Gretsch 6120 SSL

There are a few reviews of the sister models in the range on here but none that I could find on the Brian Setzer 6120SSL. It's a flame maple laminate semi acoustic body with trestle bracing, Bigsby tremolo arm, with TV Jones humbucking pickups, loking Sperzel tuners, ebony fretboard, nd it comes in a bright orange finish. There is a three way pickup selector switch on the upper bout alongside a three way tone switch, which has treble backed off, open and bass backed off settings -0 I hope I got that right. It's made in Japan. The stock bridge is a tune-a-matic Les Paul style affair. The guitar comes with strap-locks too. In short, it's about as well equipped as any guitar can be.

I'm a confirmed tone hound. My band play rock & roll in the traditional sense with masses of enthusiasm and energy. I use minimal effects, Keeley TS9DX Tubescreamer, Carl Martin Red Repeat delay into A 65 Reissue Fender Super Reverb. From the first gig with the Gretsch I had loads of compliments on tone, playing and authenticity of the sound. I use a fair amoutn of reverb for a couple of surf rock instrumentals. I found the sweet spot on the amp and in the words of a guy from another band "that Gretsch just sings." Never had that said about any of my other guitars.

Right out of the box this was bang on the money. It played right, the intonation was set correctly and unusually for a new guitar, especially one with a Bigsby (which I use a lot) it stayed in tune - Gibson please take note. I checked all over this guitar and I couldn't find one blemish anywhere - perfect.

The trestle bracing in the body gives the guitar extra strength amongs other benefits. It feels strong and well made. I've been in the habit of taking a spare guitar with me to gigs, just in case of a string breaking. It takes up extra room in th ecar, there are potential security issues too. I have other Bigsbu equipped guitars and to be honest I don't find changing strings too bad. WIth the Sperzel locking tuners on this guitar I may even feel in time that I don't need a spare guitar, just spare strings - which I bring anyway. It really is that good. The guitar is still fairly new, so I'll give it a cold of months and see how it goes, but so far so good.

I've joined Gretsch web forum and I haven't heard anything derogatory about Gretsch from anyone. I've only heard good things. But having no personal experience, I'll leave this category unrated.

I've been playing for 36 years and I've gone back to gigging again in recent years now thathte kids have left home. I have a Fender 62 Amercian Custom Reissue Telecaster, a Fender 60s Classic Strat (the MIM model withthe Custom Shop bits), an Ibanez AFS75TRD (great guitar) and a Gibson Les Paul Standard. I have loads of different effects, a couple of Fender amps and a Roland Cube 30 and lots of other bits and pieces.

I did loads of research before buying this model and I'm certain I made the right choice. If it were lost or stolen I owuld buy another in a heartbeat. I love the sound, the smooth playing experience you get with it, the Bigsby is effortless and the range of tones is enormous. This is my favourite guitar that I own. I think I've bought well when it comes to guitars but that only comes from experience and research. This is the right guitar for the music I play and I will keep it for life now. Is it fantastic value, well they are expensive to buy, but get one and you'll not be disappointed. Once you've paid for it, then you'll be rewarded with gorgeous tone and a great vibe from guitar history.