Guitar Reviews 4U - Comparing a 2023 Gretsch 5420T
2 Tone Green 'Anniversary Green' Chinese made guitar with a
2016 G5420T Fairlane Blue Korean made guitar
A brief overview of the 5120 to 5420 Gretsch timeline journey
Korean made Mk3 2016 (left) Chinese made Mk4 2023 (right)
my Mk4 was sold by Peach Guitars in the UK. Nice people to deal with,
a good old-style guitar shop that sets up a guitar and gives great service
When Gretsch launched the 5120 guitars in the early 2000's it was a game changer for the guitar players who wanted a genuine Gretsch at an affordable price. And it pretty much kicked into touch other makers looking to create similar styled guitars.
Smaller boutique labels such as Vintage, AXL, Alden, Eastwood, Hutchings, Roberts and other badge engineered guitars were often made by a small number of factories for those other 'names'. The 5120 pretty much dented that market by providing a genuine Gretsch at an affordable price and the 'right' name.
upgraded with Gretsch Filtertrons, Space Control Bridge
and Chet Atkins 6120 Scratchplate
It was for Gretsch their 'Squier' moment - affordable guitars in the image of a more famous parent. The original 5120 and the 5020 Dearmond pickup equipped model ranges at this price point soon became platforms for upgrade as players recognised they could upgrade them.
Like the Squiers had from Fender - these were a good basic guitar which could be upgraded easily. There was a special 5120 that was a limited run which featured Filtertrons as standard.
The 51220 and 5422's here were upgraded with Gretsch Filtertrons
The 5120 was for Gretsch the start of a rich seam of guitar making and the 5120 line became improved and launched as the 5420T the 'Mk2', now featuring hump block fretboard inlays and the 'Black Top' FIltertron pickups - last seen used on the Baldwin era Gretsch guitars.
G5420T Silver Sparkle a 'Mk2' Electromatic
The 5420 'Mk2' retained the large 5120 headstock with the 'Electromatic' name vertically placed. The shape was of a style used on the Japanese Gretsch reissue guitars of the mid 1990's owing their style to the headstock design of the pre-1957 6120 guitars. The neck profile was slim and easy to play. The addition of f-hole binding firmly put the 5420 up a notch. However it was not until the 'Mk3' that the headstock was reduced in size and lost the 'electromatic' vertical name.
The guitar was then updated to a 'MK3' version, it went back to the thumbnail inlay fretboard, the headstock shape and size was made smaller more in line with the 1958 and later 6120 size and shape head, the new guitars were well received and led onto the special colour 5420's with the Fairlane Blue guitar immediately making a big hit. Like Fiesta Red did for the Stratocaster. F-hole binding appeared and sealed the look.
G6120 Brian Setzer Hot Rod in Regal Blue from 2004 -
perhaps the inspiration for the 5420T in Fairlane Blue?
The Korean made 5420 colour range was expanded from the basic Orange stain of the original 5120, that came from the 1955 6120 and the 5420's were offered in a range of colours including Black, Sunburst, Aspen Green, Silver Sparkle and Daphne Blue, Surf Green although some of these colours were limited run colour shades often for far east markets like Japan or Malaysia.
The Mk2 Electromatic featured a slightly thicker neck than the 5120, I personally found this neck not as easy to play as on my 5120. This was changed on the Mk3 guitar more to a thinner profile neck more in line with the 5120 profile. Perhaps due to player feedback.
2016 one owner as new, prior to upgrading it with B6C Bigsby
G6120 1959 Trestle Bracing example
The 5420T in 2 tone 'Anniversary Green'
The guitar colours for the Mk4 guitars have been updated with the Azure Blue replacing Fairlane Blue. Airline Silver, Orange and a great 2 tone Anniversary Green model as a tribute to the 6118 guitar are also offered as alternative colours. Limited edition 5420TG guitars with gold plated parts and special paint colours are also offered.
The scratchplate is a tasteful silver shade on the Mk3 and Mk 4which works on all the colours and the one on the Chinese Mk4 5420T does not fit the Mk3 Korean guitar! The strap buttons have been changed on the Mk4 Chinese guitars and the thread on the string post is a left hand thread into the body unlike the previous Korean and the Japanese guitars which have right hand threads. Remember this if changing them or replacing the Bigsby! I put Straplocks on my Mk4.
an improvement on the stock B60 unit
The finish of the guitar is really good for the money, inside the Mk4 Chinese guitar, the bracing strength allows for a slightly thinner body, externally the green paint on the anniversary Mk4 I have is flawlessly finished as is the Mk3 Korean Fairlane Blue finish. This is a guitar you could easily pay a lot more for.
Gretsch 5420T guitars - upgraded with Bigsby B6C,
Vanson Roller Saddle Bridges and on the blue guitar
In conclusion, the 5420 series guitars are great value for money, a real Gretsch, at an affordable price and I have used them live on stage for some years along with Japan made Gretsch guitars.
The Japan Terada guitars are about the best Gretsch guitars I have played but you are looking at a price ticket sometimes three times as high as a Korean or Chinese guitar. That said, I find the Electromatics nice to play and have a great sound. I used my Orange 5120 for around 4 years with a jazz band even though I had a 6120 to hand.
A 6118T tribute!
The finish and construction is really well done on these instruments and I only wish they were around in the 1980's!
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