Pimp My Gretsch

[rupe]

A little more than a month ago I picked up a '94 Gretsch Silver Falcon from our own Rob (recall the packing thread where somebody claimed he did a poor job at it ...this thing could have withstood a bomb blast). I really wanted one with a Bigsby but I also preferred the vertical logo and humped block inlays. The solution was to simply add the Bigsby.

Here is what I got:

And here she is now:

Aside from the Bigsby I also threw on a set of Grover Imperial tuners to complete the look. I also planned to put in a set of TV Jones Filtertrons but the stock ones actually sound better/"bigger" to me. The old ceramic magnet pre-FMIC Filtertrons tend to get a bad rap but when I compared this guitar to a Setzer model with TV Jones, I thought the Falcon simply sounded better and reacted better to the amp I was using (Matchless Chieftain 2x12). Maybe the difference is more in the guitars than the pickups, but for now I'm sticking with these and the TV Jones are heading to the parts bin.

Overall I'm loving this guitar. It sounds great for my current blues project, plays like a dream (as long as you don't head north of the 15th fret) and looks cool as hell on stage...a total winner.

 

[IndyWS6]

Looks awesome! I love Gretch guitars.

Although I rarely play it because it is so one-dimensional, I have an orange 6120 that I'll likely never part with. It just exudes cool. Now, if I could just play like Setzer...

 

[rlord1974]

That looks KILLER Bill! Well done!

 

[ratter]

Nice...the tuners make it...

 

[rupe]

Nice...the tuners make it...

You're a luthier...what do I need to do to "pin" the bridge in place? I noticed that I've knocked it around a wee bit when things heat up during the set and I'd like to keep it stationary.

 

[rlord1974]

Personally, I would take it to a luthier. That's not a job I would attempt on that guitar, Bill. Put the onus of responsibility for error on someone else!

 

[rupe]

Personally, I would take it to a luthier. That's not a job I would attempt on that guitar, Bill. Put the onus of responsibility for error on someone else!

You're probably right...my toolbox only has duct tape and WD-40...most likely not the right tools for the job

 

[rlord1974]

I don't even have a 'toolbox' in the traditional sense of the word.

Whenever the wife asks me to tackle a job or improvement around the house, I simply pull out my 'urban contemporary toolbox' (i.e., my wallet) and hire a contractor!

 

[ratter]

Nice...the tuners make it...

You're a luthier...what do I need to do to "pin" the bridge in place? I noticed that I've knocked it around a wee bit when things heat up during the set and I'd like to keep it stationary.

Sorry, I've got nuthin'. All I know is what I've read....some people use tape, etc. Others say that the trick is just using heavy enough strings - 12s at least, so that there's enough downward pressure. Not my wheelhouse...I've never owned one and I can probably count on one hand the number I've touched in my life...

 

[rlord1974]

Again, personally, there is no way in hell I would try doing this myself......

http://gretschpages.com/forum/general-t ... 808/page1/

I'd have the archtop in about 15 pieces!

 

[Zap]

That is a nice freaking guitar!

 

[blackba]

That Gretsch looks great. I have a pre Fender Gretsch Brian Setzer hot rod. Only thing I have done is put a flitertron and filtertron plus in it. At the time too I used some mouse pad to adjust the height to their recommendations. I am wondering if adjusting the height to the stock pickups would have made me keep them in, but anyway I found the TV Jones to be a huge improvement over the stock pickups. I am not sure if the pickups I had in my Brian Setzer are the same as what is stock in your cool and totally awesome Gretsch.

the stock pickups were kind of thin and raspy. The TV Jones are just warm and buttery and much smoother on the high end. They totally made me fall in love with the guitar.

As far as pinning the Bridge, that would be nice just for when I change the strings, but I use some blue painters tape when I change the strings and just tape down the Bridge, it does the job. I also use a Kapo to hold the string on the Bigsby when I am stringing it as well, makes it much easier.