Gretsch Broadkaster

For feature details see other reviews. I don't give full marks because I have to agree with the others about the controls. However, this is not a problem for me; more importantly, I think this is one of the most beautiful basses produced today. The bass is orange, which may sound horrible, but it looks really nice, especially because the wood texture shines through nicely. The colour of this bass is as warm as its sound.

In order to enhance the acoustic quality of this bass, I've had it defretted. It worked out really well: I bought this instrument as replacement for an upright bass and I don't think that you could get much closer with a electric bass guitar. The sound is deep and warm, with double-bass type sustain, and a slight fretless 'buzz'. I use it in a blues band.

Excellent factory finish (even though I enjoyed the original set-up only for a few days, before defretting).

Can't tell yet.

Can't tell (and hope I won't have to).

This bass felt and sounded right immediately (also before defretting). In fact, I have rarely been this enthousiastic about a bass in about 23 years of bass playing. However, I only bought it a couple of weeks ago, and although I don't expect my initial enthousiasm to fade, I probably need to make some miles for a balanced judgment.
Before choosing the Gretsch, I tried an Ibanez AFB200 fretless Artcore, which was OK, but not great (much cheaper, though, so still good value for money), and a H??fner 500/1 vintage '63 fretless, which was great (sound, looks) but not OK (instrument quality).
I also own a Tokai Hard Puncher imitation of a Fender Precision (very good bass, by the way, even if it's not the real thing). I bought the Gretsch in order to have a contrasting instrument.

Beautiful maple hollowbody with f holes, made in Japan, floating bridge, rosewood fingerboard, set neck,fat frets, lots of white plastic binding, 3 piece maple neck, Gotoh tuners, short-scale, 2 Filtertron humbucker pickups, passive tone control, 3 way pickup selector (neck/ bridge/ both), seperate volume knob for each pup, overall volume, flimsy strap screws, glossy orange finish (even on neck), beautiful case, retro brochures.

Acoustically, it's loud enough so you can play in your bedroom without an amp, yay!

There is a volume control for each pickup as well as an overall volume knob. This does not workvery well. The knobs have no effect for 90% of their traveland then come on very suddenly, so I tend to leave them on or off. It is hard to blend the two pups due to the knobs response.

The strap screws are strange. One screw goes straight into the side of the bass with a reverse taper. It has another end that you screw your strap onto. I don't trust it. I play sitting down.

The tone control is very 'subtle' ie almost inaudible.

Overall this is an 8: lots of good/unusual features (short-scale, hollowbody, humbuckers), but some of them are unnecessary (too many volumes), or potential deal-breakers (dodgy strap thingies).

Oh yeah- ditch the factory roundwounds, and fit Pyramid flats!

Wow, this bass is amazing. It just sits in the mix like treacle. It's warm, thick, fat and rubbery, but gets out of the way of the other instruments.

No Bull-puckey: this bass will make you and your band/ recordings sound better. Everyone loves the sound, it's a happy bass sound!

The hollow-body gives it some edge and note-bloom to counteract the humbuckers.

There is not a lot of sustain, it definitely behaves more like a thumpy string instrument.

The p-ups are very mellow up high compared to P-basses. The higher you play, the better it sounds. Not noisy, but not particularly loud (could be the Pyramid flats I put on).

I use mine for Afro-beat and 1960s R&B/ jazz (eg Fela Kuti, Lonnie Smith, Young Holt Unlimited).

Variety- No.

the Bass was set up perfectly.

The output jack was loose, as were two volume knobs.

It withstands my live playing, but I baby it.

The finish is bullet-proof. The hardware is top-shelf. My truss rod has not moved.

It's a hollowbody with a floating bridge! Don't drop it and you'll be fine.

Oh yeah, I don't trust my strap buttons AT ALL, but I play sitting down.

I rang up the shop when my strap buttons unscrewed themselves 5 days and US $2000 after purchase. No help. However, I live outside the States, YMMV. I can't blame Gretsch for slack locals.

I have been playing bass for 1 year. I have been a pro sax player for 10 years.

I bought this bass because it was the craziest thing I could find (2nd on my list was a Jerry Jones Longhorn). I paid too much.

If it was stolen, I would buy a cheap beatle-bass or buy some Filtertron pups and fit them on a P-bass.

I am glad that basses like this are still being made.

Everyone should own a bass like this at least once in their lives.

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL BASS. I HAVEN'T REALLY FIGURED OUT THE CONTROLS THOUGH. IT'S A BIT COFUSING, ANY WAY I THINK THE CRAFTMANSHIP WAS EXCELLANT EXCEPT FOR MY PICKGUARD, WAS SCRATCHED ON THE INSIDE SLIGHTLY.I WAS SURPRISED THAT IT WAS MADE IN JAPAN.THE ORANGE COLOR IS SO COOL!!! IT'S DRAWS A LOT OT ATTENTION ON STAGE.

A NICE ROUND TONE VERY FAT SOUNDING. I GOT A REALLY GOOD BEATLES TONE OUT OF IT. IT HAS UPRIGHT SOUND QUALITIES. I RECOMMEND IT FOR COUNTRY, OLDIES,AND JAZZ . ROCK ??? I'M NOT SURE.

PICKGUARD WAS SCRATCHED. I HAD TO TIGHTEN THE SCREWS THAT HELD IT TOGETHER. VOLUME KNOB FELL OFF AND MADE ME PANIC WHEN I COULDN'T FIND IT. I WASN'T HAPPY AFTER PAY A GRAND FOR IT.

