"This is a guitar that proves affordability can still bring looks that stun": Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Sparkle Jet FT review

What is it?

With a storied history dating back to 1953, Gretsch knows a thing or two about building electric and acoustic guitars. Players familiar with the company's output often laud the bell-like chime that is the quintessential and unique tone of a Gretsch electric. This distinctive sound is married to an equally distinctive look - there is no mistaking a Gretsch when you see one.

A major strength in the company's modern-day lineup is the presence of a guitar at every budget. The G5230T Electromatic Sparkle Jet FT model we have here is from, as the name suggests, the Electromatic series, sitting a step above Gretsch's entry-level Streamliner models. The Electromatic looks to provide a workhorse guitar at a relatively affordable price compared to the US-made line featuring Filter'Trons.

Differing from the already established G5230T Electromatic Jet FT, the extra term Sparkle denotes a different aesthetic, and we also have a different set of pickups in the FT-5E Filter’Trons, meaning a slightly more expensive model. Is the step up worth it?

Specs

• Launch price: $749/£699/€669
• Made: China
• Type: Six-string solid body electric
• Body: Mahogany with arched maple top
• Neck: Mahogany
• Fingerboard/radius: Laurel / 12"
• Scale length: 24.6" / 625 mm
• Nut/width: 1.6" / 42.86 mm
• Frets: 22, medium jumbo
• Hardware: Chrome, adjustomatic bridge, Bigsby Licensed B50
• Electrics: 2 x FT-5E Filter’Tron pickups, neck volume, bridge volume, tone, master volume
• Weight: 8lb 5oz/3.77kg
• Options: Gretsch Electromatic JET 5230T, Gretsch Electromatic JET 5230T
• Left-handed options: No
• Finishes: Gold Sparkle (as reviewed), Silver Sparkle
• Case: No
• Contact: Grestch

Build quality

Build quality rating: ★★★½

I have to start with the immediately obvious thing about this new addition to Gretsch’s catalogue - the striking Gold Sparkle finish. I love it. It's well-applied and framed nicely by the binding that also stretches to the headstock on the Sparkle Jet FT. This is a guitar that proves affordability can still bring looks that stun.

At 8lb 5oz, the chambering is doing its job on the mahogany body to some extent, keeping the guitar from being too unwieldy on said stage. Not the lightest, but having experienced the shoulder pain after gigs with other mahogany-bodied guitars well into the 9lb range, this is more than acceptable.

I’m a big fan of the solid feel and chunky nature of Gretsch’s control knobs and strap buttons, particularly the grippy character of the textured knobs. The medium jumbo frets are nicely finished, and the guitar is well intonated too, so overall, first impressions are great.

Seeing how the build holds up under some use, it is clear some money has been saved on the tuners as they feel a little cheap. However, putting the guitar through its paces with some over-the-top bends and needless lead acrobatics, it holds its tuning relatively well.

I can’t quite say the same of the Bigsby Licensed B50 vibrato. I wasn’t expecting to be doing Vai-esque dive bombs here, but anything more than light use and tuning is an issue on this test model.

The pairing of Bigsby and tuning woes are not as uncommon as most of us would like, and there can be a few ways to approach it – including lubricating the contact points at the saddles and nut, limiting the wraps to 2-3 around the tuner posts and thoroughly stretching new strings.

Our test model also had a problem with the neck pickup intermittently cutting out. This can often be just a case of bad luck, but opening up the guitar to take a quick look revealed a cavity and wiring I would like to have seen a bit neater.

Playability

Playability rating: ★★★★☆

The Bigsby issue aside, playing the Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Sparkle Jet is a joy. Out of the box, the guitar is well set up, with a low action that makes speedy runs feel easy. I spent a long time in classic rock territory, doing my best Angus Young impression with angsty blues-based bends and vibrato that flows effortlessly from the fretboard.

The ‘Thin U’ shape of the neck is helpful here, as combined with the 12” fretboard radius, the neck feels relatively flat and thin without being in wizard shred territory. This translates well into jazzier genres too, making the stretchier jazz chord shapes comparatively easy to play.

Achieving this flatter feel often means a little compromise when it comes to the open chords that are a staple of any campfire hero. I would usually prefer something a little rounder for this use, however, it still felt more than playable and is a compromise that is entirely worth it for the above plus points.

Having played a few Electromatics in my time, the playability is always a real strength, and provides a great feel under your fingers that punches well above the price tag.

Sounds

Sounds rating: ★★★★☆

Time to make some noise. Using my Hot Rod Deluxe and a JRockett PXO that I have hanging around from a previous review, the overall tone from the FT-5E Filter’Tron’s feels quite full range with the bell-like quality that Gretsch is known for.

Playing through a few clean, jazzy progressions, incorporating some walking bass and attempting (not always successfully) the little bit of the Chet Atkins stuff that I know, is incredibly rewarding.

Turning up the gain a little and using the PXO for some ACDC-style classic rock, that brightness really cuts through and provides a lot of high-end clarity for those big overdriven open chords.

Interestingly, moving onto my Line 6 Helix and through a Tonex Cab, the full range nature of the pickup seems to result in a very malleable and versatile tone. Playing with a Klon-style and EP Booster-type overdrive pedals, the varying shades of drive came through nicely, without overpowering any frequencies in one way or another.

My favorite sound is a clean one, playing through a Universal Audio Dream '65 amp pedal I currently have on loan. The Dream excels as a clean platform with added spring reverb drip, and nicely complements the versatile nature of the Gretsch’s tone.

Without reiterating my earlier criticism of the Bigsby’s tuning stability, when used lightly, it is a lot of fun. In my view, Bigsbys seem to have a really classy, smooth type of wobble that is definitely present here.

The only thing I wish I had more of is some low-end beef. To my ears, the Grestch lacks just a little bit of punch here, and this translates into lead lines that can feel a bit thin at times. However, this is a minor criticism within what is generally the quintessential Grestch sound with Filter'Tron pickups at an appealing price point.

Verdict

It's that combination of Gretsch calling cards and pricing that makes the 5230T Sparkle JET FT a guitar that is well worth considering for anyone looking to add some of the brand's iconic traits to their arsenal of tones.

The build quality of my test model does have some issues that give me pause, but Bigsby tuning issues can probably be remedied.

Even outside of the lower-mid market affordability factor, the playability here is a real highlight, and the head-turning aesthetic wraps up what is an undeniably classy and great-sounding, archetypal Gretsch guitar.

MusicRadar verdict: With quintessential Gretsch Filter'Tron sounds and sparkles to die for, there's much to enjoy here – just be careful with that Bigsby.

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