Surfing a Gretsch?

Joined: Mar 11, 2023
Posts: 145
Netherlands

Posted on Jan 10 2025 01:49 PM

Anyone here use a Gretsch to go surfing? If so which line/model? Filtertrons or Dynasonics?

I've been attracted to their sound and looks for a long time. Going to try a bunch later this month, from their made in Japan line. Expensive things though... am going to put my 1981 Les Paul Custom up for sale. Haven't played it in years.

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Padraig

Joined: Feb 26, 2022
Posts: 411
Dollars, Taxes
United States

Posted on Jan 10 2025 02:35 PM

Check out Jason Lee and the R.I.P.Tides from San Diego. Jason has been surfing a Gretsch for many years now.

—

Patrick

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Bango_Rilla

Joined: Jan 06, 2019
Posts: 181
Bananas, TX
United States

Posted on Jan 10 2025 04:43 PM

I haven't gigged with my Gretsches, but I have run them through my rig at rehearsals a few times. They just didn't mesh with the rest of the band (at the time).

Not to dissuade, it's up to what your ear wants to hear and what fits in the mix. But this ape loves Gretsch guitars. I need to pop for some TV Jones eventually, but using stock 'trons and Dynasonics.

—

Bango Rilla!

DiPintos, Fenders and Reverb (oh, my!)

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nedorama

Joined: Oct 10, 2009
Posts: 225
South Bay, CA
United States

Posted on Jan 10 2025 05:07 PM

DrippyReverbTremolo wrote:

Anyone here use a Gretsch to go surfing? If so which line/model? Filtertrons or Dynasonics?

I've been attracted to their sound and looks for a long time. Going to try a bunch later this month, from their made in Japan line. Expensive things though... am going to put my 1981 Les Paul Custom up for sale. Haven't played it in years.

With current exchange rates, can't think of a better vacation than Japan and going to the Ochanomizu exit in Chiyoda for guitar street. Just got back and got a MIJ 52 Heritage Tele for a crazy good price. Love how it sounds and feels and is very different from my '62 AVRI Tele custom.

—

'65 Fender Tremolux, '74 Princeton; 77 Vibrolux Reverb; '81 Princeton Reverb
'65-66 Hilgen Basso Grande
Dr. Z MAZ 18 Jr. + 1x12 Cab
Various Telecasters and noise-making pedals
Farfisa Compact Duo

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Samurai

Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2246
Kiev, Ukraine
Ukraine

Posted on Jan 11 2025 03:56 AM

DrippyReverbTremolo wrote:

Anyone here use a Gretsch to go surfing? If so which line/model? Filtertrons or Dynasonics?

I've been attracted to their sound and looks for a long time. Going to try a bunch later this month, from their made in Japan line. Expensive things though... am going to put my 1981 Les Paul Custom up for sale. Haven't played it in years.

I had a row of Gretsches to surf, 6118, 6119, 6120, Duo Jet with Dynasonics, 2655 with P90. Now I use 2604 Rally with Super Hilotrons and just love it, but more for a heavier sound, like Latino/Mex vibes or punky/rocky stuff, it’s still surfy and edgy but with more body and air. I would surely choose not Filtertrons but something like Dynasonics, Hilotrons or P90

—

Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine

https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki

Lost Diver

https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin

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synchro

Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4453
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
United States

Posted on Jan 12 2025 04:56 PM

Most of the Surf I’ve played for an audience has been on a Greatsch. I have a ‘59 Tennessean RI with a pair of DuoTrons, a ‘62 Tennessean RI with Supertrons and a ‘59 Country Gentleman RI with Supertrons. I like a Gretsch for trio work, especially, because while the sound is very bright, there is still enough body to give a full sound.

Here’s the ‘62 Tenny RI. A surf monster, in disguise.

—

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

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DrippyReverbTremolo

Joined: Mar 11, 2023
Posts: 145
Netherlands

Posted on Jan 15 2025 03:09 PM

Thx everyone. Synchro, that 's a very cool looking guitar.

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synchro

Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4453
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
United States

Posted on Jan 15 2025 04:48 PM

DrippyReverbTremolo wrote:

Thx everyone. Synchro, that 's a very cool looking guitar.

Thanks. Basically a copy of George Harrison’s Tennessean, except that I swapped in a set of TV Jones Supertron pickups, after this picture was taken.

—

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

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pavlovsdog

Joined: Nov 22, 2010
Posts: 290
United States

Posted on Jan 15 2025 04:54 PM

Worth mentioning Starcrunch used a Gretsch Tennessean in the early days of MOAM?

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Bango_Rilla

Joined: Jan 06, 2019
Posts: 181
Bananas, TX
United States

Posted on Jan 15 2025 06:30 PM

I set my Dynasonic Jet up today and noodled and it's pretty dang close to what I run with my DiPintos - the Dynasonic and FilterTron has a little more body/beef than a straight single coil, so both would be cool - I think if you're running a 3 piece (or solo) you can "run what ya brung" but if you have another guitar player you have to see what plays nice and gets you the tone you want.

