The Gretsch just has that magic chime and jangle that isn't like that from any other guitar. It's so unique and is really infectious. Once you hear it, you gotta have it.
Loved the sound of the gretch! For me, the les paul sounded muffled; like a person talking with their hand over their mouth. The gretch sounded brilliant and wide open.
I'm a modern metal guy but the duo jets have always screamed like monsters, not to mention, the pickups are great for rythym and it's where it really shines, hell just listen to any ACDC song,
@Boony Tooty gotta agree. Gibson has flaws and Fender has flaws you can always expect but with Japanese instruments, its like they just get them on anotger level sometimes. The details are amazing for the orice point almost every time, and ive yet to have fret sprout on an Ibanez or an ESP but have had it on both Gibson and Fender within a few years of ownership.
Richard Cunningham even though it's les paul and not sg. The way they sound together is kind of like ac dc with Angus playing a gibson and Malcolm playing a grestch.
Someone I know plays with Duo Jet and there's something about the frequencies it pushes out that really makes it cut through live while other guitars get lost in the mud. Sometimes a guitar isn't about how nice it sounds while noodling on the sofa but what it does in context.
poise in chaos I like the way that you put that... it’s all preference. I’ve never picked up at Gretch and been amazed, but I could see where in a band it makes the guitar. Then again, the amp and settings do a lot. I play in a red dirt country band. people look at me funny sometimes when I pull out the LP but it works well for our sound
The Gretch sounds so much more versatile. I felt the distortion was a tad better on the Les Paul but in every other setting the Gretch knocks it out of the park (for me). The clean chords are so beautiful and full of all the feels. When the LP was chording it was almost embarassing next to the Gretch. Also, on some of your single clean lines, the gretch was almost single-coil chimey. Maybe it's just the comparison. Anyhow thanks for the great vid.
Vegechops - I agree entirely, the Gretsch is far more versatile and has a superb clean tone. Thanks, Darrell, you really bring so much to these videos.
Gibson sounds a lil generic to me the gretsch has alot more to offer and I would say more versatile. I've only got a streamliner at the moment but would love a healthy upgrade. But I'm stuck between a g5420t or a Joe pass epiphone.
As a bassist that dabbles on guitar. I seriously think Gretsch is one of the most underrated brands out there. It's not about country and rockabilly. They have that great mid ground tone thats between a single coil and a humbucker without the hum of a P-90.
The LP sounded muffled in comparison, you can get a Gretsch to sound like an LP but not the other way around. The harmonic richness of Gretsch is unparalleled.
Gretsch as we know it today could have been the biggest guitar brand based on the quality of their products, but poor decisions were made high up in the company like selling gretsch to people who almost ran it into the ground in the 70s and early 80s. But now gretsch is back in the game now that mr gretsch bought the company back in the 80s.
the gretsch sounded better in the first round; 2nd round was a tie; 3 round goes to gretsch; 4th round a tie; 5th round to gretsch; i think the gretsch wins overall!!
Low out put humbuckers are what filtertrons are so that's prolly what's making you think it sounds like a single coil. Which is perfectly fine actually since if you want higher output just crank your amp a lil more and BAM! Filter b doin everything that a humbucker can and then some. Filters are prolly the best guitar pick up ever made in that respect. Some just feel they don't look as kool as humbuckers and I'm kind of in that group lol.
Rick, at least I don't say Very Unique! Why do people put very in front of unique. seems redundant. (fixed the spelling too, even though either seems OK) www.dictionary.com/e/compliment-vs-complement/
Happy Monday everyone!! After listening to the comparison, are you a fan of the "chunk" or the "chime?" Guitar Links: GIBSON: imp.i114863.net/Yeq2B GRETSCH: imp.i114863.net/dB9X7
I love both. That's why I own both. Currently, a '13 Gibson LP Tribute Future and a '17 Gretsch Pro Jet (which I just sold). Still own an Electromatic, though, and it has plenty of chime. The Gretsch "Jet" guitars provide plenty of chunk, though. Just ask Malcolm Young of AC/DC.
I definitely prefer the warm roundness of the LP neck pickup. I thought the Gretch neck pup sounded what I’ll describe as sterile. Though the Gretch does sound chimey clean, it didn’t feel as musical as a Strat or Tele to me. Both sounded great with heavy overdrive.
I've played many Les Pauls and currently own the Gretsch. The Gretsch has more character. One of my favorite things which I prefer about the Gretsch is the clarity & resonance. You don't lose the sound of the individual strings to a fuzzy grind nearly as quickly as you do on the Les Paul. I do a lot of arpeggios and fingerpicking, so this is very good for that style. They also have much more character in mid-gain and clean playing. It's amazing how easily you can dial up the Chet Atkins/Brian Setzer sound and then go right into the Pete Townshend/Billy Duffy roar.......Just my $0.02.
Gretsch is so great, I've played probably 20 different guitars from them and I've loved them all. Can't afford to buy one, but it will be my next purchase once I save up
Yoir soloing makes me want to grow my hair out, take off my shirt, and let the wind rustle my hair while I watch the sunset. Great vid as always Darrell
I'm a Les Paul guy from way back, but I bought my first Gretsch (5420T) a couple of years ago and fell instantly in love with it. I've tried a few others since then, and definitely have a Power Jet in my future...just beautiful sounding/feeling guitars!
Good review. I have both guitars. The only thing criticism I have is at 3:55 when you turned up the gain ONLY for the bridge pickups. I think you should have continued with clean tones as was done for the neck and both (neck and bridge) pickups, just to complete the clean comparison (I know that you essentially did that a little later at 7:22). But at 4:54 it surprised me when you said it surprised you about the high gain comparo on the bridge pickup. If the pickups from both guitars have approximately the same output power (which these do), then lots of gain will just max out both guitar's output waveforms into almost identical squarewaves which WILL sound the same and become more of a charcteristic of the amp rather than the guitars.
