Cheap parlours: are Fender & Gretsch any good

Yorkie · December 2022

Ok, been watching a bunch of videos (all shite) and reading all your comments. Hard to quote everyone on my phone so I will answer things below:

- Research: I have not given up research, it's just that now I've got a team of 10 people and am established in York and so I'm no longer putting in 12 hours work a day. Been learning to play (electric) since 2019, joined the TFB in 2021.
- One trick ponies: yes, that's more or less what I would want from one of these guitars. I play electric most of the time, so my other needs are covered already.
- Small acoustics sounding boxy: small and boxy doesn't sound too bad for me. I don't like my dreadnought. It sounds too loud, vibrates too much and too close to my chest. I am autistic and have trouble regulating with this kind of stuff. I've also got problems with how bronze strings feel. So I think I'm ready to try something new.
- Vintage: I didn't like the neck.
- Gretsch: They look nice, and the special editions look nicer. Not 100% convinced about the pickup though. I thought I didn't need it. I never plug my dreadnought in. But the sound of the plugged Gin Rickey is delightfully low-fi and I like it. So I am very confused and don't know what to do anymore.
- Fender: I like the cheaper 'parlour' (sorry, Americans). But I also like VERY MUCH their Redondo and Sonoran MINI, particularly the mahogany one looks sick. Ok, maybe not sick, or sick but in a nice way.

Can you install soundhole pickups and a jack without drilling? Like, reusing the strap button or something.

Jon

bertie · December 2022

Yorkie said:

Can you install soundhole pickups and a jack without drilling? Like, reusing the strap button or something.

Jon

not totally sure what you have in mind - BUT to use the strap button, unless its already a "socket" you need to drill a hole for the jack to go into

Yorkie · December 2022

bertie said:

Yorkie said:

Can you install soundhole pickups and a jack without drilling? Like, reusing the strap button or something.

Jon

not totally sure what you have in mind - BUT to use the strap button, unless its already a "socket" you need to drill a hole for the jack to go into

It’s just that I’ve seen the deltolux pickups advertised as needing a ‘non-permanent’ installation, and that makes me wonder how one’s supposed to install the jack without drilling.

Am not afraid to make sawdust, but would like to know what to expect if I went for a Jim Dandy instead of a Gin Rickey.

Yorkie · December 2022

Any opinions on the Fender Redondo and Sonoran minis? Hard to say how big they really are, but they do look fantastic.

guitarjack66 · December 2022

Yorkie said:

Any opinions on the Fender Redondo and Sonoran minis? Hard to say how big they really are, but they do look fantastic.

I like the look of those myself but have no idea of their size. The Fender CC 60S has a good rep and is smaller bodied too.

ziggynugget · December 2022

Hey,
I'd definitely have a look at some of the Recording King line up........
https://www.recordingking.com/

Yorkie · December 2022

ziggynugget said:

Hey,
I'd definitely have a look at some of the Recording King line up........
https://www.recordingking.com/

I think I'll hold on until the Recording Peasant line up is out. Then again, they may not look as nice.

Yorkie · December 2022

Any opinions on the Fender minis?

hollywoodrox · December 2022

Don’t PRs do a cheap parlour guitar that’s supposed to be real good

Yorkie · December 2022

hollywoodrox said:

Don’t PRs do a cheap parlour guitar that’s supposed to be real good

It’s a different kind of cheap though. Double the price of the Fender and Gretsch guitars.

lovestrat74 · December 2022

Yorkie said:

hollywoodrox said:

Don’t PRs do a cheap parlour guitar that’s supposed to be real good

It’s a different kind of cheap though. Double the price of the Fender and Gretsch guitars.

Peach were blowing them out for £300 which is good value imo

EDIT: https://www.peachguitars.com/prs-se-p20-mega-deal/prs-se-parlor-tobacco-sunburst.htm?opt=32897&gclid=Cj0KCQiA4uCcBhDdARIsAH5jyUnuodv3mtuKEmEmVQITnvJeVKSWsymW9xxLClxj5qQJZaw7JQlbgP0aAqxsEALw_wcB

Yorkie · December 2022

lovestrat74 said:

Yorkie said:

hollywoodrox said:

Don’t PRs do a cheap parlour guitar that’s supposed to be real good

It’s a different kind of cheap though. Double the price of the Fender and Gretsch guitars.

Peach were blowing them out for £300 which is good value imo

EDIT: https://www.peachguitars.com/prs-se-p20-mega-deal/prs-se-parlor-tobacco-sunburst.htm?opt=32897&gclid=Cj0KCQiA4uCcBhDdARIsAH5jyUnuodv3mtuKEmEmVQITnvJeVKSWsymW9xxLClxj5qQJZaw7JQlbgP0aAqxsEALw_wcB

Not sure where I’m gonna find £300 though.

Yorkie · December 2022

For anyone with a bigger budget than me: Peach are doing the electro version for a mere £29 more than the basic model (https://www.peachguitars.com/prs-se-p20e-parlor-w-piezo-satin-mahogany.htm?opt=32901&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqv297tf4-wIVguvtCh3GxAddEAQYAiABEgKWHvD_BwE).