Like I said, it never worked out sonic-ly with what my band had going on, but I'm digging that I pulled these out of the closet - so appreciate the nudge for that!

—

Bango Rilla!

DiPintos, Fenders and Reverb (oh, my!)

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Surfysonic

Joined: Oct 17, 2009
Posts: 528
Walkersville, MD
United States

Posted on Jan 17 2025 09:54 AM

Yup, you definitely can surf with a Gretsch. While not exactly surf, it's worth mentioning the late, great Duane Eddy had some terrific instrumental songs using a Gretsch guitar. I feel very fortunate to have gotten to meet him at a Gretsch fan event back in 2012.

I used my Gretsch G6120BS Chet Atkins Hollow Body with stock Gretsch HS Filter'Tron pickups in my old surf punk band. Fun times!

Using a '65-'68(?) unfinished Gretsch Astro-Jet body with a custom-made neck, I put together my surfy Astro-Sonic. Initially, I had TV Jones T-Armond pickups but then swapped them out for a set of hum-cancelling Fralin Dynasonics.

I'm a bit of a Gretsch guitar nerd. From left to right: Players Edition Falcon (Midnight Sapphire), Country Club (Cadillac Green), Chet Atkins Hollow Body (Blueburst), Rat Rod (Matte Vintage White) with Fralin Hum-Cancelling Dog Ear P90s, 140th Anniversary Penguin (Two-Tone Stone Platimum/Pure Platinum), Astro-Sonic partsbuild (Sonic Blue), Electromatic CVT (Vintage White) with the HS Filter'Trons from the 6120BS, and my awesome Hallmark 60 Custom (Custom Aquaburst).

I put a set of TV Jones Magna'Tron pickups in my Gretsch Country Club (2nd from left in photo). Highly recommend for that single coil chime in a humbucker. Definitely surfs!

Also noteworthy are the mid-rangey Gretsch Blacktop Filter'Tron pickups that were in some of the Gretsch Electromatic line. I've got a couple of sets in my junk drawer - most likely I'll put a set in a future Jazzmaster partsbuild.

—

The doofus formerly known as Snorre
Surfysonic on YouTube
World Famous Philistines: 2014 - 2015
K39: 2013 - 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv9JADQ4ukw

