It would be unfair to sum up all the hard work, inspiration, and history of a guitar brand in a single word, but we’re going to do it anyway. Gretsch guitars are cool. Today we’re looking at their solid-body range and comparing the different Gretsch Jet guitars.
There are a lot of variants, so we’ll be grouping things together a bit, but you’ll get a good overview of the Jet family. So, get the kettle on, and by the time you’ve finished your brew, you’ll know a lot more about the Gretsch Jet.
In a hurry?
| Collection | Model | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Streamliner | Jet Club | The most stripped back, accessible Jet, with a bolt-on neck and flat top. Most models use a compensated wraparound bridge. |
| Jet | A budget Jet with bolt-on neck and laurel fretboard. An arched top and adjustable bridge offer a more premium experience than the Streamliner Jet Club. | |
| Electromatic | Jet Club | The most affordable Electromatic Jet option. Set-neck construction with one and two pickup variants. All use a fixed bridge. |
| Jet | Set-neck models with Broad’Tron or Filter’Tron pickups and a fixed bridge or Bigsby vibrato unit. | |
| Sparkle Jet | A classic Electromatic Jet but with sparkles. And a Bigsby vibrato bridge, but the sparkles are more important. | |
| Jet Two 90 | A chambered body with arched maple top and two P-90E pickups. Available with a Bigsby or a fixed bridge. | |
| Double Jet | A double-cutaway Jet available with Filter’Trons and a Bigsby or Broad’Trons and a fixed bridge. | |
| Premier Jet | The pinnacle of Electromatic Jets, with upgraded pickups, hardware, electronics, ergonomics, and… well, everything, really. | |
| Jet Baritone | The only baritone guitar in the Jet family. | |
| Professional | Players Edition | Professional level Jets built for touring musicians who need modern reliability and playability. |
| Vintage Select | Exceptional replicas of vintage models, using traditional construction, materials, and components. |
A brief history of Gretsch Jet
Following the release of the Les Paul in 1952, Gretsch needed a model that could compete with it, and the Duo Jet was born. Released in 1953, it featured a chambered mahogany body and maple top rather than a completely solid construction.
That chambered design made the Duo Jet lighter and gave it a more open, resonant sound that became extremely popular and still defines the model. Seven decades on, and you’ll still hear that sound when you pick up a Jet!
Early Duo Jets came fitted with DynaSonic single-coil pickups, producing a bright, punchy tone that suited country, rockabilly, and early rock ‘n’ roll. As music evolved, though, so did the Jet. Gretsch introduced Ray Butts-designed Filter’Tron humbuckers later in the decade, reducing unwanted hum while preserving the clarity and definition that became known as “that great Gretsch sound”.
The Jet platform quickly expanded beyond the original Duo Jet. In 1954, Gretsch unveiled the Silver Jet with its eye-catching silver sparkle finish, followed by distinctive models including the Jet Fire Bird and the luxurious Penguin, complete with gold hardware and ornate appointments. Each model had its own personality, but all shared the same chambered foundation.
The Jet became a key part of music history, thanks to its use by legendary artists. Bo Diddley played Gretsch solid-bodies, George Harrison had a ’57 Duo Jet – even hard rock got in on the act with Malcolm Young’s heavily modified Double Jet. With the right player and the right inspiration, the Jet could do anything.
Following some hard years in the ‘70s and ‘80s, Gretsch partnered with Fender in the early 2000s, and the Jet was back with a bang! This new era brought us the Japanese-made Professional Collection, including some of the highest-spec Jets ever made.
Today’s Gretsch Jets combine updated hardware, refined playability, and a choice of pickups, including classic Filter’Trons and higher-output Broad’Trons. Even with these modern refinements, though, every Jet can trace its roots back to the original 1953 Duo Jet.
Gretsch Jet guitars compared
Gretsch Streamliner Jet Club
Key features
- Solid mahogany body
- Compensated wraparound bridge
- HotWire high-output ceramic humbuckers
- Bound laurel fingerboard with pearloid neo classic thumbnail inlays
- Single volume and tone controls
The Streamliner Jet Club is the simplest, most affordable, most stripped-back version of the Jet. It’s a great guitar for new players and anyone wanting to try a Gretsch without spending huge amounts.
You get a solid mahogany body with a belly contour and rounded neck heel, a mahogany neck with a slim fast “C” profile, and a 12”-radius laurel fingerboard. It also comes with a GraphTech NuBone nut. Unlike more expensive models, the neck is a bolt-on, so if you’re set on a set-neck, you’ll need to aim a little higher.
You can choose from a single-pickup version or a two-pickup model, both of which are surprisingly versatile in the tones available from such a simple setup. If you’re looking for your first Gretsch, or just a simple, fun guitar that doesn’t cost much, then it’s worth considering.
