The Gretsch Pages: Discussions: Gretsch Amps: Gretsch G 6156 Playboy

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Gretsch G 6156 Playboy

- Rated: 37 ↑
Jul 7, 2008 11:46 p.m. Nobody:

It's time I wrote up some thoughts on this amp where they can be found and be useful to anyone considering an amp...especially a boutique amp.

First, I must give my impression as objectively as possible: this thing is absolutely brilliant.

It is made for Gretsch by Victoria. That is an impressive start. But it is the result which matters most and this is a work of art.

One of the first things I noticed was how light this amp is compared to my posture-crushing Fender Blues Deluxe. That in itself is a great bonus. And while I'm on that comparison, I may as well roll with it.

I have been a happy thumper with my Blues Deluxe. I love the warm tone...still with the chime, but also with astonishingly full bass. This is what I wanted for my lower-volume, 'round the house strumming.

The Playboy is a different animal altogether. It is designed and built to let your guitar shine in all its glory, with nothing in the way to muffle or color that tone. If this doesn't particularly mean anything to you, well...just take my word for it: the difference is not in the loudness but in the completeness and the clarity...the Spring-fresh cool aural air.

My Gretsch 6120 sounded great before. It sounds immeasurably more beautiful through the Playboy. The bass is not as full as the Blues Deluxe, but I don't know many amps that match that. And, again, we're talking 15W here. This thing is made to sing out. It's voice fills the room more, without being louder. Every note in every chord chimes clearly. Harmonics ring out nearly as loudly and clearly as fully fretted chords. Nothing is lost.

And pedals sound fantastic with this amp.

It has an all-tube tremolo which brings a smile to the face. Tone controls are smooth and effective. But this amp is not about features or specs. This thing is about sound, and lots of it.

Pure. Crystal clear. Transparent. Sweet. Scream and growl.

The Gretsch amps are expensive compared to standard, ordinary amps. Guess what: these ain't no ordinary amps. It's interesting that we sometimes pay a lot of money for a guitar, but tend to find the cheaper way out when it comes to an amp.

This is a masterpiece, as is its bigger brother, the 20W Executive. If you are considering a good amp, much less a boutique amp, you need to look for these things. I've played through numerous boutiques. These amps are at the top.
- Rated: 83 ↑
Jul 8, 2008 12:08 a.m. Mark Synchro:

The more I hear about these Gretsch amps the more enthused I become. I gotta find one and give it a try.
- Rated: 21 ↑
Jul 8, 2008 2:22 p.m. bobcat:

Nobody and Mark, these amps are the best amps made,I swear! I have been able to play a Playboy many times at Woodwind Brasswind in South Bend In. I just can't get over the shining clarity and deep rumble that issues from this little amp! I also play a 6120 and a Blues Deluxe. I would have to receive a huge windfall to justify buying one, but I would certainly not turn down one for a good price! Nobody, you are correct when you say it is made to bring out the best in our guitars, it truly does! Just listen to the Cadillac Angels and you can hear the difference,sweet tone!
- Rated: 10 ↑
Jul 8, 2008 6:12 p.m. Daddy-O:

I have not played the Gretsch amps but I have played the Victoria. Midtown Music in Atlanta Ga, carries Victoria and they had a couple of the Gretsch amps in stock as well. I plugged into I guess was a Deluxe copy and played my Guild X-500 I could not believe it. Twenty minutes later they plugged me into the 15'' Pro Type I believe about a thirty watt amp. I had to stop playing or I would have been three grand poorer ! I am sure the Gretsch amp sounds as good. Victoria take ever thing into consideration and these amps are a joy just to look at. Maybe someday I will bite the bullet and get one
- Rated: 38 ↑
Jul 8, 2008 6:31 p.m. roadjunkie:

Listening to them in Nashville made a believer out of me! More so with the Executive mostly because I'm such a 15 inch combo whore! I had my doubts and I've told anybody who would listen where my loyalty is amp wise. These would be front and center with 2.5 grand in my hand!
- Rated: 15 ↑
Jul 8, 2008 9:34 p.m. bobframe:

I've had a Victoria Victorilux (35W, 3x10) for several years and the amp's tone is lush, shimmering, clear, articulate. That's before the reverb and/or tremolo is engaged. My Gretsch guitars, and I have several configurations, sound magical through it. No need for pedals here- just guitar, cord and amp.

