Gretsch G5420T VS the G5420TG-59: Are there any differences?
Some nuance in their approaches to Maple (body and top), and different fingerboard material.
Both of the in-house Gretsch pickups lean towards are bright and crisp tone. Aside from different fingerboard material and some nuance between all the Maple involved between the two guitars, there's not much in the way of practical differences, and the two are simply variations on a theme within the same series (G5420T).
G5420TG-59
Gretsch G5420T
| Specification | Gretsch G5420TG-59 | Gretsch G5420T |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Body Type | Hollowbody | Hollowbody |
| Body Shape | G5420TG Electromatic | Electromatic Classic |
| Body Material | 5-ply Maple | Laminated Maple |
| Top Material | Arched Maple | Arched Laminated Maple |
| Body Finish | Gloss | Gloss |
| Color | Vintage Orange | Orange Stain |
| Neck Material | Maple | Maple |
| Neck Shape | Standard U | Classic C |
| Neck Joint | Set Neck | Set Neck |
| Radius | 12" | 12" |
| Fingerboard Material | Compressed-Rosewood | Laurel |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Pearloid Neo-Classic Thumbnails | Pearloid Neo-Classic Thumbnails |
| Number of Frets | 22, Medium Jumbo | 22 |
| Scale Length | 24.6" | 24.6" |
| Nut Width | 1.6875" | 1.6875" |
| Nut Material | Graph Tech NuBone | Graph Tech NuBone |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | Adjusto-Matic with Secured Rosewood Base, Bigsby B60 Vibrato Tailpiece | Adjusto-Matic with Secured Laurel Base, Bigsby B60 Vibrato Tailpiece |
| Tuners | Vintage-style Open Gear | Vintage-style Open Gear |
| Neck Pickup | Black Top Filter'Tron Humbucker | FT-5E Filter'Tron Humbucker |
| Bridge Pickup | Black Top Filter'Tron Humbucker | FT-5E Filter'Tron Humbucker |
| Controls | 1 x master volume, 1 x master tone, 2 x volume (neck, bridge) | 2 x volume, 1 x master volume (Treble bleed), 1 x master tone |
| Switching | 3-way toggle pickup switch | 3-way toggle pickup switch |
| Strings | Nickel Plated Steel, .011-.049 | Nickel Plated Steel, .011-.049 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Sold Separately | Sold Separately |
| Additional Features | Gold Hardware, Bigsby Licensed B60 Vibrato | Trestle-block Bracing, Master Volume with Treble Bleed |
What are the differences between the G5420TG-59 and the G5420T?
- The G5420TG-59 uses a "Black Top" Filter'Tron humbucker pair, while the G5420T employs FT-5E Filter'Tron humbuckers, with fairly subtle (if any) tone differences.
- The G5420TG-59 features gold hardware, whereas the G5420T comes with the more conventional silver/chrome look.
- The G5420TG-59 has a bound, compressed Rosewood fingerboard. The G5420 has a Laurel fingerboard.
- The G5420T introduces a redesigned trestle-block bracing for enhanced sustain and feedback reduction, a feature not specified for the G5420TG-59.
- The G5420T includes a master volume control ith a treble-bleed circuit, allowing for high-end retention when the volume is lowered. This feature is not included in the G5420TG-59.
What about the similarities?
- Both guitars feature hollowbody designs with a single-cutaway shape, which is a very common Gretsch body design.
- Each model is equipped with Filter'Tron pickups, known for producing a fairly bright, punchy tone (think rockabilly, country, blues, and classic rock).
- Both guitars have a Bigsby-licensed B60 vibrato tailpiece.
- Each guitar uses a 24.6" scale length.
- Both fingerboards have a 12" radius.
- Graph Tech NuBone is used for the nut material in both guitars.
- Both models feature a gloss body finish.
- Each guitar has a master tone control and a 3-way pickup selector switch.
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Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Electrics & Roundups
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Amps & Roundups
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