Gretsch G5422LH Electromatic SW

Gretsch G5422LH Electromatic SW review

The Gretsch G5422LH Electromatic SW is a left-handed, double-cutaway hollowbody guitar finished in Snowcrest White. It has a laminated maple body and top, a maple neck, and a laurel fingerboard. The instrument has six strings, 22 frets, a 628 mm scale length, and a body depth of 57 mm. Its listed price is $949.

This model has been available since February 2022. Its construction and fittings make it a clearly specified Electromatic hollowbody, with a pair of FT-5E FilterTron pickups and gold-plated hardware. The supplied information does not list a case or gig bag, so buyers should plan for a separate purchase if they need one.

Body, neck, and playability details

The laminated maple body uses a trestle block, and the maple top is also laminated. The neck has a Classic C profile, with a 42.86 mm nut width and a Graph Tech NuBone nut. The laurel fingerboard carries pearloid Hump Block inlays, and its 22 medium jumbo frets provide the playing surface. The listed specifications identify the guitar as left-handed, an important point to check when comparing it with other G5422 models.

The 628 mm scale is a useful reference for players comparing neck dimensions across guitars. No tremolo is fitted. Instead, the string path runs over an Adjusto-Matic bridge mounted on a secured laurel base, then to a Gretsch G-Cutout tailpiece. The listed string gauges are.011 to.049. These details describe the hardware and setup information supplied for the model; individual feel will depend on the guitar's setup and the player's preferences.

Pickups and controls

Two FT-5E FilterTron pickups provide the guitar's two-pickup configuration. The controls include separate volume knobs for the neck and bridge pickups, a master volume with treble bleed, and a master tone control. That layout gives players individual pickup-level adjustment as well as overall volume and tone controls.

The treble-bleed circuit is specified as part of the master volume control. The available information does not describe its exact circuit behavior or provide measured frequency response, so this review does not make claims about how much brightness it retains at reduced volume. There is no tremolo system listed, which keeps the bridge and tailpiece arrangement straightforward.

Visual details include a golden plexiglass pickguard bearing black Gretsch and Electromatic logos, gold-plated hardware, and open vintage-style tuners. The Snowcrest White finish gives the model its distinctive appearance, while the double-cutaway body shape provides access to the upper portion of the neck. No case or gig bag is included according to the supplied specifications.

Owner feedback and practical cautions

One owner described the guitar itself as excellent, but reported that the strap-button pins fitted to the body were loose enough to turn by hand. According to the account, attaching a strap caused the pin to begin backing out before the strap button was secure. The owner said the pins had a left-handed thread, while the metal strap buttons used a right-handed thread.

The owner contacted the retailer to report the issue and said the response was that the looseness was normal. They disagreed, noting that another Gretsch guitar they owned did not behave the same way. The owner did not want to return the instrument and instead said they applied a small amount of Titebond in the pilot holes. They reported that this stopped the pins from loosening while attaching the strap.

This is a single owner's report, not evidence that every G5422LH has the same problem. Still, checking the strap buttons when the guitar arrives is sensible. A strap is a basic part of gigging use, and any movement at the mounting point is worth addressing before playing standing up. The same review rated the guitar highly but was sharply critical of the retailer's support, so its comments about the instrument and the service experience should be read separately.

Another owner wrote in Spanish that they replaced the pickups with TV Jones Ray Butts pickups and were very pleased with the resulting guitar. That is a report about a modified instrument, not the stock G5422LH configuration. The factory specification remains two FT-5E FilterTron pickups.

Verdict

The Gretsch G5422LH Electromatic SW offers a left-handed hollowbody format with a laminated maple construction, defined neck dimensions, two FilterTron pickups, and a conventional bridge-and-tailpiece setup. Its controls allow separate pickup volume adjustment alongside master volume and tone. The owner feedback is strongly positive about the guitar, while raising a specific concern about strap-button pin tightness and the response received from the retailer. At $949, confirm the included accessories and inspect the strap hardware on arrival.