Gretsch Streamliner P90s
- Thread starter PelliX
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Eric'45
Well-Known Member
A string problem would be logical. Especially the wound strings can wear fast on a guitar like this, as the Bigsby "pulls" them through the saddle slots with each use. I have heard some like to have roller bridges for that reason, but I could imagine that those are also prone to noise and rattling.
That's nice. How are the adjustment screws working on these? Is it like a P- Bass, with a Foam piece pushing the PU outward and the screws pulling it towards the body?
OP
PelliX
Well-Known Member
I don't know what's inside, but it seems to work that way, altering one side will inversely affect the other. The left (low side) screw of the bridge doesn't work which is why I was confused about setting the angle. I'm going to see about the bridge (and strings) first. When I change the strings I might try to already swap out some pots and see about that pickup. I don't have the right pickup switch though, and that's what needs replacing first really.
I was wondering about those when contemplating the bridge problem. I might well go for a roller if I have to replace this one. Haven't had one since my first electric.
Eric'45
Well-Known Member
Could be the easiest fix, as the original Bridge might not be of the highest quality.I was wondering about those when contemplating the bridge problem. I might well go for a roller if I have to replace this one. Haven't had one since my first electric.
OP
PelliX
Well-Known Member
Well, I decided I'd try a Wilkinson roller bridge - might as well put something decent on there. Seemingly they're next to impossible to find in the EU.... and on that note, the Brussellian Empire has once again screwed me (and millions of other people) over. Particularly as someone who orders small amounts of specific parts this hits hard.
commission.europa.eu
Fairness and safety, right. Fairness in that it hits the little guy like me ordering a replacement IC, resistor and diode for an extra 9 Euro fee. If they had been aiming for fairness, perhaps they should only tax items that are made and sold here, too. It's a bit late for "fairness" after they've destroyed the economic conditions that supported localized production. Perhaps they should inspect the packages and determine the value that way... oh wait, these are the same clowns who rated a 2nd hand Fender jack plug at USD $1000.
Obviously, this is going to translate into a price increase when buying components from local sellers, too, as practically none of them are made in the EU.
Anyway, does anyone have any solid suggestions [pun vaguely intended] for a replacement bridge? All I can find in the right size are no-brand things...
Ensuring fairness and safety: €3 customs duty for low-value parcels
On 1 July 2026, the EU will introduce a temporary €3 customs duty on low-value parcels to protect consumers, support businesses, and ensure fair competition.
Fairness and safety, right. Fairness in that it hits the little guy like me ordering a replacement IC, resistor and diode for an extra 9 Euro fee. If they had been aiming for fairness, perhaps they should only tax items that are made and sold here, too. It's a bit late for "fairness" after they've destroyed the economic conditions that supported localized production. Perhaps they should inspect the packages and determine the value that way... oh wait, these are the same clowns who rated a 2nd hand Fender jack plug at USD $1000.
Obviously, this is going to translate into a price increase when buying components from local sellers, too, as practically none of them are made in the EU.
Anyway, does anyone have any solid suggestions [pun vaguely intended] for a replacement bridge? All I can find in the right size are no-brand things...
Happy NGD! I have a pair of Gretsch, a 6120 (hollow) and a Pearl Jet (chambered solid). Fun guitars, you'll love yours I suspect!
Look no further than TV Jones if you decide to do a FilterTron. He makes some high end stuff. I have his PAF style FilterTron on the bridge of my Pearl Jet and its really good. Sounds nothing like a PAF mind you, and more like a FT on steroids, but still not as hot as even a 57 Classic.
I thought I would have no use for the Bigsby but after using them love them on these guitars. Very different from using a Strat type...
If you like feedback, you can have some fun getting close to the amp and let the body shake...it can be musical and its pretty easy to control it.
Roller bridges are a YES here (mine came with them). Fortunately for you, no floating bridge on that one. I had to de-mobilize them on both of mine...
Look no further than TV Jones if you decide to do a FilterTron. He makes some high end stuff. I have his PAF style FilterTron on the bridge of my Pearl Jet and its really good. Sounds nothing like a PAF mind you, and more like a FT on steroids, but still not as hot as even a 57 Classic.
I thought I would have no use for the Bigsby but after using them love them on these guitars. Very different from using a Strat type...
If you like feedback, you can have some fun getting close to the amp and let the body shake...it can be musical and its pretty easy to control it.
Roller bridges are a YES here (mine came with them). Fortunately for you, no floating bridge on that one. I had to de-mobilize them on both of mine...