Last edited: Jan 17, 2025 10:03:35

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DrippyReverbTremolo Joined: Mar 11, 2023 Posts: 145	Posted on Jan 10 2025 01:49 PM Anyone here use a Gretsch to go surfing? If so which line/model? Filtertrons or Dynasonics? I've been attracted to their sound and looks for a long time. Going to try a bunch later this month, from their made in Japan line. Expensive things though... am going to put my 1981 Les Paul Custom up for sale. Haven't played it in years. Top
Padraig Joined: Feb 26, 2022 Posts: 411 Dollars, Taxes	Posted on Jan 10 2025 02:35 PM Check out Jason Lee and the R.I.P.Tides from San Diego. Jason has been surfing a Gretsch for many years now. — Patrick Top
Bango_Rilla Joined: Jan 06, 2019 Posts: 181 Bananas, TX	Posted on Jan 10 2025 04:43 PM I haven't gigged with my Gretsches, but I have run them through my rig at rehearsals a few times. They just didn't mesh with the rest of the band (at the time). Not to dissuade, it's up to what your ear wants to hear and what fits in the mix. But this ape loves Gretsch guitars. I need to pop for some TV Jones eventually, but using stock 'trons and Dynasonics. — Bango Rilla! DiPintos, Fenders and Reverb (oh, my!) The GO-GO Rillas Bandcamp \| Facebook \| Instagram \| YouTube \| TikTok \| Threads: thegogorillas \| Spotify Top
nedorama Joined: Oct 10, 2009 Posts: 225 South Bay, CA	Posted on Jan 10 2025 05:07 PM DrippyReverbTremolo wrote: Anyone here use a Gretsch to go surfing? If so which line/model? Filtertrons or Dynasonics? I've been attracted to their sound and looks for a long time. Going to try a bunch later this month, from their made in Japan line. Expensive things though... am going to put my 1981 Les Paul Custom up for sale. Haven't played it in years. With current exchange rates, can't think of a better vacation than Japan and going to the Ochanomizu exit in Chiyoda for guitar street. Just got back and got a MIJ 52 Heritage Tele for a crazy good price. Love how it sounds and feels and is very different from my '62 AVRI Tele custom. — '65 Fender Tremolux, '74 Princeton; 77 Vibrolux Reverb; '81 Princeton Reverb '65-66 Hilgen Basso Grande Dr. Z MAZ 18 Jr. + 1x12 Cab Various Telecasters and noise-making pedals Farfisa Compact Duo Top
Samurai Joined: Mar 14, 2006 Posts: 2246 Kiev, Ukraine	Posted on Jan 11 2025 03:56 AM DrippyReverbTremolo wrote: Anyone here use a Gretsch to go surfing? If so which line/model? Filtertrons or Dynasonics? I've been attracted to their sound and looks for a long time. Going to try a bunch later this month, from their made in Japan line. Expensive things though... am going to put my 1981 Les Paul Custom up for sale. Haven't played it in years. I had a row of Gretsches to surf, 6118, 6119, 6120, Duo Jet with Dynasonics, 2655 with P90. Now I use 2604 Rally with Super Hilotrons and just love it, but more for a heavier sound, like Latino/Mex vibes or punky/rocky stuff, it’s still surfy and edgy but with more body and air. I would surely choose not Filtertrons but something like Dynasonics, Hilotrons or P90 — Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki Lost Diver https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin Top
synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4453 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Jan 12 2025 04:56 PM Most of the Surf I’ve played for an audience has been on a Greatsch. I have a ‘59 Tennessean RI with a pair of DuoTrons, a ‘62 Tennessean RI with Supertrons and a ‘59 Country Gentleman RI with Supertrons. I like a Gretsch for trio work, especially, because while the sound is very bright, there is still enough body to give a full sound. Here’s the ‘62 Tenny RI. A surf monster, in disguise. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Top
DrippyReverbTremolo Joined: Mar 11, 2023 Posts: 145	Posted on Jan 15 2025 03:09 PM Thx everyone. Synchro, that 's a very cool looking guitar. Top
synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4453 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Jan 15 2025 04:48 PM DrippyReverbTremolo wrote: Thx everyone. Synchro, that 's a very cool looking guitar. Thanks. Basically a copy of George Harrison’s Tennessean, except that I swapped in a set of TV Jones Supertron pickups, after this picture was taken. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Top
pavlovsdog Joined: Nov 22, 2010 Posts: 290	Posted on Jan 15 2025 04:54 PM Worth mentioning Starcrunch used a Gretsch Tennessean in the early days of MOAM? Top
Bango_Rilla Joined: Jan 06, 2019 Posts: 181 Bananas, TX	Posted on Jan 15 2025 06:30 PM I set my Dynasonic Jet up today and noodled and it's pretty dang close to what I run with my DiPintos - the Dynasonic and FilterTron has a little more body/beef than a straight single coil, so both would be cool - I think if you're running a 3 piece (or solo) you can "run what ya brung" but if you have another guitar player you have to see what plays nice and gets you the tone you want. Like I said, it never worked out sonic-ly with what my band had going on, but I'm digging that I pulled these out of the closet - so appreciate the nudge for that! — Bango Rilla! DiPintos, Fenders and Reverb (oh, my!) The GO-GO Rillas Bandcamp \| Facebook \| Instagram \| YouTube \| TikTok \| Threads: thegogorillas \| Spotify Top
Surfysonic Joined: Oct 17, 2009 Posts: 528 Walkersville, MD	Posted on Jan 17 2025 09:54 AM Yup, you definitely can surf with a Gretsch. While not exactly surf, it's worth mentioning the late, great Duane Eddy had some terrific instrumental songs using a Gretsch guitar. I feel very fortunate to have gotten to meet him at a Gretsch fan event back in 2012. I used my Gretsch G6120BS Chet Atkins Hollow Body with stock Gretsch HS Filter'Tron pickups in my old surf punk band. Fun times! Using a '65-'68(?) unfinished Gretsch Astro-Jet body with a custom-made neck, I put together my surfy Astro-Sonic. Initially, I had TV Jones T-Armond pickups but then swapped them out for a set of hum-cancelling Fralin Dynasonics. I'm a bit of a Gretsch guitar nerd. From left to right: Players Edition Falcon (Midnight Sapphire), Country Club (Cadillac Green), Chet Atkins Hollow Body (Blueburst), Rat Rod (Matte Vintage White) with Fralin Hum-Cancelling Dog Ear P90s, 140th Anniversary Penguin (Two-Tone Stone Platimum/Pure Platinum), Astro-Sonic partsbuild (Sonic Blue), Electromatic CVT (Vintage White) with the HS Filter'Trons from the 6120BS, and my awesome Hallmark 60 Custom (Custom Aquaburst). I put a set of TV Jones Magna'Tron pickups in my Gretsch Country Club (2nd from left in photo). Highly recommend for that single coil chime in a humbucker. Definitely surfs! Also noteworthy are the mid-rangey Gretsch Blacktop Filter'Tron pickups that were in some of the Gretsch Electromatic line. I've got a couple of sets in my junk drawer - most likely I'll put a set in a future Jazzmaster partsbuild. — The doofus formerly known as Snorre Surfysonic on YouTube World Famous Philistines: 2014 - 2015 K39: 2013 - 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv9JADQ4ukw Last edited: Jan 17, 2025 10:03:35 Top

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Surfing a Gretsch?