Gretsch G100CE Synchromatic Hollowbody Review

Amazing acoustic archtop

This is an incredible guitar considering the price. Some people are turned off by the plywood construction but I only play this amplified and the tone is adjusted through a multi effects unit and the PA. I play in a duo and this became my main gigging guitar for the last seven years. I also have a G-5420 Electromatic and a G-2420 Streamliner and those are great, but more electric… read more than acoustic types. Now, this is not a high end instrument - it needs adjusting, I had to file down some of the higher frets for get the action I wanted, and I keep thinking about changing the pickup. But $850? You get a guitar that looks like a million, an archtop that looks like a vintage acoustic and plays great. My set up: flat wound 11s, black rock thumb pick for finger style, which is how I usually play. Also changed the tuning machines to locking style so it stays in tune better (highly recommend for all your guitars!).

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Smooth sailing.

Hello music lovers: Single pickup Archtops as well as Single pickup solidbody guitars are getting very popular with Younger Musicians. Perhaps it could be a clear sound without pulls,distortion between pickups.I've had mine almost 14 years,this is an excellent performer for American Songbooks(Sinatra,Bennett etc)Soft Jazz,R&B,Country a soft,warm sound. I put a white pickguard for… read more black and white flavor,the original tortoise coloring is actually better than my white. If you're in the Single Pickup Archtop market? Here's your guy.

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Smooth As Silk

In April it will be 13 years i have mine and it plays like butter. It's the ideal archtop for Jazz,Blues,American Songbooks(Sinatra,Bennett etc)Soft R&B,Soft Latin etc. I put George Benson Flatwoods on it. I replaced the tortoise color pickguard with a white one to give it the black & white look. The tortoise is actually a better one. The top chrome on the bridge is a Gretsch piece… read more as the top piece chipped are now available in chrome. I have more expensive guitars yet this is my go to.

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Guitar addict

I have many electrics and wanted a different kind of Acoustic. I didn't want something that was an overgrown ukulele with a big hole in the middle, etc. So many are. I had a black Ovation Legend for 25 years but it was a lousy lap guitar for fun and practice. Sold it and acquired the Gretcsh G100 by the advice of the great guys at Sweetwater. ~~~These guys are good!This guitar is… read more sensual like a large beautiful woman and is just as loud even without my Boss Katana 50.The action makes you work a little harder but this 1940's style remembers the cool jazz clubs. So cool.The value, quality and finish is incredible!! The matte finish shows no fried chicken finger prints. It'spumpkin color sensuality looks so cool in it's guitar stand. Though the web photos look more of a sand color. It isn't. It's pumpkin! ~~And it's way cooler! Almost a hot rod Gretsch orange feel. Almost.It also comes in flat black but too grim looking for my tastes. Too Darth Vader...Outstanding value!!! Why would you easily pay 4 times more? No brainer people.....

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AWSOME

i've been wanting this guitar since it first came out last year i just recieved it today (4 days after i orderedit) and i can't stop playing it, wich is a little hard because i jjust got the splint off from a brocken pinky 2 days ago on my chourd hand wich means no hamer on's. but i only have one wordto say about thisguitar, AWSONE!! that stands for my sales person to. i am a sweetwater… read more custemer for life

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This Guitar Is AWESOME!!!

I ordered this guitar last week on Thursday February 26th. Though I have only been playing for about a year, I own 6 guitars, each with it's own purpose and unique sound. This guitar was specifically purchased for playing Roy Orbison. Though he used a Gibson Memphis (I can't afford lol), I knew this would sound great.I order it online and selected Overnight shipment. I recommend… read more this as it has fewer people handling it. The guys at Sweetwater took great care in packing this guitar (with original box into another box for added protection). It was easy and couldn't wait to get this bad boy.Within 15 minutes of my order Robert Koch called me to thank me for the purchase and rely important information about the company and the purchase. I was not expecting a dedicated Sales Manager nor a call. Nice touch.Anyway, on to the guitar review...This guitar is beautiful. The image that they posted and serial number was the guitar they shipped to me. Trust me when I say this, the images do NOT do the guitar justice. It looked good on the web, looks GREAT in person. The guitar played beautifully right out of the box. I was playing acoustic songs first. While it is quitter than a standard acoustic, which is expected for an ELECTRIC guitar, it had great sound and projected what I played just fine without and amp.Once I connected it to an amp though, WOW is all I can say. I use a small Fender Series 7 amp....but boy the sound output from that guitar versus the Fender Squire I have is leaps and bounds better. I will tell you though that in a METAL setting or Rock setting, you will not be able (or need) to turn the guitar gain past 1/4 of the scale. if you do, you will get resonance feedback. This should be expected as it is a Hollow Body guitar. the Tone can be adjusted at will and has several nice sounds even without changing the AMP settings.I played it all day Friday, most of Saturday and Sunday. In total I have logged over 30 hours in 3 days with this and can't put it down. When I do, I just look at it!!! I have a professional musician friend that is so green with envy that he may order one too...and OWNS a Gibson!!Great product, EXCELLENT service. I will be ordering more from Sweetwater and at least one more Gretsch (there are still 2 or 3 on my list that I want lol).TOTALLY WORTH THE MONEY.

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Astonished!

When I first played it, I was worried, Acoustically, it sounded like a toy guitar from my perspective. Then I finally got my nerve up and played it for my wife, who is also my performance partner and percussionist. That's when I discovered the magic of the archtop guitar -- it projects ALL THE SOUND TOWARD THE AUDIENCE! Her comments: "I'm hearing lovely tones I've never heard… read more out of your other guitars. It's beautiful, like something out of heaven. On the other hand, you're going to have to become a better guitarist because I can hear every d**n mistake you make. This is obviously an instrument for a master. I'm getting you six hours of recording studio time so you can learn how to use this instrument." OK. Like my wife, this guitar is beautiful, has a compelling voice, and I love it. Besides, It's a GRETSCH! Oh, and let's NOT forget SWEETWATER's amazing customer service. Thank you very, very much, Geoff!

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Gretsch G100

Slammin, worth every cent. I have it in Black and whether you plug in or not, you have trouble putting it down, Love it!!!!!

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Great guitar

I am not a professional musician, just a hobbyist. I first saw one of these in a music store a few years ago and since have wanted one. Actually I wanted a Gretsch that cost a LOT more than this, but when I saw this, realized I could have a pretty nice one for a more reasonable price. I finally got one and I am very happy with it. It plays very nicely and has a great sound plugged… read more in or not. I have found nothing to complain about with this guitar. I absolutely enjoy it and, as usual, the guys at Sweetwater are a great group to work with.

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This guitar brought out the demon in me

Without ever playing this guitar or seeing it in person I bought it. The first time I saw it I just knew it was for me. It plays, sounds, and looks absolutely amazing. I play slide on this guitar through a Silvertone 1484 while using a tubescreamer, and it sounds mean as hell. I would have expected a guitar of this quality to cost well over $1000. The only problem I've ever… read more had with it was when I fell over on stage and my instrument cable pushed through and broke a half dollar size hole in the body. However, you shouldn't have this problem if you don't rock out as hard as I do.

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