If Looks Were Everything: Gretsch Rancher Acoustic Guitar
Written: Jun 30 '06
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Distinctive looks, hard shell case
Cons: Thin sound
The Bottom Line: The Gretsch Rancher is a reissue of one of their designs from the 1950s, when Chet Atkins was king. Striking appearance but less than stellar sound and playing action.
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| George_Chabot's Full Review: Gretsch 6022 Rancher |
Gretsch Rancher Acoustic Guitar
When you’re considering fine acoustic guitars, there are a couple of names to consider other than Gibson and Martin, who admittedly have the lion’s share of the market, but certainly an experienced player would want to check out Guild and Gretsch.
The current model we’re looking at is the Gretsch Rancher, a large guitar of striking appearance that follows the “Jumbo” pattern. You’ll remember that there are two basic styles of full sized acoustic guitars - the squarish thick-waisted Dreadnought and the curvy wasp-waisted “Jumbo.” Most quality acoustic guitars that vary from these time-honored styles do so only to a degree, adding a cutaway on the treble bout to allow access to the higher frets, etc.
The Rancher is a large guitar that from the outward dimensions conforms closely to the Gibson SJ style guitars, also having the same 25.5” scale length and 1.725” width at nut so it is playable to anybody who is used to playing Gibson guitars.
The body is of laminated maple and the top is spruce with X bracing. The neck is three-piece laminated maple for stability with an adjustable truss rod and a rosewood fingerboard and bridge. The body, neck, and headstock are fully bound with multiple layer binding for appearance and protection of the corners of the instrument.
Speaking of appearance, that is where Gretsch makes its biggest statement in comparison to the offerings from Gibson and Martin. Gretsch has some of the most unusual appearance factors of any acoustic guitar I’ve examined.
The first thing you notice is the color; the Rancher is stained orange and finished with gloss urethane, probably not the best finish for an acoustic guitar because it seems to deaden the vibrations, which are essential for sound production and projection.
There is a large stylized “G” branded into the lower bout of the top, like a cattle brand. The pick guard is red shell. The sound hole is triangular. The position markers are large mother of pearl blocks engraved with alternating cattle and cacti. The headstock inlay is also mother of pearl and includes the Gretsch name logo and a cattle skull. The guitar is finished off with gold plated Grover tuners and a pair of gold strap lock buttons for your guitar strap, a nice touch that more guitars should come with.
Clearly anybody who is embarrassed by the fancy appearance of a Gibson acoustic will run away screaming from a Gretsch Rancher, which outdoes the Gibson in gaudiness by several orders of magnitude. Martin lovers should not even look at a Gretsch as it may cause them to go blind. ;>
The Gretsch, sadly, does not have the playing action nor the sound of a Gibson or Martin acoustic, although the thinner Gretsch sound may appeal to some players.
A quality hard shell case is included with the Gretsch Rancher at no extra charge.
The Gretsch guitar is now a product of Fender Musical Instrument Company of Scottsdale, AZ and is warranted for one year to the original owner.
I passed on the Gretsch Rancher, but to somebody who valued looks over performance it might be a good choice as it certainly has distinctive looks.
Thanks for stopping by!
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