I guess the Gretsch Playboy or Executive could be improvements on this and if so, none of our checkbooks are safe anymore.
- Rated: 37 ↑
Jul 8, 2008 10:02 p.m. Nobody:

People just need to know. They just couldn't possibly realize what can be had. There's a difference between mere cognitive acceptance that, since these amps are made by Victoria, yes, they must be pretty good amps...and the enlightenment that comes from an encounter with one...experiencing one. Oh no, there's nothing "pretty good" about this amp.

People also need to be able to find them.

There is a similarity to the Country Club. It may not, generally, be at the top of the shopping list for a lot of folks. All it takes is a close encounter with one and, DING, the bell rings, the flag goes up, and it simply must be had. "Man, how long has this been going on?"

People need to know. So, people need to tell. Lots of us have taken to the stump to spread the word about the Club. We need to do the same with these extraordinary Gretsch amps...possibly the best kept secret out there, and undeservedly so.

To arms, my fellow tone-seekers! The treasure awaits!
- Rated: 205 ↑
Jul 8, 2008 10:30 p.m. Proteus:

Evenin' from the Music City Sheraton, Nashville, USA, where preparations are underway for the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society convention, starting tomorrow...

And where there will be at least a couple of these amps on hand for the fingerpickers to experience.

I was a distinct non-believer in boutique amps even after hearing several of the famous contenders. Even Victoria's amps did not convince me they were worth their premium. To me they sound like perfectly implemented Fender amps, like the conceptual iDEAL of the particular Fenders they're based on.

Obviously, that can be very very good - but still not three-times-the-price good.

The first boutiquer that gave me the drools was the Matchless Lightning Reverb – and it has continued to impress every time I've plugged into one.

And then I heard the Gretschs at NAMM in January. Actually, I had heard Mike Lewis play through one in November '06, but assumed he had been responsible for the stunningly present, detailed, wide open tone I heard. Now Mike's a great player – I've yet to hear a FMIC cat who ain't – but the amp had to be part of the equation.

It was when I played through them myself that the truth came home. These are not "just like" anything else I've ever heard, and so I have been saying.

But I'll readily admit you do have to hear these amps for yourself, and probably play through them, to really get it. I know I seem to get enthusiastic about a lot of things, but don't mistake that for hype and shill. I generally don't talk about things I DON'T like, unless I'm directly asked.

Now it turns out I like a lot (but not all) of Gretsch stuff. I started this Gretsch journey some years ago knowing little about the brand and having no preconceptions. It's been my growing enthusiasm for the proof in the pudding that has kept me involved.

When I praise the Playboy, the Executive, and the Variety, I'm not promoting or hyping. I'm just saying I've never heard amps like them – and the majority of guys who actually get their guitars in and their ears on one agree.

It's really all in the listening, and then they're either All That or they ain't.

But you HAVE to hear one in person.
- Rated: 12 ↑
Jul 8, 2008 10:47 p.m. atomicwash:

Our local ex-Gretsch dealer has a Playboy amp marked around $1500 - $1600. It's been on their floor for a couple years and I've watched the price go down. It must be really close to their cost!

It's at their west side store, if you're interested.
- Rated: 37 ↑
Jul 9, 2008 8:05 a.m. Nobody:

That is surely reachable for somebody round these parts. But, unless they've heard one in person, they'd pretty much have to take the word of all of us who have.
- Rated: 3 ↑
Aug 24, 2008 1:26 p.m. Barry:

Are there any sound clips ?

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