Gretsch hard to play?

[Dorudon]

Sorry for the blanket nature of the title, but I did not know how to phrase it better. I am basically asking a question.

I have heard previously that people have commented how nice and easy Gretsch guitars are to play (please lets not go down any rabbit holes on the definition of 'easy'). I have both a Streamliner G2622TG and an Electromatic G5655T. As much as I like the latter, I definitely would not describe either as guitars that are particularly playable from the point of view of ease of use. I thought this the other day when I picked up a Gibson Les Paul immediately after the G5655T and immediately thought how much easier it is. Both are short-scale guitars which are generally considered easier to play in general, however I am wondering if the issue is not actually the guitars themselves but the licensed Bigsby tremplo keeping the tension tighter than it might be?

Please I hope no-one has their hackles up reasing this post. I freely admit that I am no expert on this; and I am using broad strokes simply to ask a question, so no need for any tribal warfare or snarkiness at my ignorance (you can tell that I have posted queries on Facebook forums before!). If I put the roller bridge mod for Gretsch' with cheap Bigsbys would that help, but allowing a loosening of tension. Just really shooting things out there as I am not informed enough to know the right questions to ask. Thanks

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[Ricochet]

The string angle from saddle to trem makes a tremendous difference to the “feel” of the guitar.
Without having seen the guitars I would guess the Gretsch has a more pronounced string angle. If the case there are several ways to alleviate the problem.

 

[bluenote23]

Could be string gauge. If one guitar had lighter strings than the other, it would feel easier (and also feel quite different) to play. And set up will make a difference too. If the LP was properly set up and the Electro is out of the box that could make a big difference.

 

[Emergence]

I have a Gretsch 6118T Anniversary. I never thought it was particularly difficult to play but the hollow body made it sit less comfortably in my lap than my solid body guitars. Playing above the 10th fret was more difficult than on my solid body guitars. But I still played it. I played it enough that it needed a fret level, crown, and polish. I couldn’t believe the difference when I got it back. The nut was recut for the wound G string and to cut all slots to the same depth. The neck had a tiny bit more relief than I had before but playing was easy. I’m not a strummer or string banger so the reduced fret height added to the guitar’s playability. A good luthier doesn’t come cheap but is worth his weight in gold. I’m giving serious thought to having the same work done to my Telecaster over the summer and doing my older Stratocaster and SG next year.

 

[audept]

I have a Gretsch 6118T Anniversary. I never thought it was particularly difficult to play but the hollow body made it sit less comfortably in my lap than my solid body guitars. Playing above the 10th fret was more difficult than on my solid body guitars. But I still played it. I played it enough that it needed a fret level, crown, and polish. I couldn’t believe the difference when I got it back. The nut was recut for the wound G string and to cut all slots to the same depth. The neck had a tiny bit more relief than I had before but playing was easy. I’m not a strummer or string banger so the reduced fret height added to the guitar’s playability. A good luthier doesn’t come cheap but is worth his weight in gold. I’m giving serious thought to having the same work done to my Telecaster over the summer and doing my older Stratocaster and SG next year.

I couldn't agree more. All my guitars go to my great luthier for a setup and checkout as soon as I get them. They always come back way better than the original condition, sometimes the improvement is incredible.

 

[Dorudon]

Interested to know those options

 

[Dorudon]

Could be string gauge. If one guitar had lighter strings than the other, it would feel easier (and also feel quite different) to play. And set up will make a difference too. If the LP was properly set up and the Electro is out of the box that could make a big difference.

Part of it for sure. The Gibson has Exlixir 9s, and the Electromatic has 10s. Again this is part and parcel of the licensed Bigsby IMO as I suspect there would be tuning issues if they were lighter (it is not brilliant at keeping in tune as is, which I blame on the tremolo). However, I think the the easy of play goes a bit beyond that.

 

[Dorudon]

I couldn't agree more. All my guitars go to my great luthier for a setup and checkout as soon as I get them. They always come back way better than the original condition, sometimes the improvement is incredible.

Is this stuff you can do at home? I assume it is about fret ends, intonation, the cut of the nut and maybe changing the action - must admit I'd be wary of doing that with the licensed Bigsby.

 

[Stefan87]

all guitars are different, my 6118 feels the easiest to play for me over my other gretsches.

But i must say that out of all my guitars, my tele is the easiest.

 

[audept]

Is this stuff you can do at home? I assume it is about fret ends, intonation, the cut of the nut and maybe changing the action - must admit I'd be wary of doing that with the licensed Bigsby.

That is why my guitars go straight to the real professional, preferably the one who works on professional session guitarist's instruments. My luthier is the best I have ever found.

 

[aloner]

That is why my guitars go straight to the real professional, preferably the one who works on professional session guitarist's instruments. My luthier is the best I have ever found.

