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Gretsch Modern Electromatics

The Electromatics overcame sketchy beginnings to become some of the best values — and best sellers — in Gretsch history.

The line began in 1999 as near clones of the budget Synchromatic and Historic lines. In a single year, Gretsch had unleashed hundreds of different budget-priced, Korean-made guitars and nobody — not even Gretsch —could keep track of all the overlapping models. By the end of 2003 all three lines guitars had been merged into a single (and much-improved) Electromatic line-up.

Since then, the rationalized Electromatic series has continued to improve year over year. They’ve quickly became known as a bonanza for bargain-shopping and mod-happy Gretsch fans.

75 different models and 491 examples are in the Gretsch-GEAR database, including Bo Diddley, CVT III, Double Jet, Electromatic Hollowbody, Elliot Easton Jet, Hollow Body, Jet Baritone, Jet Bass, Jet Club, Jet Double Neck, Jet Pro, Junior Jet, Junior Jet Bass, Junior Jet Bass II, Junior Jet I, Junior Jet II, Lap Steel, Mini Diddley, Pro Jet, Sparkle Jet, Sparkle Jet with F-Hole, Special Jet and Tim Armstrong Signature models.

  • 2101 Junior Jet

    Sunburst finish, 1 P-90 style single coil pickup, 24.75" scale, Electromatic headstock logo, precursor to model 5210 Junior Jet.

  • 2202 Junior Jet Bass

    Part of the pre-Fender Electromatic line, the 2202 Junior Jet Bass featured a black burst finish and one humbucking pickup. It was ...

  • 2210 Junior Jet Bass

    The Junior Jet Bass model was revised and updated for 2011-2012. One mini-humbucker pickup, basswood body, maple bolt-on neck, 30.3" scale length, ...

  • 2214 Junior Jet Bass

    The Junior Jet Bass model was revised and updated for 2011-2012. One mini-humbucker pickup, basswood body, maple bolt-on neck, 30.3" scale length, ...

  • 2220 Junior Jet Bass II

    The Junior Jet Bass II model was revised and updated for 2011-2012. Two mini-humbucker pickups, basswood body, maple bolt-on neck, 30.3" scale ...

  • 2224 Junior Jet Bass II

    The Junior Jet Bass II model was revised and updated for 2011-2012. Two mini-humbucker pickups, basswood body, maple bolt-on neck, 30.3" scale ...

  • 2232 Jet Bass

    A long-scale, two-pickup, Jet-styled bass. Looks just like the more-common Jr. Jet Bass, only with an extra pickup and a bit more ...

  • 2305 Junior Jet II

    Red/Blackburst finish, two humbucker pickups, 24.75" scale, 1 vol.-1 tone control. Electromatic headstock logo.

  • 2403 Jet Club

    Sunburst finish, 2 humbucker pickups, 24.75" scale, 2 vol.-2 tone controls, Electromatic headstock logo.

  • 2504 Jet Pro

    Cherry Sunburst finish, 2 humbucker pickups, 24.75" scale, 2 vol.-2 tone controls, Electromatic headstock logo

  • 2615 Sparkle Jet

    Black Sparkle finish, Laminated Hardwood body, wraparound bridge, Electromatic name on headstock, identical to the 1615 Synchromatic model, except for headstock logo

  • 2616 Sparkle Jet

    Silver Sparkle finish, Laminated Hardwood body, wraparound bridge, Electromatic name on headstock, identical to the 1616 Synchromatic model, except for headstock logo

  • 2617 Sparkle Jet

    Blue Sparkle finish, Laminated Hardwood body, wraparound bridge, Electromatic name on headstock, identical to the 1617 Synchromatic model, except for headstock logo

  • 2618 Sparkle Jet

    Gold Sparkle finish, Laminated Hardwood body, wraparound bridge, Electromatic name on headstock, identical to the 1618 Synchromatic model, except for headstock logo

  • 2619 Sparkle Jet

    Red Sparkle finish, Laminated Hardwood body, wraparound bridge, Electromatic name on headstock, identical to the 1619 Synchromatic model, except for headstock logo

  • 2625 Sparkle Jet with F-Hole

    Black Sparkle finish, Laminated Hardwood body, wraparound bridge, Electromatic name on headstock, single F-hole in top, identical to 1625 Synchromatic model except ...

  • 2626 Sparkle Jet with F-Hole

    Silver Sparkle finish, Laminated Hardwood body, wraparound bridge, Electromatic name on headstock, single F-hole in top, identical to 1626 Synchromatic model except ...

