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I've been playing for almost 40 years 35 of them professionally. I own about 14 high end guitars. I have never picked up a guitar and had it feel and sound like I've been playing it since I started playing so many years ago. It came perfectly setup. It is perfectly balanced and is not heavy. It looks stunning but most of all the FilterTron pickups get every note and nuance of your playing. These are the best pick ups I've ever heard. The controls on the instrument are very sensitive and you can really adjust the sound to get almost anything you're looking for. The Bigsby does exactly what you want it to do and the guitar stays in tune no matter how you play it. I was stunned how hard I was able to play it, use the Bigsby and have it hold the tune. It sounds great with some over drive or fully distorted but in the end I come back to those pick ups. They just catch everything. This has become my "A" guitar over night although the Taylor T5 is right up there too but a TOTTALY different animal. I absolutely love it. The price was VERY reasonable and because of the 5 ply laminate it is incredibly sturdy. If you're in need of a hollow body this one is all you'll ever need. I've never given an instrument a perfect rating but this one is perfect. Exactly what I needed and so much more than I thought it could be for the price. This could be a $2100 instrument and it isn't. Get it.

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This guitar is one of a kind, born of a past era. It is the sound I have been looking for great guitar to add to the collection.

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I purchased this 5422 as something of a "guilty pleasure" and have been very pleasantly surprised by its excellent finish, gorgeous looks, great sound, and overall high quality for the price. I'd been looking at a higher-end Pro Line Gretsch (e.g., White Falcon), but, after a week of playing this 5422, I'm inclined to just make a few mods and stick with it! The Blacktop Filtertrons are particularly nice sounding and I may well keep them rather than switch them out for TV Jones Classics. Based on playing the 5422 for the past week, here are the only three minor "quibbles" I've encountered so far: 1. I have very small hands and access to the four uppermost frets is a bit problematic given current placement of the neck. I use my left hand little finger while playing and the only way I can access the 22nd fret (especially on the E, B, and G strings) is to improperly switch to my third finger. A couple of possible "fixes" for this issue would be for Gretsch to smooth out the neck heel for better access or, if possible, join the neck to the body at least a couple of frets higher. 2. Gretsch should add a treble bleed to the master volume during production to reduce the noticeable "muddiness" (particularly on the low E) of the Blacktops at lower volumes. Other than this, the Blacktop Filtertrons are very impressive! 3. Gretsch should definitely toss in a case even if it has to raise the price a bit (I had to purchase the Gretsch "jumbo" case separately, which does work fine with the 5422). Yes, the above items are all "quibbles". However, I'd like to reemphasize that this 5422 is a super guitar and definitely one of the best-playing and best-sounding values on the market in its price range. With some relatively minor tweaks, the 5422 series approaches Pro LIne quality for only 1/2 to 1/3 the price! Bottom line: BUY THIS GUITAR! As for me, it's now one of my "first call" instruments.

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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.

I finally decided I needed a Gretsch for the arsenal and while one day I may go the USA-made route I thought I'd test the waters with one of the Korean-made. The companies sure have their mid-line models figured out because not only is this guitar mighty perty but it played great right out of the box. I knew the clean tones would be great but put this through a distortion pedal and it's a growler. Well worth the price. Please excuse all the five stars but i'm not a real persnickety type and I could probably four star this and three star that but at the end of the day I'll give it five stars because I look at it and it shines, play it and it sparkles.

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