Who is your luthier in Sydney? Am looking for someone to work on a couple guitars

 

[audept]

Who is your luthier in Sydney? Am looking for someone to work on a couple guitars

PM'd you

 

[delbomber]

my 6120 has 10 gauge strings and I down tune half a step. Made a HUGE difference (plus HENDRIX!)

 

[Bertotti]

First off a string of a certain thickness hits a certain pitch at a set tension, The Bigsby will not put more tension on it if it did it would always be sharp. It is a balancing act between the trem spring and the string tension. String thickness, and set action, to me makes a bigger difference in feel along with neck shape and type of frets. I didn’t expect the frets to make a difference but for me they used to and that was down to technique. Are you the type who wants to put the string on the board squeezing like a gorilla? The higher the action the farther you have to go. I fixed it so I only apply enough pressure to note and now I have to work on a bit more because sometimes I am to light. Just my perspective.

 

[BuddyHollywood]

As much as I had a ton of fun with a Bigsby one of the reasons I replaced it with a G Tailpiece is the slinkier feel. The Bigsby contributes to the stiffness of the strings all else being equal.

 

[Gretsch Gumby]

I picked up a Gibson Les Paul immediately after the G5655T and immediately thought how much easier it is. Both are short-scale guitars which are generally considered easier to play in general, however I am wondering if the issue is not actually the guitars themselves but the licensed Bigsby tremplo keeping the tension tighter than it might be?

If I put the roller bridge mod for Gretsch' with cheap Bigsbys would that help

Here's my take. I don't find Gretsch any harder to play. To the contrary.

Don't have a G5655T, but specific to the brand do have a couple of other Gretches including a G5232T with a B50 which has pretty much identical saddle and Bigsby routing save the stoptail endplate mount point of the G5655T's B70 which is moot. Also have a G5422TG, although that has a B60 and different bridge thus different less angular string routing from bridge to stoppiece via Bigsby's roller. I also have a Les Paul with modern neck and conventional Tune-o-matic bridge assembly. I've owned the LP much longer.

My G5232T neck is an absolute pleasure to play. Similarly my Les Paul. I don't like the weight and balance of my Les Paul.

Two caveats.

As others have mentioned, string gauge. I just checked Gretsches site, and they list the G5655T as coming supplied OOTB with .010-.048s. Those are custom gauge marginally top heavy. Gretch don't specify the brand, although the end anchors look like the D'Addario colour codes. However if they are Elixir coated strings, I've always found fretting anything coated Elixir like fretting fencing wire. They are just tough on the fingers. FTR mentioning this in another forum evoked comment supporting my perception that I am not the only one who has drawn this conclusion about this charateristic of Elixir vs their two primary brand competitors. They are also slight heavier gauge than the D'Addario .010-.046s fitted to my LP as it came OOTB which I;ve continued with, although I'd suggest the Elixir vs D'Addario sting tension and feel thing of significant relevance in how they play all else beign equal.

Second, as others have mentioned, setup. All important. I've been doing my own for years on everything I own (19 guitars at this count), although Bigsby's are a relatively new adventure for me and I am still soaking up everything I can about facilitating their setup and function from other more experienced users.

Just experience and perception based upon my experience with the Gretsch brand, models and multiple other electric guitars of short and standard scale length, neck profiles and bridge types from Strats through Teles, through Les Paul, Revstars, ES-335 style (Ibanez AS113BS) et al.

 

[gentlemanbass]

I always thought that Gretsch being hard to play - I have heard that over the years- is they are less forgiving.

Better fret at the fret - or more board noise.

My first basses in the 70’s were Gretsches and while no harder to play than my fender - the pick ups reveal technique deficiencies more readily than the Fender.

 

[dmunson]

I don't think that the vibrato changes string tension. Both my Gretsches, 5622 and 5320, play as easily as any of my Les Pauls, all with 10's installed. If anything, the Gretsches are a little easier to deal with. I do agree that maybe you should talk to a luthier that you trust.

 

[Cryin_Caleb_Aaron]

I played Teles exclusively for years before trying my first Gretsch.
I have since owned and tried many Gretschs, ranging from Streamliners to Prolines, and for the most part, they’ve all felt very comfortable.
Now I’m down to 2 proline giant hillowbody Gretschs. I still love my teles, but my Gretschs always feel easier to play, despite how big they are compared to my planks.

 

[nightchef]

As a relatively new and occasional Gretsch player, I’ve actually been surprised at how playable my 5420TG is. But there’s no question it does some things better than others. The Bigsby, the bridge design, the weight distribution and everything else give the guitar a certain specific character, not just tonally but in terms of playability. I wouldn’t try to shred on it. (I mean, I’m sure somebody could, but it doesn’t invite that.) But when I’m playing melodically and chordally in a more relaxed way, I’m always surprised and pleased at how easily my left hand flows across the fretboard, and how readily the guitar responds.

I would describe my Gretsch, in the words of the old Willie Dixon song, as “built for comfort not for speed.”