Gretsch Guitars G5034TFT Rancher Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Savannah Sunset

Hands down, this guitar looks sharp. However, it can not be played in tune. I brought it into GC for intonation and was told it can't be done on this guitar because of the "old school" saddle. So what am I supposed to do with a guitar that can't be tuned??? Return it.

As mention in earlier reviews, the shipping altitude, cold and heat in shipping transit causes small issues when picking up the guitar. So, here is what I found regarding the tremolo bar! Tremolo Bar Update: I noticed as I was playing that when I used the tremolo bar, I felt a knock on the bar itself. Originally, I thought the upward motion on the the tremolo bar caused the spring to loosen in its seat, causing noise (which it does if you pull to far upward), it will make noise. However, I found that two hex screws, which hold the tremolo bar in place were slightly lose. It caused a knock on the upward pull. I tightened both hex screws and the noise is gone. Also, I now have a quiet upward pull on the tremolo bar giving me a good up & downward action on the bar without any noise. Keep in mind, pulling to far up will loosen the spring and create noise. The hex screw wrench size is SAE 5/64ths. Tighten the bar and you should be good to go! Thanks.

Gretsch G5034TFT I Need a Guitar Case! Part 12 8. Doesn't fit dreadnaught case. This a real complaint. Get the Gator GT ACOUSTIC TP Sku#: 716408646165 travel case. It fits great @ about $110.00. The tremolo bar height is the problem. In other words, the player finishes playing his or her guitar, then stuffs the guitar in the case without putting the tremolo bar in its travel position. To the user's bewilderment the case doesn't close comfortably; and closing the case puts tremendous pressure on the tremolo bar, which in turn puts pressure on the guitar, which in turn is very bad for the guitar. The simple answer is buy the case that was designed for the guitar. Otherwise, You're going to have to shop for a case. This is not an issue for which I should deduct a star. I'm not buying a guitar to fit into a more affordable case. I'm buying the guitar to perform a stage or studio function. Bite the bullet! Buy the right case. The Gator is an excellent case! All instruments should be properly prepped for travel. Obviously, the tremolo arm swings on its pivoting hinge nut. The travel position (for a right handed guitar) is achieved by swinging the tremolo arm from the playing position to the left. You allow the arm to swing over and past the bridge, continuing thru to the far left, and as close to the tailpiece as you feel comfortable or necessary. Then put it in your Gretsch dreadnaught or Gator case!

G5034TFT Tremolo Bar Is noisy! True! But why? Part 17 15. The Bigsby Tremolo Bar is noisy. This bar was built for hollow body guitars, but is there a remedy? Yes. I have never read about a Bigsby (or any other tremolo bar) expected to perform on an acoustic guitar. According to Adam Bowden-Smith (a Gretschy) Gretsch guys said,"hey! Let's put a Bigsby on an acoustic guitar." …and the 5034TFT was born in concept. They engineered the guitar around the tremolo bar. Therefore, in using the tremolo bar, we need to know a three tips about Bigsby. 1. You're not going to do dive bombs on this tremolo bar! Right? 2. Your hand hitting or running across the bar transfers into the guitar acoustics and out the sound hole & pickup, acoustic guitars are very sensitive and transfer noise! That's one reason that tremolo's are not on acoustic guitars. So, you will have to refine your playing technic to accolade this. 3. Next, Lifting the bar is noisy, because it stretches the spring, and loosens it, which allows the spring to jiggle banging its retaining seat and the bar (very noisy). So don't lift the bar, go down only, then there is no noise issue. In total, this guitar is a great buy with pro quality build. I highly recommend it, with this caveat (which extends to all instrument purchases)! Do your pre sale research! The end. Good luck!

G5034TFT The Intonation Is Off, what Do I Do? Part 16 13. The Intonation is off! I have played many guitars, and I've not yet found in my 50 years of playing, a guitar with perfect intonation. It has always irked me. So, my rule is, If all other aspects of the guitar are satisfactory, but the intonation is very slightly out but very close to perfect for each individual string, and the guitar tunes correctly, then the guitar is correctable with a setup, then it's a keeper. However, If the intonation is severely off and it prevents the guitar from tuning properly, return it immediately. You are not a luthier who is able to tell if the problem is fixable. You should not take delivery of the guitar under any circumstances. If that's the case don't take it! However,as mentioned, the shipping of the guitar will cause mild intonation issues (which should be expected) along with other issues. If the intonation is off so severely that the guitar had to be returned and it's replacement had the same issue, then there is the possibility of a manufacturing defect, in which case I would feel I have return its replacement and a legitimate case to rate the guitar poorly.

G5034TFT IT Doesn't Stay In Tune Part 15 11. The Guitar doesn't stay in tune: guitars with tremolo bars are generally in need of tuning attention. If you don't want to deal with tuning issues then don't by the tremolo feature! However, I found, when I restrung the guitar thru the tremolo bar, sloppy string routing through the string's path will make each guitar string unstable, causing tuning problems. This is an issue for all tremolo situations and is further induced by expansion and contraction during its delivery flights (you remember that it flew @ 30000 feet over mountains to get to you). So make sure the string paths are tight, precise and accurate thru the tremolo bar. The string wrap should be pulled tightly thru bigsby, meaning the ball of the string is secured into the bigsby. Then being certain that the string passes directly over the ball on its way to the bridge; then thru the nut to the tuning pegs. Make sure you use a locking string technic Thru the tuning pegs. Each string must be in a straight path to its final destination to the tuner. This kills 90 % of tuning issues.