Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 2 stores. Prices updated .

Average Price: $613

Standard/Professional

$500

$1201+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Gretsch Electromatic G5120". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Dive into a realm where vintage aesthetics meet modern playability with the Gretsch Electromatic G5120 Orange. This semi-hollowbody guitar, with its eye-catching hue and resonant sound, is a bridge between the iconic Gretsch legacy and the aspirations of contemporary musicians. It's not just an instrument; it's your ticket to a sonic journey, offering both the twang for country licks and the warmth for jazz solos. Perfect for the player looking to elevate their sound with a piece of music history, without breaking the bank.

Key Features:

  • Body: Laminated maple top and body, featuring a stylish single cutaway design.
  • Neck: Comfortable five-piece maple construction in a "U" shape, paired with a smooth 12" rosewood fretboard.
  • Electronics: Equipped with Black Top Filter'Tron humbuckers for versatile tones, master tone and volume controls, individual volume knobs for each pickup, and a three-way pickup selector switch.
  • Bigsby B60 Vibrato tailpiece for expressive playing and Adjusto-Matic bridge for stable tuning.
  • Aesthetic touches like fretboard and soundhole binding enhance the guitar's visual appeal.

Product specs

Brand Gretsch
Model G5120 Electromatic Hollow Body
Finish Black, Cherry, Orange, Sunburst
Year 2006 - 2013
Made In Korea, Republic of
Categories Archtop Electric Guitars, Hollow Body Guitars
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape Single Cutaway
Body Type Hollow Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Tremolo Tailpiece
Color Family Black, Brown, Orange, Red
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Gretsch Hollow Body Single Cutaway
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Series Gretsch Electromatic
Top Material Maple
Wood Top Style Plain

FAQs

What kind of music is the Gretsch Electromatic G5120 Orange best suited for?

The Gretsch Electromatic G5120 Orange is ideal for rockabilly, jazz, and blues, thanks to its warm, resonant tone and classic hollow body design. Its dual-coil pickups and Bigsby vibrato tailpiece also make it versatile for other genres requiring rich, vintage tones.

Does the Gretsch Electromatic G5120 Orange have a solid or hollow body?

The Gretsch Electromatic G5120 Orange features a fully hollow body, which contributes to its rich, resonant sound and is perfect for genres like jazz and rockabilly.

How does the Bigsby B60 vibrato tailpiece on the Gretsch G5120 affect playability?

The Bigsby B60 vibrato tailpiece allows for subtle pitch modulation, adding expressive vibrato effects to your playing. It's a classic feature for achieving vintage-style tremolo sounds without significantly altering tuning stability.

What are the key tonal characteristics of the Gretsch Electromatic G5120's pickups?

The Gretsch G5120 is equipped with chrome-covered Dual-Coil pickups, delivering a warm, full-bodied sound with a slight twang, ideal for rockabilly and jazz. These pickups offer a balanced output that complements the guitar's hollow body resonance.

Is the Gretsch Electromatic G5120 Orange suitable for beginners?

While the Gretsch Electromatic G5120 Orange offers features that appeal to experienced players, its comfortable neck profile and versatile sound make it accessible for beginners looking to explore hollow body guitars.

Gretsch Guitars

Gretsch Guitars

How to Optimize Your G5120 Electromatic Hollow Body | Tech Tips | Gretsch Guitars

Video thumbnail for How to Optimize Your G5120 Electromatic Hollow Body | Tech Tips | Gretsch Guitars by Gretsch Guitars

How to Optimize Your G5120 Electromatic Hollow Body | Tech Tips | Gretsch Guitars

Gretsch Guitars

Gretsch Guitars

Video thumbnail for Gretsch Electromatic G5120 by Coleman's Music

Gretsch Electromatic G5120

Coleman's Music

Coleman's Music

Video thumbnail for Gretsch Electromatic G-5120, orange, Part2 by GregsGuitars

Gretsch Electromatic G-5120, orange, Part2

GregsGuitars

GregsGuitars

Video thumbnail for Gretsch Electromatic G-5120, orange, Part1 by GregsGuitars

Gretsch Electromatic G-5120, orange, Part1

GregsGuitars

GregsGuitars

Video thumbnail for Inexpensive Gear That Jim Uses! Gretsch 5120 Electromatic (Sleepwalk; Brian Setzer) by Jim Keyes

Inexpensive Gear That Jim Uses! Gretsch 5120 Electromatic (Sleepwalk; Brian Setzer)

Jim Keyes

Jim Keyes

Video thumbnail for How to get all of the tones out of a Gretsch Hollowbody Guitar G5120 by NTCK

How to get all of the tones out of a Gretsch Hollowbody Guitar G5120

NTCK

NTCK

Video thumbnail for Gretsch 5120 Blazing Guitars Demo by Blazing Guitars

Gretsch 5120 Blazing Guitars Demo

Blazing Guitars

Blazing Guitars

Video thumbnail for Gretsch G5120 Electromatic at Sherwood Phoenix by Sherwood Phoenix

