The Gretsch Pages: Discussions: Electromatics: Historic G3140

Historic G3140

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- Rated: 15 ↑
Jun 14, 2009 2:42 p.m. Big_Burly:

I managed to finagle a trade: My services for a "mystery" Gretsch that was in "only played twice" condition.

I was expecting a 5120, because he said it was a big orange guitar that he couldn't bond with because of the size.

When I got it, I was taken aback by this guitar being the Historic G3140. It is certainly a beauty to look at, so I strummed it a few times, liked it, and took it in the trade.

It was truly in excellent condition. Fantastic action. Dynasonic 2000 pups are damned sweet.

I looked it up on Harmony Central and was pleased by what was said about it there.

So, what is the general opinion of the Gretsch Page gurus of this guitar?

I imagine it gets points of for being semi-hollow.

Let your opinions fly!

I am still trying to dial in the Dearmond 2000s, but I do love this guitar, so far.
- Rated: 60 ↑
Jun 14, 2009 2:55 p.m. dignan:

It's an oddball Gretsch for sure, as were many of the pre-FMIC Historic Series. The G3140 was one of my first Gretsches, before I really knew anything about the brand beyond that they looked different from anything else. It doesn't get played as much as the others, but it is a very nice guitar - especially since they can be found pretty cheap on the used market.
- Rated: 16 ↑
Jun 14, 2009 3:29 p.m. DustyRoad:

What? No picture...would like to see it.
- Rated: 15 ↑
Jun 14, 2009 6:51 p.m. Big_Burly:

Sorry, I am a lousy photog and a virgin at posting pics here. I would need a hosting site, I know that.

Otherwise I would have the photo posted already.

It is the classic Gretsch Orange. Thinline. Major tree trunk in it making it a semi-hollow. I believe it has the 25.5" scale.

It plays like a dream. I may even have to raise the action a bit!

I am more of a rock/classic rock/blues guy, so I am trying to figure out if the Dearmond 2000s are going to make me happy.
- Rated: 16 ↑
Jun 14, 2009 9:05 p.m. DustyRoad:

Those are sharp guitars....I missed one on ebay a couple of weeks ago.
- Rated: 16 ↑
Jun 14, 2009 10:05 p.m. caliban335:

I owned a G3140 and liked it a lot. It has a really striking look and the DeArmond 2000s had a really unique tone; close to, but not exactly like a DynaSonic. I sold it in order to fuel a continuing obsession with Telecasters. Here's a photo of mine.
- Rated: 40 ↑
Jun 14, 2009 10:41 p.m. Mikey:

That's a cool one! I actually would like that more than any other modestly priced Gretsch in the current lineup. I'm a sucker for the cat-eye look, and Dearmond 2K's? So cool. Hope you have some fun with it.
- Rated: 16 ↑
Jun 15, 2009 2:52 p.m. caliban335:

My only beef with the G3140 was the less-than-optimal choices in adding a Bigsby. If I still had it, I'd probably talk to my tech about mounting a B5 on it. Otherwise, it was a fine guitar.
- Rated: 15 ↑
Jun 15, 2009 8:11 p.m. Big_Burly:

That is just like my G3140, Caliban!

I actually like it with the G-tailpiece, since Bigsby's (or any vibrato arm) are mostly for show on my guitars.

From the side view, a Bigsby would be a mother to get on there properly.

The cat-eye "F" holes are super sweet too.
- Rated: 11 ↑
Jun 16, 2009 2:32 p.m. DustyValentino:

I played one when I bought my 6119. I actually loved the 3140, but ended up going for the 6119 as I wanted a "real" Gretsch, but the 3140 was a great guitar. The pickups on it were much better than my (pre-Fender) 6119. TV Jones has now fixed that though.
- Rated: 15 ↑
Jun 22, 2009 11:31 a.m. Big_Burly:

What is the scale length on the G3140? I guess I could measure it myself...

I have seen it listed as 25.5" and 24.75", that is why I am curious. I prefer the shorter scale length.

Also I found a couple of killer Streamliner G3156 guitars on eBay... Those are fully hollow and 2.75" thick. That ol' GAS is brewing up something fierce!

