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Description
Dive into the retro vibe with the Gretsch G5135 Electromatic CVT Corvette, a guitar that blends modern playability with the timeless aesthetics of rock 'n' roll's golden era. This solid-body electric wonder is not just about looks; it's a powerhouse of tone, thanks to its mahogany body and neck. Equipped with a Bigsby tailpiece and Adjusto-Matic bridge, it offers unparalleled stability and expressive vibrato, making it a go-to choice for guitarists seeking versatility and reliability. Whether you're riffing through a gritty blues solo or laying down some classic rock rhythms, the CVT Corvette delivers with flair.
Key Features:
- Solid mahogany body and neck for warm, resonant tones
- Bigsby tailpiece for expressive vibrato
- Adjusto-Matic bridge for precise intonation and playability
- Sleek retro design, combining classic aesthetics with modern functionality
Product specs
| Brand | Gretsch |
| Model | G5135-CVT Electromatic Corvette with Bigsby |
| Finish | Cherry Stain |
| Year | 2006 - 2020 |
| Made In | Korea, Republic of |
| Categories | Solid Body Electric Guitars |
| Body Material | Mahogany |
| Body Shape | Double Cutaway |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Tremolo Tailpiece |
| Color Family | Red |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Model Family | Gretsch Corvette |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Number of Frets | 21 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Pickup Configuration | HH |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Series | Gretsch Electromatic |
| Top Material | Maple |
| Wood Top Style | Plain |
FAQs
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What kind of pickups does the Gretsch G5135 Electromatic CVT Corvette have, and how do they sound?
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The Gretsch G5135 Electromatic CVT Corvette features dual Mega'Tron humbucking pickups, which deliver a powerful, bright sound suitable for rock and roll, rockabilly, and blues.
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Is the Gretsch G5135 Electromatic CVT Corvette suitable for beginner guitarists?
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Yes, the Gretsch G5135 Electromatic CVT Corvette is suitable for beginners, offering a comfortable double cutaway body and a smooth-playing rosewood fretboard that makes it easy to handle for new players.
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Does the Gretsch G5135 Electromatic CVT Corvette come with a tremolo system?
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Yes, the Gretsch G5135 Electromatic CVT Corvette is equipped with a Bigsby tremolo tailpiece, allowing for expressive vibrato effects.
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What type of neck does the Gretsch G5135 Electromatic CVT Corvette have?
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The Gretsch G5135 Electromatic CVT Corvette features a set-neck construction made from mahogany, providing stability and a warm tone.
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How does the body material of the Gretsch G5135 Electromatic CVT Corvette affect its sound?
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The mahogany body of the Gretsch G5135 Electromatic CVT Corvette contributes to its rich, resonant tone with a strong midrange presence, ideal for various music styles.
Videos
intheblues
Gretsch Corvette G5135 CVT Left Hand Electric Guitar
Gretsch Corvette G5135 CVT Left Hand Electric Guitar
intheblues
Gretsch G5135CVT ELECTROMATIC® CVT WITH BIGSBY®, ROSEWOOD FINGERBOARD, CHERRY STAIN
Strings Shop
Gretsch G5135 CVT Electromatic Tone Test - Sherwood Music
Sherwood Music
Reviews
PROS
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MegaTron pickups provide a classic Gretsch twangy growl
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Bigsby tremolo offers subtle, fun tonal options
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Smooth, fast neck with medium jumbo frets for easy playability
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Excellent clarity and attitude in live performances
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Versatile tone suited for jazz, rock, and punk
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Light body with comfortable vintage style
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Stays in tune well, even with the Bigsby
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Great value at its price point, especially compared to more expensive models
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High-quality workmanship, materials, and finish
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Distinctive crunch for garage punk recordings
CONS
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Input jack issues with lack of bolts
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Pickguard feels super thin and cheap
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Neck-to-headstock joint appears glued, not one-piece
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Tuning friction at bridge saddles with Bigsby
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Wood expansion can cause bushing issues
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gretsch G5135 Electromatic CVT Corvette.
Features and functionality
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The pickups offer a P90-like tone with great clarity and handle gain well, maintaining control at high gain settings due to their lower output.
Source -
The stock Megatron pickups are highly regarded for their sound quality, with many owners choosing to keep them despite availability of aftermarket options.
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The vibrato system on older models, which is not a Bigsby, is noted for being unreliable compared to modern alternatives.
Source
Build quality
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The construction is described as immaculate, rivaling high-end brands like PRS, providing a solid feel.
Source
Setup and maintenance
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Vintage models can be challenging to set up due to a non-fixed bridge, making intonation difficult but manageable once adjusted.
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Vintage Bigsby units, while visually appealing, present a significant challenge when restringing.
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The addition of a roller bridge significantly improves tuning stability and interaction with the Bigsby vibrato system.
Source
User experience
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Owners express a love for the vintage models’ body and neck profile, though they often require significant maintenance like rewiring and refretting.
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The guitar is praised for its crazy thin neck, which some players find appealing despite initial skepticism.
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Owners express difficulty in finding these guitars, indicating a strong demand and potential collector interest.
Source
Use cases and applications
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The guitar is perceived as versatile, capable of handling various musical styles due to its unique pickup characteristics.
Source
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 4 Ratings
296
Versatile 'Vette
Had mine since late 2015, and she's a wonderfully versatile thing! I've gigged and recorded her with everything from jazz to punk rock. Admittedly getting used to using/maintaining the Bigsby took a while for me. (First guitar I owned with a Bigsby trem).
Occupies a nice middle ground tone wise in my current collection between being punchy enough to be used for rock recordings but also able to clean up nicely for jazz style playing which is where it saw it's main use these last few years.
Plays great, and holds her set up pretty well particularly with heavier strings (I use 48-11's myself) and the Megatron pickups are nice and punchy. Fit and finish is good, save for the jack socket problems you get with these kind of sockets but other than that, she's a left field choice for someone looking for something old school that isn't the typical Strat/Tele or Les Paul/SG choices.
Artist usage
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Genre Usage
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Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gretsch G5135 Electromatic CVT Corvette, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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