Gretsch Guitars expand their Rancher acoustic series with five new and improved models for 2014.
G5022CWFE-12 Rancher Falcon Jumbo
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It’s a busy Winter NAMM season for Gretsch with so many new releases. This time we look at new Rancher models that all feature distinctive designs that are pleasant to look at. The five new models include the G5022CWFE Rancher Falcon Jumbo, G5022CWFE-12 Rancher Falcon Jumbo, G5031FT Rancher, G5024E Rancher and G5034TFT Rancher.
The G5022CWFE-12 Rancher Falcon Jumbo is regal looking white guitar that is easily the most eye catching among the bunch. It is based on the popular Gretsch White Falcon style, only this time applied to a 12-string jumbo acoustic guitar. The guitar features a jumbo cutaway body with a solid spruce top, scalloped X bracing, maple sides and arched maple back. The mahogany neck is topped by a 21-fret rosewood fingerboard with Neo-Classic “thumbnail” inlays.
Other features of the guitar include V-shaped headstock with vertical winged “Gretsch” sparkle logo, deluxe tuners, compensated bridge with rosewood base and gold-plated hardware to match the sparkling binding. For plugging in, the guitar comes equipped with the Fishman Sonicore Pickup (Under Saddle) and Isys + Pre-Amp System. A 6-string version is also available, G5022CWFE Rancher Falcon Jumbo, both are finished in gloss white with dazzling gold-saprkle binding on the top, back, sound hole, fingerboard and headstock.
G5022CWFE Rancher Falcon Jumbo
One look at the G5031FT Rancher acoustic guitar and you will notice something out of the ordinary, right above triangular soundhole is a Fideli’Tron humbucking pickup! Instead of relying on under saddle piezos like other acoustic-electric guitars, the G5031 has a working humbucker in the bridge position. This should give the guitar a plugged-in sound that is closer to electrics than acoustics, providing a different sound that many might find useful or interesting.
G5031FT Rancher
Aside from the oddball humbucker, the body of the guitar is still a true dreadnought acoustic. It features a bound solid spruce top with scalloped X bracing, mahogany sides and arched back. The guitar’s mahogany neck is topped by a 16-fret rosewood fingerboard with the familiar “thumbnail” inlays. Other features include a volume control for the pickup, compensated bridge saddle with rosewood base and deluxe tuners. If the humbucker is not out-of-this-world enough, Gretsch is releasing a version that adds a Bigsby B70G tailpiece with wire trem arm – called G5034TFT Rancher. Both guitars feature gold-plated hardware, which add to their elegant look.
G5034TFT Rancher
Last but not the least is the G5024E Rancher, a straightforward acoustic electric dreadnought that is described to be the most affordable of the bunch. It features a sunburst gloss finished solid spruce top with scalloped X bracing, mahogany sides and arched back. The Rancher’s triangular soundhole is is bound in the same way as the body and back.
G5024E Rancher
Other features include compensated bridge with rosewood base and deluxe tuners. Gretsch equipped the G024E Rancher with a Fishman Sonicore under-saddle pickup and Isys+ preamp system, it has controls for volume, tone and phase and comes with an onboard tuner and battery life indicator.
These new Ranchers are currently on display at the Grestch NAMM 2014 Booth. For the complete specifications of each guitar, visit Gretsch Guitars.
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