I really love the look of these "oddball" Gretsches!
- Rated: 34 ↑
Jun 22, 2009 12:33 p.m. cielski:

I have one and love it. I was looking at 335s and found this instead. Those Cat's Eyes sold me. I'm an Art Deco kind of guy. I absolutely love those pickups. Search around here for more info in the pickup section. Someone (Setzer? Wenzel?) had the way to dial them in properly. I've got a Bigsby on my Pro Jet, but, I can live without one on this. I just wish I had these pickups on my Pro. The only way I could think of improving this guitar is with a master volume control and a harp tailpiece. A semi-hollow is just a solid body with hollow wings. It'll feedback less than a full hollow, but won't get the hollow body tones. It's not bad, just different. For me, it's another sound in the arsenal. I think that mine's a second. No matter. I really enjoy this instrument, and the looks on people's faces when they see it. It is a looker. I'm not gigging these days, so, I couldn't justify a top end pro instrument, but, I could justify this mid level one. It's more like a 335 than anything else to me than most Gretsches, but those pickups make the Gretsch difference. I think you'll like it.
- Rated: 15 ↑
Jun 22, 2009 12:57 p.m. Big_Burly:

I definitely love it!

I am tweaking the pups still to get them to my liking, and it is nearly there.
- Rated: 23 ↑
Jun 22, 2009 1:09 p.m. Otter:

With the tone control backed off a bit, you can get a killer almost-P90 sound out of those DeArmonds. I played slide on one at a store once and really liked the tone.
- Rated: 88 ↑
Jun 22, 2009 2:05 p.m. tartan phantom:

Big_Burly said: What is the scale length on the G3140? I guess I could measure it myself...

I have seen it listed as 25.5" and 24.75", that is why I am curious. I prefer the shorter scale length.

According to the old Gretsch site, the scale length is 24.562"

Here's a link:

Internet Archive-- Gretsch website G3140
- Rated: 15 ↑
Jun 22, 2009 3:03 p.m. Big_Burly:

Great tip Otter! I loves me some P90 tone.

Tartan, that is exactly what I wanted to see!

Thanks so much, guys!
- Rated: 1 ↑
Jun 26, 2009 8:49 p.m. Dale_I:

Not sure if it was the one DustyRoad lost off eBay, but I just got a 3140 on eBay a week ago. I thought it was a natural color, but it may have been the flash hiding the orange tint. It is sitting at UPS waiting for a Monday delivery. I'll post some pics once I get it in my hot little hands.

First Gretsch for me, I'm excited. Always wanted a unique hollowbody.
- Rated: 60 ↑
Jun 26, 2009 9:52 p.m. dignan:

My only beef with the G3140 was the less-than-optimal choices in adding a Bigsby.
Agreed - in addition to the neck angle issue with a B3/B6, a B7 will still have issues with the length of the handle:

(B3 shown of course, but the functional length is the same)
- Rated: 60 ↑
Jun 26, 2009 9:58 p.m. dignan:

I ended up going back to hardtail, which given the oddball nature of this model seems fitting. What's more oddball than a Gretsch without a Bigsby?

Also cut a new plexi pickguard (complete with poor-man's G-brand), as well as rewired it to tone pot/master volume... which was a bitch and a half with that center block in the way.
- Rated: 1 ↑
Jun 27, 2009 10:10 p.m. Dale_I:

I was thinking of the B7 instead of the B3 because of the string angle to the bridge. However, I didn't know they were both similar in overall length. It does look just a tad short in the control arm. Anyone know where I can get measured schematics of Bigsby's? I looked all over the Bigsby site and couldn't find any measurements anywhere.

caliban335: I'm guessing you were thinking of using the B5 because you weren't limited in mounting positions since it doesn't attach with a tailpiece?
- Rated: 25 ↑
Jun 28, 2009 12:28 a.m. Gretschadelphia:

A B-7 or a B-12 (which would look different and cool IMO) may be your best bet. I've seen pictures of extra long Bigsby arms (not sure where to find them) and that would certainly solve the length issue.
- Rated: 60 ↑
Jun 28, 2009 7:29 a.m. dignan:

A standard Bigsby handle is about 7"; there are 9" flat handles which, as mentioned, will solve the length issue - though it also means the arm can't be folded completely back when in the case.
- Rated: 1 ↑
Jul 1, 2009 12:01 p.m. Dale_I:

This post has been deleted
- Rated: 16 ↑
Jul 1, 2009 3:07 p.m. caliban335:

I was thinking that a B5 would work since the 3140 is a semi-hollow with a center board. Assuming you don't mind screwing it onto the top of the guitar, you could place it close enough to the bridge to avoid the long handle and yet have adequate string break.

Like I wrote, I'd talk it over with my tech before proceeding. Cool guitars. This thread is making me miss mine.
- Rated: 60 ↑
Jul 1, 2009 5:28 p.m. dignan:

A B5 would certainly work on the semi-hollow 3140, sure...

...but it would just look wrong.