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Average Price: $720
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$500
$1201+
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Description
Designed for those who crave the classic looks and tones of yesteryear with a modern twist, the Gretsch G5420TG Electromatic Black is a semi-hollowbody electric guitar that embodies the iconic Gretsch sound and style. With its Black Top Filter'Tron pickups, this guitar delivers a punchy force that's perfect for everything from rockabilly to blues, and even some jazz flair. The body is crafted from 5-ply maple, giving it a resonant voice that's both articulate and warm, while the sleek gloss finish adds a touch of elegance.
The maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard ensures a smooth playing experience, whether you're strumming open chords or shredding leads. Featuring a 24.6" scale length and a standard U-profile, this guitar is designed for comfort and playability, making it ideal for both newcomers and seasoned players.
The Bigsby B60 tailpiece adds a touch of vintage charm with its smooth vibrato capabilities, allowing for gentle bends and expressive vibrato. Combined with an Adjusto-matic bridge, this setup ensures stable tuning and consistent sustain. The guitar's electronics are equally versatile, featuring individual volume controls for each pickup, a master tone control, and a three-way pickup selector, offering a broad palette of tonal options.
Key Features:
- 5-Ply maple top, back, and sides
- Standard U-profile maple neck with a 24.6" scale length
- Rosewood fingerboard with 22 medium jumbo frets and pearloid inlays
- Black Top Filter'Tron humbucking pickups
- Bigsby licensed B60 vibrato tailpiece
- Adjusto-matic bridge with pinned rosewood base
- Gold hardware with G-Arrow control knobs
Product specs
| Brand | Gretsch |
| Model | G5420TG Electromatic Hollow Body with Bigsby, Gold Hardware |
| Finish | Black, Cadillac Green Metallic, Candy Apple Red, White |
| Year | 2016 - 2025 |
| Made In | Korea, Republic of |
| Categories | Hollow Body Guitars |
| Body Material | Mahogany, Maple |
| Body Shape | Single Cutaway |
| Body Type | Hollow Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Tremolo Tailpiece |
| Color Family | Black, Green, Red, White |
| Finish Style | Gloss, Metallic |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Model Family | Gretsch Hollow Body Single Cutaway |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Number of Frets | 22 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Offset Body | Non-Offset Body |
| 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 music genres is the Gretsch G5420TG Electromatic Black best suited for?
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The Gretsch G5420TG Electromatic Black is well-suited for rockabilly, jazz, blues, and classic rock due to its warm, resonant tone and classic hollow body design.
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How does the Gretsch G5420TG Electromatic Black's Bigsby tremolo affect playability?
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The Bigsby tremolo on the Gretsch G5420TG allows for smooth vibrato effects, adding expressive dynamics to your playing without significantly altering tuning stability when used properly.
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What is the neck profile of the Gretsch G5420TG Electromatic Black?
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The Gretsch G5420TG Electromatic Black features a comfortable "U"-shaped neck profile, providing a classic feel that is particularly appealing to players who prefer a substantial grip.
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Are the pickups on the Gretsch G5420TG Electromatic Black suitable for high-gain settings?
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The Gretsch G5420TG Electromatic Black is equipped with Black Top Filter'Tron pickups, which excel in producing clear, articulate tones ideal for clean and moderately overdriven sounds rather than high-gain settings.
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Is the Gretsch G5420TG Electromatic Black suitable for beginners?
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While the Gretsch G5420TG Electromatic Black offers features that appeal to experienced players, its comfortable playability and versatile sound make it accessible for beginners as well.
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What materials are used in the construction of the Gretsch G5420TG Electromatic Black?
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The Gretsch G5420TG Electromatic Black features a maple top and body, a maple neck, and a rosewood fretboard, contributing to its rich tone and classic appearance.
Videos
Rick F Fontaine
5 Minute Demo: Gretsch Electromatic G5420TG Electric Guitar
Reviews
PROS
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Stunning aesthetics with deep metallic colors and gold hardware
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Impressive build quality, especially for a Korean-made guitar
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Excellent tone, both high end sings and low end purrs
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Versatile sound, suitable for various music genres
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Great value for money, no need for aftermarket modifications
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Comfortable and playable right out of the box
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Black Top Filtertrons deliver the classic Gretsch sound
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Offers substantial customization options for enthusiasts
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Well set-up with fresh strings, no rattles or hums
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Ideal for both hobbyists and serious players
CONS
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Some find it not as “substantial” as expected
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gretsch G5420TG Electromatic.
Mods and upgrades
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Owners suggest using Quickguards for custom pickguards, although they can be pricey at $128. Customization includes adding a Gretsch logo to match the original.
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Gold hardware is popular for aesthetic upgrades, but some owners report it loses its luster quickly with regular use and cleaning.
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For a DIY pickguard mod, one can remove existing paint then apply a logo decal and spray it in any color, or start with a clear pickguard to preserve the original.
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User experience
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Some owners find the combination of gold hardware with orange paint unexpectedly appealing, citing musicians like Tim Pierce for inspiration.
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Owners often find themselves drawn to the unique aesthetics of the G5420TG, notably its deeper tone compared to the G5422TG, which can lead to impulsive decisions to purchase after initial exposure.
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The emotional connection some users feel towards the G5420TG can be intense, likened to the allure of a captivating new relationship, highlighting its charm and appeal.
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Features and functionality
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The G5420TG comes with Black Top Filtertron pickups, which are reverse-engineered from Baldwin-era humbuckers, appreciated for their bright tone suitable for rock music.
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Comparisons
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The G5420TG is favored over the G5422TG by some musicians for its richer, deeper sound, despite the G5422TG's appealing double cutaway design.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
In the 'My Honest Face' music video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDU4-MOFb0Y, you can see that Eli use theGretsch G5420TG Electromatic Hollow Body Black/Gold Hardware at 1:47. The thumbnail/photo for the music video is an image from this timestamp. As of now, this specific guitar has been discontinued. In addition, his father is also a Gretsch artist, https://www.gretschguitars.com/artists/u2-bono-profile. (My previous entry of this being a different Gretsch is incorrect).
Album Usage
The Gretsch G5420TG Electromatic 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.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gretsch G5420TG Electromatic, it is most commonly used with the following gear.