OP
PelliX
Well-Known Member
So I gave the Gretsch a bit of a break while I work on other projects. I experimentally moved a couple of strings 'along' about a centimeter to see if it was just 'wear' causing the rattle. Nope, same thing. New roller bridge should be arriving today. After a little (really not a lot of) force I managed to get the bridge pickup to adjust in both directions. Ended up leaving it roughly where it was, I think. I tend to adjust pickups by ear more than anything else.
Oh yes, it feeds back like Gary Moore on a good day, wowsa...!
Oh yes, it feeds back like Gary Moore on a good day, wowsa...!
OP
PelliX
Well-Known Member
Update: Yes, perfect. Apart from the fact the rollers dropped out of the bridge (the only other roller bridge I've had had a 'fixed' arrangement) I set it up, intonated it and... no more rattle. The trem feels a little silkier/smoother, but that could by psychosomatic. It felt pretty good from the get-go. Didn't need the new posts that came with the bridge, it was a drop-in replacement.
Unfortunately, at least two projects that won't require the guitar to be used, so just noodling around for now. The next song is a request from our drummer and he doesn't put in all that many, so I try to honor them as best I can. This is going to take a 5-string bass (I've got a P-bass...), a superstrat (I have a 'regular' Strat) and a Les Paul (pfew, at least I've got one of those) to be true to the original. I'll see what I do about the superstrat, might just wing it with a Tele. If I had a pound for everytime I've "wing'd something with a Tele", I'd be starting my private jet right now...
Ah well, let's just say that there will be some George Thorogood in the near future!
Unfortunately, at least two projects that won't require the guitar to be used, so just noodling around for now. The next song is a request from our drummer and he doesn't put in all that many, so I try to honor them as best I can. This is going to take a 5-string bass (I've got a P-bass...), a superstrat (I have a 'regular' Strat) and a Les Paul (pfew, at least I've got one of those) to be true to the original. I'll see what I do about the superstrat, might just wing it with a Tele. If I had a pound for everytime I've "wing'd something with a Tele", I'd be starting my private jet right now...
Ah well, let's just say that there will be some George Thorogood in the near future!
Congratulations! I hope it all settles in for you!Update: Yes, perfect. Apart from the fact the rollers dropped out of the bridge (the only other roller bridge I've had had a 'fixed' arrangement) I set it up, intonated it and... no more rattle. The trem feels a little silkier/smoother, but that could by psychosomatic. It felt pretty good from the get-go. Didn't need the new posts that came with the bridge, it was a drop-in replacement.
Unfortunately, at least two projects that won't require the guitar to be used, so just noodling around for now. The next song is a request from our drummer and he doesn't put in all that many, so I try to honor them as best I can. This is going to take a 5-string bass (I've got a P-bass...), a superstrat (I have a 'regular' Strat) and a Les Paul (pfew, at least I've got one of those) to be true to the original. I'll see what I do about the superstrat, might just wing it with a Tele. If I had a pound for everytime I've "wing'd something with a Tele", I'd be starting my private jet right now...
Ah well, let's just say that there will be some George Thorogood in the near future!
Ampeq
Well-Known Member
I have always tried to like those Gretsch hollow body guitars, but the few I have got to try always seem to have mile high actions. Do they play good when properly setup? The only two guitars like them I know I like are the Gibson and Heritage 335 type units. We don’t have any good places to try guitars out so you have to order them and hope for the best. I got lucky with my 335, the pup’s weren’t great but after changing them to Lindy Fralin’s and putting in RS Guitarworks pots I love the thing.
OP
PelliX
Well-Known Member
I don't have it set up for lowest action of any of my guitars, but 'low' and it's fine. Cheap Chinese necks can be all over the place obviously, this one seems pretty OK. The fretwork is good and I haven't actually had to touch the truss rod at all. I could probably lower the action a little more, but I intend to use a slide with it sometimes, so that's not exactly practical. How it stands up to travel and seasonal changes remains to be seen, I've yet to take it out with me.
Ampeq
Well-Known Member
I’d be very interested in knowing how it works out for you. I have already made it a point to keep a lookout for them, especially with P90’s. I don’t care for the Bigsby thing, even on Strats I would pull out the arm and lock them. Have you ever owned a 335 to compare it to?
OP
PelliX
Well-Known Member
No, it was on my short list as a semi-hollow, but this crossed my path. I've played a few, but they've been a mixed bunch. One would sustain for hours (well, you know...), another would dull and anemic. Acoustic or semi-acoustic instruments are hit and miss, I'd say.
