Gretsch G5024E 2714035500 Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Gretsch G5024E Rancher Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar is a quality acoustic-electric guitar that offers great versatility for players looking for a durable workhorse instrument. Part of Gretsch's popular Rancher series, the G5024E produces a balanced tone thanks to its all-solid wood body construction and advanced Fishman electronics. While maintaining Gretsch's signature vintage style, this guitar brings classic acoustic sound and reliability to the stage and studio. With its comfortable feel and Fishman Presys preamp system, the Gretsch G5024E delivers natural acoustic tone and amplified performance in one package.

Construction & Materials

The Gretsch G5024E dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar features a laminated mahogany top, back and sides for balanced tone and good projection. The neck is also made from mahogany for stability and sustain.

The fretboard and bridge are rosewood, which provides warmth and definition to the overall sound. Rosewood is a popular choice on acoustic guitars for its beauty, hardness and resonant properties. The nut and saddle are synthetic bone.

Some key construction details: - Laminated mahogany top, back & sides - Provides good balance of warmth & projection - Mahogany neck - Stable, with good sustain - Rosewood fretboard & bridge - Brings definition & resonance to the tone - Synthetic bone nut & saddle - Enhances sustain & brightens tone

The all-mahogany body and neck deliver a balanced and organic acoustic tone, while the rosewood appointments add singing overtones. Overall, the materials offer an excellent combination of durability, playability and balanced acoustic tone.

When choosing an acoustic-electric guitar, it's important to consider the construction and materials used, as they greatly impact the instrument's sound, feel and longevity. The Gretsch G5024E features classic tonewoods like mahogany and rosewood which provide a balanced, warm and resonant acoustic tone. This makes it a versatile choice for playing various music genres.

Another popular acoustic-electric guitar option is the Donner DLP-124S. It features a spruce top with mahogany back and sides, also a classic wood combination known for its balanced tone. The neck is nato, which is similar to mahogany. It has a rosewood fingerboard and bridge. Overall, the Donner DLP-124S offers comparable tonewoods and appointments to the Gretsch at a more affordable price point. It's a great choice for beginners looking for their first acoustic-electric or gigging musicians in need of a reliable, good-sounding workhorse guitar.

When researching acoustic-electrics, pay close attention to the specific wood materials used for the top, back, sides, neck, fingerboard and bridge. Different woods produce their own tonal characteristics - for example, spruce is bright and airy while mahogany has more low-end warmth. The combination of woods used directly impacts the guitar's resonance, sustain and tonal balance. High quality solid wood choices like spruce and rosewood tend to sound better than laminates. Testing the actual guitar is ideal, but reading descriptions of the tonewoods used is a good starting point for making an informed decision.

Sound & Tone

The Gretsch G5024E produces a balanced, warm and rich tone with plenty of volume and sustain thanks to its solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The all-mahogany neck also enhances the warm, rounded sound.

The guitar has a nice bass response thanks to the larger lower bout and controlled trebles from the smaller upper bout. This gives it a balanced and full-bodied tone. The midrange is also pronounced, allowing the notes to sing with clarity.

The Fishman Presys preamp system provides plenty of tonal control to shape the sound. The bass, mid and treble controls allow you to adjust the EQ to suit your needs. There's also a built-in tuner and phase switch for feedback control on stage.

Overall, the G5024E delivers a versatile and balanced acoustic guitar tone. The spruce and mahogany woods produce warm, rich notes with excellent definition across the tonal spectrum. It's a great sounding acoustic-electric for studio and live use.

The Fender 971757022 is another excellent acoustic-electric guitar option worth considering. This model from Fender's California Coast series features a solid spruce top with scalloped X bracing for bright, articulate tone. The back and sides are laminated mahogany, providing warmth and resonance to complement the crisp treble tones.

Some key features that contribute to the great sound of the 971757022 include the Fishman Presys preamp system with built-in tuner, bass, mid, and treble controls. This allows shaping the EQ for just the right acoustic tone. There's also a cutaway for easy upper fret access, rosewood fingerboard for smooth playability, and die-cast chrome tuners for stable intonation.

Players praise the 971757022 for its balanced tone that maintains clarity when strumming and picking. The midrange has nice presence without being overly boomy. It can also be plugged in for amplified performances, sounding clear and full-bodied. The versatile sound works well for various music genres from rock to country.

While the Gretsch G5024E produces a warmer, bassier tone, the Fender 971757022 has more sparkling highs and articulate mids. So it comes down to tone preference. The Gretsch would suit blues, jazz or folk styles, while the Fender excels at adding crisp acoustic strums to pop or rock mixes. Either way, both are high quality acoustic-electrics with excellent sound and features.

Checking out the 971757022 in person is recommended to hear if its balanced tone is a good match. It's worth comparing to the Gretsch model and others in your price range. Make sure to play both unplugged and amplified. But the reviews indicate the Fender California Coast 971757022 is a great sounding acoustic-electric for the money.

Playability

The G5024E features Gretsch's comfortable, slim taper "C"-shaped mahogany neck with a 12"-radius laurel fingerboard. This makes the neck feel smooth and allows comfortable chording and single note playing.

The medium jumbo frets are nicely finished, providing a very playable feel that facilitates both strumming and lead playing. The action is set medium-low from the factory, making it comfortable for both rhythmic and lead styles.