IT IS A GOOD BASS. I WOULD USE IT FOR A BACK UP.IT IS A WELL MADE BASS I JUST THINK IT WASN'T ASSEMBLE RIGHT. ( MAYBE THE GUY HAD A BAD NIGHT BEFORE)

HAVEN'T HAD TO USE CUSTOMER SUPPORT

IT A GREAT BASS TO OWN.... BUT IT CAN'T HANDLE A WIDE RANGE OF TONES I NEEDED TO MAKE IN SAY A TOP40 BAND.IT DID MAKE MY COLLECTION OF AXES COMPLETE. FOR THE STYLE IT WAS MADE FOR I THINK IT SHOULD HAVE A GOOD RATING THAT I CHOSE A 9. I MIGHT BE TOO PICKY BUT I HAVE TO GIVE IT THIS RATING

This is a three piece, set neck hollowbody bass. Bound ebony fingerboard with 22 jumbo frets. 2 filtertron-pickups w/selector switch and vol/vol/tone knobs + master vol. transparent orange finish.

This is certainly an impressive bass guitar! I play primarily jazz and blues. As you may imagine, it is perfectly suited for these styles. I can get a really woody "upright" like tone, but also a very useful "jaco" like tone as well!! I think this bass is at its best in lower volume situations-not because it can't keep up, you just can't really appreciate its "woody" quality at high volumes. I am a full time bassist and have had the opportunity to use this in just about every musical situation one can imagine, including recording. This baby REALLY records well!!

This is truly a beautiful instrument. Very well made. I have never in all my years of playing gotten so many positive comments on an instruments appearance. (and i've had tones of 'em)

very sturdy. Jusst be careful with the floating bridge and you'll be OK

As mentioned earlier, I really play alot, so I got to try this thing in many situations. It came up a winner every time! Ifn this were stolen, I would definately replace it!

I must first start by telling you that "Mr. Anonymous" listed prior to me influenced my decission to buy and was flat our dead on. I can add little to the evaluation but will try. A 2 1/2" thick hollow body (deeper than any I know of) with a 3 piece laminated neck and ebony fretboard. The bass is bound and is remarkable in that it has cast Gretsch Knobs and distinctive tailpiece. The bass is actually a 30 inch short scale however. A "Chunky" neck just like I like. Very Gibson like..Came with a plush hard case. Not really heavy in features but so well done. It deserves a 10 of beauty alone. This bass is the orange stain and of my collection of 21 basses this is the most beautiful by far.

I can't agreee with my "Mr. A" that is the best bass I've ever heard, but it is very fine. My AZOLA Nouveau (also a hollow body with active electronics) gets that star, but for those of you have have not experienced the hollow body bass sound you are in for a treat. "Mr.A" is correct in that this has a very woody sound. I'm set up with D' Addario flats so that has a major impact but it truly does sound like a fretted upright. Good call. I think of it as a jazz or rockabilly bass as well but mainly because of the flatwounds. I have to try some round wounds just to see what it will do. My Azola is strung with RWs and it can do it all. For what it does...There is no comparison. My 73 Guild Starfire was the winner in the flat would hollow body catagory until this bass arrived.

PERFECT CRAFTSMANSHIP! This 1999 bass is literally art! It was bought used and in excellent condition. These basses list for $2,500.00. I'm rating it down in this catagory for the floating bridge. My 67 Fender Coronado has it too and I hate it. They move with any agressive playing and it ruins the day. Don't kill.... me but after 3 hours of carefull painstaking work my bridge is now fixed. I was afraid I would ruin the sound but it made it sound better. The bridge design is excellent but the fixed bridge really makes it a perfect bass. The bass is somewhat heavy as compared to most hollow bodies.

Even the strap buttons have screw locks. This bass is built like a tank. It will definitely be gigged but ONLY because the bridge is now fixed. I love it!

I have no idea but Gretsch has been around since the 1880s if I recall. You know it's good gear.

For a "one bass only" owner maybe something else would be more flexible but this should ultimately be in the collection. Owning 21 basses this comes into the top 5 for sound. I'm weird however, as I have a 68 Fender Jazz and I rarely play it. Not my sound....I know, the most popular sound in the world. I like Alembic, Gibson, Azola & Rockenbackers for tone. The Broadkaster plays great, looks AWESOME and sounds very warm and woody...For jazz players, you must have it. FLat out 10....Spinal Tap says "11"

Laminate hollowbody. Laminate maple neck with ebony fretboard. Two Gretsch bass filtertron pickups, with individual volumes, master tone, master volume and 3-way pickup toggle. Available in walnut and orange finishes, this model in orange. From factory with flawless setup. 34" scale. 4 strings. Floating bridge.

This is, without a doubt the best bass I have ever heard. All the warm, woody tone of your '40s jazz LP's, but with added attack. The woodiness of this bass's tone is unmatched in the world of 34" scale basses. I wouldn't fully trust myself with this piece on stage, but it could definitely perform. Ideal for jazz and rockabilly, but would add character to any style with the possible exception metal(though I bet you could pull it off by running it through an Ampeg SVT-4Pro). Supreme signal-to-noise ratio for all passive electronics. Has been run through various Boogie, Ampeg and Eden rigs. This sounds like a fretted upright, straight up.

Excellent craftsmanship for a non-American piece (made in Japan). Perfect set-up from the factory.

The only thing that worries me about this bass is the floating bridge. If this got smacked out of place, a backup would be absolutely, 100% necessary. That is it's only flaw in construction. Very solid hardware, but that one flaw could prove disastrous without the proper precautions.

This is THE bass guitar for fans of upright. If anything happened to this piece, I would be out for blood, because this is a very professional, studio-quality instrument. Won't be popular with slappers, but for good-ole' blue blooded Americans, the bass reigns supreme.