Gretsch Streamliner Jet
Key features
- Mahogany body with an arched top
- Adjustable wrapround bridge
- HotWire high-output ceramic humbuckers
- Bound laurel fingerboard with pearloid neo classic thumbnail inlays
- Single volume and tone controls
The Streamliner Jet is very similar to the Streamliner Jet Club, with a few upgrades. Most visible of these is the arched top. A nice carved top looks immediately a little more premium, adding to the appeal of the Jet.
Where the Streamliner Jet Club uses a compensated wraparound bridge, its slightly more refined sibling has an adjustable wraparound bridge. That makes it possible to set the intonation much more precisely.
As with the Club version, you can choose between single-pickup and two-pickup variants. It also shares the bolt-on neck construction and laurel fingerboard.
Gretsch Electromatic Jet Club
Key features
- Chambered mahogany body
- Set neck construction
- Bound rosewood fingerboard
- PureVolt Twin Six Alnico humbuckers with coil split
- Adjustable wraparound bridge
Moving up to the Electromatic Collection, you can start to see some more premium features. The Electromatic Jet Club has a chambered mahogany body and a set mahogany neck with a bound rosewood fingerboard. It’s immediately obvious that it’s a step up from the Streamliner Jet models.
You also get upgraded pickups that come with a coil split, with single-pickup and two-pickup models available. There’s a treble-bleed built into the master volume. On the two-pickup variant, each pickup gets its own tone control. Both are push/pull pots that allow the pickups to be split independently, so it’s definitely a versatile beast!
If you’ve played a Streamliner Jet and want something a bit more premium, then take a look at the Electromatic Jet Club.
Gretsch Electromatic Jet
Key features
- Set-neck construction
- Chambered mahogany body with carved maple top
- Multiple pickup variants
- Multiple bridge variants, including a Bigsby
- Wide range of colour options
The Electromatic Jet is the most varied Jet that Gretsch make, with different pickups, bridges, electronic layouts… there’s a lot to look at, and every version is a good guitar!
There are three variants. Firstly, the standard Electromatic Jet. It’s very similar to the Electromatic Jet Club, but with a few premium upgrades. You get body and headstock binding and a carved maple top, both of which are nice to have but don’t fundamentally change the instrument.
The G5220 Electromatic Jet BT is a little different. The BT refers to the Black Top Broad’Tron pickups, which are great for those of us who like a little gain – they sound thick and aggressive without losing clarity. The electronics include a master volume with treble bleed, a master tone, and individual pickup volume controls to blend your sound.
The premium variant is the G5230T Electromatic Jet FT. This features Filter’Tron pickups for a more classic Gretsch sound. You get the same control layout as the G5520, as well as a Bigsby – and is there any more iconic pairing than a Gretsch with a Bigsby?
Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Sparkle Jet
Key features
- Set-neck construction
- Chambered mahogany body with carved maple top
- Filter’Tron pickups
- Bigsby vibrato
- SPARKLES
The Sparkle Jet takes the G5230T, complete with Filter’Trons and Bigsby, and then combines them with a gloriously sparkly finish.
If you’re a shy and retiring guitarist, this may not be for you. If, on the other hand, you like big tone and fabulous stage presence, it’s an absolute winner!
Gretsch Electromatic Jet Two 90
Key features
- Two P-90E pickups
- Master volume with treble bleed
- Chambered mahogany body with carved maple top
- Set neck with laurel fretboard
- Bigsby and fixed bridge variants
The G5210-P90 and G5210T-P90 (that’s the fixed bridge and Bigsby versions, respectively) are the only Electromatic Jets not to use humbuckers. They’re designed to produce a full, balanced tone that works well both clean and with the gain turned up.
The Jet Two 90 uses the same basic construction and controls as the Sparkle Jet in terms of body, neck, and the joint between the two. The big difference is the pickup. As with all the various Jet models, there are some gorgeous colours on offer as well.
Gretsch Electromatic Double Jet
Key features
- Set-neck construction
- Chambered mahogany body with carved maple top
- Double cutaway design
- Multiple bridge variants, including a Bigsby
- Thin “U” neck profile
The Double Jet is very similar to the Electromatic Jet, except that it’s a double cutaway. It uses the same control layout and construction and comes in two variants. The G5222, which has a fixed bridge and V-stoptail, coupled with Broad’Tron pickups. The G5232T boasts a pair of Filter’Trons and a Bigsby.
Malcolm Young of AC/DC famously played a heavily modified Double Jet to get the band’s huge rhythm guitar sound, so the model’s rock credentials are impeccable.
Gretsch Electromatic Premier Jet
Key features
- 10″-14” compound-radius bound ebony fingerboard
- Sphera Twin Six humbuckers
- Adjustable wraparound bridge
- Locking tuners and strap buttons
- Custom Lumen filter
The Premier Jet is the top-of-the-range Jet for the Electromatic range, and if you’re not in the market for a guitar with a four-figure price tag, they’re as good as it gets.
