Gretsch Duo Jet?

[Deftone]

Someone just offered me a 2000 Gretsch Duo Jet with TV Jones pickups straight up trade for my '97 ES-135 (P-100's)

I've never even thought about one.... sounds really cool though. Kind of a Metal head/hard rock guy....not sure it would even work for me?

My ES-135....

 

[vaguely]

I recently got a silver jet G6129T with TV Jones filtertrons and it's pretty damn great. I'm not a country or americana type of player at all so, like you, am not the typical customer for this guitar (I think) but I dig it. there's a mid range airiness that is present and different from any Gibson guitars I have played, or Fender for that matter, and that really sets it apart. also feels great in hand - beautifully made. and generous with proportion, nut width, radius etc. It's physically close to a les Paul for sure but voiced quite differently. here's one of the demos I thought did well to show what the tone can be like.

I don't know your circumstances but I wouldn't hesitate to take one on if you're ok letting that ES go. good luck either way!

 

[efstop]

I think your 135 is a prettier guitar. Maybe because my ebony ES-235 is a lot like it (but with a stop tail and BB Pros.) I find Gretsches to be a bit too baroque

 

[geezbill]

if the Gretsch is MIJ, it's a fair trade

 

[bluesoul]

I've never even thought about one.... sounds really cool though. Kind of a Metal head/hard rock guy....not sure it would even work for me?

For me..classic rock / hard rock. I bought one (MIJ silver sparkle) with TV jones....it is a cool and fun alternative to my go to guitars (les pauls, Tele, Strats)...go for it!

 

[geezbill]

make sure you verify it's MIJ. 95% of Gretsch out there are not

 

[cybermgk]

Someone just offered me a 2000 Gretsch Duo Jet with TV Jones pickups straight up trade for my '97 ES-135 (P-100's)

I've never even thought about one.... sounds really cool though. Kind of a Metal head/hard rock guy....not sure it would even work for me?

My ES-135....

View attachment 666815

What kind of TV Jones. Classics are akin to PAF as far as hotness, but they have hotter, like Powertrons (real hot PAF with tighter lows than Humbuckers).

And Billy Zoom played nothing but Gretsch Jets with X.

 

[Deftone]

if the Gretsch is MIJ, it's a fair trade

What kind of TV Jones. Classics are akin to PAF as far as hotness, but they have hotter, like Powertrons (real hot PAF with tighter lows than Humbuckers).

And Billy Zoom played nothing but Gretsch Jets with X.

No details other than it's black, 2000, some buckle rash, it was a hardtail but PO converted to Bigsby. He still has the original tail piece.

I like the fact that it's chambered.

I think your 135 is a prettier guitar. Maybe because my ebony ES-235 is a lot like it (but with a stop tail and BB Pros.) I find Gretsches to be a bit too baroque

I agree. I would prefer an ES-125 TDC to my 135 but prices have gone crazy.

 

[Leee]

make sure you verify it's MIJ. 95% of Gretsch out there are not

+1 on the “made in Japan” thang.
(I’m sure you know all about this)

If you can let the 135 go with no regrets?
I say try it.

The DuoJet semi-solid body has been on my short list for many years.
(And a 6119 Tennessee Rose)

I’ve been this close dozens of times but never bought one.
Dammit.

 

[Steven]

My opinion is definitely keep your Gibson ES-135.

 

[smk506]

I’ll echo a common sentiment, if you’re comfortable with life without the es then a duo jet is a cool guitar. Should be a lot of fun for ac/dc type stuff and the cleans are iconic. They’re Les Paul shaped but nothing like a Les Paul imo.

Don’t expect the upper register access to be as good, even though the cutaway is in the same place the neck angle isn’t l, and it’s enough to matter.

If I wasn’t playing the es pretty frequently I’d probably do the trade.

 

[timmytVA]

It will be a very different tool in your arsenal. I'd like one some day. I like the Filtertron sound both clean and dirty. Even when heavily distorted there's an upper mid chime that jangles and cuts.

Tim

 

[TyPierce]

Big Gretsch fan here… Jets are incredible and very different from Les Pauls, despite the initial resemblance.

FilterTrons in general are similar to P90s in that they have some of that single-coil snap but they’re meatier, with a bit more grunt and heft. Filters don’t have the hum, though, and their are a multitude of TV Jones types you could drop into that guitar.

Malcolm Young played a Jet with FilterTrons, so they can do the classic rock thing all day long. And as another poster pointed out, upping it to PowerTron pickups (or a PowerTron Plus!) will definitely kick things into gear.

My main guitar is a Jet (w/ Dynasonics pickups, so a very different animal) and when searching for a guitar to do more punk/rock stuff I landed on a TV Jones Spectrasonic with PowerTron/Plus pickups. It’s an absolute monster, and the chambered Jet you’re looking at would be similar.

Fit/finish and tone on MIJ Gretsches are excellent, so no worries there if you can check it out in person.

In short: Unless you’re in love with the 135, I’d go for it!

 

[Redsquare]

A duo jet is pretty much the same as a firebird or double cut jet.

This guy seemed to think he could use one for hard rock:

But in all seriousness, make sure you like the neck profile before you decide.

I “really” wanted to like and take home a MY jet I played at a shop in Ochanomizu, but the neck was way too thin, as in weeedly deedly Jackson thin, so that was a no go.

​

 

[Deftone]

A duo jet is pretty much the same as a firebird or double cut jet.

This guy seemed to think he could use one for hard rock:
View attachment 666908

But in all seriousness, make sure you like the neck profile before you decide.

I “really” wanted to like and take home a MY jet I played at a shop in Ochanomizu, but the neck was way too thin, as in weeedly deedly Jackson thin, so that was a no go.

​

Necks don't really bother me, fat or thin. Jackson necks are probably my favorite.

Anyway, I have not heard back so I guess the deal is off. I don't think I would have gone though with it anyway.

 

[Deftone]

Didn't even realize he sent pics. Oh well....