Gretsch Americana Series

The finish is the beginning and the end of the little Gretsch's features. From top to bottom, beginning with the Gretsch logo at the top this guitar advertises one thing and delivers another. It advertises itself as a toy, and we do say we play a guitar, but it is truly an instrument. I like the sexy ladies.

The neck is thin and very playable. It's smaller than a standard parlour - I bought it to be a backseat beater - and it is that, but MORE. Tuners are not as bad as the tuners on comparable guitars. They generally stay in tune, though are a little slippery. Because I love the guitar, I've considered replacing the tuners for something more stable and moving up to Medium strings (though I'd hate to see the bridge get ripped off).

I have given this guitar a 7 in this category because I love the sexy ladies, but the tuners could be better.

I bought this guitar over a year ago. At that time I was more or less a strummer with no direction, but as soon as I picked up this guitar I began to develop. Was it the guitar? Actually, it may have been. The little sucker goes everywhere I do, and on long nights (I work over nights) I often play it to pass the hours.

Now that I've begun to come into my own style I realize that it is well suited to that style - which is primarily finger picking blues and gospel. I bought this guitar for the same reason people bought stellas in the 30s - it was cheap and real. It's cheap, and real, real cheap.

You can't say it's rich or full, nor is it 'bright'. It has a nice even tone, obviously slanted towards the treble side. I could go for a little more bass, but I don't know where you'd fit it in such a small guitar.

It plays real guitar sounds. It gets a 9 because it delivers far more than I expected.

The action on my model was perfect. Low, like a Cadillac. I don't remember much about the original strings except that I wanted to get them off as soon as possible. I've been through a couple of string changes since then, but the guitar sounds best with a set that's been worn in.

All of the guitars flaws have been beat in by loving use. The blood and dings are all mine.

I'm a street musician on the weekends. I play with a couple of guys, they drown me out every time, which might not be such a bad thing, but that said, the tuners WILL NOT hold up to heavy playing. Also, the end pin is a sucker. I gig with this baby out of necessity. This is the one category in which the guitar does not shine.

I've been playing for three years now. I own a couple of electrics, but this is my only acoustic. I often stole my girlfriend's Larivee; my first guitar love.

I don't think I could find another one if this one was stolen; I'd probably hunt the guy down and kill him with the strings. I wonder now if Harmony Central will let me say that.

I love the size. I wish it had more projection, but I don't hate anything about the guitar.

I've never played a guitar that it would be fair to compare this one to. Compared to 'real' guitars it doesn't quite match up, but real guitars begin at over $350, 3.5 times what I paid.

I would have given it an 8.5, but that's not an option.

This a plywood 12-fret, 24-inch scale novelty guitar with an image on the top of the "Sundown Serenade," depicting some cowboys around a campfire, one of whom is strumming a guitar. It's perfect for traveling. Made in Indonesia.

This is the amazing thing: Compared to guitars like the little Martin and the Baby Taylor, this Americana sounds better (IMHO). Those (and any other travel guitars I've tried) tend to sound thin and "plonky." By plonky I mean that the strings don't resonate, but plonk and plink and sound constricted, especially up the neck. All the way up and down the neck the Americana rings nicely if quietly. It sounds boxy and woody, but quite attractive in its way. The great sin of most inexpensive acoustics is that they're built too tightly and cannot ring out. Miraculously for a guitar this cheap ($150 at first, $30 at closeout), the Americana does not commit this sin. It's a REAL, GOOD guitar.

It's a plywood instrument provided with cheap strings; mine buzzed a lot until I adjusted the truss rod and put in a taller saddle. The fret ends were a little rough and I cleaned them up. Once those adjustments were made, it's quite comfortable to play. The tuners are cheaply made and one is quite stiff; I may replace them.

Who knows? This is a cheap guitar and if the bridge holds on for a few years I'll be happy.

