Gretsch G5123B Hollowbody Electroacoustic Bass

This is a limited edition which was originally intended for sale in the United States, but its unexpected success has done is export to Europe. Attention on some sites it is registered it is manufactured in the USA. While on the back of the neck it is written "Made in Korea". This is a 32 ". Rosewood. Frets 22. Easel Micro Channel and TV John, the same as the models really made the United States, but twice as expensive (White Falcon ect). Settings are simple but effective: overall volume, neck pickup volume, bridge pickup volume and tone.

UTILIZATION

Handle very pleasant, and the adaptation time is quite fast. The weight of the bass is incredibly weak and can play for hours without standing back pain. Its shape is bigger than normal, but I'm quickly adapted and it is not annoying.
Attention has unique dimensions and Gretsch has not sold a bag or hard case suitable. The solution is an acoustic guitar case filled with small cushions.

SOUNDS

Passive bass, it fits perfectly with my style, which ranges from jazz, blues and rock.
I prefer the neck pickup thunder tron ​​which provides clear and powerful sound good a definition of its high quality. The sound of bass to treble are well balanced, the bass does not necessarily need an equalizer.
The bridge pickup of the same type as the spring neck pickup sounds distinctly different, more muted and less severe. Good compromise for solos! But personally I will change in the future with a tv John blade that would better the sound that I'm looking at bridge.
In my opinion, Flatwound strings are more appropriate than roundwound such an instrument! I use LaBella 760FL 43-104. But to each his own!

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you been using? 6 months
Used live and in the studio.
It is an investment, but I have no regrets.
Note that like most new instruments now must take her to a luthier for a standard setting (at the beginning). Otherwise some minor flaws and omissions in production could be annoying. In my case I had a Frette was badly adjusted that had the effect of slightly curl the G string. The luthier perfectly corrected this detail.

To conclude all: I now have in my possession an instrument producer dreams!

long scale, made in korea, John micro TV, color chrome, the class

UTILIZATION

handle very pleasant, very low light, well balanced

SOUNDS

blues, rock, a real treat with ampeg PF350 PF500 or PF115 + 210 ampeg cabinets
with two heads and two cabinets several configurations are possible depending on the scenes and rooms

OVERALL OPINION

I have also:
a + american Fender Precision series,
a jazz bass fretless
a Yamaha acoustic electric BXR,
a Takamine acoustic electric ...
I had this beautiful Gretsch, a real jewel

one problem it is virtually impossible to find a hard case or suitcase to carry it because of its size, 1.25 m long, 0.40m wide and 0.15m thick.
yet it deserves a comfortable setting.