Gretsch Jim Dandy

Gallagherone · November 2019

Hi friends,

I'm undecided as to what I want for Christmas but fancy a smaller acoustic for use around the house instead of always getting my Martin out.

Does anyone have experience of a Jim Dandy? It's cheap but is it any good?

mgaw · November 2019

its cheap and if you like that type of sound its great...defo worth a punt

enjo · November 2019

It has a distinct sound - I tried it against the cheapest Fender parlour and chose the Fender - it was still boxy but less so and I preferred that.

proggy · November 2019

I tried one, thought it was rubbish. Cheap and nasty.

mgaw · November 2019

it is cheap and nasty but does do dem old school blues pretty well...if that's what you want...other than that no good

paulnb57 · November 2019

I have one and never use it...says it all really!....

McSwaggerty · November 2019

It's good for plunking while sitting on the couch when watching the telly..... Its alright for them old blues fingerstyle riffs....l fired heavier strings and a sound hole pick up on mine and use it for slide in open G or D..... Mine is pretty beat up and scruffy cos it gets booted around a bit.... But that's OK.
So if any of that floats your boat, it's only around £175 and good enough.
If you are looking for something that sounds more articulate and clearer with good sustain, akin to your Martin... you would be better asking Santa to stop being a miserable sod and spend a bit more money......

TheMarlin · November 2019

I love a nice Gretsch, but this model leaves me a bit cold.

There is one Gretsch acoustic I do fancy, but only because it’s hideous and hilarious...and has a Bigsby!

https://www.gretschguitars.com/gear/build/acoustic/g5034tft-rancher-dreadnought-with-bigsby/2704034522

Apparently, doesn’t even sound good - acoustically or plugged in.... just fancy it for entertainment purposes;)

Kilgore · November 2019

For £100 more the Sigma 00R 1 St's looks a much nicer guitar.

BRISTOL86 · November 2019

proggy said:

I tried one, thought it was rubbish. Cheap and nasty.

Gallagherone · November 2019

Ha! Thank you all... The no's have it. Decision made!

thecolourbox · November 2019

I'd quite like one as I think it would suit me - small body, shortscale, and generally I play the kind of music its intended for when I play acoustic. I do however sometimes have to try to do finger style folky stuff and I've not tried one for a while to check if there's enough room to do so on it.

When I did try one (before they increased the prices on them admittedly) it sounded great for what it's intended for, but only if you're into that kind of music. I've a Taylor Big Baby acoustic at present, and I'm fairly sure universally that would be considered a better acoustic, but I preferred the Gretsch for my use (says more about me than the Taylor though probably)

kreggs · November 2019

I bought one online. The nut looked like it had been cut by a 5 year old with a chain saw. I sorted that but never play the thing.

BeardyAndy · November 2019

Never played one but it always sounded a bit thin to me, like my old Eko Ranger 6 thats more poly than wood! Look at Tanglewoods parlour range, stunning guitars that sound great for not a lot.

TheMarlin · November 2019

Kilgore said:

For £100 more the Sigma 00R 1 St's looks a much nicer guitar.

I had one. Was dull as dishwater. A very ‘meh’ guitar. Gave it away.

Kilgore · November 2019

TheMarlin said:

Kilgore said:

For £100 more the Sigma 00R 1 St's looks a much nicer guitar.

I had one. Was dull as dishwater. A very ‘meh’ guitar. Gave it away.

@TheMarlin ;

Thanks for the heads up. I've been considering one as a sofa noodling guitar. Sigma are usually pretty good at the budget end of the market.

TheMarlin · November 2019

Kilgore said:

TheMarlin said:

Kilgore said:

For £100 more the Sigma 00R 1 St's looks a much nicer guitar.

I had one. Was dull as dishwater. A very ‘meh’ guitar. Gave it away.

@TheMarlin ;

Thanks for the heads up. I've been considering one as a sofa noodling guitar. Sigma are usually pretty good at the budget end of the market.

Maybe others had good experience, but I had two Sigmas (my brother used to work in South Korea, and got good deals on them).

Both were just lacklustre. I much preferred the sound of a humble Yamaha FG310.

At the cheap end of the market, Yamaha FG’s sit head and shoulders above all else. If fact, all the way up the food chain, Yamaha’s acoustics are fantastic value for money.

I had an old Japanese red label FG from the 60’s. Sounded fantastic. That’s the golden period.

steer · November 2019

TheMarlin said:

I love a nice Gretsch, but this model leaves me a bit cold.

There is one Gretsch acoustic I do fancy, but only because it’s hideous and hilarious...and has a Bigsby!

https://www.gretschguitars.com/gear/build/acoustic/g5034tft-rancher-dreadnought-with-bigsby/2704034522

Apparently, doesn’t even sound good - acoustically or plugged in.... just fancy it for entertainment purposes;)

Yes. Saw one of these in a shop near me a while back. And it actually looks worse in the flesh. Bonkers.

steer · November 2019

TheMarlin said:

I love a nice Gretsch, but this model leaves me a bit cold.

There is one Gretsch acoustic I do fancy, but only because it’s hideous and hilarious...and has a Bigsby!

https://www.gretschguitars.com/gear/build/acoustic/g5034tft-rancher-dreadnought-with-bigsby/2704034522

Apparently, doesn’t even sound good - acoustically or plugged in.... just fancy it for entertainment purposes;)

Yes. Saw one of these in a shop near me a while back. And it actually looks worse in the flesh. Bonkers.

Beardy_Jonny · May 2020

does anyone have a used Gretsch Jim Dandy they are willing to sell? I know they aren’t expensive brand new and are not everyone’s cup of tea but I’m looking for a fun little parlour sized guitar to practice on that won’t break the bank. So hoping I can save a few bucks by getting it second hand.

TrevinDevon · May 2020

The Jim Dandy sounds pretty good in Eric Bibb's hands! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9ItoZHxrNA

I've never played a JD, but I do have a Gretsch G9511 style 1, which is also in the Gretsch Roots series, and it's a great little blues machine for the money. I've heard very good things about the Paul Brett Vintage Whiskey Sour at £99, although I've never played one of those either.

Gandalph · May 2020

I love mine and for £160 you can't go wrong. Just don't strum the hell out of it but that's the same for most if not all small bodied acoustics. Borrowed a friends Sigma TM-12+ this weekend and the JD blows it away.

rossi · May 2020

I thought about buying one but figured the Gretsch name would be at least 50 quid of the price so went for a Recording King as per another thread for better or worse .My tele remains primed ready for more serious stuff.

paulnb57 · May 2020

paulnb57 said:

I have one and never use it...says it all really!....

Strangely lockdown meant I found a new liking for the ol klunker....

daddyash · June 2020

Absolutely love mine. Loud and punchy in that lo fi boxy sound. Does exactly what it’s supposed to do.

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