Gretsch G100 Synchromatic

**clumster** · 09-24-2009, 12:37 PM

Hey there. I am looking for a acoustic archtop for busking preferably under 600 US. What do you think i should get?

I have seen the Gretsch G100 Synchromatic has anyone got this guitar? What are your views on it... And if you do happen to have on could you possibly upload a video so I can hear what it sounds like?

Cheers thanks for all of the help

**mr. beaumont** · 09-24-2009, 01:59 PM

for under 600, i liked the godin 5th avenue a lot more than the gretsch. A lot more. so much more, I broke down and bought one (albeit the model with a pickup)

**clumster** · 09-24-2009, 02:10 PM

Is the 5th avenue electric to??

**derek** · 09-24-2009, 02:23 PM

I really like the 5th Ave, but no cutaway is a deal breaker for me.

**clumster** · 09-24-2009, 02:26 PM

Is it made of ply? thats what I heard...

**Hammerbox** · 09-25-2009, 08:24 PM

I own that guitar and I have had somewhat of a love hate relationship with it. I am no expert in playing jazz or even the equipment necessary for good tone but it has a muddy tone, especially on the lower strings. I have tried to tweak the guitar but my journey for good tone has not exactly been fruitful. I played a 5th Avenue and I must admit I preferred it to the Gretsch as well.

**chachi** · 09-25-2009, 09:43 PM

Just two days ago I tried the 5th ave in a store.
I didn´t think the tone was muddy, I actually thought it had a lot of definition.
Maybe this is one of the times when the same model can sound a lot different.
Anyways I didn´t like the pure acoustic sound too much and think the amplified sound is a lot better. I was positively surprised by the tonal balance of the instrument and the playability is pretty good. No cutaway can be a downer, but maybe it makes players not solo over more than 6 choruses

The guitar didn´t blow me away, but for the money they want for it its a pretty good deal i´d say.

If I had the money I would seriously consider buying it.

**chachi** · 09-25-2009, 09:46 PM

Oh sorry hammer i may have confused what you wrote about muddy tone.
Were you referring to the gretsch ore the 5th ave??

**GodinFan** · 09-25-2009, 09:58 PM

The key to getting a good sound on the 5th Avenue - and I'm talking acoustic sound - heavier strings (13-56) and higher action. Then you can dig in and channel Freddie. To me, that's what this guitar does best.

**chachi** · 09-25-2009, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by GodinFan

The key to getting a good sound on the 5th Avenue - and I'm talking acoustic sound - heavier strings (13-56) and higher action. Then you can dig in and channel Freddie. To me, that's what this guitar does best.

Thanks for the tip.
In deed the strings in the shop where not heavy at all - and what you say here totally makes sense. Now that guitar is becoming more and more interesting. I´ll see weather I can find one with heavier strings somewhere else.

Until then I stand corrected.

**dh82c** · 09-25-2009, 10:50 PM

That is the hard part for me with the 5th Ave. They are all (in Montreal anyway) set up as rockabilly guitars. Light and roundwound. I admit I dont like the modern satin finish on the neck (and will stay with my Epi EmpReg for that reason.. amongst other).
Having said that... I DID try a G100.. not even in the same zipcode as the godin.The Godins ARE great bang for the buck.
I talked to Mike from Godin and he mentions that they are getting MANY requests for a single pickup version with a cutaway. That might get me to pull the trigger.

**GodinFan** · 09-26-2009, 08:38 AM

I could go for a single p/u cutaway...it's probably too much to hope for a no p/u cutaway version. It would be nice if they'd do a single p/u version with a floating mini-bucker.

**Hammerbox** · 09-26-2009, 11:18 PM

Originally Posted by chachi

Oh sorry hammer i may have confused what you wrote about muddy tone.
Were you referring to the gretsch ore the 5th ave??

I meant the Gretsch lol. I agree the 5th avenue sounds pretty good.

**Bertrand tB** · 09-27-2009, 03:49 AM

I play a Gretsch 3967 (Korean made Synnchromatic) I think this one was ahead on the G100. I love this guitar but I've changed the pu for a Bartolini J5 floater. Now I like the sound bettter than with the stock pu.

Stringbean · 03-05-2010, 05:09 PM

I've tried both and prefer the G100 over the 5thAve.
The Gretsch had a real focused socked in punchy sonic quality that I liked a lot. I'm not down on the correct jargon, but I think it's called "compressed". And when you pick out single notes, they sounded like bells.

**Doctor Jeff** · 03-05-2010, 05:34 PM

I just got the Godin and am pleasantly impressed with the sound and playability. It's a fun guitar that is very versatile and rewarding to explore.

I was planning on replacing the stock strings, which are D'Addario .012 roundwounds, but 1) according to the Godin website they are "handpicked" by Robert Godin himself, and 2) I am starting to like the sound. They have an earthy, twangy sound when plucked staccato, but can also be mellow and dark. I can't see getting that gritty, bluesy sound with flatwounds.

I am also enjoying the single-coil pups despite the annoying hum caused by my electrical circuits. They do have a very old-fashioned jazzy sound to them.

I liked the Gretsch when I tried it at a guitar store recently. It apparently has a single-coil suspended pickup, though I only played it acoustically.