Great comparison, both sounded really cool. I liked the Gretsch more than I thought I would, the clean Brian Setzer type stuff just sizzles with a Gretsch. The darker, heavier tones from the LP are great also... Both brands have various price points depending on your wallet. While I've always been a LP lover, that Gretsch was a fantastic sounding guitar. I'll take one of each, problem solved!
Both! Gretsch for the highs and Gibson for the richness. Two different guitars for two different sounds and styles of music even though both can play similar styles of music. Thanks for the post, very enjoyable as usual! 👍 for Darrell everyone!
My choice of which I'd rather play would depend on what kind of music I'd be playing on it, but in general I'll always prefer that warmth the Les Paul has over "bright" every time.
They both sound great. I have to say I think there's much more going on with the LP, richer, deeper. Not always what you want, but when you do, it's heaven.
Great video. Excellent comparison. Surprisingly I'd award the overall victory to the Gretsch. Other than the high gain, distorted lead which favored the Les Paul I felt the Gretsch was decidedly better in all other tests - especially the country/rockabilly and arpeggiated chords comparisons. Again, well done.
Aside from the fact both guitars have amazing qualities all their own, you really are able to bring out everything. You really can squeeze out every bit of juice from those guitars. Nice, nice work.
imo terrific vid, as usual i prefer the gibson overall but the gretsch did so much better than i expected in the end, the better the player the less important the instrument becomes imo
Really good overview of two guitars that I would never have thought to compare. I have a Gretsch 5236 chambered mahogony w/ maple cap ... I sold my Les Paul after I got this Gretsch. I play mostly southern style Americana, clean blues in a Marshall dsl40 with just enough gain to fatten it up. Outstanding instrument
Well, I have little experience with a Les Paul and none at all with a Gretsch but if I had to pick one I'd have the Duo Jet. It just seems the more versatile sounding of the two. Plus, I have a soft spot for Japanese-made guitars (I own three of them). As usual, a well done video comparison, Darrell.
I was actually impressed by the Gretsch. I've always been a fan, but usually have leaned more towards the Les Paul sounds. Other than listening to Les Paul (with the original signature series guitar) and Chet Atkins on a Country Gentleman, and Angus' SG with Malcolm's Jet Firebird, I don't think I've heard any other Gretsch Gibson combinations. Certainly not a Les Paul and Duo Jet which seems to have been created to compete with the LP
Well done review/comparison of two great sounding guitars. I have a Korean made Gretsch semi hollow body (my first Gretsch) that puts to shame the fit, finish and build of any American made Gibson. The Gretsch is flawless in fit and finish, plays like a dream. And it cost under $1000. $850 To be exact. I replaced the stock bridge pickup with a TV Jones Powertron Plus Bridge humbucker, the hottest filtertron TV Jones makes. Designed at the request of Billy Gibbons who wanted a hotter bridge pickup. And man, Billy sure got one. It's a thunder screaming beast. I've had Gibsons.
Great video! This is actually the second or third time I've watched it. Now, I may be just GASsing for the Gretsch, but... My opinion is that the LP is best if you tend to play more hard-rock stuff with heavy distortion and you rarely play clean. Les Pauls do clean, but it's a jazzy clean. But if you play a more wide variety of rock, do clean tones that are not jazzy, like jangly chords or folk or country, and/or love "vintage" sounds, i.e. Beatles, 60s rock, garage, then the Gretsch MURDERS those styles. The unique powertron pickups, descendants of the filtertron pickups which probably predate Seth Lover's Gibson humbucker design, also provide a peculiar honky-ness exclusive to its design. No other pickup sounds like these guys, and these combined with Gretsch's odd 24.6 inch scale length, provide a unique feel. Every time I've picked up a Gretsch at a shop, I start playing more intricate stuff, tending towards clean tones, and less chunky power chords, etc., and this is just a feature, not a flaw, of *"That Great Gretsch Sound."*
Very impressed w/Gretsch. It certainly has a brighter tone, but then can go deep in the mids/lows. To me, it's like having a child of a Strat/Les Paul...reminds me of a nice mix of both.
The string break angle at the nut and the headstock tilt angle along with the bridge design make the duo jet much better designed to stay in tune. I bet the les paul has better intonation past the twelfth fret though.
Wow, great comparison! I’ve gotta admit, the Gretcsh sounds amazing...those pickups are so versatile! if I had to pick between these two for my main guitar, it would be the Gretcsh since I believe they are both around the same price point. 🎸✌🏻
Great comparison. Bought my first guitar new in 2000, Gibson SG, thought about the Les Paul standard because they look and sound sooooo good. Picked up a Gretsch semi Hallow body Streamliner....now I'm all in with the Jet! this video sure helped make my mind up. I'll buy the Gibson Les Paul one day.
I've had, and played both Gretsches and Les Pauls/SGs. If you want an early Clapton overdriven/distorted tone or Jazzy round tone, the humbuckers on Gibsons will not disappoint. I find that Gretsches with filtertron pickups have more clarity, and especially shine for Brian Setzer for Cliff Gallup tones. This, somewhat less, overdriven sound, matched with slapback delay, is one that you didn't explore in your comparison. Of course, the Gibson model Chat Atkins never matched the sounds of his guitars designed for Gretsch. There is just more twang available in those instruments. If you can afford it, have at least one of each, plus a Fender single-coil Strat or Tele, and you'll have your bases covered for electric guitars. I believe that Japanese-made Gretsch guitars are the best-ever for construction.
