The Gretsch Pages: Gretsch Guitars: G1619 Synchromatic Red Sparkle Jet

Gretsch guitars: G1619 Synchromatic Red Sparkle Jet

The mere existence Synchromatic line may be one of the more baffling Gretsch mysteries of recent years — maybe decades. The revered Synchromatic name, traditionally reserved for high-end acoustic archtops, was plastered across a dizzying array of Korean-made guitars which were themselves near-clones of the Electromatic line offered at the same time. Like the Electromatics and Historics, the Gretsch Synchromatic line of guitars debuted in 1999. Nobody could keep track of all the models, not even Gretsch, and all three lines of budget guitars were merged into a single (and much-improved) Electromatic line-up in 2003. The G161X Sparkle Jets were functionally pretty similar to the G13XX Junior Jets, bolt-on maple necks and all, and Gretsch offered those as the G1615 (Black Sparkle), G1616 (Silver Sparkle), G1617 (Blue Sparkle), G1618 (Gold Sparkle) and G1619 (Red Sparkle) from 1999-2003. In 2003, the G1615T was also offered, adding a Bigsby tremolo. G162X Sparkle Jets were easily identifiable by their f-holes (the only Jet-bodied guitars to have them) and included the G1625 (Black Sparkle), G1626 (Silver Sparkle), G1627 (Blue Sparkle), G1628 (Gold Sparkle) and G1629 (Red Sparkle) from 1999-2003, as well as the Bigsby-equipped G1626T and G1629T for 2003.

Comments

Adrian wrote:

G1619 Synchromatic Red Sparkle Jet The first thing to do with this guitar if you have one is to change the pots and pickup selector switch. The switch hardly works at all. My pots were also scratchy. Its not a bad looker, beautiful red sparkle on back and front. Sound was not bad stock, has a vintage vibe to it but the neck pickup was too muddy for me. TV Jones TV Trons fit in without any work and make a nice difference. This was my first "good guitar" and I love it very much and will hold me over until i get the cash for a high end pro series one.

— Mar 4, 2007 9:24 p.m.
Adrian wrote:

The specs say it has a bone nut, but mine seems to have plastic, it certainly looks and feels like it. Mine was bought in absolutely stock condition. I still have the plastic protection on the back of the tuners!

— Mar 4, 2007 9:30 p.m.
tartanphantom wrote:

I agree with Adrian regarding the pickup switch. Absolute CRAP. The downside is that if you replace it with a Switchcraft, you also have to replace the switch tip as well, since the shaft on the original switch is thinner than a standard Switchraft switch. Fortunately, the original switch is serviceable, I completely disassembled mine and bent the contacts so thay they would mate better. Also, I wish the guitar would have been made with a pickguard, but then again I understand that on budget guitars you have to cut corners somewhere. The wraparound bridge can be a pain in the butt to restring, especially if you don't have adequate lighting. So if you have a tendency to break strings in the middle of a gig, I would advise having backup guitar. Other than these minor gripes, I LOVE this guitar. It's light, the neck is thin and fast, and the Grestch humbuckers give it a sort of Duo Jet/Gibson SG hybrid sound. Red sparkle all over, it never fails to turn heads at a gig!

— Aug 30, 2007 1:15 a.m.
cielski wrote:

For what I paid, US$250, it's what I expected. I like the pickups---brtightest buckers I've heard---the only bucker guitar I own. I love the tone pot control layout with the Master vlume---how did I get by without a master volume before? Pickup selector switch was goofy---cleaning and a little bending fixed that. I'm not too sure about the bridge/tailpiece. It's uncomfortable---I rest the heel of my hand there as I play clawhammer. I think I'll upgrade to a TOM and a stop or a regular tailpiece. The strings were far too small for my tastes; 11s are far better. Great deal for the money, and it does say Gretsch, although in very small print.

— Sep 17, 2007 1:40 p.m.

The Gretsch Pages

Gretsch guitars: G1619 Synchromatic Red Sparkle Jet

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Basic Synchromatic Red Sparkle Jet specs:

1999:

2003: