Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $720

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

Unleash your creativity with the Gretsch G5655T Electromatic Center Block, a solid body electric guitar meticulously crafted for musicians who crave vintage allure with modern playability. This instrument is perfect for both stage and studio, delivering a rich, dynamic sound that’s quintessentially Gretsch. The G5655T features a center block construction, offering superior feedback resistance and allowing for high-gain performances without sacrificing tone quality. This versatile guitar is equipped with dual Black Top Broad'Tron pickups, renowned for their full-spectrum sound and classic Gretsch twang.

Designed with a slim, double-cutaway body, the G5655T ensures easy access to higher frets, making it ideal for intricate solos and fast-paced riffs. The guitar’s Bigsby B70 vibrato tailpiece offers a smooth, expressive tremolo action, providing players with the ability to add subtle texture or bold vibrato effects to their music. The Adjusto-Matic bridge ensures stable tuning and precise intonation, perfect for maintaining pitch accuracy during energetic performances.

Crafted with a laminated maple top, back, and sides, this guitar not only looks stunning but also contributes to its bright, resonant sound. The comfortable "U"-shaped neck and laurel fingerboard enhance playability, making it a joy for seasoned professionals and enthusiastic beginners alike.

Key Features:

  • Center block construction for reduced feedback
  • Dual Black Top Broad'Tron pickups for a wide tonal range
  • Bigsby B70 vibrato tailpiece for expressive tremolo effects
  • Adjusto-Matic bridge for stable tuning and precise intonation
  • Slimline double-cutaway body for easy upper fret access
  • Laminated maple top, back, and sides for bright resonance
  • Comfortable "U"-shaped neck with a laurel fingerboard

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gretsch G5655T Electromatic Center Block.

Value and pricing

  • A user acquired the G5655T for $499 new, noting it competes well with higher-priced US, MIJ, and Korean models.

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  • It's possible to find a used G5655T for significantly less than the $900 MSRP, with discounts available from certain retailers.

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Use cases and applications

  • The G5655T's setup can require nut and truss rod adjustments to achieve optimal playability and sound quality.

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  • The semi-hollow design makes it less ideal for high-gain settings due to potential feedback but suits rock and blues well.

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Setup and maintenance

  • A user fixed a vibrating locking clip on the trem roller by applying ChapStick to stop it from free-spinning.

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  • Some users experienced sharp edges on the treble side of the nut that required filing and rounding for comfort.

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  • Some owners feel the pots lack sufficient sweep, suggesting a potential area for improvement in control responsiveness.

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  • Restringing the Bigsby can be tricky; using a capo during string changes is advised for ease.

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Build quality

  • It's been noted that the Bigsby arm can fall off easily, requiring attention or a trip to a guitar technician.

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  • The Gretsch G5655T has a 12" radius, which some find more comfortable compared to the 9.5" found on Strats and Teles.

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Mods and upgrades

  • Owners recommend replacing stock tuners with locking Ratios and upgrading to a roller bridge for improved tuning stability.

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  • Some users recommend swapping pickups to enhance tonal versatility, as stock pickups may sound hot and somewhat muddy.

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Comparisons

  • The G5655T is appreciated for delivering the essence of a Gibson without the drawbacks of a chunky neck or extra weight.

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  • The Gretsch G5655T is compared to the Yamaha Revstar and PRS SE lines, with the Revstar highlighted for its consistent quality control.

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User experience

  • The neck and fretwork are highly praised, offering a comfortable compromise between typical Fender and Gibson neck profiles.

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  • Owners report the G5655T's pickups sound full and rich, falling between a Filtertron and a humbucker, offering a bit of twang.

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Features and functionality

  • Bigsby tremolo on the G5655T provides beautiful vibrato but isn't suitable for aggressive use; it's known for requiring careful setup to maintain tuning stability.

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Critic Reviews

Gretsch G5655T-CB Electromatic review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Gretsch G5655T Electromatic Center Block is a compact, retro tone machine that offers impressive build quality, great fret access, and excellent-sounding pickups, all at a reasonable price. It stands out with its classic aesthetic and modern construction, making it feel like a mature addition to the Gretsch family rather than a budget option. However, some might notice that the binding finish could be cleaner. Overall, this guitar is a solid choice for those seeking Gretsch's signature twang and grunt without breaking the bank.

positive

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

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emmcubed

My primary guitar.

I own the Georgia Green version of this magnificent creature, which I purchased in 2015 from Musician's Friend during their annual Labor Day sale. My first Gretsch. My first guitar equipped with a Bigsby. I have been playing a lot of rock and punk shows, while at the same time studying blues. This guitar handles each genre with style and is versatile enough to adapt to each. The pickups are fantastic, and the guitar has amazing neck pickup tones for blues lead. Hopefully this will be the first of many future Gretsch additions to my collection.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Louise Bartle uses Gretsch G5655T Electromatic Center Block

Louise Bartle

Drummer

Bloc Party

...
Verified via Instagram

In this video, Bartle can be seen playing the Gretsch G5655T guitar, in green colour.

Genre Usage

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

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