The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Other Bass Brands => Topic started by: Iome on January 13, 2012, 07:25:33 AM
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http://www.thomann.de/it/gretsch_g5123b_limited_edition_bass.htm (http://www.thomann.de/it/gretsch_g5123b_limited_edition_bass.htm)
Nice, very nice. Is this some kind of reissue or a new bass?
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Pilgrim has one, see Gretsch GAS strikes! (http://bassoutpost.com/index.php?topic=4983.0) Pic on second page.
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The Gretsch G5123B is an absolutely lovely hollowbody that's a great buy, as it has features found on other Gretsch basses that cost anywhere from two to four times as much. It is made in Korea and the workmanship and construction are first-rate.
Just about everything you'd like to learn about the bass can be found in this long TB thread:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/new-gretsch-electromatic-hollowbody-bass-713507/
My first post in that thread is #44. Pictures at post #50.
Short version: the bass came out for Black Friday 2010, UN-announced other than a mailer to Guitar Center customers. It has never appeared in their online catalog listings, nor has it been featured in any ads, online or print. Each Guitar Center received one, and no other outlets in the US have received any. It evidently is an offering unique to GC...or so I thought. Iome's ad is the first I have ever seen outside Guitar Center that offers the bass new. A very few have been resold in the US, and TB members generally spotted the ads and posted them in the thread I linked above.
It was originally thought to be a single production run instrument, as the first round of basses sold out pretty quickly. However, within a month a second shipment of basses appeared in GC's computers (that's when I got mine after I was alerted by the TB thread). From that time on, whenever a GC sells their single Gretsch G5123B, another one appears within a week or so.
Best guess is that Gretsch has some kind of test marketing deal with GC to find out if there's an ongoing market for this Electromatic model. I think there will be, as it offers a very similar set of features to the Broadkaster G6199B, (30", Filtertrons, $1750) the Electrotone G6073 model (30", $2050) and the White Falcon (34" scale, $3200)....but retail is about $799 (it may have gone up up $25 or so this year).
Differences....
- No pickguard on the 5123 (the 6073 doesn't have one either)
- 32" scale instead of 30"
- No binding inside the F-holes
- ThunderTron pickups, same as 6073 and White Falcon
The body is deeper front-to-back than the typical EB-2 and Casady-type basses, and overall the bass in 32" scale is longer than my 34" scale Casady. You're not likely to find a gig bag that will fit it. It's a great player with lovely sound, and that Gretsch orange is something that stands out in any setting.
BTW - this is a big instrument and it's hard to find a case for it. Your best bet is acoustic bass casses. The best case anyone has found for it is a Road Runner hard case carried by GC which I discovered. The only thing that's not perfect is that the upper strap button hits the interior foam, but all you need to do is press a recess into the foam...no big deal. Here's the info that was on the tag with the case:
Roadrunner RRMBA 17 ABS Molded Acous Bass GTR case
UPC code on the tag is: 6 56238 01 527 1.
Photos:
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/apowell1/Electric%20Basses/Gretsch%20G5123B/IMAG0196.jpg)
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/apowell1/Electric%20Basses/Gretsch%20G5123B/IMAG0197.jpg)
More photos!!
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/apowell1/Electric%20Basses/Gretsch%20G5123B/P1010112.jpg)
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/apowell1/Electric%20Basses/Gretsch%20G5123B/P1010109-1.jpg)
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/apowell1/Electric%20Basses/Gretsch%20G5123B/P1010111-1.jpg)
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/apowell1/Electric%20Basses/Gretsch%20G5123B/P1010127.jpg)
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/apowell1/Electric%20Basses/Gretsch%20G5123B/P1010118.jpg)
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/apowell1/Electric%20Basses/Gretsch%20G5123B/P1010115.jpg)
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There's one on eBay now. New listing.
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There's one on eBay now. New listing.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gretsch-G5123B-Hollow-Body-Bass-/170792813538?pt=Guitar&hash=item27c40b83e2
Has a hard case, too.
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Beautiful. I love the look of this bass.
I hate threads with Pilgrims stuff pictured...makes me want to sell all my crap and buy his stash.
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Hey, I probably buy cheaper basses than anyone else here. That $799 Gretsch is the most expensive bass I own. But I do try to take decent photos occasionally. Thanks for the kind words.
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It's the nicest $799 hollow body bass out there IMHO. A nice specimen. I even like the 32" scale.
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Hey, I probably buy cheaper basses than anyone else here. That $799 Gretsch is the most expensive bass I own. But I do try to take decent photos occasionally. Thanks for the kind words.
Yeah, we've owned a lot of the same basses, but yours always look nicer.
You're either a great photographer and/or you don't have an 18 year in 2 different bands using your stuff.
My basses always smell like Red Bull and Skittles...
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You're either a great photographer and/or you don't have an 18 year in 2 different bands using your stuff.
You may have pinpointed it there! I'm the only one who uses my stuff.
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I can't see if this has been covered in the threads, but do you think it will fit in a Mono dual bass case? I'm a little concerned about the thickness of the body.
