2000 Gretsch Duo Jet

I made a nice profit on the '64 Mustang, so I ended up purchasing this instrument in 2002. I actually got a great deal on this at $1100 with the case. It was the last one left in the guitar store and I think they wanted to get it off the floor. I had never been much of a Gretsch fan until I bought the Country Gentleman in 2001. I had been searching for a bigger and thicker sound for some of my songs that my Strat just couldn't handle. I don't like Les Pauls, so this seemed like a good alternative. It was also a versatile instrument for me personally because I can use it in my original band and in my Beatles tribute band, as George played one in the early days.

The reissue FilterTron pickups are not as thick as the originals on the Country Gent, but they do give a good humbucker sound that my Strat can't reproduce. The original model that George had was actually fitted with single-coil pickups, and the reissue of that instrument features a different tailpiece. I opted for this version because I wanted the humbuckers and a thicker sound. My guitar repairman, Ron at Arpeggio changed out the capacitors in the tone circuit with some vintage parts. It actually helped to thicken it quite a bit and gave it a little more vintage feel. This is a great guitar and the necks on these reissue Gretsches are fantastic. It plays like a dream. I use Ernie Ball 10 gauge strings on it.