NA

An amazing little guitar for the money. Given its lack of need for humidification in winter, I'm playing it more than my Larrivees or Avalon! I just grab it and start picking. If you run across one in good shape (many of those blown out were defective, so be careful), do give it a try.

The Gretsch Americana is a 3/4 size plywood guitar with a 24" scale, with silk screened graphics of western scenes. I have the "Way Out West" theme with a nicely done greenish sunburst finish with western scene silk screened on it. The bridge and fret board appear to be East Indian Rosewood. Fret board is nicely done and is bound. Saddle and nut are plastic. Back, sides and top are plywood. Neck is solid wood. Open back tuners. Top is X-braced. the Bridge is pinless and bolted on the top. Has a truss rod. Well done for a plywood guitar. There's a few minor blemishes but nothing major.

It came with light gage strings and was a little thin sounding. I swapped out the plastic saddle with bone one and put on medium strings. I also tweaked the nut a little to lower the strings. This seemed to help alot. The sound openned up and lost the thinness. I mainly play finger pickin' country blues, and it sounds good, has a certain plywood tone that I like. It's great for travel, campfire, begineer guitar.

Set up was OK, but I did tweak it by lowering the nut slots and adjusting the truss rod. Over all fit and finish was much more than I expected on a budget guitar.

Looks reliable and durable to me. I've been playing it almost every day for 9 months and had no real issues.

No Comment

I like it. It's fun to play. I'd replace it if stolen or lost. I bought another for my daughter as a learner. I've been playing for over 30 years, and have a 1935 Kay archtop, a 1968 Fender Strat, a old yamaha Acoustic, and two custom built acoustics: a super Jumbo and an OM type. I find myself playing the Gretsch more often than not when noddling at home.

There are four of these limited edition "cowboy" series travel size guitars. They have great fifties derived cowboy/child guitar themed graphics on the soundboard. I bought what appears to be the next to the last "Sweethearts of the West" models available (for now) on the net. The other three models seem to still be available. All four are probably going to be collectors items, especially if the box it kept. I enjoy mine a lot and intend to simply play it. It has open tuners that hold their tuning quite well. The action as delivered was too low on the high E string - it was almost laying on the middle frets; I had to adjust the truss bar. It's still a bit low. When I next change strings, I'll try tapping down the offending fret wires. It has a nice compensated bridge. The strings thread straight through the bridge and are not peg held. It's not practical to play above the twelfth fret. I usually use a hard Jazz III pick, but this guitar responds best to a soft pick or your fingers and nails. It has a noticeably sloped back, thinner body depth at the neck end and thicker at the tail end. This design really helps resonation. The guitar does have a "less-than-professional" feel to it. Although is undeniably awfully cool, it is not made of high quality materials. Still, it does have a very pleasing sound and acceptable playability. It is a bit odd that the overall quality of feel is so much less than my Ibanez Sage SGT110 (a guitar that amazes me) that retails for about the same $150. Gretsch isn't exactly a second rate name. For the price, they could have produced the same funky/cool/childhood retro guitar at a good bit higher level of quality. I paid $110 plus a ridiculous amount of shipping and handling ($59) to an EBay store. I could have had it a year ago from Musician's Friend for $99 total (S/H free). Such is the nature of collectibles.

It's a campfire quitar and I really enjoy the sound of it. It sounds well suited to acoustic blues. It is not loud, though. It has a very balanced low and middle. The higher notes are pretty thin. It sounds VERY good miked and played through a PA system, although that's not the usual setup for a campfire quitar.

The action needed adjustment. The high E buzzed from the third fret up. It almost seems if the high E position on the compensated bridge is too low. I plan to try tapping down some frets. After a truss bar adjustment it's OK, but the higher notes on the E string are still a slight problem. The finish is rudimentary. Rubbing a hand on the back and sides, one feels a few finish bumps. It has a flat finish, though this I'm sure is simply part of the retro toy/cowboy/childhood guitar theme and design. The open tuners, while totally simple and not terribly smooth, do hold tuning very well.

