That's how Gibsons are wired, as well, at least the older ones with a volume and tone for each pickup. Both volumes act as master volumes if you turn them all the way down. In my '62 ES-330, I solved the question of messing with my levels by taking a cue from Gretsch! Using all Gibson OEM parts, I installed a master volume in the lower bout, where the Gretsch M.V. would be, below the pick guard. It looks GREAT and I LOVE it. Use it all the time, as I do with my Gretsches. FWIW, (again, using all OEM parts - it ALL looks like it was done BY the Gibson Custom shop), I also moved the output jack to the side and installed a Standby switch in the former output hole. I put Standbys in ALL my guitars & use them constantly. (They were already in the '62 reissue Gretsches, but admittedly I had to mod THOSE to correct a rather unbelieveable factory grounding/hum issue they both had.) With my live rig, I have at least 3-4 guitars plugged in at once, into a pre-pedals/everything line mixer, & having the standbys lets me shut off guitars I'm not playing without fear of feedback, & w/o having to fix any volume settings when I change guitars. Gretsch had the right idea, but they need to wire them correctly!! IMHO, ALL guitars should have 'em! Cheers!
I hate the electronics in the new Gretsch guitars. I purchased a couple and had problems with both. Ended up with one with P90's on it and it's not any better. I called Gretsch and they seemed to think everything was okay. I own several old Gretsch's and love them. As a finger picker I need a good master volume and seems only the older guitars have that, as well as the zero fret.
