Gretsch G5222 Electromatic Amp

5-watt tube amp with two tubes inside.

One jack input and that's it!

Only one volume tone gain control.

UTILIZATION

It couldn't be easier: One input jack and one control, I don't know if it could be simpler, maybe doing away with the pot.

It has a manual, but it isn't really too useful.

In terms of sound, when you come from a low-budget solid-state amp, it's quite a change. It's cool to play alone in your apartment, but you'll quickly miss equalization controls. It sounds very lows-heavy and lacks highs, and it can't be corrected.

SOUNDS

I played lots of different styles with it, from classical to metal, including jazz, rock, blues, pop, ska, with some pedals you can do some really weird things, but you are quickly limited by the lack of an EQ.

I played this amp with an ibanez shred-type, a gretsch electromatic, a BC rich, and a dobro acoustic-electric.

And I always observed the same, too many lows and not enough highs. I play guitar not bass...

In any case, it's a good approach to tube amps, but tis' very inadequate in terms of equalization.

OVERALL OPINION

I used it two years. And then I sold it. Without any regrets.

I really liked it as an introduced to the tube amp world, but I really hated its overemphasized low end without any chance for correction.

Besides cheap solid-state amps I didn't test any other amps before buying it.

With hindsight, I would choose another amp, a VOX (the 4W model), which offers more options in terms of EQ (ideally a JMI, but that's way too expensive), or even something basic like a harley benton if on a tight budget, at least it has something to equalize with!!

5-watt tube amp with only a volume control.

UTILIZATION

No need for a manual, you turn it on, let it warm up and crank the volume.

SOUNDS

Beautiful clean sounds, I don't drive the volume too high because of my neighbors. I use distortion and overdrive pedals and they work fine.

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using it for a month and I can finally have a good sound compared to my too powerful marshall. I was looking for a tube amp and I found it. It doesn't distort (I don't dare crank it up to the max), it's better to use pedals. It's the same model as the fender champ 600, but a bit less expensive. A very good practice amp.

Let me begin with my opinion on solid state amplifiers. I think they sounds bare, hollow, thin, and sterile. Nothing about a solid state amp can compare to a real tube amp. That being said some solid state amps are necessary for those wanting to be quiet or get a small amp sound or going for a bad radio reception tone for a recording or something.

That being said there definitely is a use for an amp like this. It would compare the tone with a Fender '57 Champ which for a tube amp is just horrible. I am referring to the reissues not the originals.

UTILIZATION


Gretsch G5222 Electromatic Features:

* Wattage: 5 watts
* Speaker: One 6", 4 ohm Special Design driver with ceramic magnet
* Channels: Two (High and Low Sensitivity)
* Controls: Single volume control
* Extension Jack: External speaker output
* Inputs: High-gain and low-gain inputs
* Handle: Leather strap handle
* Height: 11"
* Width: 12"
* Depth: 7.5"
* Weight: 15 lbs

SOUNDS

I like the tone fore certain applications. It is not any everyday tone by any stretch but it can be useful in some recordings. I think of this amp more on the side of a practice amp that will never see a recoding booth. It is a fairly cheap amp that can get some good jangly tone.

I like this amp with a Gretsch of some sort. The tone compliment each other very well, especially when you have that hollow body sound from your Gretsch guitar.

OVERALL OPINION

This tone is pretty cool small box amp tone. If you are in need or a good practice amp then this might be your ticket. If you want to chase after the Fender Champ tone for about $800 less then this is your ticket.

At new these amps come in at around $ 200, which isn't too bad of a price. there are several other amps that could get a pretty identical tone with a tone of more options. So if you are a die hard Gretsch fan than this is your amp. If you need simply a practice amp then there are plenty other that are better suited.

We are in the presence of a tube amp, a 12AX7 and 6V6 (hence the American type) to 5W of power. There are two entrances, No. 1 - "high" and 2 - "low". He has only one setting: the volume! And of course, no effect integrated (can possibly complain about the lack of reverb, but it seems to me ultimately not essential).

Let us say at the outset: Gretsch G5222 Electromatic Compact on is identical to Fender Champion 600, and only look different brands. And yet, knowing that Gretsch is now designed by Fender ...

In short, it is an amp very "roots", there is only the bare minimum ... And it is just great, it is impossible to have anything other than his guitar with this little guy! A criticism that could very possibly go, it's no master, but I will later.