I doubt this quitar would hold up to constant gigging, travel and banging around.

I'm not sure what support one would want or need with this quitar.

I've played for about six years (not counting high school bands long ago). I play a rewired Squire Bullet with Reverend pickups, a Fender Paisley Telecoustic and an Ibanez Sage SGT110. I play through a VOX Valvetronics and an old Kustom III mixer/PA. I have wanted the "Sweethearts of the West" guiter ever since I saw it. It's exactly what I expected (advertised as being "Made With Real Wood"). It's unique, campy, funny and fun to play.

First one came in the mail with action so low the strings were resting on the frets. Could not use the truss rod to adjust enough. Sent i back. A second one arrived. Action OK, but the frets overhang the fretboard, making sharp little edges along the entire neck that catch your thumb/fingers. I am not impressed. Will I ever really play this thing?

The sound is interesting. Like a hollow log.

Action is OK. Frets are too long and sharp. They overlap the fretboard and snap your fingers.

The build and components seem to be of decent quality.

N/A. Sent the first one back to the online retailer, not Gretsch.

I've been playing over 20 years. Own Larrivee and Fender acoustics, and two Fender electrics. I bought this for a campfire guitar. Loved the graphics and the idea of a cheap, portable guitar. Not sure it makes the grade even for that purpose. I will probably send this one back for good.

Both mine were inspected by Pudin, both bad guitars.

Satin finished, 3/4 size, open tuners, plywood.

The sound is surprisingly full for its size and has a country twang to the guitar that is indescribable. This guitar looks like a toy, but plays surprisingly well.

The action was set-up quite nicely and plays well.

Had it a day, but with a steel-reinforced neck and a plywood body you can guess this guitar should be suited to endure better than others.

This guitar looks like a toy, plays like a gem. Really heavy country twang that you either like or you don't. It feels nice, and is a nice travel guitar for its size and playability and for the money, why not?

Plywood construction, open tuners, satin finish, 24" scale, parlor size, cowboy graphics.

I am pretty amazed with the tone and true playability of this little guy. I was in the market for a travel guitar because I don't want to risk damaging my high end dreads on the plane or in a hot car. I thought I was going to buy a Little Martin after playing the Baby Taylor and several other travel guitars. Then I noticed the Americana. It looked funky, but I was very impressed with the sound when compared to more expensive units. Another thing I like is the open tuners. The Baby Taylor and Little Martin use enclosed tuners which really make the neck seem weighted and out of balance with the small body. I flatpick bluegrass on dreads and all I have to do is switch to a light pick and I can play everything I would normally play with just a little bit of adjustment. Also, you can really bend the strings on this thing and reach stretch chords easily.

I haven't changed any of the factory set up. The action is sweet and it really does play in tune up and down the neck just as it came from the factory. The frets are fine. I think the overall fit and finish are pretty darn good - much better than you would expect for a guitar in this price range. It's not made of plastic either.

I think this guitar will hold up just fine. Only time will tell, but there really isn't anything cheap or shoddy about it. I lubed the tuning gears and posts and they work much better and will probably wear longer as a result. I'm a little curious whether the bridge will stand the test of time - the strings are anchored through the bridge, rather than using pegs. I would imagine that this could tend to pull the bridge up from the top, but then, its a short scale and doesn't have high tension. I think it will work fine. Just in case, I am going to buy a spare and take the strings off of it. If I ever have problems with this one I want another one to replace it.

Someone earlier stated that it had a lifetime warranty. I think I read in Musician's Friend that it was a one year warranty. There was something about all warranty having to be sent to Gretsch and a possible 4 month waiting period. I didn't get a registration card or anything when I bought it. I didn't get the collectible box either. The salesman never mentioned it. The salesman at Ben Jack's in Bentonville, AR was a real dud. I guess WalMart didn't have any openings. That's ok, I know I'm not going to buy my next high end boomer from them. I will probably go in for free test drives, though.

