Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy

^# 12

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$179.00 to $249.99 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (50)

9 Reviews

Find out who is using Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy

12 community setups

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Best Parlor Guitars: Great Sounds in Small Packages

7 wishlisted

108 saved

Page last updated Jul 06, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 6 stores. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

4.5 (55)

$189.00

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4.6 (823)

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5.0 (71)

$249.99 1 available New

$278.85 1 available Used

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4.0 (59)

$189.00

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5.0 (16)

$189.00

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4.5 (276)

$179.00

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Average Price: $212

Standard/Professional

$200

$601+

Price Tier

In the Steel-string Acoustic Guitars category, Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Introducing the Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy, a parlor-style model that captures the essence of the classic Gretsch "Rex" guitars of the 1930s, '40s, and '50s. This guitar isn't just a walk down memory lane, it's your new companion for countless hours of playing comfort. Crafted with select woods and fully lined and braced, this guitar is designed to produce a warm and pleasing tone that will resonate throughout your jam sessions.

The Gretsch G9500 isn't just about high-quality sound, it's also about comfort and style. The 24" scale length offers effortless playability, while the flat top parlor body shape exudes a vintage vibe. Whether you're a seasoned guitarist seeking a reliable everyday instrument or a beginner looking for a comfortable and easy-to-play first guitar, the Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy is a fantastic choice.

Key Features:

Part of Gretsch's Roots Collection
Flat Top Parlor body shape
Body and neck made from Basswood, offering a balanced tone
Walnut fretboard
C Neck profile for comfort and playability
18 frets
Synthetic bone saddle for enhanced sustain and resonance
Nickel-plated hardware and machine heads for durability and long-lasting performance
1-Ply white pickguard with "G" graphic
Factory-installed strings: D'Addario EJ16 .012 - 0.53
Available in 2-Tone Sunburst finish
Case not included

Product specs

Brand	Gretsch
Model	G9500 Jim Dandy 24" Scale Acoustic, G9500 Jim Dandy Limited Edition
Finish	2-Color Sunburst, Frontier Stain, Nocturne Blue
Year	2016 - 2022
Categories	Parlor Guitars
Active Preamp	No
Back Material	Basswood
Body Shape	Parlor
Color Family	Blue, Brown
Finish Features	Matching Headstock
Finish Pattern	Sunburst
Finish Style	Satin
Fretboard Material	Walnut
Neck Material	Nato
Number of Frets	18
Number of Strings	6-String
Pickup	None
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Sides Material	Basswood
String Type	Steel
Top Material	Basswood
Wood Top Style	Opaque

FAQs

What is the body material of the Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy?: The Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy features a body made from laminated basswood, which contributes to its vintage tone and lightweight feel.
Is the Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy suitable for beginners?: Yes, the Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy is ideal for beginners due to its comfortable parlor size and easy playability.
What type of music is the Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy best suited for?: The Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy is well-suited for blues, folk, and vintage-style music, thanks to its classic parlor guitar sound.
Does the Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy have a pickup system?: No, the Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy does not include a pickup system, making it a purely acoustic guitar.
What is the scale length of the Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy?: The Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy has a 24-inch scale length, providing a comfortable playing experience.

Videos

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GAK

Gretsch - G9500 Jim Dandy Demo at GAK

GAK

Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy Guitar

Neil T

5 Reasons I Love the Gretsch Jim Dandy Guitar

Jeff Starr's Not Bad Films

Gretsch Jim Dandy: 2 Year Review

Jack Fossett

Gretsch Roots Collection G9500 Jim Dandy Acoustics | Gretsch Presents | Gretsch Guitars

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bluesblabber

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Reviews

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PROS

Retro vintage charm reminiscent of early 20th-century mail order guitars
Compact and portable, ideal for travel and casual play
Suitable for blues and fingerstyle with a unique "boxy" tone
Surprisingly well-built for its price, with good fret work
Stays in tune exceptionally well, even after extensive play
Easy and fun to play, especially for beginners and fingerpickers
Comfortable 24” scale length enhances playability
Low action out of the box; great for quick playing
Provides excellent value for money, often outperforming expectations

CONS

Some units have high action that may require adjustment
Tends to have a boxy sound, lacking in volume and lower register
Imperfections in finish and minor build issues reported
Fret markings start at the fifth fret, which is unconventional

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy.

