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Post by LTB on Sept 24, 2020 18:33:52 GMT -5
Ordered a Gretsch 5440 Orange 4 string Hollowbody bass today from Sweetwater. Having them put a bone nut on and custom setup with my favorite strings TI Jazz Flats. They said it should ship tomorrow, Monday or Tuesday. I told them not to rush. Cannot wait to get my hands on it. Reviews have been very positive and Video Reviews are good. Gretsch 5440 4 string bass
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Post by themaestro on Sept 24, 2020 18:59:37 GMT -5
That's pretty.
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Post by LTB on Sept 24, 2020 19:10:30 GMT -5
Thank you. I love what I see
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Post by Riff Twang on Sept 27, 2020 1:58:51 GMT -5
Nobody does orange like Gretsch. Looks great, hope you enjoy it.
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Post by LTB on Sept 27, 2020 4:13:46 GMT -5
Nobody does orange like Gretsch. Looks great, hope you enjoy it. Thank you Riff, I do too!
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Post by LTB on Sept 29, 2020 15:56:10 GMT -5
Just Shipped last night! hopefully on Thursday I will receive it My Avatar is from an exact photo of my guitar
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Post by Taildragger on Sept 30, 2020 12:09:05 GMT -5
Looks nice. I considered a Gretsch, MIJ, short-scale, "Electrotone" G-6073 (hollow w/painted faux F-holes like their "Tennessee Rose" guitar) but was never able to play or even find a very good recorded sample of Thundertron pups anyplace so wound up not pulling the trigger. I think that bass may not be in production anymore. I would've replaced the TOM-style bridge with an aluminum Tru-Arc, because I put one of those on a G-6122-JR guitar and really liked it. That bridge matched the fretboard radius perfectly, which the OEM TOM did not. G-6073 "Electrotone
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Post by LTB on Sept 30, 2020 13:20:53 GMT -5
Looks nice. ]I would've replaced the TOM-style bridge with an aluminum Tru-Arc, because I put one of those on a G-6122-JR guitar and really liked it. That bridge matched the fretboard radius perfectly, which the OEM TOM did not.] I was wondering if there was a replacement bridge available. 😊
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Post by Taildragger on Sept 30, 2020 14:01:12 GMT -5
Tim of Tru-Arc was making bass bridges to order (may not have them "in stock, ready to order") last I heard. They are very well-made but not inexpensive.
Compton also makes Gretsch replacement bridges, but I have no first hand experience with either their products or doing business with them, so can't give them a thumbs up or thumbs down. I have read favorable reviews of their bridges also written by others. I got my Tru-Arc several years ago and, at that time, he was offering them fashioned from a choice of several different materials (aliminum, steel, brass and copper, if memory serves. The link below is not to Tim's website, but should introduce the product and help you get in touch with him should you desire to do so: www.craigdobbins.com/tru-arc.htmlKeep in mind that since his business is a "cottage industry" and not a high-production, industrial concern, there could be wait time involved.
At one time, Tru-Arcs were offered from the factory on certain Gretsch guitar models, but I don't know whether or not that is still the case.
Here is a link to Compton. I don't know whether they make only guitar bridges or also make bass bridges:
DISCLAIMER: I have no financial/business connection with either of these companies. I'm just a Tru-Arc customer.
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Post by LTB on Sept 30, 2020 15:05:29 GMT -5
I got my Tru-Arc several years ago and, at that time, he was offering them fashioned from a choice of several different materials (aliminum, steel, brass and copper, if memory serves. I listened to those. There was only subtle difference in tone but Of them for my tastes on 6 string guitar I liked the sweetness of the Aluminum but of course would probably not work as well on bass as it needs the strength and definition of the Brass or Stainless. ere is a link to Compton. I don't know whether they make only guitar bridges or also make bass bridges: This Bridge demo was a vast improvement in tone and volume of the stock Gretsch bridge. I love this bridge for guitar and will probably get one for my Ibanez Artcore Hollowbody Electric. I will also see if either one make a bridge for my Gretsch coming Thursday (but will play it a while before deciding) Update: Just checked on Compton and a Gretsch forum that A: you have to have 10 made from Compton B: they do not work well on a guitar with Bigsby So I will probably look into the Tru Arc compensated "rocking bridge"
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Post by Taildragger on Sept 30, 2020 20:58:23 GMT -5
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Post by LTB on Oct 1, 2020 23:19:02 GMT -5
Came in this afternoon and had time to check it out and play it. Even though it has a long scale neck that is “P bass width” it has a Slim C neck like my Fender American Pro Jazz bass and very comfortable to play even with my small hands. The fit and finish are flawless. As it is a different animal than my solid body Basses it took me a little bit to dial in the tone but once used to it I feel it is a good investment. The bone nut is 1/4” thick and nicely cut. Plays well right out of the box. The TI Jazz Flats for some reason feel more tension which I won’t argue with one bit. A plus in my book. Action lower than my American Pro Jazz with no fret buzz in amplified. Bone nut and custom setup for $160 was worth it to me. Only slight cons are while tuners work smoothly and not loose I like higher Turn ratio of 20:1 or greater. These feel like 14:1. And the other is the relatively weak spring of the output jack which isn’t causing a problem yet but anyone that has had an Asian guitar knows what I am talking about. Not a big deal as I will put a switchcraft in as soon as I feel no Issues come up Here are some photos I took: i.imgur.com/ql2XfJP.jpgi.imgur.com/QBNEPri.jpgi.imgur.com/UBpW1HU.jpgi.imgur.com/D89sUj5.jpgi.imgur.com/g4U2Cby.jpgi.imgur.com/BUSCZj6.jpgi.imgur.com/z2SfZO2.jpgi.imgur.com/SHMViov.jpg
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Post by Riff Twang on Oct 1, 2020 23:40:51 GMT -5
Very nice.
