Some extra details about George's original guitar (as a Beatles gear nerd): - The offset strap button wasn't done at the factory. The guitar originally did not have a vibrato, and whoever installed the Bigsby didn't drill it out properly for the button. - Duo Jets normally have a natural mahogany back, George spray painted his guitar black at the same time John Lennon spray painted his 1958 Rickenbacker 325 black. - This was George's primary guitar, alongside his Gibson J-160E, that was used on the band's first album, Please Please Me. The album was recorded in one day on February 11, 1963.

@tgarder

4 ай бұрын

That's awesome, thanks for adding the info! (Also.. recording a whole album in one day, whaaaat)

@clayh254

4 ай бұрын

@@tgarder Most of the album at least. The band had released two double-sided singles by that point, so those four tracks were re-used for the album's track list. Ten new songs needed to be recorded though, so the band came into the studio and recorded their current live set list. John Lennon had a nasty cold that day as well, you can hear him really straining his voice on the tracks where he's singing lead vocals.

@bebop425

4 ай бұрын

This person is correct. The cherry back is better IMO on the 6128T-1957. Those were temporarily discontinued in the 2000s to release this GH version that initially sold for $10k plus, which is absurd.

@the1songwriter

4 ай бұрын

@@bebop425 I believe the ones which sold for over $10k were the Custom Shop ones which were replicated to Harrison's guitar down to every minute detail (scratches, tarnished hardware, etc.). From what I remember, these non-Custom Shop ones have always been in the "affordable" range, though $3,700 is still a large sum.

@jrm2fla

4 ай бұрын

The single knob on the low cutaway horn is a master volume not a master tone

"If you're not familiar with who George Harrison is...."

@Madakalim

4 ай бұрын

I loved the Zappa Roxy SG video where hopefully a bunch of people "not familiar with FZ" went and took the dive in!

@madeofnapalm

4 ай бұрын

What a time to live in 😁

@andybungert

4 ай бұрын

Remember a handful of years ago when Paul McCartney and I think it was Kanye and Rihanna put out a single/ record and everybody was like who's Paul McCartney? Must be up and coming 😂

@srwaite7

4 ай бұрын

George, who? 😂😂😂

@NotDingse

4 ай бұрын

@@andybungertthat was a meme tho. People did it ironically.

The staple pickup was gibson’s attempt at a dynasonic type pickup. Les fitted a dynasonic in the neck position of one of his early goldtops. In true Les fashion, it was hidden under a diy hacked up p90 style cream cover. The story goes that Les preferred the dynasonic over a p90 in the neck position. Gibson saw this and ordered Seth lover to come up with their own version, as they couldn’t have their biggest artist playing a rival’s pickups. Therefore, the staple pickup was born. But it was so expensive to produce, it was reserved for the most expensive guitars before ultimately being replaced by the paf pickups.

@jonathanhudak2059

4 ай бұрын

Cool story! 👌

One of my all time favorite guitarist, artist and one of my all time favorite guitars. That great Gretsch sound!

Gretsch are incredible guitars. It’s like a step up in classyness.

In the 1970's you could hardly give that guitar away. From 1976-1979 I was assistant mgr. at Hilton Music in Utica N.Y. We had that exact guitar, used of course but in very good condition, and it took over a year to sell it, with Hard Shell case for $75.00. Of course that was before there was such a thing as a Vintage Guitar Market. If I only knew then what I know now........

@leviathan_is_me

4 ай бұрын

Can't hear "Utica" without thinking of those fabled 6 months where Lance Catamaran was the newsman....

@stratman9449

4 ай бұрын

tell me about it.....cheeze....

@rockinrob2004

4 ай бұрын

WOW! All I can remember is WINTER SNOW, WKTV, WOUR, Tomato pie, your store & Art Nicotera's music.

@andybasic1761

4 ай бұрын

My Dad took me to Nicoteras to pick out a guitar as a HS Graduation present June 1974. It came down to a 71 Tele Thinline or a 60s Les Paul Deluxe. I got the Tele for the humbuckers but should have selected the Paul. That was the first of many bad decisions I have made in the world of guitars. @@rockinrob2004

@jonathanhudak2059

4 ай бұрын

Ughghgh and used muscle cars for several hundred dollars 😢

The originals were made in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY! When Baldwin took over, they shut the factory down in mid-1969 and moved production to Arkansas. To this day if you’re on the Williamsburg bridge going into Brooklyn, look to the right and there’s a tall gray building with “Gretsch building no. 4” painted just below the roof. It’s now very expensive condos. 😭