Build quality

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One user noted the fret work on the Gretsch G9500 was slightly better than the comparable Recording King parlor guitars.
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Use cases and applications

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Owners find it ideal for fingerpicking and playing Americana, though it sounds boxy when strumming.
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Ideal for travel and casual use, the Jim Dandy has been successfully used by owners on hiking trips and at campfires due to its durability and character.
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The Jim Dandy parlor size is limited for upper fret access due to the neck joining at the 12th fret, impacting playability for styles requiring higher frets.
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Mods and upgrades

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Many Jim Dandy users install a Gretsch Deltoluxe Soundhole pickup for a retro aesthetic and improved sound.
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Some owners use dual saddles on the Jim Dandy—one for standard playing and another set up specifically for slide guitar.
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User experience

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Durable enough to be left out, making it a convenient option for casual play without constant storage concerns.
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Owners report a short adjustment period to the Jim Dandy's fretboard, which feels comfortable and familiar after a few days of playing.
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Comparisons

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Although similar in many aspects, some prefer the look and feel of Recording King parlors over the Jim Dandy.
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The Jim Dandy delivers a "unique bluesy sound" compared to the Fender Sonoran Mini, which sounds less balanced but excels in that niche.
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The Yamaha FS800 offers greater sustain and a fuller sound for jazz-style chords compared to the Jim Dandy's limited sustain, making it better suited for legato playing.
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For players focused on jazz chords and single-note runs, the concert size provides better upper fret access than the parlor, aligning more with these musical styles.
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Features and functionality

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The Jim Dandy excels when played with a slide, evoking a 1930s blues vibe and providing a unique sound not found in modern acoustics.
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The Jim Dandy's unique tone is distinct but less versatile, particularly for styles outside blues, where sustain is crucial for expression.
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4.5 out of 5

Based on 9 Reviews and 50 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

engels

309

over 2 years ago

The definition of bargain

This thing is made to be the bestseller. Costs next to nothing, looks cool and plays great. If you compare it to a Taylor (that's my main acoustic) it's nowhere near that lush ring, but it's got own identity. The sound is balanced, surely lacks some lows but is nicely focused, has a clear midrange and cuts in a mix. Reminded me of Kurt' Stella on "Polly". I recorded some picking parts with it and it has subtle banjo vibe. Blues, folk, it will cover that. But the most important - it begs to be played, it's very comfortable and light.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Metal

pkennethk

26907

2 years ago over 2 years ago

Good write-up, Engels! It's been a minute since I've listened to Nevermind, but weren't all the acoustic tracks on that album (all 2 of them?) done on acoustics with really dead and/or nylon strings? Surely this Gretsch can't sound THAT dead?

reverie_sunshine

196

about 4 years ago

Love it!

Love the boxy sound, just what I was looking for. It's quieter than my dreadnaught so it's perfect for playing in my apartment. It still packs a powerful punch though, at least with the right strings. I bought Ernieball Earthwood Silk & Steel strings in soft and it made a huge difference from the factory strings, made it easier to play as well, as the action seemed high at first.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Music Producer

Genres:

Indie folk Experimental Folk

From Gear Setup

tkmitchell

102

about 6 years ago

Better than it has any right to be

Honestly for such a low price this guitar shouldn't be as good as it is. Since the day I got it it's been my go to for picking up and jamming on the lounge and have written countless songs on it as well. I use it mostly for taking with me on camping trips and other less guitar friendly environments and it's never let me down.

koken

2413

over 9 years ago

Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy review

"MEATBALL" It's a cool low-end parlor, I got it for 189 euros. The body is very slim so the guitar can follow me everywhere.

vallimheitor

141

almost 9 years ago

O som vintage com todo o conforto e acabamento que os dias de hoje podem propor

Violão sensacional, sou fã da Gretsch e de praticamente tudo que eles fazem. Sou apaixonado por violões com escala curta e pequenos, e ele caiu com uma luva, aquele som médio, que ao gravar chega a crunchar, ser percussivo e dando todo o corpo quando cantado ao vivo só com ele. Sensacional.

automaticadam

304

almost 8 years ago

An amazing little parlor acoustic

I love this thing because it makes writing easy and enjoyable, without needing to bust our my larger Fender acoustic. Will likely make an appearance on a future recording one day.

flannelcockerspaniel

113

over 9 years ago

Solid 3/4-scale guitar

Super fun to play! Great sound in a small and inexpensive package. A comparable guitar is the Little Martin, which is at least twice the price.

alesdixstreet

608

9 years ago over 9 years ago

Hi man do you suggest me to buy this? I owned in the past a martin lx1e but I sold it to buy something else. I travel a lot and I need something to play around but I ve never played the jim....tks for replying

flannelcockerspaniel

113

9 years ago over 9 years ago

Yes, I've taken this guitar to camp out music festivals and it has also fallen off of my wall once onto the tile floor without anything breaking. It's quite sturdy! I prefer the the Jim Dandy's body shape over the narrow, shovel-looking Martin Backpacker for playing on a knee. I've had my Jim Dandy for two years. Hope that helps!