A Guitar And Gear Support Forum

Ok, so everyone knows it had been years since I bought an electric guitar when I decided to get the semi hollow Firefly. Then next thing you know I am on the way to a gig, I had time so I stopped at GC and ended up walking out of there with the SG Jr P90. But was still an itch. The new semi got me to thinking about the Gretsch 3140 that I had and played for several years. So out of curiosity I did a search and discovered that they are pretty scarce. One on fleabay and one or two on Reverb, plus they are hovering around $1000 now. I think I paid $300 or so for mine used. It was such an awesome guitar and would cover anything. I played it and like it so much that I sprung for TV Jones pups and then it really came alive. During my curiosity search I discovered that Gretsch makes another semi hollow no that has no Bigsby which was the attraction of the 3140. I am not a fan of a Bigsby or any other whamyy stick. The Streamliner series. I was looking a a beautiful turquois Streamliner the wife saw it over my shoulder. She said, "that is an awesome color, are you going to get it?" Well I had no intention of purchasing one but she was basically telling me I should get it. So I did.

My review: It plays and sounds fantastic. The fit and finish is first class, better than the Firefly. The neck profile is perfect for me just like the 3140 but it is not quite up to the 3140 standard. All in all I am very happy with it and I have ordered some chrome Gretsch knobs for it, the black ones look like ass in MHO. It is a stunning looking guitar and really pops to the eye. I have only one con and this is hard to explain but I will give it a shot. Sometimes a semi-hollow can feel a little toyish. I once purchased a Epiphone Wildkat or Alleykat or something like that, also with no whammy and it felt very very toyish to the point that I only kept it a short period of time. This Streamliner is only a little teeny bit toyish and I think the chrome knobs and some mileage with take away that perception. It is fairly light weight at 6.5 lbs which is a plus but I think that lends to the toyish feeling. I have to get over it because I love the way it plays, feels and sounds. The best thing about it is the strap button is on the horn unlike most semi hollow guitars.


I promise the gas is over for at least a long time. I actually have a few listed for sale.

tonebender wrote: ↑Tue Jan 31, 2023 8:21 am the wife saw it over my shoulder. She said, "that is an awesome color, are you going to get it?" Well I had no intention of purchasing one but she was basically telling me I should get it. So I did.

I love when wives get GAS. They mostly try to hide it because, ya know, it's not ladylike. But sometimes they let one squeak out and we get a good NGD thread out of it.

Nice Gretsch!

Congrats. If the light weight makes that great guitar seem toyish, you can always wear some little sand bag weights around your wrists.
Will you put some TV Jones pups into it? And will you sell the Firefly?

Congrats, looks like a winner! I totally get the "cheap/toy" feel thing too - I even felt that way a little bit with some of the electromatics I had as they have that super high-gloss/plasticy finish and are super lightweight. But the bones are good and it will probably feel a lot better with some tonebender mojo added.

SWEET!!
It is easy to fall off the no more GAS wagon.
You are a lucky man, I have never had my wife encourage it.

2 years ago I sold off several and really wasn't looking.
Then I found Firefly (bought 3), then the Gibson - Dean lawsuit, got the Dean V79, then a big Squier sale from Pro Audio Star end of last year - got a CV50's Tele, and just yesterday a used Gibson SG Tribute.

tonebender wrote: ↑Tue Jan 31, 2023 8:21 am "that is an awesome color, are you going to get it?"

That´s a "do it, baby" said with different words. And if those words come with the sound of the voice of your significant one, I´m afraid it is just impossible to resist.

Enjoy it, Jeff!

PS: I´m always glad to meet compenetrated couples. That´s the hidden beautiness of this NGD thread

I felt the same about the knobs and to a lesser extent the tuners on mine.

Needed a home for the Bigsby, and then got the Towner Bar to improve the break angle.

It is one of my favorite players due to the weight and the Buddha humbucker and humbucker sized p90 are icing on the cake.


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Partscaster wrote: ↑Tue Jan 31, 2023 8:52 am Congrats. If the light weight makes that great guitar seem toyish, you can always wear some little sand bag weights around your wrists.
Will you put some TV Jones pups into it? And will you sell the Firefly?

The stock pups sound damn good but that never stopped me before if I think I can make it better. I have a custom set on the way for the Firefly because it definitely needed them but I think I can live with these for now. The knobs have to go though. I played if for about an hour during my work from home lunch break today and I can say that I have firmly bonded with it. I was playing through my Classic 30 I got in a trade from @uwmcscott. I must also say again for the millionth time that a C30 is one of the best amps ever. Thanks Scott!

Hey, we all lose out minds from time to time. Just ride the wave!

I have been gassing for something of late -- no one thing, just something. I guess I have the winter blahs and I am looking for some endorphins. But, the Long and McQuade annual clearout is coming up soon...

Well, I was able to play all the toyish feeling right out of this guitar. I went through my large box of straps and was able to find a nice match for it and this Streamliner is now a staple in the line up for gigging.

Congrats! She's definitely a keeper... and the guitar too!

tonebender wrote: ↑Wed Feb 01, 2023 10:17 am Well, I was able to play all the toyish feeling right out of this guitar. I went through my large box of straps and was able to find a nice match for it and this Streamliner is now a staple in the line up for gigging.

It's an illness but may we never be cured.

Last night I took the Gretsch to the gig. I have to say I enjoyed playing it a lot and I got several compliments on the way it sounded from some of the more discernable fans. I changed out the cheapish black plastic knobs for metal Gretsch logo knobs and it actually added just a little weight to it, taking away the rest of the "toyish" feel. I think it is about 7 lbs now. Those knobs are actually heavier than I imagined. I had thought all along that the pups would not be suitable to my ear but I admit I may just leave them in. They sound much better that the stock hums in the Firefly. I think it looks way more classy with the metal knobs.

Yes that is a Classic 30 and the one I got from @uwmcscott . Lately it has dethroned the Ampeg J20 as my gigging amp. It just seems to compliment the sound of the other guitarist in the band. He is using a Fender Princeton with a 12" speaker. The Ampeg sounds very Fender-ish and the Peavey EL84 sounds a little more jangly. I still think if I was stranded on an island and could have one amp it would be the C30. I used a Delta Blues for many years. I changed out the Blue Marvel speaker for a Weber Blue Dog Alnico and it was amazing but I'm not so sure the speaker made it better. I read recently that the BMs were made by Eminence. No wonder they sound so good. The Marvel will stay put in the C30.

Peavey Classics are some of the best "do it all" amps you can get. Also enjoying the Gretsch-ness.

I wish I had my old peavey classic 50 with 212 s.
The only drawback was no headroom. It went from on to disgustingly loud.