Yorkie · December 2022

Ok, I am now knee-deep in the 'desperate for £329' phase. It turns out I really like mahogany in an acoustic.
Wish me luck

Yorkie · December 2022

Relatively urgent question.

Blues players: thoughts regarding soundhole vs piezo pickups?

Andy79 · December 2022

Yorkie said:

Relatively urgent question.
Blues players: thoughts regarding soundhole vs piezo pickups?

This maybe too slow a reply but no no no to piezo. More like piezNo

Yorkie · December 2022

Yup, one day too late. Went for piezo, knowing that I can always fit a soundhole pickup if I ever needed one. Also, I think I am going to play acoustic most of the time anyway. Wife suggested we go for the electro acoustic version only because the difference was a mere £29.

Can’t believe this is happening.

Yorkie · December 2022

Having a blast. This thing is super playable, and sounds very loud and articulate. Haven’t plugged it in yet. The bag is a quality padded bag. It comes with QC cards from both PRS and Peach, similar things were checked apparently (action, intonation, etc).

Yorkie · December 2022

Ok, this has been almost life changing. Turns out all I needed was a smaller acoustic with a shorter scale length. I have made huge progress in just 48h. Everything I play sounds SO good now. I can practice for longer without getting as tired. The neck is extremely comfortable.

I still haven’t plugged it in

Thanks @lovestrat74 for the heads up.

drofluf · December 2022

Great news, happy it’s working out for you.

lovestrat74 · December 2022

Yorkie said:

Ok, this has been almost life changing. Turns out all I needed was a smaller acoustic with a shorter scale length. I have made huge progress in just 48h. Everything I play sounds SO good now. I can practice for longer without getting as tired. The neck is extremely comfortable.

I still haven’t plugged it in

Thanks @lovestrat74 for the heads up.

Glad to be of assistance

Yorkie · December 2022

Also thanks to @hollywoodrox for suggesting it. It IS real good

bertie · December 2022

Yorkie said:

Relatively urgent question.
Blues players: thoughts regarding soundhole vs piezo pickups?

none, unless you have to play it live

hollywoodrox · December 2022

Yorkie said:

Also thanks to @hollywoodrox for suggesting it. It IS real good

Oh wow man I’m so pleased for you , it’s surprising how much scale length can make a difference , I’m so pleased I have been able to help someone , have a great festive season & keep enjoying your guitar . Sincere regards Paul

Dave_Mc · December 2022

Yorkie said:

Ok, this has been almost life changing. Turns out all I needed was a smaller acoustic with a shorter scale length. I have made huge progress in just 48h. Everything I play sounds SO good now. I can practice for longer without getting as tired. The neck is extremely comfortable.

I still haven’t plugged it in

Thanks @lovestrat74 for the heads up.

Really glad you're happy.

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Don't worry too much about plugging in- both my and my sister's acoustics have been plugged in precisely once (to the best of my recollection!), to check the electronics were working! Admittedly we only play at home, and we do use the built-in tuner a lot. And it probably wouldn't hurt to check the electrics are working before you get outside the return period, just in case.

Yorkie · December 2022

Ok, I have just tested the electronics. Wow. I am impressed. It sounds superb. VERY deep and extremely well defined bass. It’s actually my first piezo pickup, as the Yamaha had a different system fitted on. Big shock.

guitarjack66 · December 2022

I feel I would benefit greatly from something similar but the lack of shops to try instruments in is a real shame. It's also a faff to return stuff online if not correct. Good for you though.

Mellish · December 2022

guitarjack66 said:

I feel I would benefit greatly from something similar but the lack of shops to try instruments in is a real shame. It's also a faff to return stuff online if not correct. Good for you though.

Same here. I have to go from Grantham to Birmingham to find a decent selection. That or buy online which I won't do.

guitarjack66 · December 2022

Mellish said:

guitarjack66 said:

I feel I would benefit greatly from something similar but the lack of shops to try instruments in is a real shame. It's also a faff to return stuff online if not correct. Good for you though.

Same here. I have to go from Grantham to Birmingham to find a decent selection. That or buy online which I won't do.

If I knew exactly what I was buying,string spacing,bodyshape etc,it wouldnt be so bad but the online descriptions are not exactly unerringly accurate.

Dave_Mc · December 2022

Yorkie said:

Ok, I have just tested the electronics. Wow. I am impressed. It sounds superb. VERY deep and extremely well defined bass. It’s actually my first piezo pickup, as the Yamaha had a different system fitted on. Big shock.

Nice!

Image: /plugins/EmojiExtender/emoji/fb/smiley.png

guitarjack66 said:
If I knew exactly what I was buying,string spacing,bodyshape etc,it wouldnt be so bad but the online descriptions are not exactly unerringly accurate.

Manufacturers' websites are usually a bit better- I don't go by anything I read on retailers' websites!

But whether they're enough better that you'd want to trust them... apart from anything, specs can change and a shop could have an older model or something like that.

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Cheap parlours: are Fender & Gretsch any good

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