Overall, the G5024E offers a fast, smooth neck and excellent playability right out of the box. The neck shape provides comfort, while the medium jumbo frets and quality fretwork enable clear notes and easy runs up and down the neck. This is a very playable acoustic-electric guitar suitable for various techniques and playing styles.

Hardware

The Gretsch G5024E Rancher Acoustic-Electric guitar features quality hardware that enhances its playability and functionality.

Tuning Machines

The guitar has sealed die-cast tuning machines that keep it in tune reliably. The tuners are smooth and precise, making tuning easy and quick. Many reviewers compliment the tuning stability of the G5024E.

Bridge

It has a quality rosewood bridge that provides good intonation, sustain and tone transfer. The bridge design pairs well with the guitar's mahogany top to produce balanced acoustic resonance.

Pickguard

The pickguard is made of black ABS plastic and has a classic Gretsch "winged" shape. It protects the guitar's mahogany top from pick scratches. The black pickguard complements the instrument's vintage vibe and sunburst finish.

Strap Buttons

There are two strap buttons - one at the bottom bout and one behind the neck joint. They allow secure attachment of a strap for playing comfort. The strap buttons are dual-function so they can also be used as an endpin anchor and tie block for the strings.

Electronics

The Gretsch G5024E features high-quality Fishman electronics to amplify its sound when needed. It comes equipped with a Fishman Presys Blend pickup system that combines an undersaddle transducer with a condenser mic. This allows you to blend the direct amplifed sound from the transducer with the natural acoustic tone from the mic.

The guitar has volume and tone controls, allowing you to shape your amplified tone. There is also a built-in tuner and a feedback-fighting phase switch, which can help prevent unwanted noise and allow more gain before feedback. The preamp and EQ give you control over your amplified volume and tone.

The pickup system reproduces the G5024E's balanced sound very well acoustically. The undersaddle transducer captures the guitar's bass tones, while the mic picks up more top-end sparkle and body. The controls make it easy to get amplified tones from mellow and round, to bright and punchy. Overall, the electronics setup is versatile and well-suited to this guitar.

Comfort & Ergonomics

The Gretsch G5024E acoustic-electric guitar has a comfortable and ergonomic design for both playing and carrying. Weighing just under 7 pounds, it has a nice lightweight feel that makes it easy on your back and shoulders during longer playing sessions or while standing.

The G5024E has excellent balance and doesn't feel neck-heavy or body-heavy. The contoured body sits nicely against your torso when playing seated. It has some strategic carves and contours to the back that make it mold comfortably to your body. This improves playing stability and makes the guitar feel like an extension of yourself.

The neck has a smooth satin finish that optimizes speed and comfort when moving up and down the fretboard. The silky feel allows your hand to glide effortlessly. The fingerboard itself has gently rolled edges that prevent sharp corners from digging into your fingertips during bends and slides.

Overall, the G5024E is designed with player comfort in mind. The materials, weight, balance, and ergonomic contours come together to create an exceptionally comfortable acoustic-electric that you can play for hours without fatigue.

Styling

The G5024E has a classic, vintage-inspired look thanks to its single-cutaway dreadnought body shape with elegant detailing. This model comes in a gorgeous Transparent Cherry Burst finish that showcases the gorgeous quilted maple top. The top has striking flame maple binding that provides an elegant outline.

The fretboard and headstock are both bound with multi-ply binding for a refined appearance. The fretboard has pearl dot inlays, while the headstock has Gretsch's signature engraved silver logo plate. Overall, the styling of the G5024E combines timeless elegance with modern flair for a unique acoustic-electric guitar that looks as good as it sounds.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Warm, balanced tone from solid spruce top
• Great projection and volume from jumbo body
• Fishman pickup and preamp provide excellent amplified tone
• Slim mahogany neck for comfortable playability
• Beautiful vintage appointments like neck binding and hump block inlays
• Comes with deluxe hard case for protection

Cons

• Lack of cutaway limits upper fret access
• Heavy weight not ideal for prolonged standing or playing
• Electronics add cost for an acoustic purist
• Not as intricately decorated as some other Gretsch models
• Big jumbo body tough to play for smaller players

Overall, the Gretsch G5024E offers an excellent blend of traditional looks and modern amplified performance. Players looking for a versatile acoustic-electric with classic style will find a lot to love. The full-bodied tone and comfortable feel make this a quality choice in this price range.

Verdict

The Gretsch G5024E Rancher Dreadnought is a solid and attractive acoustic-electric guitar with quality craftsmanship and electronics. It delivers a bright, articulate tone thanks to its laminated mahogany top and "U"-shaped mahogany neck.

The Fishman Presys II pickup and preamp system provides excellent plugged-in sound with built-in EQ and tuner. The guitar plays very comfortably thanks to its slim taper neck profile and smooth satin finish.

Overall, the Gretsch G5024E is an excellent choice for guitarists looking for a well-built, good sounding dreadnought acoustic-electric at an affordable price point. It's suitable for playing a variety of musical styles including country, folk, rock and more.

The electronics and hardware are high quality, and the guitar feels solidly put together. The only minor downsides are the lack of cutaway for upper fret access, and the laminate instead of solid wood top. However, the laminate makes the guitar more durable and affordable.

For players wanting a great sounding, comfortable playing acoustic-electric dreadnought guitar under $500, the Gretsch G5024E Rancher is easy to recommend. It provides fantastic value while still delivering impressive tone and quality.