Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Superbooth 2026
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Heart of Gold
  • Vince Clarke's favourite synth
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • The Beatles' medley masterpiece
  1. Guitars

Gretsch G5191BK Tim Armstrong Electromatic Hollowbody: First look

News
By Matthew Parker published 2 March 2010

The Rancid frontman's rockabilly signature

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

The guitar

The guitar

With a name like the Gretsch G5191BK Tim Armstrong Electromatic Hollowbody, this guitar is certain to catch your eye, if for no other reason than the label that can fit that title on it will likely be as large as the instrument itself.

The latest signature guitar from the Rancid frontman, it's a semi-acoustic that features Black Top Filter'tron pickups, Grover tuners and a rather nice matt black finish with gold fixtures. It's got an RRP of over £1,000, but we can't help but wonder how many Rancid fans can pull together that kind of cash. Perhaps, they'll make a budget one in the near future.

It's certainly a lovely-looking instrument, but whether it's worth a grand… Well, you'll just have to check out the review in TG201 (on sale 16 April) to find out.

View more First Look posts

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
The Body

The Body

With a name like the Gretsch G5191BK Tim Armstrong Electromatic Hollowbody, this guitar is certain to catch your eye, if for no other reason than the label that can fit that title on it will likely be as large as the instrument itself.

The latest signature guitar from the Rancid frontman, it's a semi-acoustic that features Black Top Filter'tron pickups, Grover tuners and a rather nice matt black finish with gold fixtures. It's got an RRP of over £1,000, but we can't help but wonder how many Rancid fans can pull together that kind of cash. Perhaps, they'll make a budget one in the near future.

It's certainly a lovely-looking instrument, but whether it's worth a grand… Well, you'll just have to check out the review in TG201 (on sale 16 April) to find out.

View more First Look posts

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
The Headstock

The Headstock

With a name like the Gretsch G5191BK Tim Armstrong Electromatic Hollowbody, this guitar is certain to catch your eye, if for no other reason than the label that can fit that title on it will likely be as large as the instrument itself.

The latest signature guitar from the Rancid frontman, it's a semi-acoustic that features Black Top Filter'tron pickups, Grover tuners and a rather nice matt black finish with gold fixtures. It's got an RRP of over £1,000, but we can't help but wonder how many Rancid fans can pull together that kind of cash. Perhaps, they'll make a budget one in the near future.

It's certainly a lovely-looking instrument, but whether it's worth a grand… Well, you'll just have to check out the review in TG201 (on sale 16 April) to find out.

View more First Look posts

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
The finish

The finish

With a name like the Gretsch G5191BK Tim Armstrong Electromatic Hollowbody, this guitar is certain to catch your eye, if for no other reason than the label that can fit that title on it will likely be as large as the instrument itself.

The latest signature guitar from the Rancid frontman, it's a semi-acoustic that features Black Top Filter'tron pickups, Grover tuners and a rather nice matt black finish with gold fixtures. It's got an RRP of over £1,000, but we can't help but wonder how many Rancid fans can pull together that kind of cash. Perhaps, they'll make a budget one in the near future.

It's certainly a lovely-looking instrument, but whether it's worth a grand… Well, you'll just have to check out the review in TG201 (on sale 16 April) to find out.

View more First Look posts

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
The Label

The Label

With a name like the Gretsch G5191BK Tim Armstrong Electromatic Hollowbody, this guitar is certain to catch your eye, if for no other reason than the label that can fit that title on it will likely be as large as the instrument itself.

The latest signature guitar from the Rancid frontman, it's a semi-acoustic that features Black Top Filter'tron pickups, Grover tuners and a rather nice matt black finish with gold fixtures. It's got an RRP of over £1,000, but we can't help but wonder how many Rancid fans can pull together that kind of cash. Perhaps, they'll make a budget one in the near future.

It's certainly a lovely-looking instrument, but whether it's worth a grand… Well, you'll just have to check out the review in TG201 (on sale 16 April) to find out.

View more First Look posts

Page 5 of 5
Page 5 of 5
Matthew Parker
Matthew Parker

Matt is a freelance journalist who has spent the last decade interviewing musicians for the likes of Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, MusicRadar, NME.com, DJ Mag and Electronic Sound. In 2020, he launched CreativeMoney.co.uk, which aims to share the ideas that make creative lifestyles more sustainable. He plays guitar, but should not be allowed near your delay pedals.

Latest in Guitars
Fender Tone Master Pro & FR-15 cab
Guitars Fender gives the Tone Master Pro a mighty firmware update, adding some classics from its amp archive
 
 
Epiphone Hummingbird Tribute
Guitars Epiphone unveils beginner-friendly $229 ‘Tribute’ to Gibson’s iconic Hummingbird acoustic
 
 
Ace Frehley plays his 1975 Les Paul Custom backstage in '77.
Guitars Ace Frehley’s iconic ‘Budokan’ Les Paul Custom sells at auction for $512,000
 
 
JHS Fumble
Guitars “I had confused the two similar circuits and made a horrible mistake. I made a video. I told everyone”: JHS Pedals unveils the Fumble – an $89 boost pedal with a seriously complicated back story involving John Mayer, Dumble amps and a ‘70s acoustic preamp
 
 
Lindsey Buckingham and Sam Fender
Artists Lindsey Buckingham spots something familiar in a hit Sam Fender song as he ponders the influence of Fleetwood Mac
 
 
Radiohead
Artists How Radiohead were finally convinced to embrace wireless guitar and mic tech for their most recent shows
 
 
Latest in News
How to buy your first acoustic piano
Tech Scientists finally unravel the mysteries of a pianist’s ‘touch’ after measuring hand and finger movements
 
 
Fender Tone Master Pro & FR-15 cab
Guitars Fender gives the Tone Master Pro a mighty firmware update, adding some classics from its amp archive
 
 
UA
Tech Universal Audio takes on Auto-Tune with Topline Vocal Tune – and promises pitch-perfect vocals "from the first take"
 
 
Singer Barry Manilow, 2025
Singers & Songwriters “I don’t know whether my voice is coming back”: Barry Manilow says he doesn’t “sound like me” after cancer surgery
 
 
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE -- Episode 1904 -- Pictured: Musical guest Paul McCartney performs "Days We Left Behind" on Saturday, May 16, 2026 -- (Photo by: Lloyd Bishop/NBC via Getty Images)
Artists Paul McCartney shows you how to play the mystery guitar chord that kickstarted his new album
 
 
Epiphone Hummingbird Tribute
Guitars Epiphone unveils beginner-friendly $229 ‘Tribute’ to Gibson’s iconic Hummingbird acoustic
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...