@miahconnell23

4 ай бұрын

NYC is so expensive 😭. I got accepted to TC Columbia, and I almost died working overtime+plus to pay rent. I shoulda been studying, but I couldn’t let my room-mates down. You know how motivational speakers say: “never give up ?” Sometimes ya hafta give up. Lack of nutrition, lack of sleep, chaotic yet demanding workplace. Yet TC Columbia’s “international education with ethnography” path is SUCH a good program, perfectly in alignment with my academic goals…😭 to be literally hungry and look at the gentrification… ouch. I’m never gonna get over this.😢

@jonathanhudak2059

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing, how sad in some ways...😢

@joermnyc

4 ай бұрын

@@jonathanhudak2059 yeah, at least the old Gibson factory in Kalamazoo is still making guitars (The Heritage and now USA made Harmony)

@jonathanhudak2059

4 ай бұрын

@joermnyc good point! 👍

@gillesserrigny6324

3 ай бұрын

À Gretsch George Harrison Duo Jet made in Japan ! We must trust for the quality l think.

Thanks for doing a Gretsch!

Congrats David, what a beautiful Gretsch, George Harrison's music is amazing. Those Dynasonic Pickups were favored by Les Paul the man, and he actually installed a set in the early '54 Les Pauls he played. Gibson used the Dynasonic design to design/create the AlNiCo V Staple pickups. The Dynasonic and Staple pickups have an expanded range of tonal profiles. You can adjust the pickup close to the strings with the pole magnets adjusted flush for a thick full tone, or, you can lower the pickup body away from the strings and raise the individual pole magnets closer to the strings for a more single coil/acoustic tone. These pickups (Dynasonic and AlNiCo V Staple) are among my favorite types of pickups.

@sgt.grinch3299

4 ай бұрын

Greetings HK. I hope you are well Sir.✌️✌️

@hkguitar1984

4 ай бұрын

@@sgt.grinch3299 Thank You for asking, I am well Sir, and You? Love this Gretsch, very cool how its constructed, its like a Les Paul Midtown ES!

10 years gone sounded damn good.

I've got this, the rosewood telecaster AND the rocky stratocaster.

@jimmyjames2022

4 ай бұрын

Sweet! Time for a '64 DB5?

Wowsers that's just dripping cool tones

George was my first major guitar hero when I first started playing as a kid and the first guy that I heavily looked up to, his playing was always what the song needed and he's still one of my favourite guitarists and biggest influences

@johnnyxmusic

4 ай бұрын

Sometimes… Especially when you’re early Beatles stuff it’s really remarkable the kind of lines he plays… Whether he was influenced by Chet Atkins or Carl Perkins or Scotty Moore…his playing was quite advanced. And tasty!

@jonathanhudak2059

4 ай бұрын

​@johnnyxmusic good points! And often he's overlooked sadly as a capable and rounded guitarist

A lot of really usable distinct sounds. Regarding the uneven taper on the tone control: A lot of the old Gretch models had only Volume knobs and a switch to engage the tone capacitor.

I have 3 Gretsch guitars and i love everyone of them and can't wait to get more. Goes well with my Rickenbacker when playing live. The Gretsch/Rickenbacker combo forces my Les Paul into 'retirement' lol

@teerexness

4 ай бұрын

I'm with you! In 2015, my wife bought me a Double Jet Electromatic, and I haven't had a single thought for any Gibson or Fender since. Wonderful guitars! I've also got the Rickenbacker bug! Much cooler guitars than the ones that 10M other people play.

@bootdaclown

4 ай бұрын

I have a 2005 black dou jet . Sounds grainy and gnarly. It reminds me that I'm a rock star

That was the Space Control bridge with rolling saddles. The other poular adjustable style: Melita

Nice to see you branching out Trogly!

Man I just love Gretsch. Every one I've touched I have really enjoyed. Next to my Les Paul I think Jets are my 2nd favorite guitars.

@jonathanhudak2059

4 ай бұрын

Well said! I have a 59' Sparkle Jet with the Filter Trons (made in Japan like this one) and I dont own a Les Paul😊

also that's not a master tone on the DuoJet - it's a master volume. You set the volume of the individual pickups with their separate controls, set the pickup selector to both, and then you can raise and lower the combined volume of the two pickups with the master volume. I like to dial back the neck a little so i still get some of that bite from the bridge.

@dw7704

4 ай бұрын

Most likely he misspoke After all a Master tone doesn’t make sense if you only have other tone control for both pickups

@roughcutguitars

4 ай бұрын

​@@dw7704Yeah, he did that a fair amount throughout: "surprised" that a (chambered) hollowbody with no soundholes didn't feed back, and the label inside the body gaf.