Brian Krashpad
Well-Known Member
Belated congrats!
I'm a little surprised that the P-90s struck you as having tone "one would often associate [with a] Gretsch with Filtertrons." Admittedly I only have one Gretsch with Filter'Trons, and they are of the more modern Blacktop variety, on my Pro Jet, which coincidentally I just played at band practice today. But I have a buttload of P-90 guitars (3 Specials [Gibson and Hamer USA], a WildKat, and a Casino), and I don't find that I would associate a Filter'Tron sound with that of a P-90. In fact, I wouldn't even associate a P-100 with a P-90, despite that being the former's entire raison d'etre.
The only modern exception I've even heard of, to P-90's being pretty much their own thing, is the DeArmond 2K that was on some Guild-made FMIC DeArmond Aristocrats (although Fender simply called the guitars by M-series numbers, like M-72, etc., they were based on old Guild Aristocrats). The 2Ks, ironically enough, were in housings looking like Gretsch's other iconic pickup, the Dynasonic, but reportedly were intentionally voiced to sound like P-90s. Although I've owned lots of those great DeArmond guitars, mine all had GoldTone pickups, which were bright PAFs, so I can't speak to the 2Ks' reported likeness to P-90s. An even more obscure possibility of a similar-to-P-90 pickup, is coincidentally on the actual old Guild Aristocrats, the "Franz" pickup, which visually resembles a P-90, but old Guild's are way out of my price range (sadly), so I can't speak directly to that either. I honestly think I could, if blindfolded and played one of my P-90 guitars, and then the Filter'Tron'd Gretsch, could tell which was which a high percentage of the time. To me they're pretty distinguishable.
But I digress.
Obviously tone is highly subjective, so this isn't meant to be argumentative. One thing I have found interesting is this graphic, which I think was first published on some Gretsch site (it may still be there, for all I know), with which I'll end my TED Talk of a post:
Enjoy that Gretsch! I enjoy playing my two Jets.
I'm a little surprised that the P-90s struck you as having tone "one would often associate [with a] Gretsch with Filtertrons." Admittedly I only have one Gretsch with Filter'Trons, and they are of the more modern Blacktop variety, on my Pro Jet, which coincidentally I just played at band practice today. But I have a buttload of P-90 guitars (3 Specials [Gibson and Hamer USA], a WildKat, and a Casino), and I don't find that I would associate a Filter'Tron sound with that of a P-90. In fact, I wouldn't even associate a P-100 with a P-90, despite that being the former's entire raison d'etre.
The only modern exception I've even heard of, to P-90's being pretty much their own thing, is the DeArmond 2K that was on some Guild-made FMIC DeArmond Aristocrats (although Fender simply called the guitars by M-series numbers, like M-72, etc., they were based on old Guild Aristocrats). The 2Ks, ironically enough, were in housings looking like Gretsch's other iconic pickup, the Dynasonic, but reportedly were intentionally voiced to sound like P-90s. Although I've owned lots of those great DeArmond guitars, mine all had GoldTone pickups, which were bright PAFs, so I can't speak to the 2Ks' reported likeness to P-90s. An even more obscure possibility of a similar-to-P-90 pickup, is coincidentally on the actual old Guild Aristocrats, the "Franz" pickup, which visually resembles a P-90, but old Guild's are way out of my price range (sadly), so I can't speak directly to that either. I honestly think I could, if blindfolded and played one of my P-90 guitars, and then the Filter'Tron'd Gretsch, could tell which was which a high percentage of the time. To me they're pretty distinguishable.
But I digress.
Obviously tone is highly subjective, so this isn't meant to be argumentative. One thing I have found interesting is this graphic, which I think was first published on some Gretsch site (it may still be there, for all I know), with which I'll end my TED Talk of a post:
Enjoy that Gretsch! I enjoy playing my two Jets.
Brian Krashpad
Well-Known Member
Sry, double post!
OP
PelliX
Well-Known Member
Uhm, I think you may have misread that? I said that I would generally associate Filtertrons with such a guitar - this one being an exception in that sense. To be honest, I have a 'thing' for P90's, so it's fine. Eric's suggestion about replacing one of the pickups with a Filtertron is still in my mind, though has no immediate urgency. I don't have anything suitable laying around and I want to get the bridge/saddles on my Strat sorted out, plus I have an old Maxon humbucker that's begging to go in a Tele's neck position...
Thanks for the TED post, though - appreciated.
By the way, because of the P90's in there I named the guitar Eddie after Cochran, being one of the first notable players to use the combination of those pickups in a Gretsch.