2022 5420 vs 5422

[Mandojoe]

On the cusp of rejoining the gretsch family. Had to sell my white falcon two years back and now looking at the new 5420 and 5422’s which seem to have made huge improvements. Ie new pickups, trestle supports. Being that I can’t get them here in Mexico I have to order blind and pick up in Canada on my trip there in May. So my questions are
1. Is there a tonal difference between the 5420 and 5422?
2. Are both same resale value wise?
3. Will I notice a big difference vs my 2008 white falcon?
4. Will katana 50 amp work ok? My style is blues but can’t afford a tube amp and too heavy and fragile
New member, thanks for any help!!

 

[BuddyHollywood]

Hi Mandojoe!

1. Yes they sound different. The 5420 will probably be more open and woody like a 6120. The 5422 is more mid focused but still very well balanced on the highs and lows.
2. Both should have about the same resale value.
3. Yes! White Falcons have a bigger body, longer scale and different pickups.
4. Yes a Katana will be great. I'm thinking for blues style the 5422 may be the one that grabs you. Only you will know once you try them out.

Happy Hunting!

 

[radd]

I can’t help with most of your questions, sorry.

I had a Katana 50 for a awhile and I think they are one of the best sounding amps in their price range. I think it will do well for you with either Gretsch.

Single cut or double cut, do you have a preference?

Resale value? Honestly, I don’t go there when buying a guitar because it might lead me in a direction to a guitar I don’t really want.

You are going to take a pretty good hit on resale buying new. I have found Gretschs to be not the easiest brand to sell used. My Fenders and Gibsons have sold much easier on Craigslist.

When I can’t try a guitar first before buying I purchase from a online place like Sweetwater that has a no questions asked return policy. Does Sweetwater not sell or ship to Mexico?

Good luck

 

[AllenK]

Hi,

Don't think you can go too far wrong with either.

1. Can't say about the latest models. I found there was a tonal difference between the previous MIK models with the Blacktop Filtertrons when I tried them side by side. The thinner body, double cutaway 5422 wasn't quite as full and acoustic as the 5420. Difficult to exactly describe but I think the 5420 is slightly more mellow, laid back or Jazzy sounding. That same difference is apparent on a video Andertons recently put out but the guitars are also being played through different amps so it isn't a direct comparison. The 5422 had slightly easier access to the upper frets.
2. I haven't particularly followed resale values but they seem to hold value about the same. With the 5420 being the more popular model, it might be slightly easier to sell on if you want.
3. Some people post that they can hardly tell any difference between the 54' series and Prolines (particularly if they have subsequently modded them to include some of the Proline features). I really like my 5622 but had to replace the bridge and strap buttons with better quality items. All the Prolines I have tried felt and sounded better. Three to four times the price better? Only you can decide that. I was lucky to come into some back pay, following a work promotion, that gave me the money to buy my Annie. Had that not happened, I would have happily continued with the 5622 as main guitar, whilst still hankering for a Proline. It's now my backup as I just play better with the Annie.
4. Looks like your amp will be just fine.

 

[Mandojoe]

Thanks guys very helpful!

 

[Fastdraw]

1. Is there a tonal difference between the 5420 and 5422?
2. Are both same resale value wise?
3. Will I notice a big difference vs my 2008 white falcon?
4. Will katana 50 amp work ok? My style is blues but can’t afford a tube amp and too heavy and fragile

Hi Mandojoe, Excellent questions all. I can give you my perspective on some of your questions..
Having played all three of the guitars that you mention, I chose to add the G5422T to my Gretsch team.
1. Tonal difference: Acoustically there is a pronounced difference between these guitars with the G5422T having more definition under pick attack. I know this is a horrible way to describe it but "not as flubby" as the 5420.
2. Value:
G5420T in-stock new at Long & McQuade CDN $999.99 (+tax)

Gretsch Guitars - G5420T Electromatic Classic Hollow Body Single-Cut with Bigsby, Laurel Fingerboard - Azure Metallic

Gretsch Guitars - G5420T Electromatic Classic Hollow Body Single-Cut with Bigsby, Laurel Fingerboard - Azure Metallic

www.long-mcquade.com

G5422TG in-stock new at Long & McQuade CDN $1,149.99 (+ tax)