I saw him play that with the Wilburys as a kid, saw McCartney 2 yrs ago and Ringo last fall. Lennon died before I was born

I'm right there with you on the rosewood Telecaster.

@jonathanhudak2059

4 ай бұрын

But it's so ugly compared to the classic black Gretsch imho lol

Check out the slight spec differences with the Jeff Beck 1956 6128 “Duo Jet”, you’re on Cloud 9.

It's so nice that (Fender?) restored the Gretsch brand name years ago. I remember in the early-to-mid 1980s, the "Gretsch" name was put on these budget guitars sold at glorified toy stores. They were pretty much "wood slab" bodies. No color finish - no reverence to the history of the brand name - nothing. I can only imagine they sounded cruddy. This one sounds like a dream.

@jsullivan2112

4 ай бұрын

Fred Gretsch. He regained ownership so it's back in the family again. Fender has distribution rights and makes a lot of parts to help out with the workload.

how long until trogly does a Heritage H150

@tonyhill1141

4 ай бұрын

Good call. That’s an exceptional instrument.

@hkguitar1984

4 ай бұрын

I'd love to see him review a Heritage. About two years ago I was looking at a Heritage LP Jr. style guitar with a single P90, both the body and neck were Korina!

@neil2706

4 ай бұрын

He should do a heritage they’re somewhat a part of Gibson history

@pereztube2

4 ай бұрын

lets see if David buys one lol

@Arthagnou

4 ай бұрын

@@hkguitar1984 Heritage tops are consistently great. Gibson is very "Hit and Miss".

The Duo Jet is a prime example of an interesting Paradox from the first two years that the Beatles were performing under the name. Until at least 1962, none of the thinline, hollowbody or semihollow electric guitars and basses they played had any openings in the top. That went for George's Duo Jet model, Paul's violin bass from Hofner and John's Rickenbacker 325. It wasn't until George bought his second Gretch model, a country gentlemen, that any of their electric guitars had such an opening in the top as an f-hole.

Loving the cavity cam!

Should have played Summer Time Blues by Eddie Cochran. Between him & Brian Setzer who played Cochran in the movie La Bamba most people wouldn’t even know what a Gretsch is….say for the Chet Atkins fans…

Wait, who were The Ruttles?

Gretsch rocks. Even Korea or China. Perfect QC.

"These things" look amazing! I'd love one.

I was hoping for the Epiphone Adam Jones 1979 review but I’ll try to be patient for that video 😅

Great guitar. I agree though…the rosewood tele will always hold a special place in my heart.

I've got more expensive guitars these days but my 20 year old budget Gretsch Electromatic Pro Jet is still my go to guitar. The scale length just feels.. perfect. And without a pick guard it doesn't look so dated. Cool to see some Gretsch on this channel, would love to see more!

Awesome, that 2nd pic of George was rad!

My very first electric guitar was received as a gift from my sister and brother fifty years ago, is was used at that time but was in excellent condition, a single cut single pickup hollow body sunburst.

I own a Gretsch 6128 Duo Jet and a Gibson LP Standard '50s Gold Top, both of which I find to be exceptional instruments. The Gretsch, in particular, stands out for its remarkably comfortable weight, providing a more effortless playing experience. In contrast, the Gibson feels noticeably heavier and bulkier in comparison to the Gretsch. Despite the weight difference, I appreciate the unique qualities each guitar brings to my collection.

It definitely sounded better than a lot of Gibson's you showed us. My main guitar is a Ltd Ed SG Std. but a I got it using my ears not my eyes.

i bought the cliff gallop as it had a better bridge and nicer finish on the back

Thanks David. Beautiful and interesting guitar.

I like this guitar

Super thanks for this video. I needed info about the construction and mounting of DynaSonics pickups and your video was very helpful by your disassembly. Much appreciated. :- )

Not sure if someone already mentioned it, but the strap button was offset on the back because it was stripped out and, because they weren't terribly concerned about there gear back in the day, George just drilled it into the spot above. Also, it was originally a rosewood body on the back and neck, and not black, but it was more "rock & roll" to have it a uniform all black. John followed suit later with his 325 maple later on.

Long live Gretsch! Nice variety today on the sound demo playing also

Austin, thank you for “doing” this model !!! 🙏 Your attention to detail is AB-SO-SMURF-LY necessary !! (Looking inside the guitar is of grave importance to me.) I’m halfway through watching, & I hope you’ll strum it unplugged a few times to show us how much tope vibration this produces. Ya [meaning me] don’t stumble across these to try out in-person everyday.

