Gretsch Jr Jet bass G2220

[daan]

So I was at the Guitar Center before work Friday. They had a Gretsch Jr Jet bass, the 2-pickup model.
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/gretsch-guitars-g2220-electromatic-junior-jet-ii-electric-bass-guitar
I had one of these when they first got reissued in the late 90’s. I really liked it, it sounded and played great. Unfortunately the body was Plywood, and before it was a year old, the finish “sunk” and you could totally see the layers or plies. Also, the neck warped so bad that even with maxing out the truss rod, I had to pull the bottom dozen frets just to keep the strings off them... I took it back to GC several times for adjustments (before I just yanked the frets, obviously) I tried returning it or making a warranty claim, but the manager refused and told me it warped because I must have stored it wrong... l
I ended up using the pickups and tuning machines on my Hofner, and giving the rest of the “husk” to my luthier friend (who did the fret pulling).
So I saw the Jr Jet at GC, it played and sounded good. Plus it was a burst finish instead of all black like all my other basses... I have 2 black P copies and I want something different, and I can afford this one. I just don’t wanna get burned again...
Have any of you-all gotten a Gretsch lately? Are they better made than the one I had? I remember the other one I had, said “Made in Korea” and this new one says made in China. Oh, and I remember paying about the same in 97/98 as these are listed for.
I just tried for way too long to attach a picture of this, but Photo Bucket is being stupid again. You’ll just have to click the link to see them.

[Dave W]

Gretsch's website says the body is basswood.

[Pilgrim]

I've had a 2202 (single pickup, fantastic bass) and I currently have a two close relatives of the 2220, including a 1222.

Every one has been a solid build, has had a great, playable neck, and the pickups have sounded very good. I think that the Gretsch olid body Electromatic series is one of the best buys around today.

I agree with Dave that the website shows basswood as the body. I frankly don't care whether a body is laminate or solid, as I've had basses with either construction that sounded good, but that should work just fine.

[amptech]

I have done some work for a pro player with lots of gretsch guitars, both new and old. He likes the korean ones best, I think - and claims that any recent gretsch is better than what they did in the past. The electronics aside, though. I just wind some vintage style gretsch pup's and the nes ones are killer. I'm not sure myself, though. I love my 6070 bass, no matter if a carpenter did the woodwork.

[Chris P.]

I had one of the later Junior Jets. Great little bass. A budget bass, but well made. Squier-ish, I guess. Just okay. I sold it cos I never used it.

[Pilgrim]

I should note that I have seen some of the Electromatics with (EDIT!!) warped necks, although not serious warpage. Always good to check. But if you'er buying new, you can check it out.

[Dave W]

I should note that I have seen some of the Electromatics with carped necks, ....

Did they sound fishy?

[Pilgrim]

Did they sound fishy?

Well, foo. Corrected........

[Psycho Bass Guy]

I work next door to Guitar Center and occasionally drop in. I played a new 2220 yesterday and LOVED it. I'm not a fan of short scale, but I had NO issues playing it. The pickups give it great bite without being thin or tinny sounding and the weird phasey tones I could get by varying the volume knobs were too cool.  No fret buzz either until I really laid into it. Bonus: soloing the bridge sounds VERY much like a Stingray.

[Pilgrim]

I don't know if they still use the same pickups that are in the old series 2202/1222 basses, but I hope they do. That was a TV Jones designed pickup that Gretsch built. One of my favorite pickups ever. I have one of those in my Squier Bronco and it's a beast.  PBG's comments encourage me to think they may be the same.

[Psycho Bass Guy]

 I thought of you and your love for the pickups. They probably are the same and they're awesome. I'd love to put one in place of a Gibby mini-bucker in an Epi EB and see what it could do.

[daan]

Thank you gentlemen! Of course when I went back there today, it was gone... but I see them online for the same $, so I will try ordering one.

[Pilgrim]

I thought of you and your love for the pickups. They probably are the same and they're awesome. I'd love to put one in place of a Gibby mini-bucker in an Epi EB and see what it could do.

Nice to get a vote of confidence on that. I don't always trust my ears for comparisons on stuff like that.

[westen44]

Thank you gentlemen! Of course when I went back there today, it was gone... but I see them online for the same $, so I will try ordering one.

That's the way it usually goes.  You decide to buy something like that, then it's gone. 

[daan]

I see no-polepiece mini humbucker pups on eBay all the time. I wonder how different these Gretsch pups are, to the sometimes ridiculously cheap ones online... not that I want to dissect a “good” one just to see what’s in it.