Tough to choose between the both of them, you make both of them sound really good! I have wanted a Gretsch for a while, already have a les. The dual guitar thing you did at the end sounded great. The Gretsch def has more of a jangley sound, I will have to try one out soon. Cheers from Maine!
Must have both!! Great comparison as usual. Love your riffage and I think the Gretsch really shines on the lower gain stuff and the rockabilly as I had expected. Both offer something different and very usable in most situations. And they both look and sound amazing! God Bless!
I’m really liking the Gretsch! I thought it was just a rockabilly guitar, which it exceeds at, but it clearly does so much more! Now when it comes to sustain, I’d really like to hear my Hagstrom Swede in the mix!
Hagstroms are very under-rated guitars - I had a Hagstrom Jimmy (with the oval sound hole) for a few years a long time ago, and the quality, feel and sound was excellent. I sold it to a jazz player in the end, as I felt his chops and abolity were more suited to it than mine. The bass player in the band I'm in recently bought a black Viking bass, which looks very cool and sounds great!
I own a couple of Gibson Les Pauls, and my friend owns a Gretsch Duo Jet. I have had the opportunity to play my LP Standard and his Duo Jet through my Vox AC4-BL (although, not back to back), and they are both wonderful guitars that sounded fantastic. My friend and I are both blessed with several very nice guitars, so for us it comes down to personal taste. I grew up on classic rock, he grew up in Muhlenberg County (home of the guys Chet Atkins learned from). Honestly, you can't go wrong with either one.
I think the Gretsch fits right in between an SG and a PRS guitar. My first time seeing the Duojet used in a live performance was here in the Sacramento area with a popular local band called Apple Z. That guitar is in one word POWERFUL.
It's good to remember that a Grestch loaded with FilterTrons that measure at 4 will sound significantly different than the LP. which is why a swapped my PowerTrons for standard FilterTrons.
Been a strat player since I learned guitar as a kid, ripping my dads custom partscaster he gave me that he built in the 80's from scratch. Now since my late teens up until now I've really stepped up to take my playing serious, exploring all genres from classic rock to rockabilly to jazz to blues, and in 2015 bought my second guitar which was a GRETSCH g5420. Love this guitar with all my heart, and does exactly what I want it to. Now I always thought I was a single coil guy, and for all solid body rock tunes I would just rock my strat (which I do), and the only humbuckers I would use would be filters for the clean rockabilly pickin. but when I got into the studio a month or so ago, one of the engineers handed me his epi traditional pro LP for the song I was recording on. Man was I floored by the insane tone I got on this hard rock blues song. After that, I began questioning why I always wrote off solid body humbucker guitars and in about a week or so I had my own used epi traditional pro LP. I think I may be more of a les Paul guy now, and so of course the only sensible thing to do (hah) would be to get the real deal Gibson. However, I've seen the duo jets and since my hollow body kicks so much ass for its niche, I wondered if the jet could hold its own for what I now would use the Gibson LP for. Stumbled on this video during research, and you've officially made me a Gretsch man for all walks of life. Thanks for the great comparison
Hands down the Gretsch! Maybe its just me but I find its tone to be a refreshing departure from 50+ years of Strats and Les Paul's. Never cared for the Strat sound, though I love the way they look, and Les Pauls, to me, always sounded a bit muddy - and I never liked their looks. The Gretsch is no better in the looks department, essentially the Les Paul look, but sounds way more vibrant and alive than the LP. Nice to see it held its own with the modern sound instead of country or rockabilly I normally associate with a Gretsch. I think Gibson will be in huge trouble once Gretsch catches on - and I think they will. Gretsch and Paul Reed Smith - look out Gibson!
David Burke ; by "catching on" I was referring to people rediscovering it. Gibson is experiencing a lot of qc issues and I think people are looking for alternatives. Gretsch might just start grabbing a chunk of Gibson's market.
Still prefer the gretsch filtertron especially for cleaner sounds with a mix of reverb and echo .tv jones are also great but are just a little to bright compared to the originals .
I'm a drummer who plays bass who plays guitar, in that order. I tend to favor clean sounds. The Gretsch was the winner for me until the classic rock solos. The Les Paul was the winner for me there. Since that's not really my thing, I still prefer the Gretsch and I'm going to look into some TV Jones pickups. Besides, Billy Zoom!
Couldn't make my mind up until the end .....Les Paul , didn't like the floating bridge or the position markers on the gretsch , what a great alternative though. Your playing is soooo accurate!!
You should check out the Gretsch 5420T hollowbody. On current production models the bridge is pinned in place and it sounds even nicer than the duojet.
I've had a black Duo Jet for nearly 20 years now & it's just fantastic. I'm a Tele player at heart, but have always loved the style & sound of Les Pauls. To my mind, these are the perfect hybrid of the two. It's lighter & more comfortable to play than a Les Paul, about the same weight as a solid Tele. Mine has Filtertron mini-humbuckers and it can do those deep twangy tones on the neck pickup in clean mode, much better than a Tele but it has a growly bite to it that's different. Playing it on the bridge pickup through a Vox AC30 and a BB Preamp is just wild, it takes that extra gain so well. It's the most versatile guitar I own.
I don't know if they invited you to Guitcon, but they should. You have an incredible ear, very good taste, and I absolutely appreciate your professional presentations. I wish I could be more involved, but I can't. Therefore, it should be guys like you, Pete Thorn, & Tim Pierce. You 3 are top notch guitarists. There is a young lady in Canada, Ayla Guitar is her channel who I believe SHOULD be involved as well. You guys are heavy hitters, and incredibly, she is as well. Canadians, I don't know what to say... blessed guitarists.