I believe the master volume knob is also meant to roll back some of the highs. It does on my duojet (the "inexpensive" 800 dollar model)

Groovy man , I like the Duo-Jet , I love black guitars , Ive been wanting a Gretsch Double Anniversary or a Country Gentleman , I like the BIG BODY on those models , though the Duo-Jet is larger than I expected...great tones ! Thanks Trogly !

I have the much cheaper electomatic version about 3k less but still a great guitar

At 6:40, that is the Gretsch Space Control bridge.

Good thing George didn't give it the Rocky treatment.

It's got lovely tones.

Great looking guitar so iconic

So cool to see a Gretsch Duo Jet deep dive on the channel. I bought a new G6129T89 VS Silver Jet last year and, although it's a lot of money for an "import", these Japanese guitars really are beautifully made. I got mine on a whim but, considering it's a kind of Chris Cornell/Soundgarden model, I had to check it out. Those DynaSonic pickups on that Harrison model seem to take gain well - perhaps even better that the FilterTrons in mine! The middle to neck positions don't vary as much as, say, on a Gibson and it's interesting point made about the tone controls on the Harrison one. And finish-wise, I'm assuming the black is a plastic wrap like I have on the sparkle top, which comes from the Gretsch drum wrapping? Anyway, here's to more Gretsch videos on Trogly's!

@jonathanhudak2059

4 ай бұрын

@davidpggarrett congrats! I bought a similar Sparkle Jet to yours a G6129T59 (yours has the wider headstock like Cornells with the horseshoe inlay and tombstone style fret inlays), how do you like yours and how is it doing string changes with the space control bridge? I love mine and it's a beautiful guitar and plays and sounds great. The quality on these Japanese made ones is exceptional to say the least too!

@davidpggarrett

3 ай бұрын

@jonathanhudak2059 I'm getting to know it. This particular model doesn't come with the space control bridge but a Nashville-style Adjusto-Matic on the pinned rosewood base (I found it was more "Rattle-o-Matic" and a less stable so am trying an ABM Roller Bridge now). Is yours OK? I do like the ebony appointments on model. The pickups are a similar configuration, but my bridge one is the Classic Plus. I should try some height adjustments next.

@jonathanhudak2059

3 ай бұрын

@davidpggarrett yeah you know I don't know. I haven't played mine much lately which is the same with all my guitars. It's been over half a year or longer since I've last played and I haven't touched this one in over a year. Sometimes I feel like getting out of the hobby completely even though I do have some nice guitars. I just figured I'd ask since you have one and was wondering what I could expect long term, thank you.

Go GRETSCH Friday!!!

Sweet guitar. I've lusted after a sparkle red solid body single cut Gretsch lately but can't quite justify the price. They make some vey nice guitars!!!

10 years Gone?!? Hell, yeah

Great to see you do a Gretsch Trogly and congratulations David on a beautiful guitar, excellent choice! Along with a Sparkle Jet a Black or Cadillac Green Duo Jet are two of my favorite Gretsch guitars. Not only do the Dyna Sonic single coils look classy but they sound great as well! Not only clean but also with some dirt and gain ..amazing!

I have a G5427T Electromatic Hollowbody and it's fun to use pedals with cause it get very talkative by itself then you start to play it.

Really like the ones! :)

Hey there

Right on Austin.just a coincidence i requested lat week you review one of these.Either way cool,thanks.

Would love to see you review the limited USA custom shop George Harrison model. Afaik, George's actual guitar had hotter pickups in the 11-13k range, a different wiring scheme and also a stacked tone knob (which would fix the poor tapering). This was replicated in the custom shops but not in the Japanese model.

Love my Lefty Gretsch!!!

Staple pickup is a Gibson copy of a DeArmon pick-up; Which, Dyna Sonic is.

Such a cool looking guitar, sounds good too

great song

I have one. It’s a Great guitar. Something different from my usual Gibson/Epi and my acoustics. He neck seem narrow for my liking, but that only takes a moment. My s/n# is only 8 numbers different from yours. Someday I wish you would document the Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion. I have one as well as a ‘66 Howard Roberts oval hole jazz guitar.

The hump Inlays are better known as headstones.

Thing sounds awesome

No bridge intonation ?

@ironmikezero

4 ай бұрын

Gotta remember that bridge floats, so some modest intonation adjustment is possible even with the Bigsby. In my experience with Pro-Series Gretsch models (MIJ & CS), most of which have Bigsby trems and rocking or TOM bridges, the intonation is usually dead on or can be dialed in with TOM-style bridges.

There's just something about Gretsch !

