Gretsch G5222 Electromatic Double Jet BT With V-Stoptail Jade Grey Metallic

I have owned many high end guitars SG, LP, Fenders, this I on par with those. I bought this after a review on the Andertons YouTube channel, it did not disappoint. I have the dark walnut, which actually looks like a very deep cherry color, which I love. Fit and finish: can’t find a flaw, just a gorgeous guitar. Electronics: I never touch the tone knob so one is no biggie for me but a master volume, plus the ability to blend volumes on the middle position, outstanding, better than G or F. Pick ups are good Clear When clean and nice crunch and distortion when you need it. Necks are subjective,for me it is very comfortable to play. Came set up well didn’t have to do anything but tune it. This is just a tremendous value nothing is cheap on this guitar hardware, ... MoreI have owned many high end guitars SG, LP, Fenders, this I on par with those. I bought this after a review on the Andertons YouTube channel, it did not disappoint. I have the dark walnut, which actually looks like a very deep cherry color, which I love. Fit and finish: can’t find a flaw, just a gorgeous guitar. Electronics: I never touch the tone knob so one is no biggie for me but a master volume, plus the ability to blend volumes on the middle position, outstanding, better than G or F. Pick ups are good Clear When clean and nice crunch and distortion when you need it. Necks are subjective,for me it is very comfortable to play. Came set up well didn’t have to do anything but tune it. This is just a tremendous value nothing is cheap on this guitar hardware, electronics, finish are all outstanding. Get one before they raise the price!

Expected Better.

I found it odd that out of the box there was no Gretsch literature package / paper work / hang tags etc. The factory setup was brutal. Back bowed neck and string height were the issues. After adjustment the fret buzz and loose bridge rattle was unbearable. The 13th fret was way high and looked like it belonged on a different guitar.Two of the tuners wouldn't hold and kept needing re-tuning.The guitar looked good, the neck felt great and the pickups sounded awesome I will this is a great budget "Malcolm" if you get a good one. I've bought Grote, IYV and Firefly guitars for much less that were better than this Gretsch. Sadly......Back it went.

Great sound quality issues

I was disappointed in the quality of the guitar I received. The master tone knob is viably slanted and does not turn freely. It stops just before half way and requires force to turn more. I am also getting some crackles from the wiring. The guitar shipped with very low action. Fretting out and buzz is more than hoped for even before a set up. The guitar does sound good. I would not replace the pickups. The neck has a good profile. I was concerned that it would be to thin, but it is full enough and feels comfortable. After the problem with the bad knob I got an RMA to return the guitar. After plugging in the guitar I may keep it. I like the sound. But if I keep it, It might need rewiring. Also the knob may not be easily correctable. It is positioned right where to ... MoreI was disappointed in the quality of the guitar I received. The master tone knob is viably slanted and does not turn freely. It stops just before half way and requires force to turn more. I am also getting some crackles from the wiring. The guitar shipped with very low action. Fretting out and buzz is more than hoped for even before a set up. The guitar does sound good. I would not replace the pickups. The neck has a good profile. I was concerned that it would be to thin, but it is full enough and feels comfortable. After the problem with the bad knob I got an RMA to return the guitar. After plugging in the guitar I may keep it. I like the sound. But if I keep it, It might need rewiring. Also the knob may not be easily correctable. It is positioned right where to top curves. So if everything worked on this guitar it would be a lot of guitar for the money. The other point is the guitar has small thin frets. Problem with sending the guitar back is high shipping rates for an oversize package.I don't like the idea of having to pay to send a defective item back.

I would buy this guitar again, if it was brand new.

This guitar is beautiful. The tone is outstanding. I purchased this *brand new* through the Guitar Center App and had it shipped directly to my house. When it arrived, it was not in the original box, but was in an acoustic guitar box. When I opened the box, it was really evident that the guitar was not brand new, but a heavily played floor model, which was disappointing. The set up was pretty bad. The strings would fret out at the fifth fret, and the bridge pickup was so high it was almost touching the strings. The cover plate on the back of the guitar was warped and pulling away from the guitar, and one of the tone control knobs was really loose.I Adjusted the truss rod, raised the action, and leveled out the pickups, and now it plays like a dream. Guitar Center ... MoreThis guitar is beautiful. The tone is outstanding. I purchased this *brand new* through the Guitar Center App and had it shipped directly to my house. When it arrived, it was not in the original box, but was in an acoustic guitar box. When I opened the box, it was really evident that the guitar was not brand new, but a heavily played floor model, which was disappointing. The set up was pretty bad. The strings would fret out at the fifth fret, and the bridge pickup was so high it was almost touching the strings. The cover plate on the back of the guitar was warped and pulling away from the guitar, and one of the tone control knobs was really loose.I Adjusted the truss rod, raised the action, and leveled out the pickups, and now it plays like a dream. Guitar Center has already agreed to repair the backplate and knobs, but not sure I would have had the same luck without the warranty (always buy the warranty. It's an outstanding price).

Poor craftsmanship

Walked and saw this beauty behind the counter getting ready to hit the floor....price tag wasn't even on the product yet. Been looking for the natural finish for a long time so I bought it on the spot. Got it home plugged it it and the cord fell back out of the jack... hmm maybe me, tried again, nope cord fell back out. Sat down with it made sure it was secure and turned up the volume with the pick up selector set to the bridge...hardly any sound at all... flipped the pick up selector to the middle and NOW I've got some noise...but very little difference in tone/sound, so not sure if the issue is in the pick up switch or the pick up alone...strike 2. Went to install the strap and the lower strap mount completely unscrewed from the body of the guitar and wouldn't ... MoreWalked and saw this beauty behind the counter getting ready to hit the floor....price tag wasn't even on the product yet. Been looking for the natural finish for a long time so I bought it on the spot. Got it home plugged it it and the cord fell back out of the jack... hmm maybe me, tried again, nope cord fell back out. Sat down with it made sure it was secure and turned up the volume with the pick up selector set to the bridge...hardly any sound at all... flipped the pick up selector to the middle and NOW I've got some noise...but very little difference in tone/sound, so not sure if the issue is in the pick up switch or the pick up alone...strike 2. Went to install the strap and the lower strap mount completely unscrewed from the body of the guitar and wouldn't retread back into the wood... hours old people and the strap button hole is already stripped...strike 3... get a strap on it anyway and OMG horrible neck dive. Took it back next day... dont waste your hard earned money or your time on these. On a good point, the neck felt great and it resonated nicely without being plugged in.

Quality

First time purchaser of an electric guitar. Didn't want to break the bank but didn't want a cheap one that I'd be put off learning on. Did loads of research on decent, affordable electric guitars. Gretsch came out as a front runner though, because they are chambered and therefore lighter. Went in to try the g5220, and saw this beauty. Tried them both and loved them but went for the g5222 as it sat nicely in my lap. It sounded amazing on the Orange valve amp in the shop. So versatile!

Review of Gretsch G5222 Electromatic Double Jet BT in Aged Natural

This guitar would be easily worth double the price that it sells for.It may be a "Budget" model, but there's nothing low-rent about the way it plays, the fit and finish, and the quality of the materials.It's my first Gretsch, and was bought for a bit of the Neil Finn sound.I ordered the "Natural" finish, then changed my mind and wanted "Walnut Stain". I rang Andertons, but it had already been despatched.Matt kindly explained to me that I could change it in line with their policies, but when it arrived it looked so much nicer than in the pictures, so I'm keeping it. I'll probably buy another as a spare anyway, and that one will be the walnut stain model.This is not just a great guitar for the Malcolm Young fans, although it does that superbly well. It's a ... MoreThis guitar would be easily worth double the price that it sells for.It may be a "Budget" model, but there's nothing low-rent about the way it plays, the fit and finish, and the quality of the materials.It's my first Gretsch, and was bought for a bit of the Neil Finn sound.I ordered the "Natural" finish, then changed my mind and wanted "Walnut Stain". I rang Andertons, but it had already been despatched.Matt kindly explained to me that I could change it in line with their policies, but when it arrived it looked so much nicer than in the pictures, so I'm keeping it. I'll probably buy another as a spare anyway, and that one will be the walnut stain model.This is not just a great guitar for the Malcolm Young fans, although it does that superbly well. It's a great guitar full stop.It out-Telecasters my Telecaster as a pure, strumming, rock machine.If you're even thinking about getting one, just do it now, before prices go up. You won't regret it.Right. I'm off to fit the capo at the 3rd and run through "Distant Sun" again!Thanks Andertons.

This is an outstanding guitar

Overall:I just purchased a london grey model, This is the best playing guitar out of the box that i have purchased in 5 years, no sharp frets, the nut was cut perfect, i did lower the bridge, intonation was spot on. I do not know how you can beat this guitar, it is not heavy, the best sounding pickups i have heard, they are a louder, fatter sound than filter trons. no Gibson mud tone here, not a flaw on this guitar, beautiful finish, high quality tuners, i have added a Dusenburg les trem and it fits like a glove. the neck is a little wide but front to back is thin, very comfortable. I purchased from zZounds, very fast shipping. The body is chambered cutting down the weight and adding big tone. This guitar puts a Les Paul to shame for a lot less money.

This is simply a great guitar!!!

Just to give you an idea of where I am coming from, I have been playing guitar at all levels for 45 years. I have owned anything from Harmony, Silvertone, garage sale finds, to high-end pro-level guitars like Gibson, Fender, Gretsch, etc. I generally play blues, rock, swing, jazz, etc. That said, this is probably one of the better guitars I have purchased in a while. It came to me in excellent condition, with absolutely no need for setup. I set up all my own instruments, and checked everything out, and it was perfect out of the box (maybe just good luck?). The intonation, neck relief, string height, etc. were all spot on. The tone is great unplugged, and plugged in. The pickups are perfect for my style of play. They are chunky, but also have great definition with a ... MoreJust to give you an idea of where I am coming from, I have been playing guitar at all levels for 45 years. I have owned anything from Harmony, Silvertone, garage sale finds, to high-end pro-level guitars like Gibson, Fender, Gretsch, etc. I generally play blues, rock, swing, jazz, etc. That said, this is probably one of the better guitars I have purchased in a while. It came to me in excellent condition, with absolutely no need for setup. I set up all my own instruments, and checked everything out, and it was perfect out of the box (maybe just good luck?). The intonation, neck relief, string height, etc. were all spot on. The tone is great unplugged, and plugged in. The pickups are perfect for my style of play. They are chunky, but also have great definition with a hint of chime. They were not muddy or muted in any way. The neck is a little wider than I am used to, but after about an hour of playing, it became super comfortable (almost preferred). The only thing I didn't care for was how close the pick guard was to the strings, so I ditched it and all is well with the world now. At the end of the day, I am thoroughly impressed with this instrument. However, the price point did not reflect the true quality of the guitar. It really should cost in the $800-$1000 range based on what I have experienced so far. Great work Gretsch!