I have been playing for 48 years. I think I counted about 40 instruments that I have owned over the years. Man, I wish I had some of them back. I am currently playing a Martin D-18GE and Collings D2H. I can honestly say I enjoy playing the little Gretsch almost as much. I'm not insane, it doesn't come close in sound, features or playability, but the Gretsch will get a lot of playing time in hotel rooms when the dreads can't make the trip. I have it in my hands when I'm watching TV at home and I play it during commercials. I can't seem to put it down.

Short Scale - 3/4 size - open gear tuners - silly graphics - I believe that everything is laminated - imported - comes in a very silly printed box with cartoons and great graphics.

It's a solid starter or "fun" guitar.

It sounds like an old Stella blues box from an old catalog. It projects farly well. I used to have a Satin Larrive parlor and the Larrivee was not as loud as the Gretsch. The Larrivee may have sounded prettier but the Gretsch is louder. I strung the same D'Addario 80/20 12 - 53's on the Gretsch that I use on my Martins and the volume doubles. The Americana ships with some really cheap strings. I like the sound. I bought the Gretsch as a toy but I really enjoy playing it. This is me....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZOaqCxAuOk

The cedar ribbon and braces in mine are very clean.....no messy glue work. It's easy to play. The graphic surface feels like a Nitro coating. It's easy to play fingerstyle on.

It's like an old plywood stella. Tough little guitar. Fits perfectly in a Gator 3/4 dread bag. $19 on ebay for the new gator bag.

Gretsch is Gretsch.

Great little guitar. It would a great travel or guest box. I paid $49 new on one of those Musicians Friend "stupid deal of the day" sales. I thought I was getting a cool toy but it's real. I have 4 Martins, 1 Larrivee, 1 Taylor and 1 Rainsong. I like the Americana. Makes me smile.

If you really want to know what these little guitars are about, go to Gretsh.com and hit the "Americana" button. I can tell you that these are old style, ladder braced, all plywood instruments very similar to the 50's and 60's Stellas. Remember, the entire body is PLYWOOD! Loll!!

On the other hannd, Gretsch has done a much better jod building and finishing these little guys than Stella ever dreamed of. Made in Indonesia, the fits and finish are all first class, considering the materials used the guitars are as cute as a button with four different painted Western themes on this first linited edition run.

Compared to a Martin... Well, theres no comparison. Compared to other examples of "kids guitars"? I'll give then a...

I was sold on these guitars as soon as I picked one up and strummed it. You'll either like it or you won't but if you want instant "Delta Tone" without shelling out for a National, you'd better get one of these while theyre around.

Theres not a lot of bass with the stock(Light)strings and you won't find complex tones but whats there is great. You can strun rock oldies or folk songs just fine, use a pick for rock stuff and the guitar keeps up with you. Put a brass slide on your pinky, drop it down to open-D and fingerpick this sucker and you can smell the Mississippi Delta after a rain storm! I kid you not!

There isnt much that I don't like about the guitar and I think that most players will be happy with it as long as they approach this instrument with realistic expectations. Keeping that in mind (And having played some Stellas!)I'll give it a...

Specifics... I played four of these guitars before actually buying one and every one had a straight neck, a good low action, perfect intonation(!), seamless fits and finish, etc. The store didnt have theexact model that I wanted, so I had to have it special ordered. As it turns out the guitar arrived set up EXACTLY like the other ones in the shop, plus the thing was in tune. Go figuir..! Lastly. the neck has an adjustable truss rod. Imagine that!

The Rosewood bridge is pinless and the open tuners work fine. In fact, I was suprised at the quality of the hardware. I expect that if you keep the guitar for 10 or 20 years it'll need new twisters but who cares?

The only 'Hardware' related issue that I can think of it the plastic nut. I an seriously considering having that swapped for something better but what-the-hey... This is a plywood guitar!

