Gretsch G9500 Review

– Tuning Machines

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On this Gretsch G9500, the tuning machines are die cast, made of nickel, and have a 1950s-style vintage design.

• Material: Nickel
• Design: 1950s-style vintage

Tuning machines (generally referred as “tuners”) are an essential aspect of every guitar’s hardware.

They’re in charge of keeping the strings tight and firm so they can vibrate properly and produce the right pitch.

Low-quality tuning machines can cause your guitar to quickly fall out of tune and be difficult to tune.

They can also make changing strings more difficult, as well as making the guitar more hard to play in general.

Must Remember:

Good tuning machines are made of strong and durable materials and have a precise and smooth action.

You’d want to look for materials such as nickel-plated steel, or stainless steel, which are less likely to rust.

These materials are also less likely to tarnish, so your guitar should maintain its appearance for a longer time period.

– Pickguard

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The Gretsch G9500 comes with a white pickguard with a “g” graphic design.

• Color: White
• Design: “G” graphic

The pickguard is a little piece of plastic or metal positioned near the strings on the body of the guitar.

Its purpose is to protect the finish of the guitar from being scratched by the pick as you play.

Most pickguards are composed of plastic or metal, and in some cases, carbon fiber, and come in many different styles.

A decent pickguard should be built of a strong material that can survive repeated use.

It must also be in a position where it’s likely to actually protect the body of the guitar from scratches caused by the player’s pick.

In terms of appearance, a pickguard should also match the guitar’s overall design.

It should neither be too small nor too low-quality, as this would make it look out of place.

– Strap Buttons

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For some reason, the Gretsch G9500 only comes with one strap button, so you’d have to install the second one if you want.

• Material: Vintage material
• Position: Bottom
• Design: Vintage End-Pin

Strap buttons are those little metal buttons installed on the guitar’s body that are used to secure a strap to the instrument.

One on either side of the body, most guitars will generally feature two strap buttons.

Metal strap buttons should be durable and strong so they don’t come free over time.

Even while the quality of the strap buttons is unlikely to be a deal-breaker for most individuals, it’s still something to consider.

Body

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The bridge, neck, and strings are all joined to the guitar’s body, which is the most important section of the instrument.

A hole (the “soundhole”) through which sound can resonate from within the instrument can also be found here.

The majority of guitars have a wooden body, while others have carbon fiber, metal, or plastic bodies (less usual).

– Wood

If you’re seeking for a specific tone, bear in mind that the type of wood chosen for the body might have an impact on the sound of the guitar.

The Gretsch G9500 features a basswood top with a basswood back and basswood sides.

– Finish

The final layer of protection for the guitar body’s wood is the body finish.

When it comes to this guitar in specific, it has a vintage semi-gloss finish.

It’s what gives the guitar its brilliance and shine, but also protects the wood from scratches, dents, and other damages.

There are many types of finishes that you’ll come across, some of them are:

• Polyurethane
• Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Polyester

Nitrocellulose Lacquer is considered to be the best type of finish, but it’s also the most expensive.

It’s a durable finish that can be buffed to a high shine, and it’s also relatively easy to repair if it’s damaged.

Polyurethane is a cheaper alternative that’s almost as good, and Polyester is the cheapest option but it doesn’t provide as much protection.

Among these categories, there are subcategories as well, such as:

• Gloss finishes: High shine and they’re very reflective.

• Matte finishes: Have a lower shine and they’re not very reflective.

• Satin finishes: Somewhere in-between gloss and matte, they have a moderate shine and they’re somewhat reflective.

– Colors Available

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When it comes to the body of a guitar, the color is usually not a big factor in the overall sound.

Yet, it can affect the instrument’s appearance and feel.

Some people prefer a guitar that’s a certain color because it matches their style, or because it’s easier to see in low light conditions.

Some of the most popular colors for guitar bodies are:

• Natural: This is the color of wood that hasn’t been stained or painted.
• Black: Black is a popular color for metal-style guitars.
• Sunburst: Sunburst is a combination of light and dark colors, usually red, yellow, and brown.

– Bridge, Saddle, and Pins

The Gretsch G9500 has a pinless bridge.

Each of these elements has a significant impact on how the guitar sounds and feels.

For example, the bridge is responsible for transferring string vibrations to the guitar’s body.

The saddle, which is commonly constructed of plastic or bone, is where the strings rest.

And the pins are what hold the strings in place.

There are many various types of bridges, each with their own set of advantages and disadvantages.

There are three primary types of bridges on acoustic guitars:

• Pin bridges (standard)
• Pinless bridges
• Classical bridge

Pin bridges are the most common type of bridge, and they’re also the easiest to replace.

However, they can be a bit more difficult to intonate, which means getting the strings in the correct position.

Pinless bridges are bit less common, although they are easy to intonate as well.

They also have the advantage of not requiring any pins, which can be a pain to keep track of.

Lastly, classical guitar bridges are only used on classical guitars.

They are similar in design to most other bridges, but the key distinction is that they have no pins and instead consist of a saddle and a wooden block with a hole for each string.

Said hole is used to tie the string down, which gives the guitar a much cleaner look.

Now, the type of saddle you choose is also important; plastic saddles are the cheapest and easiest to find, but they don’t last as long as bone saddles.

Bone saddles are more expensive, but they’re also more durable.

As for the bridge pins, there are three main types:

• Plastic bridge pins
• Steel bridge pins
• Brass bridge pins

Plastic bridge pins are the cheapest and easiest to find, but they’re also the least durable.

Steel bridge pins are more expensive, but they’re also more durable.

Brass bridge pins are the most expensive, but they’re also the most durable.

Neck

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When it comes to the Gretsch G9500, its neck is made of nato and has a Set-Neck shape with an adjustable truss rod.

The neck is the long, thin component of the guitar that runs from the body to the headstock and is generally made of wood.

Since different woods have distinct qualities that influence how the vibrations created by the strings behave, the type of wood chosen for the neck can affect the guitar’s playability and sound.

The most common type of neck is the bolt-on neck, which is screwed or bolted onto the body of the guitar.

Another popular style of guitar neck is the set-neck, which is glued to the body.

The fretboard, frets, nut, and truss rod are all crucial components of a guitar neck.

Fretboard

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The fretboard is the surface on the neck of the guitar where your fingers push down on the strings.

It’s most commonly made of wood, although it can also be made of carbon fiber, plastic, or even metal.

As for the Gretsch G9500, it has a fretboard made of walnut with pearloid dots inlays:

Despite the fact that this has historically been a source of debate, it is generally acknowledged that the type of wood used for the fretboard might have a slight effect on the sound of the guitar.

Maple, for instance, is a popular material for electric guitars because it produces a sharp and rich tone.

Rosewood is another popular material for acoustic guitars because it provides a warm and full-bodied tone.

Ebony is another popular choice, and it’s frequently used on guitars with a very clean, clear tone.

There are several varieties of fretboards available, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks.

The sort of fretboard you pick is ultimately up to you and what you’re looking for in a guitar; the tone will not change dramatically, but the feel will.

Brand Info

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Gretsch is an American musical instrument company that was founded in 1883 by Friedrich Gretsch.

The company originally produced banjos, tambourines, and drums, but they eventually began manufacturing guitars in the 1930s.

Today, Gretsch offers a wide range of different acoustic and electric guitars that are perfect for every budget and playing style.

If you’re looking for a high-quality guitar with a classic look and sound, then Gretsch is a great option.

The company has a long history of producing some of the best guitars in the world, and they show no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

When it comes to quality, Gretsch guitars are on par with some of the best in the business and feature good craftsmanship and attention to detail.

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