Your comparisons are really good, the differences become clear. Played alone, the Duo seemed better at everything but the soloing at the end showed that the Les Paul will always be just the right guitar for some people.
I love the gretsche jet its such a great guitar and has an amazing tone you can literally play anything with it and still get a very nice blues tone all the way to distorted high gain tones amazing all around and I also feel like the gretsche has more dynamic range
I'm glad you did this comparison. I've been considering this issue for quite awhile now, and it came out about as I expected it would.....though I will say that the performance of the Gretsch bridge did surprise me a little. Great video! Thanks
Darrell, thank you so much for doing this comparison and confirming that I do need a Duo Jet! Or one of the new Jet BT. I would love to see you compare the Duo Jet and Les Paul with a Hagstrom Super Swede some time.
Luv both of these guitars, but the Gretsch has always been the best of both worlds! From twangy Fender to rockin’ Gibson & everything in between. Gretsch guitars also look like works of art due to awesome QC. Lastly, the slogan! “That great Gretsch sound”.
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The Gretsch just has that magic chime and jangle that isn't like that from any other guitar. It's so unique and is really infectious. Once you hear it, you gotta have it.
Gretsch's look better. It's not supposed to matter, but they do. Yeah, I'm that shallow.
Yes i agree. I bought one. Well i got the g2420 hollow body. The twang the special sound. All gretsch are amazing.
gretsch bigsbys are built different
@@Blackmetaljulian That'll explain why my wife ran off with Godzilla's cosmetic surgeon then.
Thats what my brother said too he said This has something the les paul just doesnt he was comparing the two and wanted the gretsch
Loved the sound of the gretch! For me, the les paul sounded muffled; like a person talking with their hand over their mouth. The gretch sounded brilliant and wide open.
Gretch tends to be less expensive compared to other name brands. It's just as iconic and maybe more versatile. Gretch wins in my book.
Not really. This Gretsch costs $2500- it's not that cheap!
I got the same Gretsch, just a cheaper version, and it sounds great!
Not for the Japanese-made stuff. Comparable with all the US brand pricing.
That's a respectable opinion.
@@shayh.3556 yeah, I’ve got the 5435 tg and love it. Next up for me eventually will be a 5420 t or a Country Gent if I ever have extra money.
Malcolm and Angus knew a Gibson paired with Gretsch would sound awesome too! Haha.
like guns and roses
So did slash and Richard Fortus
@@1-minslomo129 who played the gretsch.
@@cornstar1253 Richard fortus and Izzy stradlin played a some i think
Add Neil Young to that list as he played both, though not simultaneously as far as I know.
I'm a modern metal guy but the duo jets have always screamed like monsters, not to mention, the pickups are great for rythym and it's where it really shines, hell just listen to any ACDC song,
“That great Gretsch sound!”
est. 1883
Indeed
Like Gretsch.
I think it sounds a lot more articulate, the Gibbo sounds messy to my ear.
@Boony Tooty gotta agree. Gibson has flaws and Fender has flaws you can always expect but with Japanese instruments, its like they just get them on anotger level sometimes. The details are amazing for the orice point almost every time, and ive yet to have fret sprout on an Ibanez or an ESP but have had it on both Gibson and Fender within a few years of ownership.
Boy these guitars complement each other phenomenally.
Richard Cunningham even though it's les paul and not sg. The way they sound together is kind of like ac dc with Angus playing a gibson and Malcolm playing a grestch.
Props for knowing how to spell complement.
Someone I know plays with Duo Jet and there's something about the frequencies it pushes out that really makes it cut through live while other guitars get lost in the mud. Sometimes a guitar isn't about how nice it sounds while noodling on the sofa but what it does in context.
poise in chaos I like the way that you put that... it’s all preference. I’ve never picked up at Gretch and been amazed, but I could see where in a band it makes the guitar.
Then again, the amp and settings do a lot. I play in a red dirt country band. people look at me funny sometimes when I pull out the LP but it works well for our sound
We'll put!
The Gretch sounds so much more versatile. I felt the distortion was a tad better on the Les Paul but in every other setting the Gretch knocks it out of the park (for me). The clean chords are so beautiful and full of all the feels. When the LP was chording it was almost embarassing next to the Gretch. Also, on some of your single clean lines, the gretch was almost single-coil chimey. Maybe it's just the comparison. Anyhow thanks for the great vid.
Vegechops 💯! I have never played a Gretsch but I was surprised how much better it sounded overall. Much clearer and brighter than the LP.
Vegechops - I agree entirely, the Gretsch is far more versatile and has a superb clean tone. Thanks, Darrell, you really bring so much to these videos.
Have to agree, they both sounded good with distortion on the bridge pickup, but for everything else the Gretsch blew the Les Paul away.
Feel the same!
Gibson sounds a lil generic to me the gretsch has alot more to offer and I would say more versatile. I've only got a streamliner at the moment but would love a healthy upgrade. But I'm stuck between a g5420t or a Joe pass epiphone.
Gretch for me.
Love that tone.
And the look is so old fashion I love it.
As a bassist that dabbles on guitar. I seriously think Gretsch is one of the most underrated brands out there. It's not about country and rockabilly. They have that great mid ground tone thats between a single coil and a humbucker without the hum of a P-90.
The LP sounded muffled in comparison, you can get a Gretsch to sound like an LP but not the other way around. The harmonic richness of Gretsch is unparalleled.
I have both. Every gig I have played I have picked the Gretsch. They are both good... the Gretsch is just move versatile.
