Gretsch 5420T in Fairlane Blue - nice Candy Sparkle finish
Up for review here is a lovely 5420T made in 2016 and is from the latest model issue. The first thing that is apparent is the lovely almost Kingfisher Blue colour Candy metallic sparkle paint finish called Fairlane Blue. Much as I like the Western Orange, this Blue called Fairlane Blue, is just so good. Rather like Lake Placid Blue in hue, (computer monitor colour handling taken into consideration,) this colour changes according to the light, from a Sapphire to an almost Ice blue under strong light. As you can see from my three example pictures! It just looks so good that sells the guitar alone.
I saw this guitar in this particular colour as I was considering refinishing a 6120 Hot Rod in Flat Black to a Blue Sparkle and this fairly caught my attention. I saw a couple of YouTube reviews and thought it looked good and if the hardware wasn't giving me the 6120 vibe, I could always change that and it would look more like a 6120 Hot Rod in Regal Blue, a guitar I wouldn't mind owning! So, I managed to pickup this unplayed looking example.
This looks a very classy guitar, certainly more value than the price tag which is the equivalent price to a 5420T in transparent Orange.
So, what has Gretsch done to improve itover the old 5420T? Well, it has taken the basic 'Hull' from the 5120 guitars from mid 2000's and given us this guitar with a reduced size headstock more like on a late 50's 6120, the Electromatic name is moved to the Scratchplate and looks classier for doing so, slotted under the Gretsch name.
Binding on this colour guitar is a lovely off white which blends to the blue colour rather than making a harsh stand out look. The Neo Classical fret markers return, the Hump Block type being dropped, I liked these markers and certainly if you converted an old style 5420 T to Dynasonics it would look 'right' with those and the old style type Bigsby B6, especially with a new headstock veneer and a cutting down to a 6120 size.
Pickups are the Baldwin era style Black Face Filterton with open tops rather than the old type of FT design. These are good sounding and adjusted up they are rocking well, but those seeking an upgrade it's likely going to be a change to TVJ's or Filtertrons with TV English mount or a standard FT with my method of adaption to fit. The controls gain a treble bleed setup which is useful, although I use a volume pedal so I can always keep the master volume to 11 and regulate accordingly on the pedal (A die cast metal Jim Dunlop pedal in case you ask).
Switching is the old mid 50's pickup selection only with Tone Pot near to the two pickup volumes. I like this set up, in fact I tend to set everything to the max and just use a modelling amplifier to give me different sound colours according to patches (either a VOX VT30 or VOX AD60 blue cabinet type from 2002).
I saw this guitar in this particular colour as I was considering refinishing a 6120 Hot Rod in Flat Black to a Blue Sparkle and this fairly caught my attention. I saw a couple of YouTube reviews and thought it looked good and if the hardware wasn't giving me the 6120 vibe, I could always change that and it would look more like a 6120 Hot Rod in Regal Blue, a guitar I wouldn't mind owning! So, I managed to pickup this unplayed looking example.
This looks a very classy guitar, certainly more value than the price tag which is the equivalent price to a 5420T in transparent Orange.
So, what has Gretsch done to improve itover the old 5420T? Well, it has taken the basic 'Hull' from the 5120 guitars from mid 2000's and given us this guitar with a reduced size headstock more like on a late 50's 6120, the Electromatic name is moved to the Scratchplate and looks classier for doing so, slotted under the Gretsch name.
Binding on this colour guitar is a lovely off white which blends to the blue colour rather than making a harsh stand out look. The Neo Classical fret markers return, the Hump Block type being dropped, I liked these markers and certainly if you converted an old style 5420 T to Dynasonics it would look 'right' with those and the old style type Bigsby B6, especially with a new headstock veneer and a cutting down to a 6120 size.
Pickups are the Baldwin era style Black Face Filterton with open tops rather than the old type of FT design. These are good sounding and adjusted up they are rocking well, but those seeking an upgrade it's likely going to be a change to TVJ's or Filtertrons with TV English mount or a standard FT with my method of adaption to fit. The controls gain a treble bleed setup which is useful, although I use a volume pedal so I can always keep the master volume to 11 and regulate accordingly on the pedal (A die cast metal Jim Dunlop pedal in case you ask).
Switching is the old mid 50's pickup selection only with Tone Pot near to the two pickup volumes. I like this set up, in fact I tend to set everything to the max and just use a modelling amplifier to give me different sound colours according to patches (either a VOX VT30 or VOX AD60 blue cabinet type from 2002).
The machine heads are a Waverley open back type which are a bit cheap in construction, but they are functional, swapping these for up-market Gretsch Waverley types is possible allowing you to keep the same screw holes and more stability from the higher quality, or swap out for Sperzls.
The Bigsby is a version of the B6C early type, I may upgrade to a V type Gretsch Bigsby in time for appearance. The arm does not come in the right place as it does on a 6120, this is due to the spring being shorter, I have upgraded my earlier 5420 with an All Parts 1" stainless steel spring which transformed the height to just right. I have ordered one to go on this guitar too and this has now been fitted. Gretsch have never rectified this fault on the short spring which is a shame and I have had to upgrade all mine.
One problem with the Bigsby B6 as used on here is it only has 2 screws to secure it at the , this is el cheapo Gretsch! And it is not sufficient to hold the mounting plate flat to the side of the guitar for maximum tone transfer and for maximum integrity.
