The Gretsch Electromatic Jet Baritone,distinct from the G5260 model,boasts an impressive 29.75-inch scale length, making it one of the longest baritone guitars available. Originally crafted for surf and rockabilly genres, this instrument has found a new home among heavy music enthusiasts, notably popularized by Eric Bickerstaffe of the shoegaze-metal band Loathe.
Though,the current review model showcases several enhancements compared to the guitar Bickerstaffe uses,which is tuned an octave down to E with a .105 gauge string. The solid mahogany body of the G5260 has been upgraded to a chambered mahogany design with a carved maple top, providing a more ergonomic shape and a rounded neck heel for improved playability in higher fret positions.
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The previous mini humbuckers have been replaced with dual purevolt Twin 6 humbuckers, each equipped with 12 individually adjustable pole pieces. The electronics have also seen significant upgrades, including a treble bleed circuit on the volume knob and a push-pull feature for coil splitting.
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The neck profile has also evolved, transitioning from the G5260’s thin ‘U’ shape to a more comfortable performance ‘C’ shape. The fingerboard is crafted from bound rosewood, featuring 22 medium jumbo frets adorned with pearloid neo-thumbnail inlays. While both models utilize adjusto-matic bridges, the V-stoptail has been replaced with a more conventional straight stop tail. The headstock showcases die-cast tuners arranged in a 3×3 configuration.
Hardware: Die-cast sealed, adjusto-matic with stop tail
String Spacing at Bridge: 51.7 mm
Electronics: 2x PureVolt Twin six humbuckers, master volume with treble-bleed, tone 1 (neck pickup), tone 2 (bridge pickup), push-pull on each tone control for coil splitting, 3-position toggle switch
Weight: 9lb/4.1 kg
Left-Handed options: No
Finishes: imperial Stain
Case: No
Contact: Gretsch
Build Quality
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Build Quality Rating: ★★★★
The Electromatic Jet Baritone is impressively long for a guitar. Even the packaging is oversized to accommodate its extended scale length. Out of curiosity, I compared it to my Jaguar short-scale bass guitar, and surprisingly, they are not too far apart in length. Maneuvering it around my home studio requires caution to avoid clashing the headstock, and I’ve already had a few close calls.
Fortunately, there was no damage, and the overall craftsmanship is commendable. A detailed inspection reveals minimal imperfections, with only minor marks on the fretboard near the neck pickup. it’s a beautifully constructed instrument.
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(Image credit: Future)
Visually, it’s stunning. The carved solid maple top is exquisite, and the aged white binding is meticulously applied. The body features subtle comfort contours, including a gentle belly cut and a small carve for resting on the knee.
weighing in at 4.1kg (9lbs), it’s hefty but not as heavy as the Sterling by Music man StingRay Baritone I reviewed recently.
The Imperial Stain finish on my test model is quite dark,appearing almost like a glossy black under certain lighting conditions. However, this also means it attracts dirt and dust easily, and after just one session of playing during the current UK heatwave, I noticed a noticeable sweat mark where my picking arm rested.
Weighing in at 4.1kg (9lbs), it’s hefty but not as heavy as the Sterling by Music Man StingRay Baritone I reviewed recently. Still,when seated at my home studio desk and adjusting it in and out of my D’Addario neck cradle,the weight is definitely noticeable.
Playability
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playability Rating: ★★★★
As a baritone player in a metal band, this guitar feels impressively large in my hands.
When I sit down to play,the extended scale length is instantly apparent. As someone who regularly plays a baritone in a metal band, this guitar feels impressively large in my hands.Out of curiosity, I checked the average male hand size in the UK, which is around 7.6 inches. My hand measures 7.5 inches, so if you have smaller hands, you might find this instrument challenging to handle.
This scale length makes certain chord stretches quite challenging. For instance, fretting a Bmaj7/G# chord inspired by Loathe is nearly impossible for me, even after several days of acclimating to the guitar’s size. However, basic open chords are manageable, and riffing feels satisfying right from the start.
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is crucial to note for those who favor a different sonic profile. The low end is well-controlled,avoiding excessive boominess even when the bass knob on the amp is turned up.
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It sounds astonishing with single-note riffs on the low A string.
When switching to the neck humbucker, the sound becomes slightly less defined for open chords and has a lower output compared to the bridge pickup. Increasing the gain and bass pushes me into the realm of heavy doom power chords. The tone is fantastic for single-note riffs on the low A string, and adding some reverb while playing lead lines produces a rich, warm sound that remains clear and well-defined.
This guitar allows for individual coil splitting on each humbucker, so I decided to split the bridge humbucker while keeping the neck humbucker intact, then switched to the middle position on the toggle. Using the Neural DSP Tone King plugin with a clean setting and a hint of spring reverb, I achieved a tone reminiscent of a Stratocaster’s out-of-phase sound, with a bit of honkiness. This effect is less pronounced with open chords, but as I play higher up the neck, a plinkiness emerges.
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This feature is quite useful,providing a variety of tonal options by combining single coil and humbucker sounds,or using the split coils independently,and even having both humbuckers in split coil mode. While these sounds may not be as effective under high gain, they offer numerous possibilities for clean sections or recording.
When playing more delicately, the pickups tend to sound darker with a mid-scooped amp tone, lacking a mid boost. I find myself needing to increase the treble to achieve better clarity, especially with the neck pickup. They can sound so dark that I switch to another plugin, Archetype Cory Wong X, to see if I can brighten them up. Using the baritone-specific preset, I have to boost the mids, treble, and presence to achieve a bright tone. Once I get there, it sounds fantastic, but it requires some effort.
Final Thoughts
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interestingly, this guitar seems to cater more to the metal audience than conventional baritone sounds. Under high gain, the tones are incredibly inspiring, articulate, and powerful.It performs excellently with drop tuning and has a robust midrange that cuts through a full band setup. It can definitely djent and chug with the best of them. Additionally, the clever coil-splitting feature on each humbucker adds to its versatility.
It means it’s not a clean machine unless you start cranking the treble and presence knobs.
However, if your seeking that classic Spaghetti Western baritone sound, this may not be the right choice.The pickups tend to sound quite dark with clean tones due to the combination of scale length and the vintage-inspired voicing. Achieving a clean sound requires boosting the treble and presence,which can introduce additional complications.
For smaller players or those with petite hands, this guitar may prove challenging. The extensive scale length can make complex chords difficult, even for seasoned baritone players. Still, it’s a joy to play for open and barre chords, lead work, and single-note riffs, thanks to the slim neck profile and manageable nut width.
Guitar World Verdict: For metal players who want to downtune without opting for a 7 or 8-string guitar, this is an excellent choice. The articulate pickups excel in heavy music contexts. However, the clean tones leave something to be desired, so those seeking a traditional baritone experience might want to explore other options.
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Ratings Scorecard
Test
Results
Score
Build Quality
Exceptionally well constructed,though somewhat heavy and lengthy.
★★★★
Playability
The scale length requires some adjustment, but it offers a great playing experience.
★★★★
Sound quality
The high-gain tones are impressive,but I expected more from the clean sounds.
★★★★
Overall
A fantastic baritone guitar for those focused on heavy, drop-tuned riffs.
★★★★☆
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