Stay in tune :: 2014 Gretsch G5420T [7.1 lbs]

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Here's a guitar that I test played for a long time once I got the tuning issues sorted out.  It was a lot of fun and sounded great.  Like many Bigbsy Gretschs, tuning issues can drive you nuts (and this one was tricky for me).  The headstock has a wide splay so the strings break fairly hard outward at the nut.  Many tuning issues can be sorted out by properly cutting the synthetic nut, or better yet swap it out for nice hard bone.  The trick is to minimize any friction points so the strings return to pitch.

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Duct taped output jack :: 2008 Gretsch G5135 CVT Electromatic [6.7 lbs]

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Duct taped output jack :: 2008 Gretsch G5135 CVT Electromatic [6.7 lbs]

This has an old school Tele cup output jack that was completely floating in the side of the body, to the point that it was duct taped in place.  There was no way to resecure the original jack as the mounting hole was enlarged (for some reason).  I opted to replace it with an electrosocket, but had to wrap it with a thin mahogany veneer in order to make it fit tightly.  Once the jack was squared away, this Bigsby-equipped guitar was then setup.