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Topic: Gretch Jet Mainliner Lap Steel |
Andy Volk
From: Boston, MA
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Posted 20 Jan 2002 5:28 am
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I came across this today: Gretsch is reissuing an older model lap steel called the Jet Mainliner. Here's the info ...
http://www.gretsch.com/
Click on guitars, historic, & scroll down.[This message was edited by Andy Volk on 20 January 2002 at 05:36 AM.] |
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Gerald Ross
From: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 20 Jan 2002 6:36 am
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I played one of these Gretsch reissues at a guitar show last year. I felt the string spacing was way too narrow, even more so than a Fender (disclaimer: I prefer Rickenbacker and Gibson spacing). I didn't get a chance to plug it in so I'm no help in that regard.
If I remember... my initial gut reaction was that the guitar felt like it was constructed rather cheaply.
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Gerald Ross
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
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Ian McLatchie
From: Sechelt, British Columbia
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Posted 20 Jan 2002 8:55 am
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I've played a couple of these guitars (they come in both sunburst and plastic sparkle finish), and was actually reasonably impressed. Not that they're a great instrument, by any means, but they're quite well made, and compared to some other contemporary lap steels, a relative bargain.
A good starter instrument, but nowhere near the quality of even the lowest priced Melobar, say. Cosmetically similar to the original Valco-made Gretsches of the 50's and 60's, but without the Supro pickup, not in the same league musically. I didn't find the string spacing as problematic as you did, Gerald. My Fenders are certainly narrower.
It was difficult to judge just how good the sound was, because both the instruments I tried came factory-equipped with light gauge strings that made it impossible to adjust properly to any standard tuning. Why do they do this?! |
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Gerald Ross
From: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 20 Jan 2002 9:41 am
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Ian,
Reading your assesment jogged my memory a bit. I do remember that the factory equipped strings were very light making it impossible to tune and demo. Maybe I need to give this guitar another look.
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Gerald Ross
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
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George Keoki Lake
From: Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 20 Jan 2002 11:53 am
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This guitar isn't all that bad at all.....I'd certainly recommend it for a beginner. I am not sure if they make them in 8 string models...anyone know ? |
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Andy Volk
From: Boston, MA
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Posted 20 Jan 2002 1:09 pm
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I missed the G715 Black Sparkle version and the G3440 Hawaiian (Celuloid headstock & fretboard like a Gibson Century - wow!) the first time around. |
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