Gretsch Wins! is a sound for i search... versatile, blues and jazz sounds in especial rock.
I'm as big a Gibson guy as anyone, but the LP was just trying to keep up with the Gretsch the whole time.
Yeah, it was pretty surprising. That Gretsch sounded like a million bucks. The Les Paul just sounded average.
I couldn't agree more.
Gretsch as we know it today could have been the biggest guitar brand based on the quality of their products, but poor decisions were made high up in the company like selling gretsch to people who almost ran it into the ground in the 70s and early 80s. But now gretsch is back in the game now that mr gretsch bought the company back in the 80s.
@@bradrichardson3539 Nah it's a Fender enterprise now & they do better with Gretsch than they do with the parent company (my opinion).
@@Philip_Taylor It’s not a fender enterprise. Fender just lets them use their factories.
Gretsch just oozes quality! and that pure black fret board is beautiful.
Shame it doesn't have their signature hump block inlays.
the gretsch sounded better in the first round; 2nd round was a tie; 3 round goes to gretsch; 4th round a tie; 5th round to gretsch; i think the gretsch wins overall!!
I guess it's a matter of personal taste, but to me, the Gretsch dominated in every category. Such a lively tone. Almost single coil like.
Low out put humbuckers are what filtertrons are so that's prolly what's making you think it sounds like a single coil. Which is perfectly fine actually since if you want higher output just crank your amp a lil more and BAM! Filter b doin everything that a humbucker can and then some. Filters are prolly the best guitar pick up ever made in that respect. Some just feel they don't look as kool as humbuckers and I'm kind of in that group lol.
100% agree!! His final verdict was not accurate!
I keep replaying the first 30 seconds of this. Amazing how well they complement each other.
Rick, at least I don't say Very Unique! Why do people put very in front of unique. seems redundant. (fixed the spelling too, even though either seems OK) www.dictionary.com/e/compliment-vs-complement/
les paul my love, i really love his smooth sound. But my god the gretsch is such an underrated and beautiful guitar.
Happy Monday everyone!!
After listening to the comparison, are you a fan of the "chunk" or the "chime?"
Guitar Links:
GIBSON: imp.i114863.net/Yeq2B
GRETSCH: imp.i114863.net/dB9X7
I love both. That's why I own both. Currently, a '13 Gibson LP Tribute Future and a '17 Gretsch Pro Jet (which I just sold). Still own an Electromatic, though, and it has plenty of chime.
The Gretsch "Jet" guitars provide plenty of chunk, though. Just ask Malcolm Young of AC/DC.
More into the chime.
I definitely prefer the warm roundness of the LP neck pickup. I thought the Gretch neck pup sounded what I’ll describe as sterile. Though the Gretch does sound chimey clean, it didn’t feel as musical as a Strat or Tele to me. Both sounded great with heavy overdrive.
I agree, they both sounded great! I think they both have their places in music.
Chime! Prefer that all day long.
“Two of the most iconic single-cut guitar” .. Telecaster is standing in the corner sipping tea
Like nintendo
Like walmart
When you don't understand what you read
Cuz the telecaster is doing its own thing like nintendo?
Tele was sipping tea until that was said, then he snorted it out of his nose.
I've played many Les Pauls and currently own the Gretsch. The Gretsch has more character. One of my favorite things which I prefer about the Gretsch is the clarity & resonance. You don't lose the sound of the individual strings to a fuzzy grind nearly as quickly as you do on the Les Paul. I do a lot of arpeggios and fingerpicking, so this is very good for that style. They also have much more character in mid-gain and clean playing. It's amazing how easily you can dial up the Chet Atkins/Brian Setzer sound and then go right into the Pete Townshend/Billy Duffy roar.......Just my $0.02.
im trading my 1979LP custom in for a new gretsch
Gretsch is so great, I've played probably 20 different guitars from them and I've loved them all. Can't afford to buy one, but it will be my next purchase once I save up
Yoir soloing makes me want to grow my hair out, take off my shirt, and let the wind rustle my hair while I watch the sunset. Great vid as always Darrell
😄😄😄
That’s so wicked...It turns you into The Incredible...Fabio!!!
Lmfao
yeah they do I have a G5222 it came w/bone nut!
I'm a Gretsch player (Streamliner), and my bands other guitarist plays a Les Paul. They compliment each other so well!
Off topic ...But have you seen this GRETA yet? Or seen any vids on it? Gretsch G-2420TP90 Streamliner
@@tonyb.7158 yeah, mine is the gold dust color of the G2420!
That's a very polite way to describe Gibson QC problems!
We call it character lol
I'm a Les Paul guy from way back, but I bought my first Gretsch (5420T) a couple of years ago and fell instantly in love with it. I've tried a few others since then, and definitely have a Power Jet in my future...just beautiful sounding/feeling guitars!
The Gretsch put Gibson in place. I can't believe the huge differences between the two. Nice tones on the Gretsch!!!
Pretty sure the Gretsch sustained for longer
Some would say pup height effects sustain
@@lonnyeaton103 It does. Les Paul's dont have the best of sustain.
Lonny Eaton Some say its the weight
I thought so too.. but it was thinner sound.
i think it didn't have sustain and the les paul was tonal
Gretsch all day! Such a great guitar.
Good review. I have both guitars. The only thing criticism I have is at 3:55 when you turned up the gain ONLY for the bridge pickups. I think you should have continued with clean tones as was done for the neck and both (neck and bridge) pickups, just to complete the clean comparison (I know that you essentially did that a little later at 7:22). But at 4:54 it surprised me when you said it surprised you about the high gain comparo on the bridge pickup. If the pickups from both guitars have approximately the same output power (which these do), then lots of gain will just max out both guitar's output waveforms into almost identical squarewaves which WILL sound the same and become more of a charcteristic of the amp rather than the guitars.
