Do I really need two penguins? The question I'm battling with.

[new6659]

Of all the jets the Powerjet tends to command the lowest price. I guess they are not very desirable. If you want one then it would be much better to sell one of your Penguins and buy one. You'll have plenty of change for more toys.

Yes I have noticed that, I actually missed one down here a few months ago a I was still toying with the whole idea, it was as new and only $2000.00 AUD, which is really cheap for a pro line gretsch here, it only lasted a day and a half before it sold.

I think I can understand this, even though I love my Powerjet. My first two Gretsch guitars were Electromatics which I was very impressed by, so I eventually thought it was time to get a Proline. When I went to the store there were two Proline Jets in stock: a G6228FM (with modern Player's Edition features) and a G6128T-59VS (with vintage select floating bridge, elevated fingerboard extension and tone switch). I played them both and came home with the 6228. My thinking at the time was I wanted a tone control (every guitar I had has one and I use them a lot; I didn't have a G6120 yet) and I didn't really want to mess around with a floating bridge; a fixed type bridge seemed more stable.

Later on, I was able to find a G6128T-1962 which has all the vintage select features that the 59VS had which I had previously passed on. I soon found that it is a wonderful instrument. The Powerjet has several vintage select features (tone switch, elevated fingerboard, wood bridge base) which might put some people off as being archaic on a "solid" body guitar but which I now find add to its' charm. I also love the sound that comes out of the TV Jones Power'Tron pickups but maybe some Gretsch aficionados might find them less Gretsch-y than they might want.

I'm a bit disappointed to see that the Powerjet is no longer in current production but I already have mine. I guess that the G5220 now fills this sonic niche to some extent with its BlackTop Broad'Tron pickups. --- but if I see another Powerjet on the market, I'll most likely buy it.

 

[Ricochet]

I’m getting slightly worried the collective hasn’t suggested getting a third yet. Slackers.

 

[Stefan87]

I think I can understand this, even though I love my Powerjet. My first two Gretsch guitars were Electromatics which I was very impressed by, so I eventually thought it was time to get a Proline. When I went to the store there were two Proline Jets in stock: a G6228FM (with modern Player's Edition features) and a G6128T-59VS (with vintage select floating bridge, elevated fingerboard extension and tone switch). I played them both and came home with the 6228. My thinking at the time was I wanted a tone control (every guitar I had has one and I use them a lot; I didn't have a G6120 yet) and I didn't really want to mess around with a floating bridge; a fixed type bridge seemed more stable.

Later on, I was able to find a G6128T-1962 which has all the vintage select features that the 59VS had which I had previously passed on. I soon found that it is a wonderful instrument. The Powerjet has several vintage select features (tone switch, elevated fingerboard, wood bridge base) which might put some people off as being archaic on a "solid" body guitar but which I now find add to its' charm. I also love the sound that comes out of the TV Jones Power'Tron pickups but maybe some Gretsch aficionados might find them less Gretsch-y than they might want.

I'm a bit disappointed to see that the Powerjet is no longer in current production but I already have mine. I guess that the G5220 now fills this sonic niche to some extent with its BlackTop Broad'Tron pickups. --- but if I see another Powerjet on the market, I'll most likely buy it.

Yeah that is a good point and that is the reason I want a powerjet over the 6228, I want all the traditional things and looks (well would prefer a tone pot but will live with the switch) but with the more modern sound, I don't doubt I'd love a G6228 and it would do everything I want and more as I love my 5230 which is a similar construction, but it still feels like a modernish guitar and is most likely going to get T-90's in it.

 

[gretsch-to-go]

Neither, Cadillac Green 5230TJet for me. If I'm spending that much, I'd get a Falcon probably. Of the Penguins, the White one though.

 

[audept]

I’m getting slightly worried the collective hasn’t suggested getting a third yet. Slackers.

There's always this color:

 

[hcsterg]

If it was me, I would indeed keep both, as they are as nice as each other.

But it's not me...

A+!

 

[Waxhead]

If it was me, I would indeed keep both, as they are as nice as each other.

But it's not me...

A+!

ok that's not you

but question ...... would you keep both Penguins if they both sounded the same?