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MJB
Wholenote
Who's we sucka? Smith, Wesson and me.
Posts: 634
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Post by MJB on Oct 2, 2020 2:42:20 GMT -5
Congrats! May you have plenty of great tones.
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Post by morrow on Oct 2, 2020 9:52:54 GMT -5
Congratulations ! Great looking bass . I recently picked up an Eastwood copy .
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Post by LTB on Oct 2, 2020 11:51:53 GMT -5
Thanks Congrats! May you have plenty of great tones. Thanks MJB I recently picked up an Eastwood copy . Very nice!! I love that wooden bridge! How is the tonal response? Great Body style and color with Gold Hardware:) Really nice guitar sir!
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Post by morrow on Oct 2, 2020 14:46:13 GMT -5
It was quite cheap on local kijiji , and a friend recently bought a White Falcon ( the real deal) , so I was thinking it would sorta match . Made in China but the build quality is fine , I was happily surprised . It came with relatively new flats , and sounds great . Had it up to room volume at a gig last weekend . Bergantino rig . Short scale but has a good sized body . So I'm happy with it . It's not a Gretsch , but it's a great bass .
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Post by LTB on Oct 2, 2020 15:28:27 GMT -5
It's not a Gretsch , but it's a great bass . That is what matters most! My Ibanez Archtop Guitar is not a Gibson but a great guitar and I am very happy
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Post by morrow on Oct 2, 2020 15:48:10 GMT -5
I'm up to twenty basses now , and should probably get rid of a couple . I have the usual classics , and don't really have any gas at the moment . I'm an old Pbass guy that loves a nice Ric , and now mostly uses shortscales . Bit of an amp nerd too . But , sometimes will fall for a good deal . I'm quite taken by the Eastwood . I used to play with a guitarist that had a big orange late 50's 6120 . Possibly one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen . So I've always loved the look of Gretsch basses too .
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Post by LTB on Oct 2, 2020 15:55:54 GMT -5
I used to play with a guitarist that had a big orange late 50's 6120 If only allowed to get ONE guitar (and could afford it) it would be a 6120! I love the tone of that Hollowbody electric.
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Post by morrow on Oct 2, 2020 17:22:19 GMT -5
It was funny , he had that gorgeous old Gretsch , and one day he said he didn't need an expensive guitar to play . He bought a cheap yellow Washburn Tele copy and had a sliding pickup , on a rail , put in . Sold that Gretsch . That must have been thirty years ago , he still has the yellow Washburn , but it's on about it's fifth neck . And he sounds gorgeous on it .
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woody
Wholenote
Posts: 245
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Post by woody on Oct 3, 2020 13:06:44 GMT -5
Very nice bass, LTB. Your’s too, morrow. Too morrow?
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Post by LTB on Oct 3, 2020 19:04:16 GMT -5
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Post by LTB on Oct 4, 2020 0:59:32 GMT -5
There was nothing wrong with the stock tuners except I prefer 20:1 ratio for more precise tuning so I bought the Wilkenson 20:1 open face tuners. Installed them and now taking noticeably more turns to adjust string tuning. So far so good imgur.com/gallery/PLDYlSF
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Post by zoikzz on Oct 5, 2020 12:28:05 GMT -5
SEXY
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Post by LTB on Oct 10, 2020 1:17:22 GMT -5
Thanks zoikzz!
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Post by LTB on Oct 13, 2020 3:19:24 GMT -5
but was never able to play or even find a very good recorded sample of Thundertron pups anyplace so wound up not pulling the trigger. You passed up a wonderful opportunity to own a very nice sounding bass. The Blackface pickups that came stock in my bass is decent sounding but I put a set of TV Jones Thundertron pickups in my bass and they exhibit good string to string balance, great lows that are clear and less boomy, nice mids and sweet smooth highs (highs for a bass). They have good output. They are sensitive to changes in pickup height.
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