Gretsch G5655T-QM Review
My Verdict and Review Summary
Gretsch has done a great job injecting affordable guitars into their brand, similar to what PRS did with the SE series. The G5655T-QM is a fantastic example of that price/quality balance, with everything we love about Gretsch semi-hollows like a Maple top, Bigsby tailpiece, and Broad'Tron humbuckers. The cleans on this guitar are unsurpassed, especially when paired with a tube amp. Think Fender or VOX with a little bit of reverb.
For more photos and a detailed specs sheet, checkout the Gretsch G5655T-QM on Sweetwater via the orange button.
BEST FOR: Cleans, worship, low-gain setups, reverb, tube amps, and intermediate to advanced players.
TONE
94
CONTROL
90
FLEXIBILITY
85
PRICE/VALUE
95
- Gretsch is hard to beat when it comes to resonant cleans
- Bigsby and Broad'Tron humbuckers come standard
- Pairs great with tube amps and some light reverb
- Maple top finish is beautiful
- Can actually hold its own at higher gain levels
- Might need a string change and more generous winding to stabilize tuning.
- Definitely not designed for distorted tones.
To review the Gretsch G5655T-QM I used a Boss Katana 50, which is a solid amp that still lets the guitar do most of the work. When it comes to Gretsch I wanted to showcase the cleans, which is a clear strength of this brand. Though I found it to be surprisingly capable of handling higher levels of gain (always my favorite sound), even though it's designed for more subtle styles. All the details, including my demo, are below. If you have questions, leave them in the comments section below.
Read more: Best Electric Guitars Overall
Gretsch G5655T-QM Tone and Playing Style
Any time you want clean tones, especially with ambient effects and/or modulation, Gretsch is one of your best options. The G5655T handles this perfectly with the semi-hollow design with an all-Maple body and neck.
Sort of Maple everything.
You'll get lots of subtle and gentle brightness, but a ton of warmth as well, perfect for a Fender tube amp pairing.
Higher register notes have a nice chime to them, especially with some delay and reverb.
But I also liked the heavier tones, promoted by the semi-hollow design. Lower notes have some nice punch and a lot of fullness, so it's not just a melody guitar, but can handle rhythm styles too.
Even with higher gain levels, it sounded pretty full, which is not what you think of when you think Gretsch.
It's definitely not a metal guitar, but it can handle distortion if you want/need it to.
Controls and Onboard Flexibility
The tone swings between the two pickups isn't too broad, but it does give you some room to experiment. At the same time, this guitar sounded pretty good as-is, so I didn't even mess much with my amp's EQ. There's a master volume in addition to the volume knobs for both pickups and a universal tone knob, along with the Bigsby.
Now, one issue worth mentioning:
I had an incredibly difficult time keeping this guitar in tune, especially when trying to use the Bigsby. Even light Bigsby use was problematic.
However, I think most of that is due to how the strings are wound on new guitars. There's just not enough winding with the strings cut as low as they are. They looked like they lapped the pegs maybe 3-4 times, which can cause tuning and stability issues.
My advice: Consider changing the strings right away, and maybe even go with a slightly heavier gauge like .052. That should solve any tuning issues (if you even have them to begin with).
Cost and Overall Value
The G5655T-QM retails for around $1000 (at the time of writing this review), comparable to other econ models like the PRS SE series, Epiphones, and mid-range Ibanez electrics. Gretsch has done a good job of getting more affordable guitars into their inventory, and the 5655T is a great example of that.
You still get the Bigsby and the Tron pickups, so it does not feel like a cheap guitar at all (because it isn't).
Assuming you have a good understanding of this guitar's context (cleans, subtlety, ambience, etc.), it's an excellent value.
Current Gretsch G5655T-QM from Sweetwater (includes multiple versions)
Prices updated from Sweetwater in real-time.
My Gretsch G5655T Review Summary
This guitar is a fantastic fit for any situation where you would prioritize clean tones, particularly worship, blues, jazz, and even lower to mid-level gain settings. While I'd recommend a string change and a thicker gauge, I don't have any substantive concerns about this guitar or the asking price. Buy confidently if the style is a good fit.
If you have questions about my review, feel free to reach out via the comments section below, and be sure to checkout the Gretsch G5655T on Sweetwater.
More Electric Guitar Reviews
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Electrics & Reviews
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Electrics & Reviews
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