 

[Berington]

Thanks for sharing that, it's a cool story actually.
Don't worry, if it goes up forsale it will be offered here first as long as no one minds paying shipping charges I'll send it anywhere someone wants it.


Thanks for the kind words, have been very lucky to acquire these over the years and am very grateful.
Going of your other thread you have quite a nice collection yourself.

Hi Stefan! Hey, I've been very lucky AND grateful, as well. Lotsa "right time, right place & right people" things, y'know? In keeping with this thread, when I bought the Gent, I'd had the Tennie for several years. I LOVED it, but I thought I could easier justify the Gent if I sold the Tennie. One Gretsch should be enough, right? (HA! Who was I lying to?!?) Then I rerecorded an important song on which I'd originally played the Tennie, using the Gent. It was NOT the same! I couldn't get the same tone w the Filters than I could w the Hi-LoTrons, and vice-versa. The H/Ts are brighter, of course. They are 2 different guitars. Oh NO! I had to keep 'em BOTH! SO GLAD I have, too!

I think guitars have spirits, right? The only one I really didn't like was a heavily-modded '60s Melody Maker that I just couldn't get any sustain from, I'm sure from the mods. It was close to being a "Franken-guitar." Didn't play badly, but I just couldn't get along with it. Along comes my friend with his '62 ES-300, (the same guy I mentioned w all the Teles!) who hated THAT! Thought it was "the ugliest guitar he'd ever seen!" Well, he LOVED my Melody Maker, and we traded straight across - HIS idea, though he thought he owed me lotsa money, too! - and we both came out very happy. And that 330 is one of the sweetest, most soulful guitars EVER, to play, to hear... just a lovely thing. Not a Gretsch! Again, very different animals, for different reasons!

Enjoy your "birds," Stefan! Woo-hoo!

 

[hcsterg]

ok that's not you

but question ...... would you keep both Penguins if they both sounded the same?

If it was me (again ! )

Yes indeed, because of That Great Gretsch Look...

But :
1 - it"s not me, that's true... (And moreover, I do not have the money to afford such nice instruments ! )
2 - in LH the choice of colors is often dull, if even existent...

A+!

 

[Gold Penguin]

Yeah, why not.

 

[Gold Penguin]

I see no problem with me owning 28 Fender Custom Shop guitars.
So two Penguins is no big deal

 

[Stefan87]

I see no problem with me owning 28 Fender Custom Shop guitars.
So two Penguins is no big deal

You have 28 Custom Shop Fenders???
You sir need to do a gear run down thread for all of us to see.

 

[Gold Penguin]

You have 28 Custom Shop Fenders???
You sir need to do a gear run down thread for all of us to see.

I have a lot of stuff. God has certainly blessed the path I've walked down in my life. I still have my very 1st guitar. It was one of my Dads. It's a 1953 Gibson L48 and it's in excellent shape! No real reason to do a gear run down thread. I'm just happy to have a healthy and happy family and group of friends.

 

[goat ggb]

Both!

 

[Stefan87]

Very nice @goat ggb ,the koa penguins certainly are nice.

In reference to my original question though, one may be on the way out though as i have the desire for something else, but i do intend to have another penguin down the track but it will be a custom shop one as what i really want isn't offered, will just see what happens.

 

[Bertotti]

Very nice @goat ggb ,the koa penguins certainly are nice.

In reference to my original question though, one may be on the way out though as i have the desire for something else, but i do intend to have another penguin down the track but it will be a custom shop one as what i really want isn't offered, will just see what happens.

A Penguin with a 25.5“ scale!

 

[Stefan87]

A Penguin with a 25.5“ scale!

You know i didn't think of that but that is good idea, still don't know why gretsch only do 25.5 on the hollowbodies.

 

[Bertotti]

You know i didn't think of that but that is good idea, still don't know why gretsch only do 25.5 on the hollowbodies.

And only the falcon currently right?

 

[Stefan87]

Im not 100% on that but i know its been on more then the falcon on previous models, i think a 25.5 scale jet could be a good seller, maybe.

At the end of the day a custom shop penguin is probably a bit of a dream and will nost likely settle for a used duojet lol.

 

[mbkri]

I sympathise with your 2 penguin dilemma. As i think you know.
I would definitely swop out the pickups in one or the other.