cocco Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Has anyone played any of the gretsch hollow body range? Specifically the 34" G5440 LSB and the 32" G5123 B . They're roughly the same price (from guitar guitar), only the 32 has TV Jones pickups while the 34 has Gretsch's own. My main question is does the 34 balance well? And does it feel really long because of where the strap button is? Would the 32 feel more normal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Fretbuzz Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 I fancied the 34 and I'm going to take a look at one at Wunjo in London in a couple of weeks but more than likely I'm going to get a Warwick pro star bass instead.... Check it out at Thomann for £910 :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobpalt Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Used to own a Broadkaster. Horrible, horrible sounding bass. I dont recall any balance problems though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobVbass Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 I tried one of the white falcon things once - looked great from a distance but rubbish quality close up; cheap badly made bridge, sounded horrible, intonation was rubbish - didn't like it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocco Posted May 21, 2013 Author Share Posted May 21, 2013 [quote name='Mr Fretbuzz' timestamp='1369136118' post='2085187'] I fancied the 34 and I'm going to take a look at one at Wunjo in London in a couple of weeks but more than likely I'm going to get a Warwick pro star bass instead.... Check it out at Thomann for £910 :-) [/quote] http://www.dv247.com/guitars/warwick-pro-series-starbass-4-bass-guitar-black--107314?gclid=CJaD28W6p7cCFUzHtAodu1wAgg £799 from DV24/7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Fretbuzz Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Oooooo. Thanks for that. Good price. I'll keep it in mind but I fancy the flame VSB :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clauster Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Damn, that's not helping my Warwick GAS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocco Posted May 21, 2013 Author Share Posted May 21, 2013 It's hit me too :/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krispn Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 I looked at a gretsch hb bass yesterday at guitarguitar in Glasgow. The pick ups pole pieces and strings didn't line up with no way to adjust the string spacing that I could see. I didn't even bother to plug it in. At £800+ you'd expect the QC to be better. You might find one which is better set up so good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howdenspur Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Got my Gretsch earlier in the year and just had it set up, strings changed, intonation, bridge pinned etc. It is a thing of great beauty - a bonny piece of work. A few observations... It does feel long and it is a big body. Doesn't bother me as I'm 6 ft 5 though. There is neck dive and I guess you could move the strap button from the body to the heel of the neck (the Thunderbird ruse), but there's no way I'm taking a drill to it. The strings do not centre over the pole pieces but other than it might look better if I cared to look closely, I'm not bothered. Don't think tone/volume/whatever is affected either. Don't think this is a QC issue, it would be a design issue if anything. The build quality in general is just about flawless. Nice chunky neck which suits my big mits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocco Posted May 23, 2013 Author Share Posted May 23, 2013 [quote name='howdenspur' timestamp='1369338023' post='2088110'] Got my Gretsch earlier in the year and just had it set up, strings changed, intonation, bridge pinned etc. It is a thing of great beauty - a bonny piece of work. A few observations... It does feel long and it is a big body. Doesn't bother me as I'm 6 ft 5 though. There is neck dive and I guess you could move the strap button from the body to the heel of the neck (the Thunderbird ruse), but there's no way I'm taking a drill to it. The strings do not centre over the pole pieces but other than it might look better if I cared to look closely, I'm not bothered. Don't think tone/volume/whatever is affected either. Don't think this is a QC issue, it would be a design issue if anything. The build quality in general is just about flawless. Nice chunky neck which suits my big mits. [/quote] Which one do you have? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howdenspur Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 The 5440LSB in Orange, so that's the 34" neck. Sorry, should have said before I got carried away. Did I mention the chrome? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Fretbuzz Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 I tried it against a Gibson Midtown yesterday in PMT Bristol... preferred the Gibson but probably get the Warwick .. 50/50 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Schoen Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 I succumbed to my GAS and bought a 5440 last weekend. It sounds and looks great, I bet you can just play root notes on it and still appear to be the coolest guy in the band. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tayste_2000 Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 I tried a [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]G5123 today and loved it, thought it was 30inch scale not 32?[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I'd have to run a closer eye over it before I bought one but I didn't see any issues fit and finish wise, I've also tried the Gibson Midtown and loved that but it doesn't have that proper hollowbody vibe (because it isn't it's a hollowed out solid body) I'd certainly be looking at the Gretsch before I buy a Guild Starfire.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]TV pups for the win, they also work beautifully in that Fender Cabronita[/font][/color] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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