The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Other Bass Brands => Topic started by: morrow on November 29, 2023, 04:13:16 PM
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It looks like I just bought an orange G5123B. Herself loves big orange Gretsches. Mentioned it the other day and I did a google search just for fun. I must have done the same search a dozen times before. Found several for sale , but was taken by one in Weymouth Mass. Talked it over with Herself and put in an offer.
It was accepted.
Shouldn’t take too long to arrive. I’ve been looking over these for some years.
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That's really pretty. Good luck with it!
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Looks like a good choice.
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Is that the 32" TV Jones pickup LimEd?
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Yes indeed. There was a limited run in Europe too.
I’m no stranger to hollow bodies. These do not have a center block.
Herself offered to buy it but my little musical emergency fund was good. I’m looking forward to playing it.
I guess it was inevitable.
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I reviewed that bass and I regret not buying it at the time., Great sound, great looks, the 32" plays great. I bought the Billy Bo later, so I'm okat, but that's really one that got away. The one I tested and reviewed was from the European limited run. I thought it looked and sounded much better than other affordable Gretsches. Good luck with it and have fun!
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Very nice! :thumbsup:
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I bought one of the first run. There was a long thread about them on TB which alerted me to their availability at GC.
The local GC in Fort Collins had sold theirs (in theory, each store only got one in the first issue) but talked them into having one of the Denver stores send theirs up for me. I committed sight unseen, as I love Gretsch instruments and that although orange isn't my favorite color but THAT orange is a lovely color that only Gretsch does well.
Those first issues didn't come with cases, but I found a RoadRunner hard case that fit nicely and shared the part number on the TB thread. I know a lot of people bought them to go with the 5123s. I suspect the case in the photo is one of them.
I really like mine, and it feels good just to hold it and play it. Of course, it received my favorite Labella Deep Talkin' flats immediately. If memory serves, the pickups are ThunderTrons. Also, IIRC I bought a longer than usual strap because the body is a bit deeper front to back than the 335-style hollowbodies, and the bass hung better with a longer strap.
Enjoy!!
BTW - here's the original TB thread: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/new-gretsch-electromatic-hollowbody-bass.713507/#post10458997
And here's one where people were comparing serial numbers. You might figure out the approximate age of the bass by comparing to yours:
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/gretsch-g5123b-serial-numbers.742249/
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I think there might already be flats on it. If not I’ll be tossing a set on right away. I want this to be a thumper.
It will ship later today.
Sometime things can sit in Customs for days , I hope this won’t be sitting around for too long. I’m looking forward to playing this. I have a big white Eastwood take on a Gretsch hollow body and have been putting time there so I’ll be quite comfy with it once it arrives.
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I'm confident that you will have a really nice pair of basses there!! Enjoy!
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Arrived today , very, very slight bridge tweak , already strung with flats. Herself was floored by it. It is a gorgeous looking thing.
Nic woody tone , I’m just playing it through the mini practice rig at the in-laws. Lots of character. I really love the neck , has some nice heft , but not uncomfortable. They did a nice balancing act there. I wish the usual Thurs rehearsal was happening so I could hear it at drum levels. I do have the Sunday jam to hear it at room levels. So far I’m about as happy as could be. It did come with the Roadrunner case many seem to have bought for it.
Not a mark on it. Beautiful shape.
(https://i.postimg.cc/T1QRSgyy/IMG-9603.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rR0XRdNc)
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BTW - here's the original TB thread: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/new-gretsch-electromatic-hollowbody-bass.713507/#post10458997
And here's one where people were comparing serial numbers. You might figure out the approximate age of the bass by comparing to yours:
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/gretsch-g5123b-serial-numbers.742249/
Thankyou for those threads , Pilgrim. I’m caught at the moment between playing it and just admiring the look of it. It will be nice to know the background a little better.
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Great looking!
Congrats
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5nKhiPLQWM
Quick video , just the mic in my iPad , but this has a very pleasant woody thump. I don’t recognize the flats on this but may replace them with something a touch lighter , I think TI’s would work beautifully on this. I didn’t bother flipping the selector switch or the tone knob , but there is a mix of nails and fingers. I’m looking forward to plugging this into a larger amp.
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You probably know this, but make it a habit to tighten the screw-down strap buttons every time you pick up the bass. They're not overly prone to loosening up, but it can happen.
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That both looks and sounds great. I wonder how bright rounds would sound on it.
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You probably know this, but make it a habit to tighten the screw-down strap buttons every time you pick up the bass. They're not overly prone to loosening up, but it can happen.
I’m planning to put a toothpick up there this afternoon. I’ll be using the classic skinny belt with a shoulder pad type of strap with it. Much of the time I can play sitting down , but there’s one gig where that is really not an option.
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I brought the Gretsch to the jam last night , and also got to hear a couple of friends play it. Stage sound was simply gorgeous. It came with flats , fairly heavy ones. Might put on a lighter set of flats , might just leave it. It sounds wonderful. Out in the front of the room the sound was perfect.
It’s a big bodied bass.
Those that played it last night loved it.
My serial number is KS10113976 so it’s a bit later in the run. The bass looks like it was never played. No dings , chips or scratches. No sign of any fretwear. Beautiful , like new condition.
It’s a big thing to lug around , but looks beautiful , and sounds as good as it looks. Nice warm woody thump. I was using a nice amp.
I’m really happy to have picked it up. And thank Herself for suggesting it. Before that I really had no intention to buy another bass.
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Sounds like it filled a gap in your bass selection that you didn't know you had! Glad you like it.
Yes, the body is 1-2 inches deeper than many hollows, so it does feel bigger to play.
Incidentally, I found a Gretsch tooled (stamped) G6332 guitar strap that looks great on it. Here's one of the better prices, but it's available many places:
https://reverb.com/p/gretsch-g6332-tooled-vintage-leather-1-guitar-strap-with-amber-jeweled-buckle
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I had a Rivoli , that looked better than it sounded , sold it , and missed looking at it. So when a white Eastwood Gretsch style hollow body popped up on kijiji for a good price I snagged it. I have about a half dozen short scale hollow bodies , but three are Danos.
Before buying the Gretsch I started playing the Eastwood to get a rough feel for the size and big body. The Eastwood is actually a pretty good bass , but the TV Jones pickups in the new Gretsch certainly give it a much nicer warmer woody tone. And it is a bigass orange Gretsch.
I’ve got twenty something basses , so I’m far from collector status , but have still acquired a good sized pile of them. There’s only a couple I’d sell at the moment. I mentioned selling the Eastwood to Herself after buying the Gretsch and she said the white one was beautiful , and not to sell it.
I have cab , and maybe a couple of amps I’d like to sell , but not before Christmas , I’ll probably wait until tax return season in March or so …
I used a vintage Gretsch padded strap for years and years , and have a new one in that style. Thin strap with the sliding shoulder pad , the classic vintage strap.