Considering how many of these plywood have survived since the 40's, 50's and 60's, I'm convinced that these will be around for generations. Throw it in the car for a road trip, no problem. Also a great cabin, vacation, trip-to-the-ocean, college dorm or kids guitar. The paint aint gonna rub off, the tuners will keep tuning and the scratches and bashes will only contribute to the vintage vibe. The only way you could hurt this thing would be to drop it out of the canoe or to pour three or four cans of beer into it and let it sit for a few days.

Take it to a gig? You know, I'd have NO issue taking this little guitar to a gig. If you can play guitar (Especially Delta Blues!) this thing will earn you proper respect. I've already amazed a couple of people with the sounds that can be coaxed from this 00-plywood. On the other hand, you can't hide behind it and If you CAN'T play, it'll show that too!

One glaring omission is the lack of a strap button on the heel. I guess I'll have to dig into my junk box and add one. Big deal..

You're kidding. Right? Gretsch is a reputable company so I would expect them to stand behind their product but these instruments are the prefect product. We expect to little and are delivered so much that I can't imagine anyone being dissatisified.

I have no opinion...

I've been playing off and on since 1964. I had three or four no-name guitars when I was a kid, several Martins and a vintage National. I currently own a Brawley attack, a 2007 EJ Strat, an Indonesian Strat clone, and an Alverez 00-28 sized acoustic. I also have 125 and and 80 watt tube amps, a 25 watt SS practice amp and a Gilmore Jr that I'll be building soon.

The only question that I asked before buying this guitar was: "Can you order me the green one with the Flying Saucers?"

The only question thatI wish I had asked is: "Youre gonna gonna let me have this thing for nothing. Right?"

If somebody stole it I'd immedietly start looking for another one.

The thing that I like least about it is that I bought it for my girl friend. Therefore, it's around the house and I can play it any time I want to but it isnt mine. Therefore, I can't justify buying one for my-own-self. I fullyexpect that once these are sold out, Gretsch will be releasing a new series. Maybe they'll come up with a design thats just as kool. I hope so.

I paid $149.00 for the guitar but the dealer threw in a music stand, a string winder and a pkg of strings for me. (I'm a regular customer.) That brought the price OTD down to about $115.00 and made me a happy player.

Model number G4500. Features have been listed before.
Neck joins body at twelfth fret.
No case or gigbag.

This is a cheap guitar, a very cheap guitar, so i was expecting the worst of tones, but i am pleasantly surprised. Especially as it's constructed of plywood. It's tone is balanced i.e nothing stands out. Sure it's small sounding but it's not pretending to do anything else and gives a similar output to the Little Martin at a snip of the price.
I like it's sound.

It arrived needing a truss rod adjustment. Which afterwards helped the high action the guitar came with.
Intonation is spot on. It stays in tune. The open backed tuners work but my 1st string tuner is very stiff to operate.
The finish is best described as satin. The feel of the neck it nice, and i can move freely up n down. Frets aren't as thin as i feared and they've been finished to a good standard.
Inside it's clean, the bracings have been cut and assembled to a very good standard.

This guitar is tough, i've dropped it and knocked it and it's fine.
Wish they'd fitted a top strap button (just to save me the hassle)
Not sure how the tuners will last after a few years.

It comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
Gretsch is owned by Fender.

Been playing a long time ! And i own a wide variaty of guitars acoustic and electric. I was looking for a small travel type guitar, possibly Martin or Taylor, then a took a chance an my Americana Sundown Serenade. Sure it looks a bit cheesy, and it could easily be mistaken for a toy, but this guitar plays and sounds just fine. It'd be perfect for a small kid to learn on.
I've be using it on some of my recordings, just to add something a little bit different. And like i said, great for throwing in the back of the car (Hmm must get a little bag for it) and having a strum wherever you roam.
I'd get another one of these if it were lost etc
As they say in my parts..' Bazzin' little guitar '