Hey, Trogly, I have a question that does not pertain to this video: Is there any way for me to get hold of one of the newest iterations of the Gibson Custom Shop Firebird Cases (with the gold interior)? I think these cases are not quite as bulky as the previous versions, and that would be a help for my custom shop firebird! THANKS

Cool but not on my list of guitars to buy for over four grand including tax.

NICE guitar...congrats to ya! I'm a Gibson need but totally respect a great Gretch...

That Paisley Penguin photo looked like my LTD from Terada, but yeah the Gretsch custom shop has been doing paisleys. I'd guess the CS ones inspired the LTD production run. My Penguin is beautiful BTW.

@jimwilson9498

4 ай бұрын

My Paisley Penguin arrived today and is simmering in the box until I get a chance to run it through its paces tomorrow.

In the past few years have really come to love an appreciate GRETSCH. They are unique, and offer a Great playing experience and different tones than my go to GIBSON’S (my true number one’s). Nice review AUSTIN! Dig that you channeled a little of your Motor city madman and got into some; “Stranglehold”👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Great looking and sounding guitar! The price is scary! 😞

In abourt 1967 I bought a Duo Jet on 48th St...mostly because it looked like a LP and cuz my 67 Strat was stolen. It had neo classic markers, Open tuners, "space"roller bridge,paf filtertrons two toggles and 2 plus 1 volumes. Never bonded with it and found it somewhat entry level (my opinion) and 'jangly". mine wasn't chambered but to me seemed hollow built kinda a silvertone. Anyway, I never liked it and it hung around till maybe the ninties then I sold it.... and never missed it.

There was an earlier George Harrison Spec Gretsch Duo Jet I have owned three of those over the years and still own a 1957 Gretsch Duo Jet which I refuse to part with... They are amazing machines ! Thanks for posting ! Rudy @ GRNY Inc.

But, but, but . . . George's one didn't have multi-coloured string endings peeping out from under the tail-piece - oh nooooooo 🤣Despite that utter failure in authenticity I would love to have one of these, I have a terrific Japanese made Gretsch solid-body and it's quite similar in terms of 'the jangle' thru a Vox. And, of course, the Fender Rosewood Tele . . . I'm more of a Les Paul player (1968 Custom) but I'd settle with the 'Get Back' one as a my first Tele anyday! 👍😅Thanks for the great overview of this one!

Of course this model originally had black paint only on the top of the body. The back, sides and neck were clear coated. George liked how John painted his 325 Rickenbacker black and followed suit with his Gretsch.

As Always, Nice Work! WooF!!

Maybe change the tone caps to render the tone pot more functional at least varied.

Hi...I'm becoming a fan. ...you seem to know your stuff...I'm a guitar fan of course.. Your doing a great job and thank you ...your very thoural in your reviews.. Thank you very much And the guitars you seem to have access to? Dreams of us all .

now we're talkin'

i saw on someone's channel that harrison use flatwound strings on this guitar.

Was pleasantly surprised with the dirty tones. When I think Gretsch I think Brian Setzer/Stray Cats even The Living End sound.

@moongate31

8 күн бұрын

Unfortunately, Gretsch guitars have always been pigeonholed as country and/or rockabilly axes. In truth, Gretsches with any one of the 'Tron humbucking pickups (Filter'Tron, Super'Tron, etc.) are likely some of the most versatile sounding electric guitars out there. They will do hard rock, punk, jazz, blues and yes, country and rockabilly. (Actually, the DynaSonics on this GH model can crank out a variety of tones, too.) As proof, Bono, Neil Young and the late Malcom Young all play(ed) Gretsch. No rockabilly there!

@leviathan_is_me

8 күн бұрын

@moongate31 "The Living End" they are a punk rock band. Rockabilly influenced, maybe. Rancid has used Gretsch as well, I believe. I use an ES339 for hard rock a lot myself.

Nice one! Hope new owner enjoys it a ton!!!

They make a relic version too that has the same marks as George’s one

Oh man, this floating bridge + bigsby looks like a real PITA maintenance

looks awesome - I want one

@steveparish9210

4 ай бұрын

I was talking to my brothers this afternoon about how I needed a Harrison dou jet and then this on trog!

@brianhansen-hj3ml

4 ай бұрын

@@steveparish9210that’s the universe telling you to go buy one!

Is that a .047 tone cap? It does get quite dark in the low register.

The black finish REALLY shows fine scratches.

I don’t understand how to interview the neck profile. Can you show taking the impression? I dont understand how the impression is being taken

Wow, I would love to buy one. lol

You sound good on that guitar Trogsters!

They’re called “cloud” inlays.

In the middle of the video, an ad pop up. It was a pedal ad and the guitar player had a duo jet.

I want this guitar so bad

Evening all!!!

Did they use a log pot for the tone control?