Great comparison, both sounded really cool.
I liked the Gretsch more than I thought I would, the clean Brian Setzer type stuff just sizzles with a Gretsch. The darker, heavier tones from the LP are great also... Both brands have various price points depending on your wallet. While I've always been a LP lover, that Gretsch was a fantastic sounding guitar.
I'll take one of each, problem solved!
Both! Gretsch for the highs and Gibson for the richness. Two different guitars for two different sounds and styles of music even though both can play similar styles of music. Thanks for the post, very enjoyable as usual! 👍 for Darrell everyone!
My choice of which I'd rather play would depend on what kind of music I'd be playing on it, but in general I'll always prefer that warmth the Les Paul has over "bright" every time.
I played once a Les Paul and fell in love with it. But now I have to try the Gretsch. The more opened sound is fantastic!
First and foremost, excellent and tastefull guitar playing. My take is Gretsch. Thanks.
They both sound great. I have to say I think there's much more going on with the LP, richer, deeper. Not always what you want, but when you do, it's heaven.
Never thought I'd like a Gretsch so much... Great video, man!
Thanks Tiago!
Great video. Excellent comparison. Surprisingly I'd award the overall victory to the Gretsch. Other than the high gain, distorted lead which favored the Les Paul I felt the Gretsch was decidedly better in all other tests - especially the country/rockabilly and arpeggiated chords comparisons. Again, well done.
I love the Gretsch but it sounds great playing with a les Paul they complement each other very well. My preference is for the Gretsch.
Aside from the fact both guitars have amazing qualities all their own, you really are able to bring out everything. You really can squeeze out every bit of juice from those guitars. Nice, nice work.
imo
terrific vid, as usual
i prefer the gibson overall but the gretsch did so much better than i expected
in the end, the better the player the less important the instrument becomes
imo
Charlie Newman true dat
Really good overview of two guitars that I would never have thought to compare. I have a Gretsch 5236 chambered mahogony w/ maple cap ... I sold my Les Paul after I got this Gretsch. I play mostly southern style Americana, clean blues in a Marshall dsl40 with just enough gain to fatten it up. Outstanding instrument
Well, I have little experience with a Les Paul and none at all with a Gretsch but if I had to pick one I'd have the Duo Jet. It just seems the more versatile sounding of the two. Plus, I have a soft spot for Japanese-made guitars (I own three of them). As usual, a well done video comparison, Darrell.
I reallllllllly enjoyed that comparison. A lot of fun. Thanks so much!
Excellent road tests of two nice guitars. A tough choice but for me the versatility of the Gretsch makes it the one to go for.
Give Me the Gretsch any day of the week! Rock solid, tone for so many applications & beautifully built.
I was actually impressed by the Gretsch. I've always been a fan, but usually have leaned more towards the Les Paul sounds.
Other than listening to Les Paul (with the original signature series guitar) and Chet Atkins on a Country Gentleman, and Angus' SG with Malcolm's Jet Firebird, I don't think I've heard any other Gretsch Gibson combinations. Certainly not a Les Paul and Duo Jet which seems to have been created to compete with the LP
Well done review/comparison of two great sounding guitars. I have a Korean made Gretsch semi hollow body (my first Gretsch) that puts to shame the fit, finish and build of any American made Gibson. The Gretsch is flawless in fit and finish, plays like a dream. And it cost under $1000. $850 To be exact. I replaced the stock bridge pickup with a TV Jones Powertron Plus Bridge humbucker, the hottest filtertron TV Jones makes. Designed at the request of Billy Gibbons who wanted a hotter bridge pickup. And man, Billy sure got one. It's a thunder screaming beast. I've had Gibsons.
Great video! This is actually the second or third time I've watched it. Now, I may be just GASsing for the Gretsch, but... My opinion is that the LP is best if you tend to play more hard-rock stuff with heavy distortion and you rarely play clean. Les Pauls do clean, but it's a jazzy clean. But if you play a more wide variety of rock, do clean tones that are not jazzy, like jangly chords or folk or country, and/or love "vintage" sounds, i.e. Beatles, 60s rock, garage, then the Gretsch MURDERS those styles.
The unique powertron pickups, descendants of the filtertron pickups which probably predate Seth Lover's Gibson humbucker design, also provide a peculiar honky-ness exclusive to its design. No other pickup sounds like these guys, and these combined with Gretsch's odd 24.6 inch scale length, provide a unique feel.
Every time I've picked up a Gretsch at a shop, I start playing more intricate stuff, tending towards clean tones, and less chunky power chords, etc., and this is just a feature, not a flaw, of *"That Great Gretsch Sound."*
Thanks for the great comparison of these two iconic guitars! I *was* in the process of choosing. Now I’m completely sold on the Duo.
Very impressed w/Gretsch. It certainly has a brighter tone, but then can go deep in the mids/lows. To me, it's like having a child of a Strat/Les Paul...reminds me of a nice mix of both.
Gretsch rings like a bell. Chet Atkins "Mr. Sandman" is a perfect example. A lot of the tone is from the low output pickups, much lower than PAFs.
The Gretsch looks like a piece of art. The black hole black shiny top with the mahogany sides and back is really something!!!
I bet the Duo jet stays in tune better than the avg LP.
I doubt it.
I have a Powerjet and it stays beautifully in tune.
The string break angle at the nut and the headstock tilt angle along with the bridge design make the duo jet much better designed to stay in tune. I bet the les paul has better intonation past the twelfth fret though.
