Best Gretsch Guitars
Top 10 picks ranked by EJ Score
Our Top Picks
Looking for the gretsch guitars? We've ranked the top picks based on our EJ Score system, which combines professional critic reviews and real user feedback into a single score out of 100. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, this list will help you find the right fit.
Gretsch Guitars G6128T-59 Vintage Select '59 Duo Jet Electric Guitar With Bigsby Black
Gretsch’s Vintage Select ’59 Duo Jet is what happens when a company respects historical accuracy without sacrificing playability. This isn’t a cosmetic throwback — it’s an engineered recreation built to 1959 specifications using materials and processes that honor the original…
Pros
- +Chambered mahogany body delivers the unmistakable Gretsch warmth and resonance that solid-body alternatives cannot match
- +Bigsby B3CB tailpiece and Space Control bridge recreate authentic 1959 vibrato characteristics with modern reliability
- +Made in Japan with exceptional quality control — playability and finish consistency rival US-made guitars
Cons
- −Premium price ($3,000) puts it in competition with genuine vintage models, limiting accessibility
- −Bigsby vibrato requires patience for re-tuning between songs if you use it aggressively
Gretsch Guitars G5422TG Electromatic Classic Hollowbody Double-Cut With Bigsby and Gold Hardware Electric Guitar Walnut Stain
Guitar World gave the G5422TG a perfect 5.0 score, and it’s justified. This is Gretsch’s pitch-perfect modern interpretation of a classic hollowbody design that respects tradition while embracing contemporary playability and hardware. Tone is unmistakably Gretsch. Those new FT-5E Filter’Tron…
Pros
- +New FT-5E Filter'Tron pickups deliver smooth response and soft shimmer perfect for Gretsch textures
- +Bigsby B60 vibrato is springy and stays in tune—a major advantage for stage work
- +Trestle block bracing underneath reduces unwanted feedback and improves stability
Cons
- −Hollowbody design is feedback-prone at high gain levels—requires careful EQ
- −Bigsby vibrato has a learning curve for setup and maintenance
Gretsch Guitars G6120T-BSSMK Brian Setzer Signature Nashville Hollowbody '59 Smoke With Bigsby Electric Guitar Smoke Orange Lacquer
This isn’t a guitar—it’s a time capsule. That perfect 100 score from Guitar World doesn’t lie: the G6120T-BSSMK is a flawless execution of rockabilly royalty. If you’re a Setzer devotee, a vintage Gretsch obsessive, or just someone who wants that…
Pros
- +Perfect 5.0/5 from Guitar World—this is a masterclass in signature model execution
- +Authentic '59 specs capture the golden era of Gretsch hollowbody tone
- +Smoke Orange lacquer is visually stunning and period-correct
Cons
- −At $3,900, this is deep-pockets-only territory
- −Some players wish Gretsch had gone with 6105 frets like Setzer actually uses
Gretsch Guitars G5420T Electromatic Classic Hollowbody Single-Cut Electric Guitar Two-Tone Anniversary Green
The Paul’s Guitar is PRS showing off what they do best: meticulous craftsmanship and innovative electronics. That 90 EJ score reflects a near-perfect execution of Paul Reed Smith’s vision for the ultimate versatile guitar. The TCI pickups genuinely deliver—you’re getting…
Pros
- +TCI (Tuned Capacitance and Inductance) pickups provide exceptional clarity and harmonic richness
- +Dual coil-split switches offer true single-coil tones, not just thin humbucker splits
- +Pattern neck profile hits the sweet spot between vintage and modern feel
Cons
- −$4,600 price tag puts it firmly in boutique territory
- −Some players find PRS's house sound too polished or 'sterile' compared to vintage Fenders/Gibsons
Gretsch Guitars G5420T Electromatic Classic Hollowbody Single-Cut Electric Guitar Walnut Stain
The Gretsch Electromatic G5420T is your entry point to authentic Gretsch hollowbody tone: a full-size semi-hollow body, FilterTron pickups, Bigsby-compatible bridge, and modern appointments at an affordable price. It’s a gateway drug for rockabilly, indie, and soul players curious about…
Pros
- +Full-size hollowbody body delivers warm, resonant character with natural bloom
- +FilterTron pickups provide punchy midrange and classic Gretsch voice
- +Bigsby-compatible bridge allows vibrato system addition for vintage aesthetics
Cons
- −Feedback risk in high-gain amplification limits versatility
- −Import construction feels cheaper than American Gretsch counterparts
The Gretsch George Harrison Duo Jet scores 90/100 (Legendary) because it’s a signature guitar that actually delivers on the promise. George Harrison played a Duo Jet during the Beatles era, and Gretsch honors that legacy with exceptional craftsmanship. Semi-hollow single-cutaway…
