“A bang-for-buck champ that performs above its price class.” We review the Gretsch Electromatic CVT Double-Cut with Wraparound Tailpiece

Described as a “retro-refined take on a classic Gretsch design,” the Electromatic CVT is a hip-looking solidbody electric guitar that melds throwback styling with powerful tones tailored to suit modern players. With its double-cut mahogany body — which is comfortably rounded on the edges — solid wraparound bridge and pair of Twin Six humbuckers, this guitar is a rock machine par excellence.

It plays well thanks to a combination of a bolt-on C-shape mahogany neck that’s capped with a 24.6-inch-scale laurel-wood fingerboard sporting 22 lightly polished medium-jumbo frets, which are beveled on the tips and don’t feel prickly when you’re sliding along the neck.

My review sample was finished in Vintage White, which was nicely set off by a swooping tortoise-color pickguard that surrounds the neck pickup and the nickel-plated, flat-top control knobs, which are knurled on the sides to make them easy to grip.

The Electromatic CVT is a well-made guitar with no finish or binding flaws. It has a solid feel throughout and seems like it should cost more than it does. I initially brought it along on gigs as a spare in case a string broke on my PRS Dustie Waring signature model, but the Gretsch proved always perfect to strap on and rock out with, notwithstanding that it’s a budget axe compared to the U.S.-made PRS.

In terms of playability, the comfortable C-shape neck and 24.6-inch-scale fingerboard offer a great playing feel. The rounded neck joint makes it easy to rip to the high frets and the body’s sculpted cutaways provide plenty of access, while the contours on the front and back of the body allow the guitar to sling naturally against your body.

The factory setup on this test guitar was good, providing comfortably low action as well as tuneful intonation when chording in the higher and lower positions. The wraparound tailpiece is solidly anchored, and I think it contributes to the guitar’s sustaining sound.

The Twin Six pickups deliver tones that have a good balance of clarity and output. Perhaps a little stronger than a typical PAF pickup, they had plenty of push to drive my ’72 Marshall 50-watt into distortion, and they also sounded great with a PRS DGT 15 and a reissue Vox AC10.

I used the neck pickup a lot for rhythm and lead, switching to the middle position to broaden the sound and get a crisper tone, and the bridge setting for anything from country twang to hard rock. I found it easy to switch between the PRS and the Gretsch without feeling the guitars were too dissimilar. If anything, the CVT’s slightly shorter “G” scale made bending strings a bit easier too, which is something many players will appreciate.

The Electromatic CVT is a bang-for-buck champ that’s worth considering if you’re looking for an affordable Gretsch that performs above its price class. It’s a hip grab-and-go guitar that would be a great backup for your regular humbucker axe.

SPECIFICATIONS

CONTACT gretschguitars.com

PRICE $419

NUT Graph Tech NuBone, 1.68" wide

NECK Bolt-on mahogany with Performance C shape and gloss finish

FINGERBOARD Laurel with aged while binding and black side dots, 24.6" scale, pearloid Neo-Classic “thumbnail” inlays and bound headstock with abalone Gretsch inlay

FRETS 22 medium jumbo

TUNERS Nickel-plated die-cast

BODY Mahogany with beveled contours and gloss finish

FINISH Available in Vintage White, Wychwood and Havana Burst

BRIDGE Wraparound with adjustable saddles, nickel plated

PICKUPS Twin Six humbuckers with Alnico 5 magnets

CONTROLS Volume, tone, 3-way toggle switch with nickel tip

FACTORY STRINGS Nickel Plated Steel, .010-.046

WEIGHT 7.6 lbs (tested)

BUILT China

PRO Cool retro-style look. Plays and sounds more upscale than its price implies.

CON Gig bag is not included