NGD: Duo Jet

[G Man]

As I get older, I'm finding clean tones are really working for me. Well, this new toy has beautiful, chimey cleans and looks sexy as all get out, a little under 8 lbs., couldn't resist. And while it's called Cadillac Green, it has this blue/green thing going on, very similar to my old Eclipse.

[topekatj]

Nice! Ribbon hawg back.

[cmatthes]

I LOVE that one!  I've got a 6129 that I had Stike redo for me in a 2-tone green Sparkle - Coke Bottle Green Top, Teal back/sides.  Those TV Jones T'Armonds are some of my favorites too!

Seeing that same Caddy Green as yours at a NAMM Show in 2004 is what made me go with that finish on my Monaco 3 that I ordered that year.  Great combo!

[topekatj]

I’ve got to ask: How does that bridge feel under the edge of your picking hand? It looks sharp and pokey.

[tbonesullivan]

What are the necks / frets like on Gretch guitars these days? I will admit I've always been kinda tempted, being an AC/DC fan.

Is that the stock bridge on that? I've always been apprehensive about picking up one with a Bigsby, as most have that bridge that is pretty much non adjustable with regards to intonation.

Edited February 6 by tbonesullivan

[velorush]

34 minutes ago, tbonesullivan said:

What are the necks / frets like on Gretch guitars these days? I will admit I've always been kinda tempted, being an AC/DC fan.

Is that the stock bridge on that? I've always been apprehensive about picking up one with a Bigsby, as most have that bridge that is pretty much non adjustable with regards to intonation.

I bought this one here on the HFC.

Spectacular parts: the tone was unmistakable and fantastic, the Bigsby was a perfect match for the tone, fit and finish were very, very good. It was among the best sounding guitars I've ever owned. It seemed to do everything well.

Why I sold it: 1. the necks on the production guitars range very consistently from 0.80" - 0.83" at the first fret - if you're good with that, there are tons of them out there. If you're like me and that's too thin, the only option seems to be the Custom Shop ($$$$); 2. the bridge was not pinned, and while the true fans don't mind, I didn't like having to question the intonation every time it came out of the case, lastly, 3. the "mud switch" is pretty primitive if you're a Tone control user like myself. I have also observed the weight on these seems to vary more than most. If that's important to you, you might ask first as some of these are way up in Les Paul land.

All of this is my opinion from owning this one for only a couple of months.

The new Player Edition Jet has a true Tone control, but also (in most examples) a rosewood fretboard (rather than ebony, as above), the Bigsby B-7 rather than the B-3 pictured above (some purists don't care for that substitution) and an anchored (i.e., studs into the body) TOM-esque bridge.

I'm watching for a Player Edition that maybe escaped the neck scraper a little early and that weighs around 8lbs. 

[G Man]

Thanks all.  The bridge is very workable, plenty of intonation setting available as each string has it's own sliding saddle.  It is not sharp at all and comfortable under the palm.  These bridges come stock with little thumb screws for each saddle that stick up too far to be able to palm mute, but the previous owner swapped out the thumb screws for flat heads and they are pretty much invisible feeling under hand.  I'm okay with the floating bridge, as I don't have too heavy of a hand when picking, but if I find it a problem, it's easy enough to get pinned.  Neck is nice and full, feels similar to my 50s standard LP.  These are heavily chambered, so it get's some airiness to the tone, very nice.

[tbonesullivan]

44 minutes ago, velorush said:

Spectacular parts: the tone was unmistakable and fantastic, the Bigsby was a perfect match for the tone, fit and finish were very, very good. It was among the best sounding guitars I've ever owned. It seemed to do everything well.

Why I sold it: 1. the necks on the production guitars range very consistently from 0.80" - 0.83" at the first fret - if you're good with that, there are tons of them out there. If you're like me and that's too thin, the only option seems to be the Custom Shop ($$$$); 2. the bridge was not pinned, and while the true fans don't mind, I didn't like having to question the intonation every time it came out of the case, lastly, 3. the "mud switch" is pretty primitive if you're a Tone control user like myself. I have also observed the weight on these seems to vary more than most. If that's important to you, you might ask first as some of these are way up in Les Paul land.

The new Player Edition Jet has a true Tone control, but also (in most examples) a rosewood fretboard (rather than ebony, as above), the Bigsby B-7 rather than the B-3 pictured above (some purists don't care for that substitution) and an anchored (i.e., studs into the body) TOM-esque bridge.

For me, the shape is almost more important than the thickness. I'm playing an Ibanez RG regularly right now, and it's like 0.67" at the first fret, though it does have jumbo frets. It's kind of a "D" shape, so it still has a shoulder for my thumb. My big decision is about whether I want/ need a bigsby, as there are definitely some great duo jets that have hardtails now in the "Player Edition" series. I have always also been confused by the "Jet" vs the "Duo Jet", which look almost the same.

I wonder how people are feeling about the Tim Shaw designed BT65 pickups, compared to the Japanese Filter'tron and TV jones offerings.

[crunchee]

On 2/6/2025 at 8:19 AM, tbonesullivan said:

Is that the stock bridge on that? I've always been apprehensive about picking up one with a Bigsby, as most have that bridge that is pretty much non adjustable with regards to intonation.

It looks to me to be a 'Melita' bridge, though I have no idea if they're accurate to the original design, or which original design the reissues use.  This online reference might be helpful:

Scotty Moore - The Melita Synchro - Sonic Bridge