Hard to compare it in feel or construction to Electromatic hollowbodies, because it's ... you know, NOT a hollowbody, and comes from a different factory.
And there's no pro-line Gretsch to compare it to, because ... there's no SOLIDbody pro-line Gretsch.
In short, though, I have several pro-line Gretschs – and have been favorably impressed by every red Corvette I've played. (Several over the past 9 monts.)
Its overall construction, fit, and finish seem consistent with Gretsch standards, regardless of price - but again, it's so different in construction to other Gretschs that a direct comparison is difficult.
But there was certainly nothing that seemed rough, unfinished, sloppy, or cheesy. Since it's a set-neck mahogany slab, let's compare it to an SG wearing either current Gibson or Epiphone brands. It feels a cut higher in quality, finish, and fret dress than the Epi G-400, and certainly more deluxe than the dulled-down Gibson SG in the sub-1,000.00 range. (Sorry, I forget the model.)
The Gibsons and Epis I've played in recent years have been inconsistent in feel and action, some good and some not-so. The 'vettes have all been consistently good (but of course may also vary).
I don't recall anything about the Bigsby on the 'vette. Many of the tension-bar import Bigsbys do feel stiffer than the pro-line models; that's generally due to a stiffer 7/8" spring, and replacing it with the 1" spring for the pro models usually fixes that.
Pickups are always a question of taste. You won't offend anyone here by saying the pups on your 5120 weren't completely pleasing. Many people like them for what they are (I do), but most agree that they don't sound like Filtertrons. That's just part of the nature of the 5120, though, and it's easy enough to swap them out for something more traditionally Gretsch in tone (and lots of guys enjoy the mod process).
More people, though, really REALLY like the DeArmonds on the 512x models, and they are rarely swapped out. They certainly sound related to Dynasonics, if not quite as rich and full-range, but they have a unique bark all their own.
Still, both the 5120 and 512x pretty obviously serve two purposes: to provide a unique take on Gretschness just as they are, and to provide less expensive ballpark versions of the 6120s they're clearly based on.
The 'vette isn't based on ANYthing in the pro line. It's THE modern version of the Corvette, and as such, I think it stands on its own.
The Megatrons? I played both the Megatron version and the Powertron G-Love version, and actually prefer the Megas. They have just enough bite to go along with their throaty roar...like maybe a cross between a PAF and an overwound P90. But that will be a matter for personal choice; the Powertrons undoubtedly have a better, clearer high end, and more detail throughout their range.
The cool thing is that they'll drop right into the holes the Megas come in – as will any of TV's pickups. So besides having unique pickups right out of the box, the 'vette is a prime candidate for easy modding.
None of that would matter if the quality wasn't there. For my purposes, it is. The one element I haven't been able to examine is the quality of the pots – which might not be as good as you'd expect in a pro-liner.
To me, the 'vette measures up to the very best Korean guitars I've had, which - particularly in slab solidbodies - translates to 'as good as anyone makes'. If we weren't jaded by high quality guitars from Korea and China - if it was 10 years ago - you wouldn't bat an eye at paying twice the asking price for a Corvette.
If it were Japanese or American made, you'd pay it now.
In all, great little guitar with its own voice, and I can't wait to get one myself!
