Gretsch 1570 Synchromatic Elliot Easton

Made in China (I know what you're thinking but you're wrong) in 2003 Best neck I've ever had on any guitar, and that includes my 1963 'Country Gentleman' Rosewood neck 22 frets smooth and fast, brilliant fret wire and markings. Mahogany body with laminated maple top in Cadilac Green. Finish is excellent - not a blemish, great care was taken in manufacture. A bigsby that does not let the instrument go out of tune. Strap locking nuts do not come loose.

If you're a Beatles fan, then this guitar is a must for you. Any 'Beatles' sound can be achieved quickly and with no trouble. Even that elusive sound (the one you could never get) used on Harrison's 'Something' is there with the flick of a switch. Excellent also for those 'ringing' country sounds. The humbuckers are Very Gretschy and do NOT need to be changed - no matter who tells you to. This guitar is loud, Sound is bright, pure and very vintage.

Action and Intonation were perfect and I did not need to adjust anything. Of course, I was itching to make some minor adjustment to the intonation etc, but it was perfect. This instrument is worth far more than the asking price (#599 approx in the UK)

Have only had the guitar a short time, so I can't rate durability, but its sturdy and won't fall apart when gigging. A back-up guitar won't be neccessary. One of the finest guitar makers in the world have put their name on it - So Don't Worry!!!

Have not dealt with customer support, so can't comment

I'm so very happy with this instrument, like I said it's better than my 1963 'Gent'. This is a heavy guitar, won't move about while playing and it's more comfy to use than a Les Paul. But it needs (and also deserves) a quality hard case and will fit in a Les Paul style case.
I know that that by now you may think that I have shares in GRETSCH but I haven't - I'm just delighted with this really classy guitar and I'm thinking of buying a second one before the price goes up

Arched top mahogany body, 3-piece mahogany set neck, bound rosewood fretboard with the neo-classic Gretsch thumbnail position markers at the fretboard edge, two humbucking pickups, 3-way pickup selector switch, master volume, neck volume, bridge volume, 3-way tone selector switch, Tune-O-Matic bridge, Bigsby vibrato, multi-layer binding around top, beautiful Cadillac Green finish on top, dark mahogany finish on back, sides, and neck, screw-in strap buttons... Quite a list! I picked this up used. It was made in Korea sometime between 2002 and 2005. Considering the very good build quality and the aforementioned features I would say that this guitar is an incredible bargain in the under-$1000 market.

The Gretsch Elliot Easton is a versatile guitar. Stock, the tone of the bridge pickup is bright and chimey. The neck pickup is warm and fairly thick sounding. With both pickups on it sounds quite similar to a Les Paul with both pickups on. The guitar is dead quiet at all settings thanks to the humbucking pickups. I think most players would be happy with the stock tone if they are looking for a sound that lies somewhere between a Les Paul and a Rickenbacker. It's an interesting tone, and very nice sounding. However, I wanted something with a little more meat to it. I immediately replaced both pickups. I happened to have a Gibson Classic Plus (for the neck position) and a Seymour Duncanc SH-1 '59 humbucker (bridge) sitting on the shelf. I popped off the retro-cool looking pickup covers from the Gretsch pickups and transferred them to the new pickups. The guitar now sounds PERFECT for me! Much closer to a Les Paul sound but with a bit more twang and clarity. I'd attribute those to the multi-laminate neck and the 24.9" scale length.

Finish is flawless. Fit of everything on the guitar is first rate. Frets are nice and level, so it plays with low action and no fret buzz. Wood quality in the neck is excellent. As far as I can see the body wood is nice as well. It compares favorably to guitars costing much more, so I think it earns a 9. The only place it falls short is the quality of the tone and volume pots. They work fine but they are certainly cheapies and I will replace them. I'm not easily impressed, so a 9 is pretty darn good.

It is built rock solid, simple as that.

Haven't needed any support. The Gretsch web page looks nice...