Gretsch G5120 Electromatic at Sherwood Phoenix

Sherwood Phoenix

Sherwood Phoenix

Reviews

PROS

  • Distinctive "Gretschy" sound with a full tonal spectrum

  • Excellent playability with a smooth, comfortable neck

  • Eye-catching orange finish and classic Gretsch aesthetics

  • Responsive electronics with no pops or clicks

  • Offers great value for the price with robust construction

  • Resonates better than thicker laminated tops for a rich sound

  • Bigsby system provides unique vibrato effects without major tuning issues

  • Stays in tune well despite the use of a whammy bar

  • Hardware and controls are high-quality and not cheap-feeling

CONS

  • Stock tune-o-matic bridge may have loose screws causing rattling

  • Floating bridge can be tricky to adjust without experience

  • Some might find the Bigsby system challenging for tuning stability

  • Glossy neck finish may not suit fans of satin finishes

  • White parts on F-holes may not appeal aesthetically to everyone

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gretsch Electromatic G5120.

Mods and upgrades

  • T.V. Jones pickups are highly recommended for a significant tonal upgrade, enhancing the guitar's performance beyond stock capabilities.

    Source
  • Owners often replace Gretschbuckers with FilterTron or HiLoTron pickups for improved clarity and less muffled sound, without needing premium brands like TV Jones.

    Source
  • One user transformed their G5120 into a "sleeper" guitar with extensive mods, including SD Antiquities pickups and Gotoh hardware, significantly enhancing tone and aesthetic.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Owners favor the G5120 with T.V. Jones pickups over the Epiphone Swingster for better tone and playability.

    Source
  • Blacktop pickups, based on 1970s FilterTrons, are considered bolder but lack the crisp edge found in original FilterTrons, offering a better alternative to Gretschbuckers.

    Source
  • Electromatic models, even with stock setups, are considered superior in playability to many guitars within the same price range, including certain Fender and Squier models.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • In New Zealand, used models can reach $1,000 USD, making $499 in the US a competitive deal.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The G5120 offers the playability of an electric guitar with semi-hollow attributes, providing versatility for diverse musical styles.

    Source
  • Enthusiasts use the G5120 primarily for 60s music styles, including Beatles covers, highlighting its versatility in achieving vintage tones.

    Source

User experience

  • Some owners report dark and muffled tones from the stock Gretschbuckers, prompting frequent pickup upgrades for tonal improvement.

    Source
  • A seasoned blues guitarist was impressed with the G5120's ability to maintain clarity and power at high amp breakup levels, distinguishing it from typical humbuckers.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Owners report that setting pickups close to the strings enhances tone clarity, especially when adjusting for bass side muddiness; a high starting position is recommended.

    Source

Build quality

  • Some users observe that factory-installed pots can vary in quality, with some being scratch-free and well-soldered while others may need contact spray for optimal performance.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The guitar's tuning stability is highly praised, with frequent use of Elixir coated strings (10-46 gauge) maintaining tune with minimal adjustment.

    Source

Critic Reviews

The Gretsch G5120 Electromatic Review | David Boles, Blogs

bolesblogs.com

The Gretsch Electromatic G5120 Orange is a standout in both appearance and performance, offering great value at a fraction of the cost of high-end models. Praised for its lightweight design and versatile sound, it excels in various playing styles. While the guitar arrives without a case, and its Bigsby tremolo system can be challenging during re-stringing, these are minor setbacks considering its rich, unique sound and attractive price. Overall, the G5120 is a superb addition to any guitarist's collection, offering a distinct tone that competes well with more expensive counterparts.

positive

4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 6 Ratings

5 star
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S

Awesome Workhorse Guitar For the Price

I purchased this guitar second hand about a year ago in like-new condition. So far it has served me very, very well. The Bigsby system, stock, doesn't cause terrible tuning instability. Albeit, it isn't the stability of a hardtail, but it certainly isn't unusable. The stock fretwork isn't terrible, but a fret level always helps with play ability and buzzes. Unfortunately the stock tune-o-matic bridge has loose screws that have a tendency to rattle around when you play. To me, this was a minor annoyance, but I know some would find this to be a major issue. Swapping out the stock bridge for a tune-o-matic roller bridge completely solves this issue and improves tuning stability. The stock pickups aren't absolutely phenomenal, but for the price of the guitar, they definitely get you "That Gretsch Sound." They sound really nice clean and even better driven. The quality of the finish is also really great. Overall this is an awesome instrument for the price.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Jan Borysewicz uses Gretsch Electromatic G5120

Jan Borysewicz

Guitarist, Bassist

Lady Pank

...
Verified via Photo

Jan posiada ten instrument od końca 2010 roku. Nagrał na tej gitarze utwór Fabryka Małp na album LP1.

Album Usage

The Gretsch Electromatic G5120 has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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