Sorry, but 2 screws does not cut it, I upgraded my old 5120 to add 2 extras lower down and it was much better. Why is this situation still almost unchanged a decade on? 2 Screws ain't gonna bust the bank!
The Bridge is a tunamatic type (and may likely swap the unit for a Wilkinson roller bridge for stability, retaining the) Rosewood base which is now pin located for stability. The base will likely require sanding to fit the top for better tone transfer the one on mine does need this.
Strap buttons are the knurled barrel screw on type, The hardware is chrome and the pickup rings and scratchplate are silvered underside of the plastic.
The action from the factory is good, my test of this is to put a single Fender Thin plectrum on the crown of the second fret and underneath the string, if it stays in place when the guitar is vertical, that is set up properly. This guitar wasn't far off that, so I will let it settle down with new strings on and set it up at the nut. Actually, once I had adjused the bridge height it was able to meet my plectrum test!
Acoustically sounds vibrant, plugged in it is nice to, but will know better after fresh strings. Often the guitars are shipped with strings that have been on them sometime, so they are a bit dull sounding although they look new. Having done a slight adjustment it is already sounding better.
The Bigsby is a version of the B6C early type, I may upgrade to a V type Gretsch Bigsby in time for appearance. The arm does not come in the right place as it does on a 6120, this is due to the spring being shorter, I have upgraded my earlier 5420 with an All Parts 1" stainless steel spring which transformed the height to just right. I have ordered one to go on this guitar too and this has now been fitted. Gretsch have never rectified this fault on the short spring which is a shame and I have had to upgrade all mine.
One problem with the Bigsby B6 as used on here is it only has 2 screws to secure it at the , this is el cheapo Gretsch! And it is not sufficient to hold the mounting plate flat to the side of the guitar for maximum tone transfer and for maximum integrity.
Sorry, but 2 screws does not cut it, I upgraded my old 5120 to add 2 extras lower down and it was much better. Why is this situation still almost unchanged a decade on? 2 Screws ain't gonna bust the bank!
The Bridge is a tunamatic type (and may likely swap the unit for a Wilkinson roller bridge for stability, retaining the) Rosewood base which is now pin located for stability. The base will likely require sanding to fit the top for better tone transfer the one on mine does need this.
Strap buttons are the knurled barrel screw on type, The hardware is chrome and the pickup rings and scratchplate are silvered underside of the plastic.
The action from the factory is good, my test of this is to put a single Fender Thin plectrum on the crown of the second fret and underneath the string, if it stays in place when the guitar is vertical, that is set up properly. This guitar wasn't far off that, so I will let it settle down with new strings on and set it up at the nut. Actually, once I had adjused the bridge height it was able to meet my plectrum test!
Acoustically sounds vibrant, plugged in it is nice to, but will know better after fresh strings. Often the guitars are shipped with strings that have been on them sometime, so they are a bit dull sounding although they look new. Having done a slight adjustment it is already sounding better.
Playing wise the guitar is nice and gives a great spectrum of sound from jazz and country through to hard driving playing. Of course the open f-holes and hollow body does preclude it from high gain distortion playing! The neck is a D shape but not too chunky. Comparing it to a 6120 it is good for feel.
So what about price? The standard 5420 is about £680 new as a guide, against a 6120 at £2850 now, that is a great representation of value for money for what it is. But even on its own merits, this is a lovely guitar and well worth having. The price means you can upgrade at your leisure should you desire and certainly that would not be money wasted, even though it is perfectly adequate. The guitar looks £1000 and certainly against a similarly coloured Duesenberg, it looks good and it is a Gretsch.
A secondhand one would be around the £550 mark which is what I got mine for including an aftermarket case, which the guitar is not supplied with new, unlike the professional series guitars.
A secondhand one would be around the £550 mark which is what I got mine for including an aftermarket case, which the guitar is not supplied with new, unlike the professional series guitars.
This is a classy looking guitar and the colour is superb, I think Gretsch should introduce some more '50's ' colours like Shell Pink, Mint Green, Blue Sparkle, Silver Sparkle, Powder Blue perhaps as part of a standalone 'Hot Rod' range, these guitars have come a long way since the 5120.
What would I like to see on this guitar? A better looking headstock logo, as on the 2420T Indonesian Streamliner headstock, a Roller Bridge as standard, 1" trem spring, colour options, the V style Bigsby just as ideas.
I would say if you fancy one of these, get one as they are bound to sell quickly. Having adjusted mine up it is a great sounding guitar and I am pleased with it.
If Gretsch was to make a Hot Rod version of this at this price with the V Bigsby, it would pretty much be the thing to have.
They have done well with the Streamliner, this 5420T is going that way too. In fact I like the Streamliner too, it is great value for money.
What would I like to see on this guitar? A better looking headstock logo, as on the 2420T Indonesian Streamliner headstock, a Roller Bridge as standard, 1" trem spring, colour options, the V style Bigsby just as ideas.
I would say if you fancy one of these, get one as they are bound to sell quickly. Having adjusted mine up it is a great sounding guitar and I am pleased with it.
If Gretsch was to make a Hot Rod version of this at this price with the V Bigsby, it would pretty much be the thing to have.
They have done well with the Streamliner, this 5420T is going that way too. In fact I like the Streamliner too, it is great value for money.
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