I've been playing for 24 years. I build custom guitars and tube amps for a living (http://www.readcustom.com), so I own a lot of gear. The current stable includes a half dozen Read Custom guitars and basses, a Gibson Melody Maker, Epi/Gibson Les Paul, a custom baritone guitar, two heavily modified Strats, Read Custom tube amps, and a couple of old Ampeg tube amps.

I love the looks, feel, and build quality of this guitar. I didn't like the pickups, but there was nothing *wrong* with them- I just wanted a different sound. I don't think I've ever owned a guitar that I left stock. I buy and sell many (too many) guitars in addition to the Read Custom business, but I think I'll keep this one for a while.

It would appear that the supply of Korean-made models has dried up, so now if you order from EBAY or elsewhere you will likely get the inferior Chinese model. Mine came with a one-piece neck, as opposed to the advertised two-piece and a large burn/smudge on the back, which had been varnished over. No Elliot Easton signature on the headstock. Wonder why?

Sent it back immediately; don't like junk or false advertising.

I was too shocked to look it over, except for the mark on the back.

Have been playing for 45 years. Have owned over 40 guitars. Currently have a re-issue Fender 50's Strat, a Carvin AE-185 (my main guitar) a Gretsch Synchromatic G5129 Hollowbody, Fender Resonator bass and a Takamine acoustic. Main amp (out of 6), Fender Tweed Blues Junior.
My advice for the Elliot Easton is make sure you know what you're buying. I see the G5129's have also changed - look at the pickup poles - the new ones all face the same way; the older Korean models are opposite.

Its a bit wierd but my model is definitely the synchromatic Elliot Easton but it has no script on the truss rod cover and is made in China everything else appears the same as on the Korean model
Mahogany body (heavy) rosewood board gold plated hardware lovely metallic green colour Bigsby that works no case but gig bag supplied
looks a dream i have to say
great action nice neck
good posing machine with lots of good quality gold hardwear

tone is really great inspite of not having Filtertrons .Great driven tone very typically Gretsch.Even so might upgrade to filtertron on the bridge.Not quite as complex a tone as my White Falcon but not far behind .Much better tone than Les Paul or strat.Copes with ultra high gain better than semi acoustic Gretsch
Tone switches too mushy for my ears, best in bypass mode

superb finish and set up
I keep looking for the catch .This is a #500 guitar which plays sounds and feels better than my #1200 Duojet
If it had Made in USA or Japan on the reverse of the headstock I would have no difficulties believing this
I have a white Falcon which is superb and have owned a Brian Setzer Nashville which never stayed intune and cost 4x as much.I keep having to remind myself this is a mid priced Chinese model

only had it a few months but seems rock solid

no problems

I have had a few Gretsches currently WF
Les Paul custom (hated that)
various strats
SG
Ibanez
I guess i'm a Gretsch person through and through

See Gretsch web site or read other reviews below. Changed my tuners to gold Sperzel locking. Nice addition. Changed pickups to TV Jones Classics! The originals hold this guitar back from being great. Pot's and tone controls not up to Pro Gretsch standards and sap tone. Must turn volume and bridge pickup all the way up and have tone switch in middle (no-cut) position to get good tone.

Ok, here's where you need some new info on this guitar. The stock pickups are NOT as good as normal Filtertrons (still not that great)and are blown away by Alnico Filtertrons like on the Setzer Hot Rod. Still better yet (just bareley) are the TVJones pickups. I just installed the TV Classics and it is a whole new guitar with amazing tone. Personally, unless you are into doing substantial mods to mount (sounds funny huh) these babies, I would recommend the TVtrons that will fit as direct replacements with only a screw driver and some solder. They don't look as nice as the classics but... Anyway, if you own this guitar or are considering it you've got to get some TVjones (http://www.tvjones.com/pickups.html) or Gretsch Alnico Filtertrons. Otherwise you get a pretty mushy non-descript sound. If you can pay $500+ for this guitar you gotta get some good pickups for it!!! Stock, I would say it is a 7.5 with the TV Jones Clissics it is now a 10.

Excellent. Beautiful wood. Very nicely done. Hard to tell the difference in build between it and my Setzer Hot Rod.

No Problems.

Haven't used.

This started as a Guitar with potential but a big achiles heel with the pickups. With the new pickups It sounds better than a standard Dou Jet and feels just as nice. So for $800 I have a guitar that now is just like the Pro Line Elliot Easton. Not bad.

Korean made Elliot Easton model
Duo Jet body
Metallic green finish
Mahogany body and neck
Set neck w/22 frets and 25" scale
Rosewood fingerboard w/Gretsch thumbnail inlays
Gold hardware w/Bigsby
Bound body and neck
Gretsch humbucking pickups
Usual Gretsch control layout with individual
volume controls for each pickup
master volume, pickup selector and tone switch
Tuneamatic bridge
Pearl pickguard

Even though they call the pickups on this guitar humbuckers instead of Filtertrons, it sounds very much like a Gretsch is supposed to.
Fatter than a Strat but brighter and twangier than a Gibson. I love it ! I think it's the only real alternative to the Big Two, and I think that overall, it's a more versatile guitar than either.
It sounds great clean or dirty through a Fender Priceton 65DSP, a Peavey Classic 30, or a POD 2.0. When I bought it I compared it to a Nashville with Filtertrons, and through the amp at the store anyway, both pickups had almost identical tone, with the Filtertrons having a little lower output..

Fit and finish outstanding. The best I've seen from Korea, and equal to Japanese or American in every way. The solid body style Bigsby with the extra front roller bar aids tuning stability, impoves the break angle over the saddles for better tone and sustain, and makes the Bigsby more responsive. I can find no flaws of any kind.
An extremely beautiful guitar, that plays like butter and blows away any Les Paul I've ever played for playability. Even exceeds my PRS. The finest guitar I have ever played (except my MartinHD28).

Having used it at home and rehearsal for several weeks, I have no problems. Te guitar is built as well as any, and should withstand the rigors of the road as well as any. Dependable in every way. I would bring a backup to a gig, because changing strings is time consuming.

It's new, so I haven't needed any support, but now that Gretsch is handled by Fender, I'm sure support will be impeccable.
Thanks to Bill Schultz, Dan Smith or anyone else at Fender for helping Gretsch improve their quality control, marketing, and distribution.

I may never play my Strat again and definitely won't ever play my Les Paul, again. If it were lost or stolen, I would have to replace it immediately, if not sooner! I wish Gretsch made a case for it, but I bought a real nice Levys gigbag for it.

This is the Synchromatic model, not the high priced Signature model. But it is very difficult to tell the diffference. I think Gretsch inadvertantly made a "copy" model that rivals the real thing.
Features are Dual gretsch humbuckers, arched top mahogany body, cool green metallic, not sparkle finish. multi-binding SET neck, not bolt on, 22 fret, 25" scale, "thumbprint" fretboard inlays. Excellent gold hardware. and a REAL bigsy tail that stays in tune......tune o matic bridge, master, and individual volume, pick up selector, much, much improved tone switch.

With 35 years of playing experience, and owner of many guitars, i cover a lot of ground musically. This guitar has the feel similar to a les paul ,but it's own sound, "Gretschie" i guess i would call it.
I've played it through a avriety of amps from fender to mesa boogie.
not much tweaking needed from one to the other. The tone switch, which i felt was worthless on another Gretsch i owned has been greatly improved using different caps than previously.

Setup well from the factiry, but i always change the strings, usually too light from the factory. and i also raise the action, most players would feel comfortable with the factory settings. finish is excellent, gold hardware really stands out. I've sent back many guitars in my day, but i haven't found any flaws in this in strument, cosmetically or electronically..

I believe it would hold up well under regular playing schedule, it does feel pretty solid , like my pauls.
I will definately gig with it.

n/a

Very impressed, especially that i had about given up on the Gretsch Synchro line. i had returned 3 other models with flaws, and just wern't made very well, flaws in finishes, electronics, bolt on necks etc... This giutar has really surprised me, and renewed my faith in mid priced instruments.

This is the Korean made lower priced model. If this guitar is anything to go by the top of the range model must be out of this world!!
Solid body (Duo jet shape). 22 fret 3 piece mahogany neck (25" scale) & mahogany body. Carved mahogany top. Body & neck bound in black & white binding.Rosewood fingerboard has the neo-classic "thumbnail" position markers. The finish is a wonderful deep metallic green, which really sets off the gold hardware. The bridge is a licensed Bigsby (what else?).Non-specified high quality closed back tuners (gotohs?).
All the guitars hardware is gold plated. It features 2 gretsch humbucking pickups (not filtertrons like the top model), 2 volume controls & a master volume, pickup selector & 3-position tone switch, which is subtle but useful.
The original deal came with a gig bag but I upgraded to a hardshell case for an extra $50.00 as it had to be shipped internationally.

The Gretsh sound I find is the perfect sound for me, having a real good bottom end while giving a great tele-ish snarling bite to the top end. My listening & playing tastes are pretty diverse, running from country rock to folk, pop, funk & "old school" heavy metal. I find this guitar covers all of this ground admirably, depending on choice of amp & effects. I'm putting it through any amp I can lay my hands on as I do not own an amp of my own at present. It sounds great through a rockman rig, a valve bass amp & a pod!
I wasn't expecting the guitar to sound quite as "Gretschy" as it does, not having Filtertron pickups. I'm sure a Gretsch expert would point out the tonal differences to me but it sounds more than authentic enough to my ravaged ears!
The guitar is wonderfully quiet on all settings. As a real fan of the Gretsch sound there are no dislikes at all. Crisp, twangy & oh so cool!

Set up was perfect. I bought the guitar from a shop in Chicago via the internet (I live in the UK)& they set it up to my requirements before shipping. Everything was perfectly adjusted - even the Bigsby stays in tune! The workmanship on the guitar is faultless for the money. I owned a Les Paul standard some years ago - this guitar is less than half the price & the build quality is 1000% better then the Gibson. I have a friend who owns 4 Gretsches including a very expensive reissue White Falcon & he thinks the build quality of my guitar is far superior.
The only thing that stops me giving it a 10 is that the pickup selector needed a good dose of switch cleaner as it was noisy & cut out intermittantly on the neck pickup. Once cleaned it worked fine.

Only had the guitar for 2 weeks so it's difficult to say. It certainly seems to be built to last. The gold plating on the hardware is of a very high standard & I can't see it giving me any problems. Usual screw-on Gretsch strap buttons, which are solid & a brilliant idea - no more straplocks!!
I don't intend to gig with this guitar. I'm a bassist who dabbles on guitar & who has a bit of a Gretsch obsession!

I had to contact Gretsch with a query about the warranty card (didn't know whether to send it to them or the UK distributor). I got a really helpful & friendly reply by e-mail within 30 minutes of them receiving my fax. Very impressed.
Warranty is standard one year.

I've been playing bass for 22 years, & dabbling on guitar seriously for about 10. As well as this guitar I also own a Levinson Blade B4 bass, an Atilla Balogh Odyssey bass, a Yamaha FG335 acoustic & a 10 string Chapman stick. I might get rid of the stick to buy another Gretsch - hopefully a 6120 model.
If it were stolen I'd have to get another one, I just love it. I've always loved the Gretsch vibe, feel & sound but couldn't really justify the expense of a big semi model or a vintage duo jet. I wasn't even in the market for a guitar when I bought it. I saw it on Ebay & instantly fell in love with it. The price was incredibly good & I just had to have it.
This model isn't even available in the UK to my knowledge & if I specially ordered one it would cost twice what I actually paid for it.
Anyone out there who thinks the only thing a Gretsch is good for is '50s rockabilly stuff check one out & have your preconceptions blown away. I've never played one thats been less than wonderful & they are far more versatile than you'd imagine. And as for the sheer pose value.......!