  • 2627 Sparkle Jet with F-Hole

    Blue Sparkle finish, Laminated Hardwood body, wraparound bridge, Electromatic name on headstock, single F-hole in top, identical to 1627 Synchromatic model except ...

  • 2628 Sparkle Jet with F-Hole

    Gold Sparkle finish, Laminated Hardwood body, wraparound bridge, Electromatic name on headstock, single F-hole in top, identical to 1628 Synchromatic model except ...

  • 2629 Sparkle Jet with F-Hole

    Red Sparkle finish, Laminated Hardwood body, wraparound bridge, Electromatic name on headstock, single F-hole in top, identical to 1629 Synchromatic model except ...

  • 2810 Bo Diddley

    Firebird Red finish, Rectangular Luan body, 2 Gretschbucker pickups, wraparound tailpiece, Electromatic headstock logo. Pre-FMIC version of the 5810 model. Identical to ...

  • 2820 Bo Diddley

    An odd pre-Fender model, this is an acoustic/electric model of the Bo Diddley Electromatic series. This guitar was not listed in any ...

  • 2850 Mini Diddley

    Firebird Red Finish, one Gretsch mini-humbucker pickup, 21.4" scale, Rectangular Luan body, Electromatic headstock logo. Pre-FMIC version of the 5850 model. Identical ...

  • 2910 Double Jet

    Satin Amber finish, Maple top, Luan body, 2 Gretschbucker pickups, double cutaway, tone switch, Electromatic headstock logo, identical to model 1910 except ...

  • 2921 Double Jet

    Black finish, Maple top, Luan body, 2 Gretschbucker pickups, double cutaway, tone switch, Electromatic headstock logo, identical to model 1921 except for ...

  • 2922 Double Jet

    Silver Sparkle finish, Maple top, Luan body, 2 Gretschbucker pickups, double cutaway, tone switch, Electromatic headstock logo, identical to model 1922 except ...

  • 2923 Double Jet

    Red finish, Maple top, Luan body, 2 Gretschbucker pickups, double cutaway, tone switch, Electromatic headstock logo, identical to model 1923 except for ...

  • 5103 CVT III

    The CVT III was an effort to expand the appeal of the classic Corvette. They used the same “CVT” thin-profile mahogany body ...

  • 5105 CVT III

    The CVT III was an effort to expand the appeal of the classic Corvette. They used the same “CVT” thin-profile mahogany body ...

  • 5120 Hollow Body

    The 5120 was one of the key guitars that helped Gretsch shake the Electromatic series' dodgy beginnings and establish the entire line ...

  • 5120-BK Hollow Body

    The 5120 was one of the key guitars that helped Gretsch shake the Electromatic series' dodgy beginnings and establish the entire line ...

  • 5120-SB Hollow Body

    The 5120 was one of the key guitars that helped Gretsch shake the Electromatic series' dodgy beginnings and establish the entire line ...

  • 5120-TTB Electromatic Hollowbody

    A very limited edition two-tone blue 5120 released in 2010. It came stock with a Tru-Arc bridge.

  • 5120-WT Hollow Body

    White finish, Gretschbucker pickups, chrome hardware. The 5120WT was/is available in certain international markets, but was only available in the US as ...

  • 5122-DC Hollow Body

    Double-cutaway, with black/walnut finish, Gretschbucker pickups. Some custom dealer finishes are also available-- examples have been seen in both cherry red and ...

  • 5124 Hollow Body

    White finish, DeArmond 2000 pickups

  • 5125 Hollow Body

    Black finish, DeArmond 2000 pickups

  • 5126 Hollow Body

    Walnut Stain, Silver Sparkle top, DeArmond 2000 pickups

  • 5127 Hollow Body

    Black, Light Blue top, DeArmond 2000 pickups

  • 5128 Hollow Body

    Walnut stain, Gold Sparkle top, DeArmond 2000 pickups

  • 5129 Hollow Body

    The 5129 marries a black body to a Firebird Red top, then finishes it off with DeArmond 2000 pickups. It was inttroduced ...

  • 5191-BK Tim Armstrong Signature

    Features parallel tone bars and sound post, 17" wide body, Grover tuners, harp tailpiece and a pair of "Black Top" FilterTron pickups. ...

