The Gretsch Pages: Discussions: Modern Gretsch Guitars: So close. Soooo close.

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So close. Soooo close.

- Rated: 3 ↑
Sep 3, 2008 9:27 a.m. me:

I'm getting really, really close to pulling the trigger on my new Gretsch. Passed up some great gear deals in the meantime (talk about restraint). I keep flip flopping between a few different models, but I've had my heart set on a White Penguin for so long I think it's gonna have to be the one.

A couple of concerns, though ...

How are the pickups? Dynasonics? I've read a review or two that mention low output. Is this the case? How low are we talking? I'd hate to pay that much for a guitar and do a pickup swap. It just doesn't seem right. I play pretty loud with quite a bit of dirt ... if that helps.

I also like the look of the firebirds. Are their pickups of higher output?

If anyone in my area had these, I'd gladly try them out. But I can't find them anywhere to do my own comparison. Most dealers only carry Electromatics or a couple of pro line hollowbodys. And I prefer the Jet style.

Also, do Gretsch guitars, in general, handle 11s well? I prefer a meatier string gauge.

Thanks so much. And when I say close, I mean so close I can almost feel the neck in my hand already.
- Rated: 6 ↑
Sep 3, 2008 9:45 a.m. Ripley1046:

In my very limited experience I think when people say low output, they are comparing Gretsches to Gibsons. I know my 5120 has a lot less output than my Gibson SG, but it certainly doesn't lack anything. It seems to me that most Gretsch pickups are lower output than your run of the mill Gibson, or Fender style pickup, but they more than make up for it in sound. I'm sure there are others on this page that know much more about the topic though. I say pull the trigger, and I'll bet you won't find much argument on the GDP!
- Rated: 53 ↑
Sep 3, 2008 9:57 a.m. Bear:

It is true, that Gretsch pickups in general have lower output than say their Gibson counterparts. A lower output pickup (one with fewer windings of wire) will retain a cleaner, more defined tone (that great GRETSCH sound) that you just cannot achieve with a "hotter" pickup.

For the most part, most of the artists choosing Gretsch tend to play music not relying on a lot of distortion with a few obvious exceptions like Billy Gibbons.

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how hot your low output Dynas can be. I say aim squarely at the target and pull the freakin' trigger.
- Rated: 13 ↑
Sep 3, 2008 10:26 a.m. Gigatron:

Here's a guy who plays a Gretsch with a bit o' dirt:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vneFS48Z4Ws

Sounds good to me.
- Rated: 43 ↑
Sep 3, 2008 10:40 a.m. Ric12string:

I have Dynas on my Duo Jet and they don't seem to be lacking in output.

Also, yes, Gretsches will take 11's quite comfortably. I think that you would find that many of the players on the GDP use 11's.
- Rated: 28 ↑
Sep 3, 2008 10:50 a.m. cyclopssam:

you've got it mixed up,filters are low output,( again compared to gibson's or other after market pups) there's nothing low or weak about a dynasonic( inless of coursse it's broken) i'd go ahead and do the deal!
- Rated: 0 ↑
Sep 3, 2008 11:56 a.m. BobK:

I've got a Roundup (Dynasonics) sporting Pyramid flatwound 11's and I think I'm in love...

Bob
- Rated: 4 ↑
Sep 3, 2008 3:51 p.m. Paddywagon:

Me,

Maybe you're are thinking of Hilotron pickups. They are quite weak in output, and more of an acquired taste around here (no offense to any HT lovers). They also don't overdrive as well as the others model pickups.

You may want to check out a "New Jet" model from the 2001 era. The pickups are very hot and sound great overdriven. Or a Power Jet...

I don't think you'll have any difficulty getting a dirty sound with a White Penguin, with either Dyna's or Filter's. Good luck!
- Rated: 12 ↑
Sep 3, 2008 5:09 p.m. Chonny:

Get Powertrons, they are the best sounding Gretsch pickup for that hot Gretsch sound.

The name scares off a lot of people.

They are perfect. Classics are more thin and brittle but the die hard 50s guys prefer them.

Every vintage Gretsch with Filtertrons Ive heard has pickups that sound closer to the Powertron.

If you want singlecoils Dynasonics are extremely high output, and they quite frankly scream. Another good pickup choice. Somewhat similar to a P90 but with Gretsch sound coming through instead of a Gibson or whatever. Dynas are hotter than P90s.

If you want humbuckers, Powertrons are the way to go.
- Rated: 13 ↑
Sep 3, 2008 8:15 p.m. Catdaddy1967:

Chonny (and Me),

I can certainly vouch for Powertrons... and you don't HAVE to play them dirty - they clean up really well... but if what you say about Dynas being hotter than a P90, I'm gonna have to get hold of a 6128TCG, I reckon - I LOVE P90s, and if Dynas are hotter, then so much the better!

Powertrons are also available in a Dynasonic mount as well, so you can just swap them out in case you don't like the Dynas... It'd be a bit of a no-brainer for me!

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