Gretsch G5622T Elmtc CB DC Bgsby SPS

Gretsch G5622T Elmtc CB DC Bgsby SPS review

The Gretsch G5622T Elmtc CB DC Bgsby SPS is a double-cutaway semi-hollow electric guitar with a center block, two humbuckers, and a Bigsby B70 vibrato. Listed at $732, it pairs familiar Gretsch styling with a laminated maple body and top, a set-in maple neck, and a laurel fingerboard. It has been available since August 2021. The Speyside finish gives the instrument a vintage-leaning look, complemented by a gold Plexi pickguard and nickel-plated hardware.

Player reports are notably divided. Several owners praise the finish, build, feel, and sound, with one experienced player describing the guitar as an unusually strong value. Others report setup problems, tuning instability, or electrical faults. That spread matters: the G5622T may be satisfying out of the box, but a buyer should inspect the individual instrument and plan for a proper setup rather than assume every example will arrive ready to play.

Construction and playability

The laminated maple body and top sit around a center block, so this is a semi-hollow guitar, not a fully hollow one. That construction suits players looking for some of the resonance and visual character associated with a semi-hollow design, while retaining a solid center block. The maple neck has a thin U profile and is set into the body. Its laurel fingerboard carries pearloid Neo-Classic thumbnail inlays and 22 medium-jumbo frets.

The scale measures 625 mm, or 24.61 inches, with a 305 mm fingerboard radius and a 42.9 mm nut width. A Graph Tech NuBone nut is fitted. One owner reported excellent factory intonation and low, comfortable action, while another received an instrument with high-string buzz around the fifth fret and had to make adjustments. These accounts point to setup variation, not a guaranteed flaw or a guaranteed perfect setup. Check fret buzz, intonation, and action across the neck before relying on the guitar for a session or performance.

Pickups and controls

Two Black Top Broad'Tron humbuckers provide the guitar's amplified voice. The control layout includes separate volume controls, a master volume, a master tone, and a three-way pickup selector. Players who like the pickups describe them as characterful, with strong results for clean sounds, blues, jazz, and grittier rock tones. One owner found that they handled higher gain but had a more distinctive character than some familiar Gibson or Seymour Duncan pickups, making them less suited to that player's idea of a conventional metal sound.

That makes the Broad'Trons a key part of the buying decision. The reports suggest they offer a recognizable flavor rather than a neutral, all-purpose humbucker sound. Listening to demonstrations is useful, but testing the guitar through an amplifier and gain level close to your own setup is more reliable. The volume and tone controls also deserve a check: one owner reported limited control response from the volume pots and a tone pot that stopped working.

Bigsby and tuning stability

The Adjusto-Matic bridge works with a Bigsby B70 tremolo. Some owners found the vibrato smooth and stable, including one who reported that the guitar held tune through heavy use after fitting new strings and lubricating contact points. Another owner found the stock bridge usable but preferred a roller bridge, describing the change as a personal choice rather than a required repair. By contrast, other reports criticize tuning stability and the tremolo hardware.

String condition, nut friction, setup, and playing technique can all affect how a vibrato-equipped guitar returns to pitch. The supplied strings are NPS, in.010 to.046 gauge. The positive owner report used.011-gauge strings and made adjustments, so that result should not be treated as a factory guarantee. If consistent tuning is essential, test the vibrato through repeated use and check whether the guitar returns to pitch.

Ownership and verdict

No case or gig bag is included. The body shape and Bigsby make a properly fitting case or padded bag worth budgeting for, and buyers should check compatibility before ordering one. One long-term owner also reported strap buttons that began loosening, so inspect their fit and tighten them if needed. More seriously, separate owners described intermittent pickup-selector operation, grounding trouble, and failing volume or tone controls. Repairs involving a semi-hollow guitar's internal wiring can take more labor than a simple external adjustment.

The G5622T has an appealing combination of Gretsch styling, Broad'Tron character, and a Bigsby-equipped semi-hollow design at its listed price. Positive reports praise its finish, sound, and playability, while negative experiences make quality checks important. Inspect the setup, controls, tuning behavior, and strap buttons before committing. For a player comfortable arranging a setup and checking hardware, it can be a compelling choice. Anyone who needs dependable performance immediately should test the specific guitar in person or confirm the retailer's inspection and return options.