Updated Gretsch Baritone / Bass VI

[PianoOfDoom]

I really enjoy this instrument. The original pickups are pretty cool IMO. I felt the need for a little more low end when I switched over to VI strings and also a little more chime or ring in the highs. I ended up taking it up to Redlands/Nordstrands to their pretty amazing tech Mo install some TVJones pickups Brian Setzer in the Bridge and a Thunder Blade in the neck. Very clear lows and highs. Sounds really nice I think but I do miss the original tone as well. Mo Installed a quick swap pickup connection so I can easily put them back in. Also had a tone drop he makes installed to provide even more flexibility. I am really liking this! View attachment 4176061

I know this is an old post, but…

Do you know if the pickguard had to be modified to fit the neck mounting plates? It doesn’t look like there is any space to spare on mine. That’s the EM-2 adapter?

Also, does anyone know of a pickup upgrade that drops in without adapters? It looks like the Dearmond size is almost right, but not quite.

I find the stock pickups are mostly nice,
but tend to “clog up” on the low E. Like it’s too much bass for them to handle, so there is no bandwidth left for the sparkle.

 

[msb]

I recently picked up the earlier 5265T . Waiting for fresh strings to arrive , ordered baritone strings , I’ve been tuning AtoA .
Gotta say I’m having as much fun with this as the Squier VI .

 

[northbynorth]

Another update to pickups

 

[northbynorth]

I know this is an old post, but…

Do you know if the pickguard had to be modified to fit the neck mounting plates? It doesn’t look like there is any space to spare on mine. That’s the EM-2 adapter?

Also, does anyone know of a pickup upgrade that drops in without adapters? It looks like the Dearmond size is almost right, but not quite.

I find the stock pickups are mostly nice,
but tend to “clog up” on the low E. Like it’s too much bass for them to handle, so there is no bandwidth left for the sparkle.

Even with better pickups I prefer tone tuning A to A. I had same feelings about E.

 

[PianoOfDoom]

Even with better pickups I prefer tone tuning A to A. I had same feelings about E.

It looks from the last pic that your tech is cutting the pickguard to accommodate the adapters, even the neck.

I'm not giving up on the VI tuning. Listening back to recordings I made so far, the E string sounds great in context - I'm probably scrutinizing it too much in isolation. Raising the neck pickup helped A LOT, as did putting on a roller bridge. The tone between strings evened out quite a bit after that.

 

[PianoOfDoom]

Has anyone tried the StringJoy 24-90 set for VI tuning? I have their 26-95 set on there now, and am curious if the tone is substantially different. It takes me about three weeks to get a set delivered to Japan, so gotta ask first...

 

[northbynorth]

It looks from the last pic that your tech is cutting the pickguard to accommodate the adapters, even the neck.

I'm not giving up on the VI tuning. Listening back to recordings I made so far, the E string sounds great in context - I'm probably scrutinizing it too much in isolation. Raising the neck pickup helped A LOT, as did putting on a roller bridge. The tone between strings evened out quite a bit after that.

Yes, Pickgaurd was cut. I liked the String joy. Strings a to me can be one of the biggest changes in tome on any instrument. This would be something you would need to try to see if they fit what tone you are after. My thought is they are great stings just not exactly what I was going for. I would suggest trying them.

 

[PianoOfDoom]

Yes, Pickgaurd was cut. I liked the String joy. Strings a to me can be one of the biggest changes in tome on any instrument. This would be something you would need to try to see if they fit what tone you are after. My thought is they are great stings just not exactly what I was going for. I would suggest trying them.

You tried the 24-90 set? Was the 90 gauge E floppy at all?