G5232t or G5222? Can’t decide

[IrishLuck]

Hey everyone,
I’m just about to order my first Gretsch. Very excited!
Unfortunately, I live in a small town which is also far from any decent sized music store. So I have to order without actually seeing these in person or playing these.
I’m on the fence and maybe you guys can give me some advice/opinions.

It’s basically the Bigsby I have some concerns about. Which is a bummer because it’s one of the things that I like about a Gretsch. Although I’ve never seen one in person or played one, I like that they have them and would like that option. But…. I’ve read so much about the Bigsbys causing tuning issues. I’m not looking to do divebombs on it, just add some subtle vibrato.
I suppose I could order one with the Bigsby and if it’s causing tuning issues I have 45 days to return it. Although I’d eat the shipping costs.

Can some of you tell me about your experiences, the good, the bad and the ugly? Please keep comments limited to people who have had the G5232 or one of the Electromatic Jets with the exact same Bigsby model. Did you modify anything?
I’ve read a lot of people upgrade to the B50. But that’s $200! And is the B50 something I could install? Or is it something I should have a luthier take care of? I guess down the line $200 isn’t terrible. But I’m scraping just to afford the hard case for it right now.
Any low cost mods to help it out?

Thanks!!!

 

[Emergence]

Buy one or the other, the one you think you’ll like best. Then play it. And play it some more. Don’t change anything but setup. Play it for three or six months, maybe more.

Don’t fix what’s not broke. Don’t modify something so it doesn’t work anymore. Six months in, what bothers you about the guitar? Is it worth the cost to upgrade it? Can you do the work yourself? Decide. You’ll probably decide to go ahead with the upgrade.

But maybe not so fast. If there are three things bugging you, it may make more sense to upgrade to a better guitar.

 

[IrishLuck]

Thanks Emergence, that’s really good advice. I guess after reading some negative things about the Bigsby I start to wonder ‘what am I getting myself into? A project?’
But thinking twice about what I’ve read… it’s much more common for someone to go online and take the time to write about a negative experience. Not many people having positive experiences are likely to take the time to go online and write ‘it works!’

 

[delong1974]

The Bigsby is not that big of a deal, and probably doesn't detune the guitar any more than any other whammy bar does, say on a Strat. The device is literally intended to detune the guitar, can't expect it to snap back to perfect pitch. Keep the nut lubed and its fine, I've found. I wouldn't let that be a deal breaker.

 

[Fuey Manchoo]

I don't have any issues with my Bigsbys, I have both expensive and not so expensive versions from them. The only think I didn't like on the bigsby's they put on the 5xxx series, is the spring. I like the softer springs so I picked some up. Other than that no issues with tuning. Just remember a Bigsby in not really designed to do some Van Halen dive bombs. It's a vibrato!

 

[boukane]

Agreed with Delong …nut lube and you should be good to go..i have 5 or 6 guitars with a bigsby and they’re fine..plus the nuts aren’t even lubed

 

[All Thumbs]

I prefer the Blacktop Filter'Trons in the 5232 over the Broad'Trons in the 5222.

 

[Maj7]

The one with the Bigsby for me. Even though it may look chunky for some, unlike practically all other types of tremolos, it's unintrusive and does not affect playing. (E.g. it doesn't change the pitch of other strings when bending, etc.) Besides - it's very helpful to explore that Gretsch tone...

 

[marz]

I’ve got 3 Electromatics and a Proline with Bigsbys and I don’t have intonation or nut binding issues with any of them. I haven’t noticed any operational difference between the Electromatics or the Pro Line (Tennessee Rose). I like black top Filtertrons better than Broadtrons.

I have upgraded all of them with compensated bar bridges Tru Arc and Compton. I haven’t noticed and performance difference between those either. I did not replace the TOM bridges because of intonation issues, I just find that I get more harmonic overtones with the bar bridges and I love the jangle. Lots of people use the TOM bridges and they work good.

The Bigsby adds a little weight. It takes a bit longer to change strings. Use a capo to pin them down while changing.

You can’t really go wrong either way.

 

[HypotenusLuvTriangle]

It’s basically the Bigsby I have some concerns about. Which is a bummer because it’s one of the things that I like about a Gretsch. Although I’ve never seen one in person or played one, I like that they have them and would like that option. But…. I’ve read so much about the Bigsbys causing tuning issues. I’m not looking to do divebombs on it, just add some subtle vibrato.
I suppose I could order one with the Bigsby and if it’s causing tuning issues I have 45 days to return it. Although I’d eat the shipping costs.

Can some of you tell me about your experiences, the good, the bad and the ugly? Please keep comments limited to people who have had the G5232 or one of the Electromatic Jets with the exact same Bigsby model. Did you modify anything?
I’ve read a lot of people upgrade to the B50. But that’s $200! And is the B50 something I could install? Or is it something I should have a luthier take care of? I guess down the line $200 isn’t terrible. But I’m scraping just to afford the hard case for it right now.
Any low cost mods to help it out?

Thanks!!!

I have the G5232T in Midnite Saphire. I loved it before I modded it. And I love it more now. Its a great guitar. The biggest problem I had on the bigsby that came with it was the tension bar. It created too much tension. So I removed it. I love it more now.

Oh, and I almost modded about everything about the guitar after I got it but that was all mostly cosmetic.... bigsby was first though.

 

[Kozmyk]

I got the 5232t.
My choice was based on it being the most affordable Gretsch, at the time, that came with Filtertrons.
I wanted a Filtertron experience.
The Bigsby was just part of the deal.
It turned out just fine.
Tuning stability is good as long as I don't go wild on the Whammy Bar.
I took a chance on this budget model and it paid off.

 

[cielski]

Hi. How's it goin'?
Nice start to your Gretsch addiction.
Even if you don't use the Bigsby much, the extra mass helps with sustain.
And it looks cool.
Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

 

[capnhiho]

G5245T Double Jet here. I was already familiar with Bigsby idiosyncrasies on my 5420 so I jumped in fearlessly. I added a Brick’s Biggsfix to address the break angle, dressed and lubed the nut, and added a squishy spring to soften the effort. I really like the Blacktops but replaced the wiring harness (which really clarified the tone!). I also added the bling ring around the “sparkle switch” just because…

My Joan is definitely a keeper! I recommend buying the one with Blacktops and Bigsby for a Gretsch-ier experience. Any Bigsby issues can be addressed after the fact fairly easily.

 

[IrishLuck]

Wow! Thanks for all the great replies. I was already leaning heavily towards the g5232, now you guys helped me make the final decision. I’m definitely going with that one. Midnight sapphire is the one I’ve got my eye on. Can’t wait!
Thanks again everyone! I knew I’d get some great advice here.

 

[tomazb]

Wellcome! Pick one, you will get the other one sooner or later

 

[HypotenusLuvTriangle]

And so it begins …..

 

[AviA]

5232 EZ-PEZE

 

[ffc65]

Get the one with the bigsby, I have never really had issues with any guitar I've owned with one
(except for the time during a big gig that I got a bit over excited with the Bigby on a 64 Tennessean and the spring popped out!!)

 

[JeffGretsch]

I have a G5622t and it stays in tune better than my LP and SG gibson customshop . I really rate it and love playing it, haven't changed a thing on it. cant see a need to. I've played it live and its got a great sound for both lead and rhythm. I'm keen to also get a G5230t, which is the single cut version of the 5232t. Either way, nice guitars for the money.

 

[toastkid]

The only correct answer is to get both.

..and you will. Gretsches are contagious!

Congrats!!