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.
ElectromaticGirl wrote:

I bought my 2003 G1629 Synchromatic Red Sparkle Jet w/f-hole as new old stock in Dec. 2008 (it's the 2nd Synchromatic I've owned). When an unexpected bill came up in March 2009, I ended up selling it back to the guitar shop I bought it from. I'm in better financial shape now, and I've missed my G1629 so much that I went back to the guitar shop I sold it back to yesterday, and seeing to my relief, that it was still unsold, decided that today I will put it on layaway (the salesman who handles the Gretsch line at the shop, took guitar off the floor for safe keeping, until I arrive today with another guitar I'll trade in to pay for the layaway). These guitars really are sleepers. Yes they have the Gretschbuckers (and as I planned to do before this whole financial mess occurred, I might possibly replace the bridge pickup with a TV Jones Powertron, or a Dynasonic), but they still sound pretty good. The pickup selector switch was intermittant with my G1629 when I bought it, but spraying it with deoxit fixed that problem. The bodies are laminated wood, but they still have decent acoustic resonance IMO, thanks to their chambered body design. They are very good playing guitars. I picked up my 1629 at the shop, and immediately started ripping off licks, like I'd never put it down. Like I said, they really are decent guitars. I'm in a playing and recording situation with a band, that I think my G1629 will fit into very well sonically (probably even better than my G6120SHLTV Brian Setzer Hot Rod). Give the Synchros a chance - you may be pleasantly surprised by them like I was.

— Apr 22, 2009 7:37 a.m.

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Gretsch guitars: G1616 Synchromatic Silver Sparkle Jet

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Basic Synchromatic Silver Sparkle Jet specs:

1999:

2003: