The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Other Bass Brands => Topic started by: Pilgrim on June 22, 2013, 08:49:18 PM
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Been watching auctions for probably two years. Dr. Bassman is both a bad influence and a great source of info.
Now I am about to join him in ThunderJet Gretschitude. (I actually have two Gretsch basses already, a Gretsch 1222 and a lovely orange 5123. This will increase the overall Gretschness quite a bit.)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gretsch-Thunder-Jet-G61281B-Bass-Guitar-/360677292926?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&nma=true&si=4hL6vIMEaoS%252BGeNE9Awc4M8Bz7g%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Gretsch-Thunder-Jet-G61281B-Bass-Guitar-/00/s/MTYwMFgxMDY2/z/ubYAAOxyHE5RvID5/$(KGrHqJ,!qgFGemcnmqbBRvID4lhvQ~~60_57.JPG)
I will now be unloading a lot of stuff on Ebay that I needed to unload anyway, but I need to move it all now, as I need to pay for this auction. It wasn't bad until we had an AC failure right after I entered my first bid and we spent about $1200 getting the AC working again. Bad timing.
Among the outgoing items will be a very nice Midnight Blue 2000 MIM Fender Jazz and a cream Hagstrom HB-4, a beautiful early 70's sunburst Univox Coily 335-copy and a gold top Epi Jack Casady bass. I will list them here, too.
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Nice looking Gretsch!! So you are going to sell the purple bass?? ;D
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Very cool!!!! Congratz!
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Nice looking Gretsch!! So you are going to sell the purple bass?? ;D
Cough cough.....(throat clearing)....the Fender-designated Midnight Blue bass will in fact be going. I really do like the color and there aren't many around, but it keeps taking a back seat to other basses. Part of it is that it's a bit over 9 pounds, which isn't that unusual for a J but it's on the heavy end of all the basses I have. However, I think the Custom Shop PG on it really sets it off nicely with the covers...
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/apowell1/Electric%20Basses/Fender%20MIM%20Jazz/PB070027.jpg)
The more I think about it, the more I think the Univox bass will stay with me. I'll never score another like it in the same condition.
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/apowell1/Electric%20Basses/Univox335copy.jpg)
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I'd be all over that Jazz if I were your side of the pond and circumstance, etc... gorgeous colour... 8)
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I'd be all over that Jazz if I were your side of the pond and circumstance, etc... gorgeous colour... 8)
You can always PM me. I hear squirrels like Midnight Blue.
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Yowza! You got an excellent deal on that Thunder Jet! Love the look of those.
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Dr. Bassman has been kind enough to fill me in on it in the past. They have the ridiculous "retail"price on the Gretsch website of $2800, but they're available on Ebay all the time brand new at $1975, but that's still more than I wanted to pay. This one started the lowest of any I've seen in two years of watching, and I decided to go after it.
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$1975 is the MAP. You can probably find a local stocking dealer who would go 35% off the $2800 list, but that's still a hefty price tag. A barely used one at $1350 is a good deal.
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I hear squirrels like Midnight Blue.
SWMBO has other plans for my expenditures at present... :o ;)
I have a bath, sink and standing unit already here, a heap of tiles due to arrive, re-routing the plumbing for those and the rad (probably in a wall void), so that's my break sorted out for the start of July (off the Ind. Day week) ...
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A great deal indeed! Played mine at my last gig and practice last night and it is the one 30" scale bass that has a 34" sound to it with TI rounds on it. It rings and growls, which can be unusual for a short scale bass. It has pushed out my LP Triumph due to sound and weight. Good luck with it Al!
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I was able to personally inspect Bil's Gretsch and it is a BEAUTIFUL bass and it sounded just fantastic through his MM stack!
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One ascetic feature I love about this bass is the black top with the Mahogany back. Subtle and classic, really stunning up close.
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Projected delivery looks like next Tuesday. Took them a couple of days to get it out the door, but if that means it's well-packaged, more power to them!
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Anticipating delivery tomorrow....if it hits today I'll be a happy guy, but won't have much time to enjoy it as I have 20+ papers for a class to grade this evening.
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Anticipating delivery tomorrow....if it hits today I'll be a happy guy, but won't have much time to enjoy it as I have 20+ papers for a class to grade this evening.
Quit screwing around and get to work. We need the review :)
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No joy today....
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No joy today....
;D
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Waiting for me on the front porch...
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/apowell1/Electric%20Basses/Gretsch%20G6128B%20Thunderjet/20130703_180051_zpsec31b7a5.jpg)
Case emerges from box...
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/apowell1/Electric%20Basses/Gretsch%20G6128B%20Thunderjet/20130703_180421_zps887ea590.jpg)
Open sesame!
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/apowell1/Electric%20Basses/Gretsch%20G6128B%20Thunderjet/20130703_180446_zps1e37addd.jpg)
It came with original paperwork, manual, factory check sheet, etc...
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/apowell1/Electric%20Basses/Gretsch%20G6128B%20Thunderjet/20130703_180527_zps581cb332.jpg)
Pickguard not installed, but all the parts are present, including strplocks and wrench...
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/apowell1/Electric%20Basses/Gretsch%20G6128B%20Thunderjet/20130703_180614_zpsd96eccb9.jpg)
Not a mark or scratch anywhere!
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/apowell1/Electric%20Basses/Gretsch%20G6128B%20Thunderjet/20130703_180926_zps031d2a7b.jpg)
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/apowell1/Electric%20Basses/Gretsch%20G6128B%20Thunderjet/20130703_180939_zps07d006b9.jpg)
The Gretsch Brothers! 5123, 6128 and 1222. A mighty fine group!
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/apowell1/Electric%20Basses/Gretsch%20G6128B%20Thunderjet/20130703_181030_zps1c25c80a.jpg)
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/apowell1/Electric%20Basses/Gretsch%20G6128B%20Thunderjet/20130703_181039_zps6f096e1f.jpg)
The happy owner!
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/apowell1/Electric%20Basses/Gretsch%20G6128B%20Thunderjet/20130703_182758_zps903a608b.jpg)
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After a few minutes of noodling around, some observations:
I dislike new rounds. I'm so used to flats that my finger technique creates a LOT of string noise on new rounds. I may have a set of Labella flats around, and if so they'll probably go on the Thunderjet.
The action is REALLY low and nice on this bass. Minimal effort is needed to play it.
BIG sound. The room was thundering when I tried some Allman Brothers (Statesboro Blues) and ZZ Top (LaGrange) tunes.
The electronics on this bass don't stress treble. I can get a reasonably bright sound, but clearly the Gretsch ThunderJet is made more for the mids to the low end frequencies. Even at full treble setting, it's noticeably less bright than some of my other basses. IMO this is A Good Thing.
Nice balance. I put my best sheepskin-padded strap on it (visible in last photo above), and it's a nice package.
The ThunderTron pickups on this bass are hotter than either of the other two. That's interesting because my 5123 also has ThunderTron pickups, but it has the lowest output of the three.
Ranking the highest to lowest output from the Gretsch Brothers, it goes like this:
Hottest: Thunderjet 6128 (Scale length 30")
Middle: Gretsch 1222 (Scale length 30")
Low: Gretsch 5123 hollowbody (Scale length 32")
I have more learning to do with this bass, but when I spend $1000 for an instrument, I intend for it to be a lifetime companion. I will play it and report more later...probably this weekend.
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What a nice looking bass! Kind of scary that it was just left at the porch though!
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What a nice looking bass! Kind of scary that it was just left at the porch though!
Quality of fit and finish is part of the Gretsch professional line. Absolutely impeccable finish throughout.
Fortunately we live in a neighborhood where leaving a package on the porch is not a problem, although I did check at noon to see if had been delivered...had to wait.
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Nice (of course!). And even nicer that you first impressions seem to be as good as you hoped for.
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Very cool! Again: Congfratulations!!!
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Looks nice!! Congrats on the new bass!
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I just realized that a pair of Schaller straplocks were included in the case candy. I don't usually use them, but why pass them up? I now have them mounted on a good strap. The black one in the photos is actually too thick for the straplocks - the nut won't reach the threads. No problem.
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I've been using the Schaller system since the 70's and have then (pretty much) on them all...
Nice bass, Al... 8)
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I was just playing the new bass and my '63 P for my oldest daughter. I swear that I can get as much high end out of he '63 with 40-year-old flats on it as I can out of the ThunderJet. I think this is just the difference in the low end response on the Gretsch vs. the mids emphasis P-basses are known for.
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Well, it sounds like it's a hit with you. I wouldn't want mine sounding like a p-bass! I think my highs are pretty strong with the TI rounds I have on it. They've become my new favorite strings these days. Easier on the fingers than most rounds and not as harsh.
Hope it continues to please!
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You're right, it doesn't sound like a P-bass. Definitely set up for lower frequencies. (Not that sounding somewhat like a real '63 P would be a drawback for many bass players, but I sure don't need two same-sounding basses.)
Many P-Bass fans attribute their "cut through the mix" quality to an emphasis on mids. So far, it seems to me that the 6128 has more emphasis below the mids.
I still have the stock rounds on it, and haven't decided whether or not to leave them on. They do give more high end than flats wound. I happened to check my other two Gretsch basses and I find that I've left the rounds on both of them. There may be a message somewhere in there.
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As long as you're happy with the sound from the rounds, why change?
I wouldn't want or expect any two-pickup short scale to sound like a Precision. It's not even possible.
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A two pickup, short scale old Dano can sound almost P-ish.
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I wouldn't want mine to sound like a p bass either. It has its own unique place in my lineup and I prefer it to all of my other short scales these days.
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I think my Billy-Bo should sound a bit like the Thunder Jet. Both hollowed bodies, both two TV Joneses, bot short scale. But the Billy-Bo is a real woody and dark sounding bass.
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I think my Billy-Bo should sound a bit like the Thunder Jet. Both hollowed bodies, both two TV Joneses, bot short scale. But the Billy-Bo is a real woody and dark sounding bass.
I would guess you're right. I haven't had the pleasure of playing a Billy-Bo, but would sure enjoy it. I'm still learning what the Thunderjet really sounds like. I don't know whether it would be fair to call it dark and woody, but it's definitely on the dark rather than bright side of the sound spectrum.
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I would guess you're right. I haven't had the pleasure of playing a Billy-Bo, but would sure enjoy it. I'm still learning what the Thunderjet really sounds like. I don't know whether it would be fair to call it dark and woody, but it's definitely on the dark rather than bright side of the sound spectrum.
Dark and woody works for me. The key for me is it works so well with my amp.
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Lovely looking bass and a great score for sure. Well done. I've always admired these. Must seek one out for a play, but there aren't too many Professional Series Gretschs down here.
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It's really hard to get hands on any expensive bass unless you happen to know someone with one, or have a high-end music store in your area. I've never been able to lay hands on a ThunderJet, but I've played other Gretsch instruments and I have never played one that wasn't well finished, lovely to behold, and a good player.
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I finally had the chance to jam with my band for a couple of hours. I may have to either install flats or raise the action on the Thunderjet. Man, it has low action and as a result I'm a clanking mess. I have to pluck the strings at 90 degrees to the pickups and fretboard or there's all kinds of clanking. Any kind of vertical impact or movement and there's fret clang. Doggone it, I may actually have to improve my technique in order to play this bass!
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I finally had the chance to jam with my band for a couple of hours. I may have to either install flats or raise the action on the Thunderjet. Man, it has low action and as a result I'm a clanking mess. I have to pluck the strings at 90 degrees to the pickups and fretboard or there's all kinds of clanking. Any kind of vertical impact or movement and there's fret clang. Doggone it, I may actually have to improve my technique in order to play this bass!
Probably just needs to be raised a little. Played mine last night at practice and it loves the MM amps.
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Well, I just paid for a chunk of the ThunderJet. Sold my 1967 blackface Bassman amp to my guitar player (a very nice guy) for $500. A bit below market, but I wasn't using it and he will - more than that, I'll get to play with him while he uses it! I've had the amp a long time (1967), but it was mostly gathering dust aside from being used in practice occasionally.
I hang onto stuff too long for no good reason. I'm trying to break that habit.
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Anyone seen T.Petersson's new white Gretsch Country Gent 12-string bass? Looks cool.
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Hey Al, I practiced last night and played the TJ with the pup switch in the middle and it sounded great through my MM amp. I usually play with the switch all the way up for that booming bassy sound, but the extra definition with the middle position was nice and the guitar player like it. As usual, it's so easy to play, my hands never get fatigued and my neck doesn't get tired of it hanging there.
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I'm working at it. I usually keep the pickup switch centered, but I'm really having to go soft on the plucking...otherwise there's a lot of string collision noise.
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What strings are you using?
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The factory rounds.
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I just improved the playability of that ThunderJet....the action was about 3/64" at the last fret. I raised the bridge to about 5/64" and I'm not experiencing string/pickup crashes. Fortunately, that bridge is really easy to adjust up and down with two thumbwheels.
(http://media.fmicdirect.com/gretsch/images/products/guitars/2416003806_alt_wlg_003.jpg)
First bass I've ever owned on which I had to raise the action for better playability!
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Hey, Bill (Dr. Bassman) - I want to install flats on the Thunderjet, and I'm thinking medium scale strings. The measurement on the G from tailpiece to nut is 32.5".
As one can see from the tailpiece shot above, the other strings are a bit longer than the G as installed - but I think 34" strings would be too long. What's your take on this?
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Hey, Bill (Dr. Bassman) - I want to install flats on the Thunderjet, and I'm thinking medium scale strings. The measurement on the G from tailpiece to nut is 32.5".
As one can see from the tailpiece shot above, the other strings are a bit longer than the G as installed - but I think 34" strings would be too long. What's your take on this?
I'm not Bill, in case you hadn't noticed, but you need to know the winding length of the particular string brand. A D'addario short scale string has a winding length of 32"and the medium scale strings have 34" wound. Since the ball end to nut distance on your E string is obviously more than 32" but seems to be well under 34" (measure it to be sure) I'd say medium scale is just right if you want Chromes. LaBella or Rotosound medium scales would probably work, but check with them on the winding length. GHS Precision Flats only come in short and super long, and I'm almost sure the shorts won't do, they were too short for my Guild JSII and my Coronado.
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Thanks, Dave good info. I thought Bill might see the post, since he has the same bass and I know he has replaced the strings at least once.
The other floating bridge basses I've had all use a more conventional tailpiece where the string lengths are the same. This one's at least a half-inch different in the string length. I'll check the winding length on the Labellas. I also like Chromes OK, so I can go that route if it works out better.
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Just saw this! I have TI jazz flats, 32" scale, they fit fine. That's all I know!
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Gretsch bassist here. I only play long scales (play upright so going from 42" to 34" is a relief) .
Have a 1967 Country Gentleman 6070 - fretless (I took them off solved all the action problems and the bass has been transformed into an extremely fast and versatile instrument). added a 2nd pick up (homemade 6072) - FROM A 1978 GRETSCH COMMITTEE
1975 Broadkaster 7606 - with a TV Jones pick-up. Heavy bass at 5kgs but it has the nicest action of all my basses - it has a Pbass look but sounds radically different.
And a 1978 Committee 7629 - installed a Carvin pick-up
Gretsch basses are simply more beautiful to hold and play than any other bass.
Of course I have a pbass (1968) because that is a sound that sometimes you just have to have.
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I can say that the ThunderJet has become my #1 bass. It just feels great to play, and it sounds great. I do trade off, and I'm eager to play the Dean Psycho Cabbie that I bought last fall, but I think the TJ will hang in the #1 spot. that's saying something when i have a really nice 1963 P sitting next to it.