Inspired by the premium gretsch models from the Falcon, Nashville, and Synchromatic series, the Streamliner Hollow Body electric guitar aims to deliver that iconic Gretsch sound without breaking the bank. Its fully hollow arched body is crafted from laminated maple,measuring 16 inches in width and 2 3/4 inches in depth.
The review model I received showcased a stunning Fairlane Blue sparkle finish, beautifully complemented by aged white binding, a thick single-ply pickguard, matching cream pickup surrounds, and a set of four cream “radio” knobs with gold inlays.
In keeping with tradition, the f-holes on this model are more compact compared to other Gretsch archtops. The hardware includes a Bigsby B60 vibrato tailpiece and a nickel-plated Adjusto-Matic bridge, which is mounted on a pinned laurel wood base. The pickups are Gretsch’s proprietary BT3S humbuckers, featuring Alnico 2 magnets in the neck position and Alnico 5 magnets in the bridge position, both equipped with 12 adjustable pole screws.
The Streamliner features a Soft C-shaped nato neck that is glued in at the 14th fret, adorned with white binding and a matching heel cap. The laurel fingerboard boasts a scale length of 24 3/4 inches and a radius of 12 inches,equipped with 22 lightly polished medium-jumbo frets and pearloid “thumbprint” position markers.
Strings glide over a bone nut to a set of nickel-plated die-cast tuners on a bound headstock featuring a gloss black finish and the iconic gold Gretsch logo. This well-crafted instrument radiates a sophisticated charm that draws attention and offers an enjoyable playing experience.
The Streamliner produces a rich acoustic tone with remarkable sustain. it’s evident that the factory took care to ensure proper intonation and low string action, resulting in no fret buzz. The guitar tuned up effortlessly and maintained its tuning stability, even during vigorous whammy bar use with the Bigsby.
When tested with a variety of amplifiers,including a PRS DGT 15,a hand-wired ’65 Deluxe Reverb reissue,and a reissue Vox AC10,the Streamliner produced captivating tones across the spectrum. The combination of alnico 2 and 5 magnets in the pickups enhances their performance, delivering excellent string clarity and a robust low-end response, making it suitable for everything from smooth jazz to rockabilly grit and heavy rock tones.
The neck pickup, with its lower output, excels in blues and roots rock, providing warm, clear tones that remain articulate even when the volume and tone controls are adjusted. The middle position, which blends the brighter and more powerful bridge pickup, adds a delightful twang-ideal for country and rockabilly styles.When the bridge pickup is cranked through a pedal or high-gain amplifier, it delivers a powerful, bluesy metal tone reminiscent of Billy Duffy, showcasing a muscular archtop sound that can outshine many solid-body guitars.
For those seeking a funkier sound akin to Nile Rogers or Leo Nocentelli, simply pull the master volume knob, and the guitar produces single-coil tones that blend seamlessly in a mix with horns, keyboards, vocals, and percussion.
The Streamliner Hollow body is an exceptional guitar that is lightweight for its size and offers remarkable sonic versatility, making it suitable for virtually any musical genre. It stands out as a fantastic value for the price and is definitely worth trying out if you’re looking to infuse some Gretsch flair into your musical journey.
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SPECIFICATIONS
CONTACT gretschguitars.com
PRICE $649
NUT Bone, 1.6875″ wide
NECK Nato, glued-in, Soft C profile, gloss finish
FINGERBOARD Laurel with aged white binding and black side dots, 24.75″ scale,12″ radius,pearloid “thumbnail” inlays and bound headstock with gold Gretsch logo
FRETS 22 medium jumbo
TUNERS Nickel-plated die-cast
BODY Fully hollow arched maple construction with aged white binding,three-ply purfling and gloss finish
BRIDGE Nickel-plated Adjusto-Matic with pinned laurel wood base
TAILPIECE Bigsby B60
PICKUPS broad’Tron BT3S humbuckers with Alnico 2 magnets (neck position) and Alnico 5 magnets (bridge position)
CONTROLS Master volume (with push-pull coil split),master tone and individually adjustable pickup volume controls. Vintage radio-style knobs and 3-way toggle switch
EXTRAS Single-ply cream pickguard (as tested) or three-ply tortoise color with gold “Gretsch” logo. Available in Fairlane Blue, Brandywine, Robusto Burst, Midnight Sapphire and Havana Burst
FACTORY STRINGS Nickel Plated Steel, .010-.046
WEIGHT 7.2 lbs (tested)
BUILT Indonesia
PRO Stylish retro appearance. Classic big-body resonance and tone.
CON Gig bag not included. sharp corners on the nut.
