Newly Announced Gretsch Synchromatic Collection...Say You Yay, Or Say You Nay?

[crunchee]

Apparently just announced within the last week or so:

“Makes next-level Gretsch style and sound more accessible than ever”: Gretsch brings its iconic Falcon and Nashville hollowbodies to new-low price points with unveiling of the Synchromatic Collection | Guitar World

I've already got a few Gretsch G5420T hollow bodies that scratch my Gretsch itch just fine.  Comparing the new ones to the ones that I already own now (Electromatic series, MIK manufacture, made in the late 2010's to the early 2020's and costing me roughly $600 each used including the correct-sized TKL Canadian-made Gretsch cases), I don't feel any need to run out and throw money at these new Chinese-made Synchromatics.  It probably doesn't bode well for those Gretsch owners that try to sell 'upgraded' Electromatic G5420s by modding them with TV Jones pickups and jacking up the used prices 50% more or even higher, though.  What say you?

Edited September 17, 2025 by crunchee

[Sugartune]

I say, I agree with all you say. 

[Bobo_Fagucci]

Bought a Black Falcon it is a Professional recent, not an Electromatic. Considered going the other way - but just hit a used that was at par with the Electromatic pricing. It is quite nice - I will say.  Maybe the Electromatic is impacting overall pricing, there are deals out there. Going to see The Cult in a few weeks for the first time, so I bought one. Always wanted one in the fleet, it is a diff animal. No buyers remorse. 

[Bobo_Fagucci]

*** Moderators *** 

Not entirely sure if this is allowed, please remove if it is not  -- with my apologies.

 

[Eli]

The import stuff keeps getting better.  Will have to try one.  I've got 3 MIJs that are great and a 1970 Super Chet.  The MIJs are great, but still don't compare to the Super Chet.

[cmatthes]

My son was going back and forth between a new Chinese-built Electromatic and an older Korean one.  In the end, and after trying dozens of new and like new used ones, he opted for the MIK model.  It's a fantastic guitar, and if he decides he wants to upgrade it, I've got a few sets of TVJs around that he can toss in there.  He's happy!

 

 

[crunchee]

Here's a bit of Gretsch trivia; I had heard that Pete Townshend used a Gretsch 6120 in the early '70s (it was a gift from Joe Walsh), but I didn't know how often or where he used it...and it turned out that he used it a lot for recording.  In 1973, the BBC asked Townshend to shorten the performance of the song '5:15' on the Top Of The Pops TV show due to the TV show's time constraints, so of course he reacted predictably: 

The guitar was repaired after this 'little accident', and he still used it afterward on occasion in the studio.

Gretsch 6120 ‘Chet Atkins’ | Pete Townshend’s Guitar Gear | Whotabs

[cmatthes]

He probably wasn't thrilled that the BBC made them mime to the track either!

[crunchee]

This appears to be the official demo video, as it's on the Gretsch website:

 

[tommy p]

If I could still play, I would have definitely checked out the White Falcon for the AC/DC tribute band I was in.

Edited September 20, 2025 by tommy p

[Bobo_Fagucci]

From the Atlanta show  10/18 - I reside in NC

[Saul Goodman]

On 9/16/2025 at 8:44 PM, Bobo_Fagucci said:

*** Moderators *** 

Not entirely sure if this is allowed, please remove if it is not  -- with my apologies.

 

What a shit band that was. Almost as bad as Danzig, "Mother."Thankfully the '90s came around and you had, Nine Inch Nails, Stabbing Westward, Tool, I Mother Earth, Counting Crows, and Live. 

ETA: Jane's Addiction. Probably forgot a few. Oh, Alice in Chains, Sound Garden. 

Edited November 10, 2025 by Saul Goodman

[Bobo_Fagucci]

14 minutes ago, Saul Goodman said:

What a shit band that was. Almost as bad as Danzig, "Mother."Thankfully the '90s came around and you had, Nine Inch Nails, Stabbing Westward, Tool, I Mother Earth, Counting Crows, and Live. 

Hmmm. OK. DIsagree. Enjoy each of the bands you listed. The 90's didn't save anything though. Check yourself brother.

Edited November 10, 2025 by Bobo_Fagucci

[Bobo_Fagucci]

Counting Crows 2024 Tour - Raleigh NC

Edited November 10, 2025 by Bobo_Fagucci

[Bobo_Fagucci]

36 minutes ago, Saul Goodman said:

What a shit band that was. Almost as bad as Danzig, "Mother."Thankfully the '90s came around and you had, Nine Inch Nails, Stabbing Westward, Tool, I Mother Earth, Counting Crows, and Live. 

ETA: Jane's Addiction. Probably forgot a few. Oh, Alice in Chains, Sound Garden. 

Picture - I posted was really for Crunchee the OP - not for your diatribe.

[Saul Goodman]

17 hours ago, Bobo_Fagucci said:

Picture - I posted was really for Crunchee the OP - not for your diatribe.

Adam changed his hair.

[Saul Goodman]

18 hours ago, Bobo_Fagucci said:

The 90's didn't save anything though.

You're probably right. Look at the shit that's come out since.