@@kohlscunty the intonation on the Gretch is quite good.
Depends on what bridge you have. If it’s a floating space bridge, the intonation is a huge pain in the ass to tune.
Wow, great comparison! I’ve gotta admit, the Gretcsh sounds amazing...those pickups are so versatile! if I had to pick between these two for my main guitar, it would be the Gretcsh since I believe they are both around the same price point. 🎸✌🏻
Two beautiful guitars. I think the Gretsch is more versatile, whereas the LP does one thing and does it flawlessly.
Great comparison. Bought my first guitar new in 2000, Gibson SG, thought about the Les Paul standard because they look and sound sooooo good. Picked up a Gretsch semi Hallow body Streamliner....now I'm all in with the Jet! this video sure helped make my mind up. I'll buy the Gibson Les Paul one day.
This might be my favorite of your videos. If I had to choose between the two guitars I honestly don't know which one i'd pick. They're both KILLER!
I've had, and played both Gretsches and Les Pauls/SGs. If you want an early Clapton overdriven/distorted tone or Jazzy round tone, the humbuckers on Gibsons will not disappoint. I find that Gretsches with filtertron pickups have more clarity, and especially shine for Brian Setzer for Cliff Gallup tones. This, somewhat less, overdriven sound, matched with slapback delay, is one that you didn't explore in your comparison. Of course, the Gibson model Chat Atkins never matched the sounds of his guitars designed for Gretsch. There is just more twang available in those instruments. If you can afford it, have at least one of each, plus a Fender single-coil Strat or Tele, and you'll have your bases covered for electric guitars. I believe that Japanese-made Gretsch guitars are the best-ever for construction.
Tough to choose between the both of them, you make both of them sound really good! I have wanted a Gretsch for a while, already have a les. The dual guitar thing you did at the end sounded great. The Gretsch def has more of a jangley sound, I will have to try one out soon. Cheers from Maine!
Must have both!! Great comparison as usual. Love your riffage and I think the Gretsch really shines on the lower gain stuff and the rockabilly as I had expected. Both offer something different and very usable in most situations. And they both look and sound amazing! God Bless!
I’m really liking the Gretsch! I thought it was just a rockabilly guitar, which it exceeds at, but it clearly does so much more! Now when it comes to sustain, I’d really like to hear my Hagstrom Swede in the mix!
Hagstroms are very under-rated guitars - I had a Hagstrom Jimmy (with the oval sound hole) for a few years a long time ago, and the quality, feel and sound was excellent. I sold it to a jazz player in the end, as I felt his chops and abolity were more suited to it than mine. The bass player in the band I'm in recently bought a black Viking bass, which looks very cool and sounds great!
I feel spicing the two videos together really helps you hear the difference between the guitars. Good idea!
I own a couple of Gibson Les Pauls, and my friend owns a Gretsch Duo Jet. I have had the opportunity to play my LP Standard and his Duo Jet through my Vox AC4-BL (although, not back to back), and they are both wonderful guitars that sounded fantastic. My friend and I are both blessed with several very nice guitars, so for us it comes down to personal taste. I grew up on classic rock, he grew up in Muhlenberg County (home of the guys Chet Atkins learned from). Honestly, you can't go wrong with either one.
I think the Gretsch fits right in between an SG and a PRS guitar.
My first time seeing the Duojet used in a live performance was here in the Sacramento area with a popular local band called Apple Z. That guitar is in one word POWERFUL.
It's good to remember that a Grestch loaded with FilterTrons that measure at 4 will sound significantly different than the LP. which is why a swapped my PowerTrons for standard FilterTrons.
Same
Been a strat player since I learned guitar as a kid, ripping my dads custom partscaster he gave me that he built in the 80's from scratch. Now since my late teens up until now I've really stepped up to take my playing serious, exploring all genres from classic rock to rockabilly to jazz to blues, and in 2015 bought my second guitar which was a GRETSCH g5420. Love this guitar with all my heart, and does exactly what I want it to. Now I always thought I was a single coil guy, and for all solid body rock tunes I would just rock my strat (which I do), and the only humbuckers I would use would be filters for the clean rockabilly pickin. but when I got into the studio a month or so ago, one of the engineers handed me his epi traditional pro LP for the song I was recording on. Man was I floored by the insane tone I got on this hard rock blues song. After that, I began questioning why I always wrote off solid body humbucker guitars and in about a week or so I had my own used epi traditional pro LP. I think I may be more of a les Paul guy now, and so of course the only sensible thing to do (hah) would be to get the real deal Gibson. However, I've seen the duo jets and since my hollow body kicks so much ass for its niche, I wondered if the jet could hold its own for what I now would use the Gibson LP for. Stumbled on this video during research, and you've officially made me a Gretsch man for all walks of life. Thanks for the great comparison
About the brand I think it's difficult to say. But about the model I would say the LP. And for me that's because of the look. I have a crush on LPs 😂
Hands down the Gretsch!
Maybe its just me but I find its tone to be a refreshing departure from 50+ years of Strats and Les Paul's.
Never cared for the Strat sound, though I love the way they look, and Les Pauls, to me, always sounded a bit muddy - and I never liked their looks. The Gretsch is no better in the looks department, essentially the Les Paul look, but sounds way more vibrant and alive than the LP. Nice to see it held its own with the modern sound instead of country or rockabilly I normally associate with a Gretsch. I think Gibson will be in huge trouble once Gretsch catches on - and I think they will. Gretsch and Paul Reed Smith - look out Gibson!
David Burke ; by "catching on" I was referring to people rediscovering it. Gibson is experiencing a lot of qc issues and I think people are looking for alternatives. Gretsch might just start grabbing a chunk of Gibson's market.