It has a lot of the standard Electromatic Jet DNA, of course, with the chambered mahogany body and carved maple top. It also has the set neck construction and adjustable wraparound bridge. The key differences lie in the electronics.
You get a pair of Sphera Twin Six humbuckers that Gretsch are very proud of, calling them “beautifully dynamic, exceptionally expressive and addictively powerful.” Beyond that, you get no-load tone controls and a Lumen filter, which is engaged via a push/pull master volume control.
The Lumen filter is designed to cut low-end frequencies and give you a snappier, more aggressive tone, rather like a single-coil. But because you aren’t splitting the pickup and just using one coil, you still get the hum-cancelling benefit of a humbucker and no loss in output. Clever stuff indeed!
Gretsch Electromatic Jet Baritone
Key features
- 29.75” scale length
- Bolt-on neck
- Laurel fingerboard with a 12” radius
- Thin “U” neck profile
- Bigsby option available
Baritones are big right now, so it’s hardly surprising that Gretsch have got in on the act with the Electromatic Jet Baritone. You get a couple of different options, depending on your preferences.
Firstly, you have a chambered mahogany body version with maple top. That comes with a pair of PureVolt Twin Six humbuckers and an Adjusto-Matic bridge with stop tail. The controls consist of a master volume with treble-bleed, and a tone control for each pickup, which features individual push/pull coil splits.
Then you have the solid (that is, unchambered) mahogany version with no maple top. On that there’s a pair of Gretsch mini humbuckers. The wiring is a little bit simpler, with just a single volume and tone control. No coil splitting, treble-bleed, or anything else here… but, if you like your low-end with some wobble, there is the option of a Bigsby!
Gretsch Professional Players Edition Jet
Key features
- Chambered mahogany body
- Set neck with a standard “U” profile
- 6” scale length
- Rosewood fretboard with a 12” radius
- A range of hardware options
The Players Edition Jet range features updated versions of classic models. The intention is to offer all the vintage charm that Gretsch is so good at, but with modern reliability. They’ve been designed with the needs of professional musicians in mind, and that level of quality isn’t cheap. There are quite a few variants of these Japanese-made instruments available, so here’s the short version:
You can choose between a Bigsby B7CP String-Thru or a fixed bridge. Pickup options include Filter’Trons, Broad’Trons, and DynaSonic single-coils. All variants have individual pickup volume controls as well as master volume and tone controls, making them very versatile.
So, if you want a professional-quality Jet that’s ready for the challenge of strenuous touring and recording schedules, check out a Players Edition model!
Gretsch Professional Vintage Select Jet
Key features
- Chambered mahogany body
- Arched laminated maple top
- Set-neck construction
- 12” radius fretboard
- 6” scale length
The Vintage Select Jet models represent the other side of the high-end Japanese Gretsch range. Where the Players Edition range is updated for modern requirements, the Vintage Select instruments are more faithful recreations. They use vintage specs, materials, and construction techniques to create something that feels like a golden-age original.
The models replicated are mainly Duo Jets from the ‘50s, with a couple of 1989 models as well. Then there’s a ’59 Silver Jet and a ’62 Jet with double cutaway. All of them are incredibly well-made instruments.
All Vintage Select Jets come with TV Jones pickups, with single-coil and humbucker variants available. All come with Bigsbys, and there are some stunning finishes available, including sparkle finishes (which, in this writer’s opinion, should be available on all guitar ranges).
FAQs
Is the Gretsch Electromatic Jet a good guitar?
Yes, the Gretsch Electromatic Jet is a good guitar, as it’s well-made, comfortable to play, and sounds good. All Gretsch guitars have a very recognisable style that is subjective, and different instruments are better for different styles of playing, but the Electromatic Jet is a good guitar.
Who plays Gretsch guitars?
Many influential guitarists have played Gretsch guitars over the years, including George Harrison, Malcom Young, Chet Atkins, Bo Diddley, and more. Billy Duffy of The Cult, Richard Fortus of Guns N’ Roses, and Brian Setzer all have current signature models with Gretsch.
Why is Gretsch so cheap?
Some Gretsch guitars are more affordable than others due to careful selection of budget components and materials, and manufacturing facilities in countries like China. The company offers everything from entry-level models to exceptional Japanese-made instruments that are designed for professional touring musicians.
Final thoughts
And that, aside from some signature models that you probably already know about if you’re a fan of the artists involved, is it. There’s a lot to explore and a lot to enjoy in the (rather extended) Jet family.
Hopefully, you now know a bit more about Gretsch Jet guitars and, if you’re considering buying one, have an idea of which is right for you. We think the Electromatic Two 90 in Amethyst looks pretty good…
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