Gretsch Guitars - G5422TG Electromatic Classic Hollow Body Double-Cut with Bigsby and Gold Hardware, Laurel Fingerboard - Snowcrest White

Gretsch Guitars - G5422TG Electromatic Classic Hollow Body Double-Cut with Bigsby and Gold Hardware, Laurel Fingerboard - Snowcrest White

www.long-mcquade.com

3. YES you will notice a difference. Neither of these guitars will "match" the tone of your Falcon because of the difference in pickups. You might consider a TV-Jone upgrade to whichever Gretch you chose. From an acoustic standpoint, the 5420 would most likely remind you of the feel and resonance of your Falson, until you plug it in.
4. I'm lucky enough to have a few amps in my music room and one of them is the Boss Katana Mk1 100watt. Once you have connected it to the Boss Tone studio and played with some of the available settings you will be VERY PLEASED with the lovely Gretsch tones you can extract from your guitar.

By the way, I live in Vancouver Canada and if you are coming up this way and need any help finding the right Gretch for you, I would be pleased to drive you around to the local music stores to find your perfect Gretsch.

Best Regards.

 

[Mandojoe]

Thx fastdraw May give u a holler when I get to vcr!

 

[ronjazz]

On the cusp of rejoining the gretsch family. Had to sell my white falcon two years back and now looking at the new 5420 and 5422’s which seem to have made huge improvements. Ie new pickups, trestle supports. Being that I can’t get them here in Mexico I have to order blind and pick up in Canada on my trip there in May. So my questions are
1. Is there a tonal difference between the 5420 and 5422?
2. Are both same resale value wise?
3. Will I notice a big difference vs my 2008 white falcon?
4. Will katana 50 amp work ok? My style is blues but can’t afford a tube amp and too heavy and fragile
New member, thanks for any help!!

5422 is lighter and has better high-position access, but the newest ones may be different from the last iteration. You’ll certainly notice the scale length difference vs. the Falcon. I found incredible buys on very lightly used models of each, and picked 5420 and a 5422 with a hard case for a total of $1325, and both are great.

 

[Keith H]

On the cusp of rejoining the gretsch family. Had to sell my white falcon two years back and now looking at the new 5420 and 5422’s which seem to have made huge improvements. Ie new pickups, trestle supports. Being that I can’t get them here in Mexico I have to order blind and pick up in Canada on my trip there in May. So my questions are
1. Is there a tonal difference between the 5420 and 5422?
2. Are both same resale value wise?
3. Will I notice a big difference vs my 2008 white falcon?
4. Will katana 50 amp work ok? My style is blues but can’t afford a tube amp and too heavy and fragile
New member, thanks for any help!Hi Mandojoe,

On the cusp of rejoining the gretsch family. Had to sell my white falcon two years back and now looking at the new 5420 and 5422’s which seem to have made huge improvements. Ie new pickups, trestle supports. Being that I can’t get them here in Mexico I have to order blind and pick up in Canada on my trip there in May. So my questions are
1. Is there a tonal difference between the 5420 and 5422?
2. Are both same resale value wise?
3. Will I notice a big difference vs my 2008 white falcon?
4. Will katana 50 amp work ok? My style is blues but can’t afford a tube amp and too heavy and fragile
New member, thanks for any help!!

Hi Mandojoe,

I have both models (Korean made and excellent quality) and both bought new recently in UK.

Initially bought to rediscover guitar after years of not playing and after watching Beatles Get Back documentary as they were part of my very early childhood and liked to this day.

Initially looking to copy John Lennon’s Epiphone Casino but after looking at the Gretsch alternatives I was hooked and initially bought the G5420T in orange stain at a good price.

As I had also recently sold my motorcycle I had a little more cash and also bought a new G5422T in black.

Both are played and are similar in some respects but different too - difficult to explain.

If I had to choose just one it would be the G5420T for the styling and “boomier” sound but the G5422T has better higher neck access. I also find the G5422T to have a thinner neck but the spec sheet says otherwise!

For practicing amp-free the G5420T has greater volume due to body depth but most times both are played plugged in.

Not very scientific but I prefer the G5422T if playing Chuck Berry style especially if higher neck access is required.

Both are fine guitars and I can certainly vouch for the Korean models if you can source one - a little extra was spent by me taking the guitars to a local tech for professional set up and I am very pleased with both.

Doesn’t really help you with the choice so maybe get both too!