longterm test
A few months’ gigging, recording and everything that goes with it – welcome to Guitarist’s longterm test reports Gretsch G6119T Players Edition Tennessee Rose
“It’s quite fitting really that my time should come to a close with the Gretsch, in line with my tenure here at Guitarist”
Not only will this be my last entry on the Tennessee Rose, but it will also be my final Longterm Test as art editor at Guitarist. It’s quite fitting really that my time should come to a close with the Gretsch, in line with my tenure here at Guitarist. Over near a decade on the magazine, I have been privileged to have designed the pages that have brought such fine instruments as the Rose to Guitarist readers and have also been very fortunate to have played many of them, too: new models in for reviews, vintage classics for features and even some very special ones belonging to some of our guitar heroes.
The G6119T, which is now affectionately become known as ‘Belle’, has surpassed my expectations. Some have stereotyped the Gretsch semi as a rockabilly-only tool, prompting them to leave it hanging on display and make a beeline for the solidbody section in their local guitar shop instead. Well, you’re speaking to the converted! Yes, of course there are some vintage Gretsches that are a bit cumbersome and best suited to summoning up that iconic twang sound. However, this is where the Players Edition models come in. They still have the right look, the sophisticated class and that vintage coolness. But they are versatile, responsive and accommodating to many more styles. The subtle upgrades really make using them live a bit more user-friendly, while not losing all the things we love about Gretsch semis.
My time with the Rose over the past few months has mostly been spent gigging festivals and at band practice sessions. The blues-roots music I play calls for lots of open tunings, dirty overdriven sounds and a lot of slide work – something not many would instantly choose a Gretsch semi for, especially a delicate vintage example. You’d likely find strings jumping out of the saddles like a horse over hurdles, with feedback looming up whenever the gain gets hotter – things that would turn off many players, especially in an alternative rock setting. However, the Players Edition series is evidently designed for those who need stability and versatility more than period-correct detail.
Overall, the Tennessee Rose has a host of tones with subtle tweaks that enhance useability– it’s so versatile, in fact, that it even went on to replace my main guitar for both clean and overdriven play. As for mods, I didn’t have to make any drastic changes. A string gauge change and a couple of action tweaks and my slide woes were a thing of the past. Not only has my time with the G6119T shown its capability as an instrument, but I’ve been surprised by the Rose’s comfort to play; something guitarists often overlook. The player-friendly slimmer body design and lightweight construction have been noticeable during some 90-minute sets.
Like many players, I have longed for a Gretsch but have always found myself unable to justify the expense for something I felt I wouldn’t really get much use from. However, these Players Editions models genuinely have the potential to open the eyes of guitarists like myself, who couldn’t find a place for a semi in their playing lives before. So, if you happen to be walking down the Gretsch aisle in your local shop next time, pick one up, you may just be surprised by how stunningly effective it is.
As the last petal falls from my time here at Guitarist magazine, my time with the Gretsch Tennessee Rose also comes to a close. I would like to take the opportunity to say thank you for reading over the past decade (or more!), and keep strumming…
Reviewed 406 Price £2,179 On Test Since April 2016 Gigged Lots! www.gretschguitars.com