Gretsch Jet or a Jazzmaster?

[Viking Power]

Hey all,

I’m looking for my ultimate guitar. I like to play rockabilly, surf, punk, blues and I guess metal-ish kind of stuff. So...everything.

I have an Electromatic G5622T that has been one helluva a guitar. My one complaint is that it’s kind of bulky. I also have a SSS American standard Stratocaster that is light and fun and also a helluva guitar.

I’ve played several jazzmasters at stores and love how comfortable they are to play. I also really dig the extra oomph the pickups have vs my strat.

I've played Gretsch Electromatic Jets at the store a time or two and like them but thought my G5622T was a better guitar. I haven’t had a chance to play around with a Japanese made unit and that would be more what I’d be looking for at this point. Maybe a Penguin though I am not well versed on differences.

To sum up, I’m trying to decide on a guitar that would be an upgrade from my current stable that does a lot of genres and is comfortable to play. At this point I’m looking at the upper tier Gretsch Jets and the American Jazzmasters.

Anybody that wants to chime in with their two cents is welcome and appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[bluenote23]

I hve 2 Filtertron Jets, 2 Dyna Jets, a Thinskin JM and a Thurston Moore JM.

They are all really great guitars and it would be difficult for me to decide between them. I have to admit that the Fenders, being Fenders, get that sound really easily. So maybe you could call that being more versatile, I don't know.

Dynasonics are not everyone's cup of tea. I really like what I get out of them but it can be a bit of fight sometime. Filtertrons are like bright humbuckers and it's easier to get more conventional sounds out of them.

I guess the best would be to try out as many as you can to see what sounds best to you.

I will say that as an ultimate guitar, my 68 Telecaster comes closer to fitting that.

 

[TSims1]

Between the two? Jet. Every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

 

[Viking Power]

I hve 2 Filtertron Jets, 2 Dyna Jets, a Thinskin JM and a Thurston Moore JM.

They are all really great guitars and it would be difficult for me to decide between them. I have to admit that the Fenders, being Fenders, get that sound really easily. So maybe you could call that being more versatile, I don't know.

Dynasonics are not everyone's cup of tea. I really like what I get out of them but it can be a bit of fight sometime. Filtertrons are like bright humbuckers and it's easier to get more conventional sounds out of them.

I guess the best would be to try out as many as you can to see what sounds best to you.

I will say that as an ultimate guitar, my 68 Telecaster comes closer to fitting that.

I am always, always tempted by Teles but wonder if the lack of a tremolo will put me off. I suppose I could get a Bigsby put on. Something to think about. Would you say a Tele has more balls than a strat?

 

[Viking Power]

Between the two? Jet. Every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

So tell me how you really feel. Haha.

Thanks for the response. Any particular reasons you want to share?

 

[wildeman]

Jet!

 

[audept]

Jet

 

[BorderRadio]

BOTH!

Seriously though, a Jazzmaster is one of the most comfortable guitars to play, and has that floating bridge vibe just like a Gretsch with Bigsby. It’s a hard call, and I wouldn’t sell either of these beauties. There are good and bad to both designs, but a Jet with Filtertrons might be the most versatile for high gain.

 

[mbkri]

This summer I bought a 62 AVRI Jazzmaster and a g6128TVP jet.
Still in the honeymoon period with both of them. What I will stress is that the necks seem VERY different and I’m used to the feel and breadth of the jet after 30 years of playing Gretsch guitars. The Jazzmaster is fantastic. Makes great noises and feels HUGE. Broad fretboard, Thick neck, large slab of body. I honestly couldn’t choose one over the other. The jet makes me want to play big power chords and soaring riffs, the Jazzmaster lends itself to more noodling and rich harmonics and “clever” stuff (if I can claim anything i play as clever). Both great. neither likely to be a disappointment to you. My advice is to buy the one you love the most and play what you play on it and you’ll be happy.

 

[TSims1]

I think versatility

So tell me how you really feel. Haha.

Thanks for the response. Any particular reasons you want to share?

I think versatility primarily. A Jazzmaster is a very unique and specific design that you like or don’t, but I think of them as very specific.

A Jet is like a Les Paul meets Telecaster. It is one of the most versatile guitars I’ve played. I don’t currently own one either, but have owned several and will again. They do it all imo.

What kind of music do you make most?

 

[Dan_Q]

Interesting you should ask this question......... I've been lucky enough to own both a jazzmaster and a pro jet for the first time this year, and these are two of the best guitar types I've owned. I've had them both at least 6 months so think honeymoon period is over! Since purchase, I've hardly played another guitar.

I'm mainly a rhythm player into primarily indie, but play stuff from pop to rock, and I've found both guitars to be particularly versatile sonically. Both have an amazing clarity but have the option of being darker when needed, great control over the sound.

As for which I'd choose out of the two....... well I just don't think i could choose at the moment. So I agree with borderradio and say have both!

 

[LongJohn]

Both, maybe Jazzmaster first.

 

[Rob Williams]

I hated Jazzmasters until I saw Pat Capocci play. Now I have to respect them. For me the difference in the necks would be the deciding factor. You can get 'em to sound very similar so.....
Check him out. A groover, that's for sure

 

[bluenote23]

I am always, always tempted by Teles but wonder if the lack of a tremolo will put me off. I suppose I could get a Bigsby put on. Something to think about. Would you say a Tele has more balls than a strat?

Well, this one is pretty special. I have a newer one but it's not quite the same. But again, you have to play them to really know what's going to be the right fit for you.

 

[T Bone]

Well the obvious answer is both! Between these two I have though, if I were forced to choose, the Jet would win big. Would hate to have to choose though!

 

[dmunson]

I have had several Jazzmasters, the current being an AVRI65. But for versatility, I would go with the Jet. And you really only have to look as far as the G5230T, with BT FilterTrons. I personally prefer the wider range of the FilterTrons to the Dynasonics. I've had those and found them to be a little harsh on the high end.

 

[Buckyboy]

Whichever one you get it has to have a sparkle/flake finish. As folks have heard me say before; the sparkle makes them sound better

 

[Viking Power]

I think versatility



I think versatility primarily. A Jazzmaster is a very unique and specific design that you like or don’t, but I think of them as very specific.

A Jet is like a Les Paul meets Telecaster. It is one of the most versatile guitars I’ve played. I don’t currently own one either, but have owned several and will again. They do it all imo.

What kind of music do you make most?

Mostly billy, surf, blues, punk kind of stuff.

 

[Viking Power]

I hated Jazzmasters until I saw Pat Capocci play. Now I have to respect them. For me the difference in the necks would be the deciding factor. You can get 'em to sound very similar so.....
Check him out. A groover, that's for sure

Aaaaannnddd Pat has a new fanboy. First I’ve heard of him. He’s great! Is that a Squire J. Mascis he’s playing?

 

[Viking Power]

Wow! I’m kind of blown away by how many of you have come to the same conclusion that these are two very special guitars. Didn’t think I’d run into a bunch of folks that owned both!

Thanks for all the input so far. Decisions, decisions...

On top of the two i came here to ask about one of you got me thinking about a Tele again too. Argh!

Well, definitely going to take my time on this one and do a lot of test driving at the shops. Wish it was easier to find these models in stock though. Leave it to me to like the weird guitars!