All user reviews for the Gretsch G5191BK Tim Armstrong "Signature" Electromatic Hollow Body

It's magnificent with the green reflections on its black dress. The satin gives it a slight rebel look. No BIGSBY, no pickguard... But the gilding is classy, especially since I complemented it with a golden plate for the Harpe tailpiece.
In terms of sound, it's not jazzy, already unplugged it sounds definitely '70s, really warm.
I play it mainly with a VOX AC30C2, what a treat.
It's a Korean guitar, but the wood work is stable, with a good finish, it's nice.
To me, it's not obvious that I'd get a better quality paying 3 times as much for a Japanese-made one.
The string action can be super low and the guitar isn't heavy.

Features:
Electromatic Hollow Body
Laminated maple body
Maple neck
Rosewood fingerboard
22 jumbo frets
White inlays
Scale: 24.33"
Nut width: 1.6"
Adjusto-Matic bridge with rosewood base
Harpe tailpiece
2 FilterTron Black Top pickups
Three-way toggle switch
One volume control.
Gold-plated hardware
Color: Black

This guitar was made in Korea, it features a Harpe-type bridge (like the old 1975 Country Club), the neck has a rosewood fretboard and 22 frets. This Gretsch features FilterTron pickups of excellent quality, the pickup selector allows you to switch between neck and bridge or use both.

USE

The neck feels nice, although due to its design, you need to be used to Gretsch models. Access to the upper frets is easy for a Jazz guitar (if you are a shredder you are at the wrong place here!!!). As for the sound, it's truly incredible for a model made in Korea. To be honest, for the price, you shouldn't think it twice.

SOUND

It's great for all kinds of music (except metal), both clean and distorted (no feedback when the volume is all the way up). I use a Marshal JVM 600, as well as a Fender FM 210 R, and the sound is always perfect for me.

OVERALL OPINION

I got it yesterday and I'm dumbfounded by it. I also tried out a white falcon but my budget was limited, so I went for the ELECTROMATIC, which is less expensive but of very good quality, all the same. It has a GREAT finish and it's a great value for money. I'd buy it again without hesitation. I've had some pros try it out and they have all loved it.

Made in KOREA, AOM bridge with rosewood base, HARPE.type tailpiece, quality and responsive Gretsch pots, black matte finish, very original, quality filtertron top black pickups, grover tuners. In short, well-equipped for an Electromatic....

USE

Very nice neck, access to the upper frets is inevitably limited, due to the '70s Gretsch design. Imposing guitar with an awesome look and an overall volume pot, I love it!!


SOUND

I play blues, '70s rock, jazz sometimes...
I can get an excellent blues and jazz sound with the neck pickup, it's not too fat, but really bassy, with presence and well-defined, very good!
I often play with a fat crunch, ZZtop, Gov't mule, AC/DC style, and it's really good at it. It's a pity access to the upper frets is limited, but it's okay to play solo at home.... Playing a G after the 12th fret becomes a technical feat, although achievable... But it's warm....
Anyway, I think it was Bo Diddley who said that playing beyond the 12th fret is vulgar :D!


OVERALL OPINION

I've had it for about 1 month and had never had Gretsch before. I've had 3 Gibson LPs, 2 Gibson SGs, 5 Strats of all types, 1 Heritage H140, a Lepape, etc..... To cut it short, it's my Gretsch and I'm very satisfied with it!!!
I love its retro look, its color, its sound character. I love how it was conceived as a compromise between the Pro and Electromatic models, and, even better, it's available to lefties!!
In short, it's a very good guitar, typical Gretsch, and it sounds incredibly good thanks in part to the hardware...
For once, it really makes me want to get a high-end Gretsch model!!!