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I can't see if this has been covered in the threads, but do you think it will fit in a Mono dual bass case? I'm a little concerned about the thickness of the body.
I'm not familiar with the case you mention, but there's a RoadRunner acoustic bass case Guitar Center sells that holds it. The body is about an inch deeper than the normal Casady or 335-style bass, so the best place to look is in the acoustic bass case inventory.
Here's what was on the tag of my case:
Roadrunner RRMBA 17 ABS Molded Acous Bass GTR case
UPC code on the tag is: 6 56238 01 527 1.
There's a pic of mine in the case earlier in the thread.
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I'm not familiar with the case you mention, but there's a RoadRunner acoustic bass case Guitar Center sells that holds it. The body is about an inch deeper than the normal Casady or 335-style bass, so the best place to look is in the acoustic bass case inventory.
Here's what was on the tag of my case:
Roadrunner RRMBA 17 ABS Molded Acous Bass GTR case
UPC code on the tag is: 6 56238 01 527 1.
There's a pic of mine in the case earlier in the thread.
Thanks - I saw that. I have been intrigued by these but as Bill knows my real GAS is for a G6072.
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Don't blame you one iota. LOVELY basses.
To my eye, there are few instruments which look more like a guitar or bass should look than a Gretsch hollow body.
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You bet. I'm just sitting tight waiting patiently.
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Monday or tuesday I have one at home for a review 8)
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I'm happy with mine, I'm keeping it! :)
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Could it be good for a rock band? Or better for acoustic gigs, blues, ...?
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Could it be good for a rock band? Or better for acoustic gigs, blues, ...?
I tried it with my R&R band and I had some feedback problems. If you can get away from the front of your amp, it would probably be fine, but our cafe is tight and I don't have enough room to move out.
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Are you referencing the 6072 or the 5123?
I believe both are hollowbodies, so - tight areas will probably lead to feedback. If you're away from the amp or have some room in the space, it should be OK. However, I have played mine in front of the amp in a moderate volume band with no feedback.
Late news - the 5123 bass is now available from Musicians Friend and Guitar Center in a Burgundy color as part of their regular line, but the price on that model is $999! If you like the orange and/or want the lower price on the earlier model in orange, get the "off the books" model that has been available for a while.
The "on the books and the website" model:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gretsch-Guitars-G5123B-Electromatic-Electric-Bass-Guitar-H79131-i2258736.gc
(http://static.musiciansfriend.com/derivates/18/999/621/12/DV016_Jpg_Large_1321473139152_A.jpg)
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Cool, the walnut is nice, but orange screams GRETSCH! I was referring to the 5123 in my feedback comments. Our set up space is compact with a low ceiling, so there's really not enough room to play the 5123 at a volume that would work for our music. It sucks for sure! :-[
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Agreed. ..NO ONE does the orange like Gretsch. I'm not an orange fan in general but I make an exception for that Gretsch orange. It's a classic.
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It is in! Keep ya posted!
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We want pickshoors!
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I have 'm. Will post them asap!
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They're already on evilBay .......... shorty (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370627652948) and long-neck (http://www.ebay.com/itm/GRETSCH-G5440LSB-ELECTROMATIC-HOLLOW-BODY-LONG-SCALE-BASS-ORANGE-/290737602249?pt=Guitar&hash=item43b14fbec9) They're f*ckin' beauties .......... :-*
(http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/5527/gretschg5442bdc.jpg)
(http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/8586/gretschg5440lsb.jpg)
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Wow. Bit prices are a bit higher than I had hoped they'd be...
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Keep your eyes open and you may pick up one of the original 5123 series in orange for less than the current street price. They don't show up often, but they do show up.
Frankly, comparing the $999 street price to the $1700 street price for the next model up, it's still a good value.
Incidentally - just for the record, the body on my Gretsch 5123 is roughly 2.75 inches front to back, which is significantly deeper than most hollowbodies. In contrast, my Jack Casady bass has a body 1.75" deep, and my 1970's Univox hollowbody is 2" front to back.
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Very nice and still a better deal than a Broadkaster, although used Broadkasters often don't do well on eBay. I've seen used ones for for $800 to $1000 before.
It looks like the same hardware as the 5123 and it sounds pretty good on mine.
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I notice that the two new models have the "black top" FilterTron pickups, and the 5123 has the ThunderTron pickups. I have no idea what the difference in sound would be. IIRC Dr. Bassman installed FilterTrons on one of his projects and may have some basis from which to comment.
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I asked the guys at the rockystreetsounds eBay Store if they're true hollow or semi-hollow ( with sustain block ) and got this reply: it's mostly hollow with a wood support under the bridge area.
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I notice that the two new models have the "black top" FilterTron pickups, and the 5123 has the ThunderTron pickups. I have no idea what the difference in sound would be. IIRC Dr. Bassman installed FilterTrons on one of his projects and may have some basis from which to comment.
I still have a set of Gretsch FilterTrons and they will go into the BillyBo when I'm feeling up to working in the shop and my wife stops giving me all of these outdoor projects to do! Theydo sound good. Wilber would know cuz that's what is in the 6072 I sold him. They are powerful and heavy on the lows and mids as I recall.