UTILIZATION

The configuration of the amplifier is obviously simpler.
Input # 1 is an entry that is to be highly sensitive. I use to crunch the beast, which occurs from the middle of the race the volume potentiometer (at least with single coil pickups).
Entry # 2 is an entry that wants insensitive. I use it when I want to keep a clear volumes "more important" (so to speak, it remains a 5W amp). Note that from two-thirds of stroke volume potentiometer, the clean crunch comes dangerously close ... And it's good!
The sound that comes out is just beautiful.

It goes without saying that this amp is not ideal for group play. I think with a drummer can play with finesse, there is a way to hear, but it is anyway not made for it.
Rather it is the amp you buy, as is the case for me to play at home with a more than acceptable without em *** der his world. I issue one caveat: it crunch at low volume, yes, but everything is relative. I think it is a little too powerful to be able to do cruncher apartment (this of course depends on the thickness of the walls and the patience of the neighbors, but ...) or evening / night. That's why a master could be welcome in order to crunch the beast at a very low volume. However, this operation would sacrifice part of the side "roots" of the amp, which I think would be a shame.

As for the manual, it is on one A4 page and just serves to explain the difference between input 1 and input 2. It also gives some tips to avoid unintentionally mistreat his first tube amp. Note that it does not need more! In short, it is enough.

SOUNDS

I play really everything, mainly blues and rock (from the Rolling Stones to Airbourne through Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, The Subways, ...). And this little guy follows me almost everywhere, especially in blues. His sound is pure vintage, it is a joy.

Sounds clear (input # 1 to # 2 11h/entrée until 2am) are beautiful, crystalline ... In a nutshell: "Fendérien." Difficult (impossible?) To do better in this category! I want to say that this is the '65 Deluxe Reverb pocket!
Overdriven sounds (input # 1 from midi / input # 2 from 3h) are beautiful and have a bite, not to say a mordant certain. Obviously I do not mean typed metal sounds. We love it or hate it, I think it is both the pure sound of the 45 laps of the first hits of the Rolling Stones, the same tone and Duane Allman Eric Clapton on "Layla and other assorted songs", the SRV's ... All references to fingertips (and wallet)!
It remains in the vintage, do not expect anything from modern to the beast. Better!

My main guitar is a Fender Stratocaster Standard (with rosewood fingerboard), my back-up guitar is a Danelectro Dead On '67 (reissue the Hornet). Both sound really good with this amp, I keep a certain preference for Strat ': it seems that the amp was designed to play with!

Something that may be important for certain: this amp is a real snap pedals. Great sound clear (I recommend to use the input # 2 to make it) makes an excellent base to magnify the sound of your favorite pedals. As for me, I am the happy owner of a Boss DS-1, an Electro Harmonix Big Muff Pi and a Maxon OD808, and the amp makes them perfect justice: I've never heard ring as well! I said that I usually play without pedal, this amp does not need to me (like any good amp!). But it can be good to know.
Everyone does what he wants, but I think personally that it would be wasteful to use a model that has so much personality to connect a processor or other toy models of this kind.
Note that the Maxon OD808 brings to me an excellent solution to the lack of master in order to obtain saturated sounds at night or in environments that do not normally allow. It does not of course replace natural saturation lamps, but it makes already very good.

There is no sound and I do not like any sound I like in particular: this amp fits perfectly with what I want to play. Blues clean sound just crunch, boisterous songs rocks, walking cleans well, ... Everything sounds great.

OVERALL OPINION

I use since July 2012, we are in October, I left to finish the honeymoon before writing this critique. And the fact is that ... I still have no complaints about this amp.

As I said, the goal was to have a small amp to play in my room, my main amp has been moved to the rehearsal of my group.
I tried a Fender Mustang, the models are simply excellent, probably one of the best on the market. I also thought the Bugera V5 (despite the many criticisms about the lack of reliability) and Fender Greta (a real curiosity) but the Gretsch G5222 Electromatic test Compact prevailed: I was se-duced. And I still am!

As mentioned above, some râleront the lack of reverb '(at the beginning I plugged my Danelectro Spring King consistently, now I do not even give this sentence), others the lack of EQ (no problem in my case) or gain control (for what?) ... And it is their absolute right, but then I suggest they move to something else.
If you are looking for a small tube amp minimalist vintage sounds and nothing but vintage, I would strongly advise. This is an amp that offers absolute minimum ... And it's good!

The price / quality ratio is excellent (€ 180 new at my usual dealer), it really is a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb pocket. Cleans sounds beautiful, saturated sound of rare effectiveness, ... Everything was there and found there!

I would do this choice, certainly. Never an amp gave me as much satisfaction as this one.
For the use I make and my favorite styles, it is just perfect!