The Gretsch Pages: Gretsch Guitars: G1616 Synchromatic Silver Sparkle Jet

Gretsch guitars: G1616 Synchromatic Silver Sparkle Jet

Gretsch
G1616 Synchromatic Silver 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

mraja03ttr wrote:

I bought my Synchromatic in about 2004 . I couldn't believe anything with the Gretsch name on it could be brand new at £199! The label called it a 'Silver Jet' but I don't know if this is accurate (I can now see it is a Silver Sparkle Jet). There is no Trem and no pickguard and the finish is similar to a Sparkle Jet, but less 'sparkly'. The sound of it is terrific and the neck is wonderful to play. BUT the finishing on the frets was nearly non-existant and the paintjob is bit sloppy on closer inspection. After spending about £30 - £40 on a set-up and getting the frets stoned and profiled the Synchromatic suddenly felt like a £900 guitar. I use it live as a 2nd guitar and because I liked the tone and the playability so much I bought a brand new Gold Sparkle Jet to use instead of my Les Paul. a LOVELY guitar :) Jez

— Jul 26, 2007 7:28 a.m.

The Gretsch Pages

Gretsch guitars: G1616 Synchromatic Silver Sparkle Jet

See Also:

Comments

User Ratings:

Basic Synchromatic Silver Sparkle Jet specs:

1999:

2003: