought had humbuckers.

 

[B-Mac]

Looks like Gretsch ordered "humbucker-style" pickups from a supplier thinking they would get actual humbuckers and not simply pickups that look like humbuckers.
Definitely sounds like miscommunication between brand and supplier, thinking they did it on purpose to save a couple of dollars is not reasonable IMO. Big brands like Fender or Gretsch have too much to lose to do stuff like that, especially in the days of the internet.
I doubt a ton of engineering goes into low end models like these and just make a bass "by the numbers".

So much for the QC department, which these bigger companies usually have to check on the imports once they come in before they go out to retailers. Since Gretsch is part of FMIC, though albeit more independent, I’d think they have a QC department where there’re paying USA employees to do a specific task.

 

[flipper_gv]

So much for the QC department, which these bigger companies usually have to check on the imports once they come in before they go out to retailers. Since Gretsch is part of FMIC, though albeit more independent, I’d think they have a QC department where there’re paying USA employees to do a specific task.

If I'm right and they just didn't receive what they thought they ordered, it's still a big error on them to not notice in 10 YEARS that they weren't installing dual coils all this time.

 

[evdebs]

@LowEndLobster How much increase in cost would it be for them to be true humbuckers? I feel like they would know the price and question how they're getting them so cheap. And even if it was higher, I'm sure lots of people would gladly pay $400 for this bass. Is $300 some optimal price point?

 

[Kev1955]

I purchased it thinking it was humbucking, and I liked the sound/tone. I still like the sound, but I've struggled with it since owning it to reign in the noise. I wouldn't mind upgrading, and I've planned several variations in my head, but ultimately I've not had the money and time. I'd make a guess that many who buy this bass may be in similar situations given the price point, and not able to return/modify a bass that they thought had humbuckers.

Yeah, I get you absolutely, like I say, be interesting to see what comes of it

 

[SleepyShark]

Thanks for the great video, @LowEndLobster !

Hopefully this gets acknowledged soon.

 

[B-Mac]

If I'm right and they just didn't receive what they thought they ordered, it's still a big error on them to not notice in 10 YEARS that they weren't installing dual coils all this time.

?
Preaching to the choir dude.
My comment was about the ineptness of their QC department.

Just having 2 pups as bridge pups is something that should have been addressed let alone the humbucker/single coil snafu

 

[blackat]

LowEndLobster- If you don't get a satisfactory response from Fender/Gretsch I am certain they wouldn't ignore the FTC. ReportFraud.ftc.gov Good work BTW.

 

[SlinkyMonkey]

If I'm right and they just didn't receive what they thought they ordered, it's still a big error on them to not notice in 10 YEARS that they weren't installing dual coils all this time.

I mean it doesn't matter if it's the fault of the pickups' supplier. It's the Gretsch logo on the headstock. It's their product after all, and they mess it up in a significant way.

Last time I checked, calling it one thing and selling something else is seriously illegal. It's not like it's in some ethically grey area; it's just wrong.

 

[LBS-bass]

Looks like Gretsch ordered "humbucker-style" pickups from a supplier thinking they would get actual humbuckers and not simply pickups that look like humbuckers.
Definitely sounds like miscommunication between brand and supplier, thinking they did it on purpose to save a couple of dollars is not reasonable IMO. Big brands like Fender or Gretsch have too much to lose to do stuff like that, especially in the days of the internet.
I doubt a ton of engineering goes into low end models like these and just make a bass "by the numbers".

Yes, and nobody there can read because the lack of difference between "bridge" and "neck" on the labels (with both labeled "bridge" on every example so far) was not apparent to anyone?

 

[mrperkolator]

Yes, and nobody there can read because the lack of difference between "bridge" and "neck" on the labels (with both labeled "bridge" on every example so far) was not apparent to anyone?

I'm not trying to be funny. Perhaps they dont read english in the factory.

 

[LBS-bass]

I'm not trying to be funny. Perhaps they dont read english in the factory.

You could be correct about that. But even chance would have us at 50/50 odds of one of them being labeled "neck," right? Yet "bridge" is all we've seen. If they're just pulling random parts out of a big bin, why aren't there two different bins? And if they're pulling them all from one big bin, we ought to be seeing some neck ones.

 

[Wood and Wire]

Video is up. Hoping that this gets some traction and that Fender provides a response. This is just plain wrong.

Before watching the video, I was going to suggest perhaps adding a question mark after the word fraud, just in case it was libellous.

Having now watched the video, it's hard to defend against the points you've raised (and inevitably their defence will be a "typo" on the website, and an apology for any misunderstanding).


Anyway, just wanted to say I love the moment when your cat comes in, and starts playing with your g-string...

 

[Adagietto]

?
My comment was about the ineptness of their QC department.

Just having 2 pups as bridge pups is something that should have been addressed let alone the humbucker/single coil snafu

To me this does not sound like ineptness (and I'm not criticizing your use of the term). It has earmarks of willful decisions.