It's the 125th Anniversary of Gretsch.
From 1883 to 2008, making instruments that make the music that defines their times: making history.
We're at the Anaheim Convention Center across from Disneyland in sunny southern California for WinterNAMM 2008. The show opened officially at 10:00 AM, and things are rockin' already.
This thread will cover all the buzz in the Gretsch area of the Fender pavilion – and spread out for a wee bit of Fender coverage as well. The trivia questions, the announcements, the giveaways, the pics, the live music posts, the artists, possible interviews, questions & answers about product, and guitar comparisons will happen right here.
A second thread will cover more behind-the-scenes and non-product stuff.
But you've arrived at the main event.
(For yesterday's coverage, go here.)
FMIC's theme for NAMM is Make History, and this company with deep roots in rock & roll is celebrating that heritage. Gretsch has an even longer story to talk about, and the trivia questions will focus on that.
Neither company stands still, of course – if they did, they would long ago have failed. There are remixes of past hits, new ideas, and always new players discovering the great music of the past – and uncovering new ways to carry it forward.
For Gretsch this year, a major focus is not just the spectacular new Anniversary models and new sig models (and Electromatics to come), but amps.
The amps were introduced a couple of years ago, but all three – the Playboy, the Executive, and the Variety – are in the spotlight, and will be better available than in the past. And of course they're joined by the new G5222. (To answer one question, is it the same as the Fender Champion 600? Well, yes, but no. Guts and chassis, yes. But the back panel of the cabinet is different, and it gives the amp a slightly more closed, punchy tone. A bit more low-end than the Champ; all in all tuned to push characteristic Gretsch tones.)
I hope to have sonic comparisons of all the amps before the week is out.
But hey! Let's get started with some noise, huh?
Electromatic Corvettes. What's the difference between the original model and the new G. Love Sig? Both are 24.6" solid mahogany planks with mahogany necks, rosewood boards, set Adjustamatic bridges, a pair of pickups, a Bigsby, and the same controls.
The "base model" sports beautiful dark red stain and runs unique Mega'Tron pickups, while the G. Love is pretty obviously racing green with a stripe. It has TV Jones PowerTrons – and upgraded tuners. And those are the differences.
Do they feel or sound different? I could tell no difference in feel. Both are very comfortable, fit the body right, and – dare I say it? – feel a bit like an SG. And they're natural rockers, with the most sustain I've heard from a Gretsch. They're ALIIIIIVE.
here's the red one, through the G-DEC.
And the G. Love, same amp.
Close up and personal pics:
