Gretschmas ...

[uwe]

She was cutely uncertain about it! "Do you really like it, not just the looks?" Marco in that vid had been raving so much about the look and "the vibe" and not really saying much about how it sounded at all, she was concerned it might only be a looker.

But in fact this bass sounds as good if not even better than my erstwhile "best-sounding semi", namely the Gibson Les Paul Signature. It will be interesting to hear the new Midnight in comparison.

[Pilgrim]

Delighted to hear it.  I think mine also sounds fine - I did install light gauge Labella Deep Talkin' flats on it, although the factory rounds were decent.  I've done the same for my Casady.  They some different, of course, but both sound great.

I haven't had any feedback problems with the Gretsch, but I don't tend to play at extremely high volumes.  I also know that I can step away from in front of the amp to mitigate any feedback problems.

[uwe]

I don't play at huge volumes either unless I do it for fun at the end of the set or a good rehearsal to have the bass feedback leaned against the amp Alvin Lee style, dialing up the Ampeg full throttle. I think the top is too thick for it to be a real issue plus that bracing under the bridge. My "feedbackiest" bass is my one-off Super 400 Gibson acoustic bass with a - passive! - Piezo. That thing has a cigar box-thin top which lives and breathes with every note played, but immediately feedbacks at anything above the most demure living room volume.

[ramone57]

My "feedbackiest" bass is my one-off Super 400 Gibson acoustic bass

  a Gibson acoustic bass?? could you post a pic for us, please?

[Dave W]

My "feedbackiest" bass is my one-off Super 400 Gibson acoustic bass

  a Gibson acoustic bass?? could you post a pic for us, please?

[Pilgrim]

That is downright pretty.  Are those gut strings, or is it just the light?

[ramone57]

crazy cool, Uwe!   not sure how one forgets that bass  , I'm sure you've posted pics before.

[uwe]

At that point, it had a set of Thomastik acoustic strings on it, the ones with the silk inside. Those sounded nice, but they had so little pull the neck was too straight even with the trussrod fully relieved.

[Chris P.]

I reviewed the 32" Gretsch and I love it. Very hard to send it back to Fender:( Love it! Maybe I reviewed the one of the store:) Great bass great looker and it even sounded good without much feedback on high volume with my band.

[uwe]

I played it at the rehearsal and we played loud this time (after a longer break), no feedback issues at all, not even near. The front pup alone on its own is too deep/mushy to cut through in a rock band, but does fine work if dialed in at 3/4 and the bridge pup full throttle.

[ilan]

There is a 1963 Gretsch 6070 on eBay (no affiliation) that looks in excellent original condition, and the starting price ($1,300) is low enough. Also has the original leather gig bag - important since this bass will not fit in any other gig bag you can find.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Gretsch-Bass-1963-Country-Gentlemen-6070-/330853380703?pt=Guitar&hash=item4d0865f25f

Believe me, the new ones are nothing like the vintage MIA Gretsches.

If I didn't already own one, I'd be all over this one like white on rice.

[Pilgrim]

STOP TEMPTING ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!   

Dangit.

[Dave W]

STOP TEMPTING ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!   

Dangit.

I've seen a few of these and every one had a massive neck. Ilan can probably confirm that. Just be aware.

[ilan]

Yes, massive neck. Thick front-to-back and wide side-to-side, and feels like it's a 36" scale (it's really 34") because the bridge is at the center of the body and the neck is "pushed" out. You reach for the low G and your hand feels like it's low F on a Fender bass. And the fretboard is flat, not radiused at all. It's a beast.

[Pilgrim]

Thank you. The neck offset would be a non-starter for me.