Pros
- +Iconic George Harrison connection captures 60s Beatles mystique
- +Semi-hollow single-cutaway design delivers warm, jangly tone perfect for rock
- +Gretsch's premium craftsmanship and materials justify the price
Cons
- −At $3999, it's a luxury purchase—not a casual investment
- −Semi-hollow design limits high-gain applications
Gretsch Guitars Gretsch Falcon Hollow Body with String-Thru Bigsby Electric Guitar White
The Falcon is iconic, no question—but at this price point, you need to want the bling as much as the tone. It plays beautifully and sounds like a Gretsch should, but the $4K ask is mostly about those gold appointments.…
Pros
- +Synchromatic bridge and string-through Bigsby design improves tuning stability over vintage models
- +FilterTron pickups deliver classic Gretsch twang with articulate highs and punchy mids
- +Gold sparkle binding and elaborate inlays make this a genuine showpiece instrument
Cons
- −At nearly $4K, you're paying premium for cosmetics—similar tones available from $2K Professional series
- −String-through Bigsby limits vibrato range compared to surface-mount designs
The Gretsch Duo Jet occupies a sweet spot between retro aesthetic and genuine tonal character — it’s the semi-hollow equivalent of a ’59 Les Paul in terms of guitar-nerd reverence. The two-tone finish and vintage appointments aren’t just window dressing;…
Pros
- +Iconic semi-hollow body design with lively, resonant tone
- +FilterTron humbucker provides classic Gretsch character with punchy midrange
- +Lightweight construction makes it comfortable for long sessions
Cons
- −Semi-hollow body can feedback if pushed hard through high-gain amplification
- −Single-coil tap lacks the output for modern heavy styles
Gretsch Guitars Gretsch Tennessean Hollow Body with String-Thru Bigsby and Nickel Hardware Electric Guitar Havana Burst
Gretsch did their homework on this one. The Arc-Tone bracing solves the biggest problem with vintage hollow bodies (uncontrollable feedback) without killing the acoustic voice, and those Filter’Trons are legitimately punchy. The 90 EJ Score is critic-driven since there are…
Pros
- +Guitar World 4.5/5 review praised the Arc-Tone bracing system for enhancing sustain and feedback control while retaining hollow body openness
- +PRO-FT Filter'Tron humbuckers with Alnico 2 (neck) and Alnico 5 (bridge) deliver authentic Gretsch tone with modern punch and projection
- +String-thru Bigsby B6CP design is far easier to use than traditional ball-end-on-peg systems
Cons
- −Zero community reviews means no real-world user validation at the $2,800 price point
- −Deeper body than a Les Paul means more weight and bulk despite being a hollow body
The Electromatic Jet Club earned a 4.5/5 from Guitar World and 4/5 from MusicRadar, solidifying it as one of the best values in Gretsch’s 2025 lineup. The glued-in neck and refined build quality justify the step up from the Streamliner…
Pros
- +Glued-in neck construction (versus bolt-on Streamliners) offers improved sustain and resonance
- +Electromatic level build quality is typically tidy with good attention to detail, according to Guitar World
- +2025 refresh maintains time-tested craftsmanship while targeting the next generation of musicians
Cons
- −The flatter fretboard radius means some compromise on open chord playability for traditional styles
- −Finish quality shows fingerprints and playing wear quickly on gloss models
Side-by-Side Comparison
 Gretsch Guitars G6128T-59 Vintage Select '59... |  Gretsch Guitars G5422TG Electromatic Classic Hollowbody... |  Gretsch Guitars G6120T-BSSMK Brian Setzer Signature... |  Gretsch Guitars G5420T Electromatic Classic Hollowbody... |  Gretsch Guitars G5420T Electromatic Classic Hollowbody... |  Gretsch Guitars G6128T George Harrison Duo... |  Gretsch Guitars Gretsch Falcon Hollow Body... |  Gretsch Guitars G6228FM-PE Players Edition Duo... |  Gretsch Guitars Gretsch Tennessean Hollow Body... |  Gretsch Guitars Electromatic Jet Club Electric... | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EJ Score | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 85 |
| Price | $2,999.99 | $999.99 | $3,899.99 | $899.99 | $899.99 | $3,999.99 | $3,899.99 | $2,799.99 | $2,799.99 | $579.99 |
| Radius | 12 in. | — | — | — | — | 12in Radius (305 mm) | — | — | — | — |
| Inlays | Thumbnail | — | — | — | — | Pearloid Hump-Block Inlays | — | — | — | — |
The Bottom Line
That wraps up our picks for the gretsch guitars. Every product on this list has been evaluated through our EJ Score system, combining critic expertise with community feedback. Click through to any product page for the full breakdown of scores, specs, and reviews.