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General Information

Name: Gretsch G5230T Electromatic® Jet™ FT Single-Cut with Bigsby®
Type: Solid-body / Chambered / Filter’Tron / Rockabilly
Year: 2022 (purchased in 2024)
Mods: None

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Historical Context & Relevance

The Electromatic® Series from Gretsch represents the brand’s most accessible mid-tier line—offering classic looks and tone at a fraction of the price of the high-end Professional and Custom Shop series. The G5230T is part of the Jet™ family, which includes solid and chambered-body guitars built for rockabilly, surf, and vintage rock tones. Though built in China, this model reflects Gretsch’s partnership with Fender, which has helped elevate manufacturing quality, materials, and global availability.

This particular version features a chambered mahogany body with a maple top, a Bigsby® B50 tremolo, and two Black Top Filter’Tron™ pickups, which pay tribute to Gretsch’s legacy of bright, clear, low-output humbuckers. The Aleutian Blue finish and white binding lend it a striking aesthetic, reminiscent of 1950s car culture.

Critically, the guitar punches far above its price class ($600 USD) in terms of materials and build, though compromises like generic tuning machines, unrefined fret edges, and a slightly chunky feel make it a better fit for style-conscious players who enjoy modding or want an instrument with character.

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Story

I didn’t plan on buying a Gretsch. I just got the itch to learn some rockabilly, and naturally, I needed a guitar that could deliver that sound. A visit to my favorite store introduced me to the Electromatic Jet series, and I instantly fell for the Aleutian Blue G5230T. It had everything: the look, the sound, the vibe—and all within my budget.

Once plugged into a Fender Tone Master Princeton Reverb, it was pure magic. I was surprised by the Filter’Tron tone: not quite humbucker, not quite single coil—just its own unique, snarly chime. The Bigsby delivered a smooth shimmer on chords, and despite its quirks (hard edges, slightly chunky neck, stiff feel), I loved it.

What sealed it was how this guitar made me feel: it looked like the kind of instrument I used to dream of owning as a teenager reading Guitar Player magazines. Now it’s real—and it sounds as good as it looks.

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Image Gallery

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Sound Samples

(Sound Samples to be here)

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Specs

• Series: Electromatic®
• Model Number: 2507210502
• Color: Aleutian Blue
• Orientation: Right-Hand

Body

• Type: Solid body, chambered
• Material: Mahogany with arched laminated maple top
• Binding: White with B/W purfling
• Finish: Gloss
• Depth: 1.85″ (47 mm)
• Shape: Jet™

Neck

• Material: Mahogany
• Construction: Set neck
• Shape: Thin “U”
• Binding: White
• Finish: Gloss urethane
• Scale Length: 24.6″ (625 mm)
• Fingerboard: Laurel
• Radius: 12″ (305 mm)
• Frets: 22 medium jumbo
• Inlays: Pearloid Neo-Classic™ Thumbnail
• Nut: Synthetic bone, 1.6875″ (42.86 mm)

Electronics

• Pickups:
  • Neck: Black Top Filter’Tron™
  • Bridge: Black Top Filter’Tron™
• Controls:
  • Neck volume
  • Bridge volume
  • Master volume
  • Master tone (with treble-bleed circuit)
• Switch: 3-position toggle
  • 1: Bridge
  • 2: Neck + Bridge
  • 3: Neck

Hardware

• Bridge: Anchored Adjusto-Matic™
• Tailpiece: Bigsby® B50
• Tuning Machines: Die-cast
• Control Knobs: G-Arrow style
• Pickguard: Silver plexi with Gretsch® & Electromatic® logos
• Hardware Finish: Chrome
• Strings: .010–.046
• Strap Buttons: Gretsch® Knurled Retainer Knobs

Accessories

• Optional: G6238FT hardshell case or G2164 gig bag

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