  • 5210 Junior Jet I

    Sunburst Finish, one mini-humbucker pickup

  • 5215 Junior Jet I

    Black Finish, one mini-humbucker pickup

  • 5220 Junior Jet II

    Sunburst finish, two mini-humbucker pickups

  • 5225 Junior Jet II

    Black finish, two mini-humbucker pickups

  • 5235 Pro Jet

    Walnut stain w/Black top

  • 5235-T Pro Jet

    Walnut Stain w/Black top, B50 Bigsby

  • 5236 Pro Jet

    Walnut Stain w/Silver Sparkle top

  • 5236-T Pro Jet

    Walnut Stain w/Silver Sparkle top, B50 Bigsby

  • 5238 Pro Jet

    Walnut Stain w/Gold Sparkle top

  • 5238-T Pro Jet

    Walnut Stain w/Gold Sparkle top, B50 Bigsby

  • 5245-T Double Jet

    Walnut Stain w/Black top, B50 Bigsby

  • 5246-T Double Jet

    Walnut Stain w/Silver Sparkle top, B50 Bigsby

  • 5248-T Double Jet

    Walnut Stain w/Gold Sparkle top, B50 Bigsby

  • 5250 Special Jet

    Sunburst finish, DeArmond 2000 pickups

  • 5255 Special Jet

    Black finish, DeArmond 2000 pickups

  • 5259 Special Jet

    Dark Cherry finish, DeArmond 2000 pickups

  • 5265 Jet Baritone

    Black Sparkle finish, B50 Bigsby, 29.75" scale, chrome hardware

  • 5420-LH

    Yup, the 5420 was a first for the Electromatics: a left-handed model was available.

  • 5420-T Electromatic Hollowbody

    Built to replace the much-loved 5120 in 2012, the 5420 brought blacktop Filtertrons and a host of other improvements to the party. ...

  • 5422-DC-12

    A 12-string variation on the 5422, introduced in 2012 as part of the larger 542x line. Unlike the rest of the 542x ...

  • 5422-TDC Electromatic Hollowbody

    The 5422 replaced the much loved 5122 Electromatic double-cutaway in 2012. It can be easily spotted by its blacktop FilterTrons and humped-block ...

  • 5422-TDCG

    Looking for all the world like a budget-price White Falcon, this was the new-for-2012 5422 double-cutaway in Snow Crest white.

  • 5434 Pro Jet

    The Pro Jets got a pretty substantial overhaul in 2011 with the introduction of the 5434, 5435 and 5438 models. All featured ...

  • 5435 Pro Jet

    The Pro Jets got a pretty substantial overhaul in 2011 with the introduction of the 5434, 5435 and 5438 models. All featured ...

  • 5438 Pro Jet

    The Pro Jets got a pretty substantial overhaul in 2011 with the introduction of the 5434, 5435 and 5438 models. All featured ...

  • 5442-BDC

    The 5542B bass was introduced alongside the 542X line-up in 2012, providing some nice bottom end (and a bargain for folks looking ...

  • 5445-T Double Jet

    Introduced in 2010, the 5445 Double Jet was a serious effort to improve the Electromatic Jets. These new Jets featured a double-cutaway, ...

  • 5448-T Double Jet

    Introduced in 2010, the 5448 Double Jet was one of several new Electromatic models that marked a serious improvement over previous Electromatic ...

  • 5566 Jet Double Neck

    Silver Sparkle Finish, six/baritone six necks

  • 5570 Elliot Easton Jet

    In late 2003 Gretsch dropped the Synchromatic line, so the the 1570 Synchromatic Easton Jet became the 5570 Electromatic Easton Jet. The ...

  • 5715 Lap Steel

    The Black Sparkle finished Electromatic 5715 lap steel replaced the earlier 2715 lap steel.

  • 5810 Bo Diddley

    Firebird Red finish, Gretschbucker pickups, chrome hardware

  • 5850 Mini Diddley

    Firebird Red finish, one Gretschbucker pickup, short scale, chrome hardware

Milestones

1999
Budget-priced, made in Korea “Electromatic” line announced late in year.
2003
Korea-made lines are overhauled and simplified. The revised and upgraded Electromatic line is given 5xxx model numbers.
5715 lap steel introduced.
2010
Short run on 5120-TTB guitars produced in two-tone blue.
2011
5445 introduced.
5448 introduced.
5103 introduced.
5105 introduced.
5435 introduced.
2012
5420T introduced as part of the larger 542X series.
5422-12 string introduced.
5422 introduced.

Comments

  1. I loeve the Gretsch G5122 DC Orange Electromatic, v good build, beautiful on the eye and a great player…v good value. I’d like to buy a wine red one as well, but then…

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