🎸 Gretsch G5420T

Welcome to the team, Gretsch G5420T!!!

If there's one guitar that can make blues licks shine, it's a Gretsch. After obtaining the compulsory 3 solid-bodied guitars (Strat, Tele, Les Paul), I knew the next one would be a hollow-body. It's either an Epiphone ES-335, a Duesenberg or a Grestch. Knowing Gretsch's history, I would feel safe owning a Gretsch.

There comes a G5420T in Vintage Sunburst on sale on Carousell. It was originally listed for $900, but I managed to bring it down to $830. Heck, it even comes with a hardcase that retails at $140 at Swee Lee. Total value of this package would be $1140 (guitar retails at $1000 brand new), which I got at $830. Wow!

The seller met me at Tanjong Pagar right before I reported for work. Yet another guitar handed over to me at Tanjong Pagar. I tested and checked the guitar and paid him the money. Fast and furious it was. The guitar is in 99% mint condition. And most important of all, it felt amazing!

I could have went with a G2420T, but the pickups threw me off. They sound way too much like Les Paul humbuckers and less like Gretsch's tone. Hence I chose the G5420T. I know the changing of strings is a tad bit tougher because of the Bigsby, it ain't throwing me off that easily!

Now, if one guitar comes in, another has to go out. Sadly but surely, the Fender Classic Series 60's Stratocaster is the one that goes to make way for the Gretsch. Here is a little backstory of the sale and a little throwback:

At one point in my life, I had no Fender Stratocasters. I dreamt of owning one. At another point in my life, I had 2 Fender Stratocasters. One Mexican, one American. At this point in my life, I couldn't keep two, so I sold off the Mexican one.

Traded over on 5th June 2017

Last Sunday's evening, I handed this guitar over to a Malay dude who lives just 5 blocks away from me. He came over to my house once to test the guitar on Thursday night. Then on Sunday, he pulled the gun. I brought the guitar over to his house and he passed me the money. 

The thing about this guitar is, I don't like the vintage feel of it at all. The previous owner got this guitar from someone else too. The pickups are replaced to CMDaugherty hand-wounds, which I have no clue what they are prior to this guitar. The hardware has been changed to gold and the tuning keys are old school. The 13th fret is also raised for unknown reasons. All these would be cool to me if I'm not the in-for-looks type of guitarist.

The new owner is someone who have not played guitar for 3 years already. He needs a guitar now because his workplace is forming a band. He is a police officer so at least the guitar is in safe hands! So goodbye Fender Classic Series '60s Stratocaster!!! Hope the new owner will use you more than I did! Now back to my Gretsch baby...

Update in life: I have only 1 more month before I enlist into the army. I am quitting my job in 3 weeks time and hopefully can find some time to record a cover with both my Fender Deluxe and my Gretsch. I am also looking forward to buying a Cab Simulator pedal because in-ear monitoring will be useful for home practices.

Till then, all the best to me!

Edwin Ang
5th September 2017

Update as of 11th February 2018: This guitar is not with me anymore and has been sold for $650.