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Surprise at G.C. (Gretsch Junior Jet)

Blue Moose

Blue Moose

Oct 8, 2009
492
628
#1
I've been patiently looking for a lighter option to replace my '75 Jazz as my #1 gig bass, or a short scale to use in rotation. After playing a couple of Fenders and a Hofner yesterday, I saw a Junior Jet in the corner and decided to give it a spin.

Man, I was blown away by that thing. Being a long time Gretsch guitar owner, I expected it to have some cool vibes, but I was surprised by the quality feel for a $300 bass. Solid but not heavy. I found myself liking everything about it, particularly the tone with both pickup on and tone rolled back.

We do a lot of British invasion material so a short scale with flats makes sonic sense, and this seems a lot more versatile than the Hofner Club I've been considering. Anybody out there using one of these little guys as a #1 gig bass?
 
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#2
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I just bought one today. Sunburst. I played it acoustically for about an hour and will play it again before bed. I’m not going to plug it into my amp until tomorrow evening when I can have a couple beers and really relax. Good vibes for my first plug-in (silly tradition, but it’s what I do).

It’s such a solid bass. Really fun to play. The walnut fretboard is super cool. You don’t see that very often. I can’t wait to hear what it sounds like. I only have the stock strings, but that’s fine. I’ll play it like that for a while.

Such a good value for the money. It feels much more expensive than other basses that are $300. The knobs and everything are solid, stylish, and tight (in a good way). No flimsy BS like on a lot of cheap basses.

I’m committed to leaving this one alone (I have a mod addiction). I’m not going to modify this one. Just strings.
 
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#3
Congrats! I went back to GC on Labor Day and bought the one I'd played earlier. Zero buyer's remorse on this one. My intention was to a mod the heck out of it but really can't find anything I want to change other than the tuners. Sweet bass...our honeymoon is still in full swing. Give us a report when you plug in tomorrow.
 
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#4
What are your ideas for tuners? I thought about that too (but only if they drop in). I don’t want to do any cutting, boring, etc. I already have two basses in various stages of modification, and this one I promised myself I wouldn’t do that (except strings, of course, and drop in tuners should be fine). Were you thinking like clovers or lollipops?
 
#5
Not sure. Probably the import licensed Hipshot clovers, I just need to make sure they're straight drop ins as you mentioned. I also need to replace the output jack. The cord keeps coming out with the slightest pull. Tried bending the arm to make it tighter but the cord still comes out occasionally. I saw somebody else on here complaining about that so it must be fairly common. Oh, and I ordered an ashtray bridge cover just for the bling factor. Other than that I'm leaving this bad boy alone.
 
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#7
Blue Moose said:
Not sure. Probably the import licensed Hipshot clovers, I just need to make sure they're straight drop ins as you mentioned. I also need to replace the output jack. The cord keeps coming out with the slightest pull. Tried bending the arm to make it tighter but the cord still comes out occasionally. I saw somebody else on here complaining about that so it must be fairly common. Oh, and I ordered an ashtray bridge cover just for the bling factor. Other than that I'm leaving this bad boy alone.
Click to expand...

I had such a busy weekend (scheduled for me by family) that I didn’t get a chance to be alone with my bass and amp. Therefore, I’m doing a Ferris Bueller tomorrow so I can be alone and finally jam it out a bunch. I have 111 sick days saved up, so why not!
 
#8
Blue Moose said:
Not sure. Probably the import licensed Hipshot clovers, I just need to make sure they're straight drop ins as you mentioned. I also need to replace the output jack. The cord keeps coming out with the slightest pull. Tried bending the arm to make it tighter but the cord still comes out occasionally. I saw somebody else on here complaining about that so it must be fairly common. Oh, and I ordered an ashtray bridge cover just for the bling factor. Other than that I'm leaving this bad boy alone.
Click to expand...

The licensed Hipshot tuners would look really cool on one of these - I replaced the Y tuning keys (like the stock ones on the Gretsch) on my Jay Turser Beatle Bass copy - the 3/8 version dropped right in without any modification. Work and look great - I vote go for it!
 
#14
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With all the reviews I read before purchasing the Gretsch, the only consistent negative I read was that the cord slips out of the jack easily. And they were right.

I designed and 3D printed this gizmo and it works great. I had to find some slightly longer wood screws, and at some point I’d like to make it more compact and perhaps get it made in chrome steel. But for now it anchors the cord quite well. I also need to get some black screws instead of those two ugly ones.
 
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#17
Fairmont said:
View attachment 4429367 View attachment 4429366 With all the reviews I read before purchasing the Gretsch, the only consistent negative I read was that the cord slips out of the jack easily. And they were right.

I designed and 3D printed this gizmo and it works great. I had to find some slightly longer wood screws, and at some point I’d like to make it more compact and perhaps get it made in chrome steel. But for now it anchors the cord quite well. I also need to get some black screws instead of those two ugly ones.
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That thing is a great idea. I bet you could sell them if you made extras.
I think that ABS printings can be sanded and rubbed with acetone to get a smooth surface
 
#18
Fairmont said:
View attachment 4429367 View attachment 4429366 With all the reviews I read before purchasing the Gretsch, the only consistent negative I read was that the cord slips out of the jack easily. And they were right.

I designed and 3D printed this gizmo and it works great. I had to find some slightly longer wood screws, and at some point I’d like to make it more compact and perhaps get it made in chrome steel. But for now it anchors the cord quite well. I also need to get some black screws instead of those two ugly ones.
Click to expand...
That's cool and clever and all that, but why not just replace the jack?
 
#19
Can't you just bend the tip part of the Jack a little so it exerts more pressure on the plug?

A friend left one of these basses with me, and I'm astonished at the sound and playability of these bottom-dollar basses. The only possible issue is that it's really heavy.
 

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