That Gretsch is just wonderful to look at, it sounds good too.
I liked the clean tone of the bridge pickup on the Gretsch. It had a shimmer (or something) that I wasn't expecting.
I just sold my Gretsch single-cut Pro-Jet (with the TV Jones Classics), and I already miss that guitar. Still have my hollow-body 5420T, though.
nothing beats a overdriven filtertron, especially a TV JONES filtertron.
Still prefer the gretsch filtertron especially for cleaner sounds with a mix of reverb and echo .tv jones are also great but are just a little to bright compared to the originals .
I love les pauls. They are my favourite guitars. The gretsch sounded very sweet too tho!
I'm a drummer who plays bass who plays guitar, in that order. I tend to favor clean sounds. The Gretsch was the winner for me until the classic rock solos. The Les Paul was the winner for me there. Since that's not really my thing, I still prefer the Gretsch and I'm going to look into some TV Jones pickups. Besides, Billy Zoom!
Can't go wrong either way! Both Classic and both can Rock!!!
The Gretsch matched with your guitar playing sounded beautiful. Nice work Darrell!
Thanks Shaun!
Couldn't make my mind up until the end .....Les Paul , didn't like the floating bridge or the position markers on the gretsch , what a great alternative though. Your playing is soooo accurate!!
You should check out the Gretsch 5420T hollowbody. On current production models the bridge is pinned in place and it sounds even nicer than the duojet.
I've had a black Duo Jet for nearly 20 years now & it's just fantastic. I'm a Tele player at heart, but have always loved the style & sound of Les Pauls. To my mind, these are the perfect hybrid of the two. It's lighter & more comfortable to play than a Les Paul, about the same weight as a solid Tele. Mine has Filtertron mini-humbuckers and it can do those deep twangy tones on the neck pickup in clean mode, much better than a Tele but it has a growly bite to it that's different. Playing it on the bridge pickup through a Vox AC30 and a BB Preamp is just wild, it takes that extra gain so well. It's the most versatile guitar I own.
Both have great sounds. In some cases the LP comes up short, but in others, it just sings and steps out in front.
I play clean most of the time so I like the Gretsch. The Gibson sounds a little distorted with those PAF picckups as to the TV Jones on the retsch.
I don't know if they invited you to Guitcon, but they should. You have an incredible ear, very good taste, and I absolutely appreciate your professional presentations. I wish I could be more involved, but I can't. Therefore, it should be guys like you, Pete Thorn, & Tim Pierce. You 3 are top notch guitarists. There is a young lady in Canada, Ayla Guitar is her channel who I believe SHOULD be involved as well. You guys are heavy hitters, and incredibly, she is as well. Canadians, I don't know what to say... blessed guitarists.
Thanks man!
If all goes well, I'll be heading for GuitCon this year ☺
Darrell Braun Guitar it’s on now...you there?
Your comparisons are really good, the differences become clear. Played alone, the Duo seemed better at everything but the soloing at the end showed that the Les Paul will always be just the right guitar for some people.
The first Gretsch Jet ("Tone Pot" circuit, DeArmond single coil pickups) was intoduced in 1953, 1 Year after the Les Paul.
I was born in 1953 and when I arrived both the Dr. and my dad said they were hoping for a Gretsch. ;)
@@Gene_Cali
I was born a year before Baldwin bought them out.
What a treat. Am a huge fan of the Gretsch, but this showed the strengths in both guitars for sure. Great share. Thank you.
Those three power chords on the Gretsch at 3:33 are incredible 😍
I love the gretsche jet its such a great guitar and has an amazing tone you can literally play anything with it and still get a very nice blues tone all the way to distorted high gain tones amazing all around and I also feel like the gretsche has more dynamic range
I'm really digging the gretsch in all category's
Your comparison videos are very smartly done. You never disappoint. I love all your vids. Keep doing what you do!
Gibson is muddier. Gretch is brighter. The 62 Duo Jet is one of my all time favorite guitars. Gretch are also classy. Check some of their models
Appreciate your insights Darrell. I had no idea Gretsch were so great. Call them Gretschky! They just don't get the press Gibsons do for some reason.
Darrell, I'm really enjoying to hear you playing any guitars. I guess any kind of piece of wood with strings will sound great in your hands ;)
😄 Thanks man!
IlyaZhuravlev oh yeah...he even plays while holding a Chorkie doggie on his lap...try that Slash(I love Slash)
I'm glad you did this comparison.
I've been considering this issue for quite awhile now, and it came out about as I expected it would.....though I will say that the performance of the Gretsch bridge did surprise me a little.
Great video!
Thanks
I'm glad you enjoyed the comparison!
reference Gilmour playing a duo jet for comfortably numb on the meltdown dvd. a solo tone that is epic!
joe clune : that said you should see his thoughts on why single coils are better than all else
Darrell, thank you so much for doing this comparison and confirming that I do need a Duo Jet! Or one of the new Jet BT. I would love to see you compare the Duo Jet and Les Paul with a Hagstrom Super Swede some time.
That's why your videos are so good I'm always learning something cool and new about something I love.Guitars.thanks darrell🤘
LOVED IT!!! Finely someone played the same thing on both! I've seen "Walk" played on one and "Thunder Struck" on the other. Drives me crazier.
I do believe that the Japanese made duo jets surpass the Gibson USA guitars, but not Gibson Custom.
Luv both of these guitars, but the Gretsch has always been the best of both worlds! From twangy Fender to rockin’ Gibson & everything in between. Gretsch guitars also look like works of art due to awesome QC. Lastly, the slogan! “That great Gretsch sound”.