Gretch model G5120 review – everything you need to know

The Gretsch G5120 is a guitar that combines vintage looks with modern features to make a great playing experience for both experienced artists and people who want to learn how to play the guitar. This guitar costs around $600 and is part of Gretsch’s Electromatic series. The goal of this series is to offer classic Gretsch style and sound at a price that most people can afford. The G5120 has a solid name among guitar fans for its unique look, high-quality construction, and wide range of tones.

Design and Build Quality

From the moment you see the Gretsch G5120, you can tell that it has a beautiful style. The body of the guitar is hollow and has a single cutaway, which is very Gretsch. It comes in different styles, such as the famous orange, black, and sunburst, and all of them add to its classic rockabilly look.

The body is constructed from laminated maple, which not only contributes to its beautiful resonance but also ensures durability. The arched top and back, combined with the f-holes, add to the vintage appeal while enhancing the acoustic properties of the instrument. The binding on the body, neck, and headstock is meticulously done, giving the G5120 a refined and high-quality appearance.

The neck of the G5120 is made from maple and features a rosewood fingerboard with 22 medium jumbo frets. The pearloid neo-classical “thumbnail” inlays are a nod to Gretsch’s heritage and make navigating the fretboard a visual delight. The neck has a comfortable, slim profile, making it easy to play for extended periods without causing hand fatigue.

Hardware and Electronics

The Gretsch G5120 is equipped with a pair of Gretsch Dual-Coil humbuckers, specifically designed to capture the vintage Gretsch sound. These pickups offer a broad tonal palette, from warm, jazzy cleans to gritty, overdriven rock tones. The pickups are controlled by a traditional Gretsch layout, featuring a three-way pickup selector switch, master volume, master tone, and individual volume controls for each pickup. This configuration provides a high level of control over your sound, allowing for precise adjustments to suit various playing styles.

One of the standout features of the G5120 is the Bigsby B60 vibrato tailpiece. The Bigsby not only adds to the visual appeal of the guitar but also provides smooth and expressive vibrato effects. Combined with an Adjusto-Matic bridge, the Bigsby ensures stable tuning and intonation, even during aggressive playing.

The guitar also boasts high-quality die-cast tuners that offer reliable tuning stability. These tuners are smooth to operate and make fine-tuning a breeze. The nut is made from synthetic bone, which contributes to the guitar’s sustain and tuning stability.

Sound and Performance

The Gretsch G5120 excels in delivering the classic Gretsch sound, characterized by its bright, twangy tones and rich harmonic content. The laminated maple body, combined with the hollow design, produces a resonant and lively acoustic tone that translates beautifully when amplified.

When played clean, the G5120 offers a clear and articulate sound, perfect for genres like jazz, blues, and country. The neck pickup provides warm and rounded tones, ideal for smooth jazz chords and bluesy licks. The bridge pickup, on the other hand, delivers a brighter and more biting sound, perfect for rockabilly riffs and country leads.

With a bit of overdrive, the G5120 can easily transition into rock and rockabilly territory. The pickups handle gain well, maintaining clarity and definition even with higher levels of distortion. The Bigsby vibrato allows for subtle pitch modulation, adding an expressive dimension to your playing without sacrificing tuning stability.

One of the key strengths of the G5120 is its versatility. Whether you’re strumming open chords, fingerpicking intricate melodies, or shredding high-gain solos, the G5120 adapts beautifully, delivering consistent and inspiring performance across a wide range of musical styles.

Playability

The Gretsch G5120 is designed with player comfort in mind. The slim neck profile and smooth rosewood fingerboard make it easy to navigate, while the medium jumbo frets provide a comfortable playing surface for both chords and solos. The guitar’s balanced weight distribution ensures that it sits comfortably whether you’re playing standing up or sitting down.

The action is typically set up low out of the box, which enhances playability, though it can be easily adjusted to suit individual preferences. The Bigsby vibrato system, while adding some complexity to string changes, operates smoothly and reliably, making it a joy to use for adding subtle vibrato effects to your playing.

Conclusion

At around $600, the Gretsch G5120 offers incredible value for money. It combines classic Gretsch aesthetics and sound with modern reliability and playability, making it a standout choice for guitarists of all levels. Whether you’re a seasoned player looking to add a versatile and stylish instrument to your collection, or a beginner seeking a high-quality guitar that will inspire you to practice and perform, the G5120 is an excellent option.

The combination of its beautiful design, robust build quality, versatile sound, and comfortable playability makes the Gretsch G5120 a truly remarkable guitar. It captures the essence of Gretsch’s rich heritage while offering the features and reliability that modern musicians demand. If you’re in the market for a guitar that can handle a wide range of genres and playing styles, the Gretsch G5120 should be at the top of your list.