Gretsch '61 Duo Jet Reissue

Not sure of the year but it sat in the Guitar Center for about 2 years before the price went down to $1000.00, so I'll guess it's about a 2003. Features same as previous review plus humpblock neck inlays and a horseshoe on the headstock. The headstock is wider than most Duo-Jets. The bridge is the type held to the body by the string tension and under heavy bending or careless wipedown, skates around the top like Michell Kwan. I've learned to be very careful so I don't have to set the intonation for the sixth time this year.

My main axe has been a heavily modified Strat for years. I'm mainly a blues player and that single coil sound just works for me. I was really suprised at the sound of the Filtertron pups. For humbuckers they really had a lot of bite and twang. This guitar sounds amazing. It feels really good too. I have small hands so its nice to play on a shorter scale. The neck pup is great for blues and jazz, also rhythm for about any style. The bridge is good for rock leads and rhythm but definitely not a shreader. Two pups together give a nice rockabilly vibe. I play through a Zoom GFX 8 pedal into a Crate GFX 65 amp (What are the odds?)

After two years of abuse at the Guitar Center who can guess about the factory setup? I had to spend some quality time with it to get the setup right. The strings buzzed so bad they barely played and the intonation was hopeless. The switch seems to be a sore spot for everybody. Mine is no exception. It not only is noisy but sometimes shuts the sound off completely. Nice touch!At the edge of the body just below the binding ther is a slight depression in the finish. It doesn't look like damage so i'll call it a flaw. Also there is a slight gap under the edge of a couple frets the hooked the string once when I bent it offo the neck (not a technique, a moment of passion).

The guitar seems solid enough and I don't forsee any problems that I would call falling apart. I'd say I have enough problems off the rack, so it's a good thing I got it cheap.(realitive term) Strap buttons are solid but will come unscrewed if I don't check them often. I'm slowly switching all my guitars to straplocks. Looks like the one is next. I wouldn't play a gig with a PRS without a backup. Shit happens.

Warrenty? Probably has one, but the Guitar Center routinely throws out all tags and paperwok with the boxes when they unpack their guitars so I have no idea. The Gretsch website isn't much help. They just want to sell. Maybe if I call Fender!

I've been playing for 42 years. My current collection is comprised of the DuoJet, An Epi Sheridan, Two Strats, A Dano Twelve string,A Silvertone Ampincase, An Epi PR5E accoustic, a Burns Flyte, and a Hernsdorf Kramer thats really cool to look at but doesn't play. I also have a Yamaha Bass but can't remember the model. Then there's the Keys and drums but enough already.If this were stolen I'd find the SOB and make him buy me a real 61 DuoJet. The only thing this thing is missing is quality. Guitar Center, think Wal Mart!

Built in 99, bought in 00 at Guitar Center. Made in Japan. Its got 22 frets, 2 voulme, 1 tone, 1 master volume, and a 3-way switch. Bigsby. set neck. 2 Filtertrons. Oh yeah, and its black. I give it a 10 on features because I don't care for a lot of features as long as it works the way I like, and this baby sure does!

I play a lot of styles: Punk, alternative, garage, quasi-blues, quasi-country. I play through a Line 6 Flextone, and an old Carvin tube head with EL34's, and a 412 w/greenbacks. This guitar is quite simply the best guitar I have ever owned. I also have a Rick 330, and an old 60's Harmony w/Dearmonds. This thing smokes em all. Clean, Its the best. Classic warm tones with a touch of twang. Distorted, its great! The clarity of each string is retained even highly fuzzed out. It is awesome through the Carvin cranked up. The Line 6 is great too. All I can say is WOW! Well worth the money.
Switch is noisey, though. Easily cleaned.

This guitar was set up okay. Strings were 9's. I had it set up for 11's. Much better. Once this baby was set up, It really came to life. Pickups were perfect. The finish is amazing. The wood grain is beautiful on the back. THe neck is perfect. There is a small blemish under the high E string by the nut. That kinda got to me after paying an arm and a leg for it. The sound and playability make up for it though. frets feel great.

I would gig with it. I wouldn't need a backup, although i always bring a backup for piece of mind. The hardware will last. i am going to swap out the tuners for some locking ones though. It goes out of tune with heavy vibrato use. The strap button also stripped out on the upper bout. Replaced with Dunlop straplocks. I play this guitar more than any of my other electrics, (Ive got a Rick, Harmony, Ovation Deacon, Peavey Patriot, and Yamaha Pacifica. It beats em all.

Haven't had to deaL with Gretsch.

Been playing for 10 years. I would buy it again if it were stolen. i'd also murderize anyone stupid enough to do that. I compared it to a Gretsch 6120, Chet Atkins, Epiphone Wild Cat, and Dearmond Starfire3. THe Gretch's smoked the other hollowbodys. I fell in love with the filtertrons. I had to have a Gretsch. I was thinking more of a hollowbody, but the Jet is chambered on the inside, giving great tone, and very nice controlled feedback if I want it. It also fit my application for more of a rock guitar, that can cover everthing else. Of course, I am a gear slut, and am currently seeking a fullbodied jazz box. I will never be satisfied.