Gretsch G6659TG Players Edition Broadkaster Jr

first play
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AUGUST 2017 GU iTAriST
GRETSCH PLAYERS EDITION BROADKASTERS
the pickups protrude a good deal less, too,
adds to this more modern feel (our orange
6120 seems almost archaic by comparison).
Surprisingly, the black guitar’s larger body (16
inches as opposed to 14) makes it feel no more
cumbersome on the lap or around the neck –
the horn-mounted strap button helping no end
with balance and positioning on the player’s
body. The thin bodies on both instruments
hold them close to you, for an intimate and
rewarding playing experience. Avoid looking
in the mirror, though – we bet you can’t!
As mentioned, a prime selling point is the
all-new drive trains, the first new US-made
Gretsch pickups since the 70s (Filter’Trons
have been Gretsch’s humbucking mainstay
since the 50s). They’re great-sounding
units combining real punch with clarity and
articulation – AC/DC’s Malcolm Young to
Brian Setzer in The Stray Cats is a pretty
broad spectrum. For the Players Edition
Centre Blocks, the Filter’Tron has become the
Full’Tron, with greater output, punchier mids
and a generally more up-to-date ethos.
A clean setting on our ubiquitous Fender
Blues Junior elicits a hard-edged twang from
the bridge ’Tron, a warm but articulate jazz
4. The Cadillac Green
Broadkaster Jr’s
Full’Trons are gold in
gold surrounds. Note
the Patent number
(also shown overleaf)
and double row of
adjustable polepieces .
5. Nothing is spared
when it comes to lavish
appointments, with
every conceivable edge
bound, including the
f-holes. Note the gold
‘arrow’ control knobs
6. The new style Bigsby
with through-stringing of
the bar is a not-before-
time improvement that
makes restringing your
Gretsch a much less
hair-pulling process
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Video demo http://bit.ly/guitaristextra
GIT422.rev_gretsch.indd 13 15/06/2017 15:33