Guitar World Verdict
If you’re going to put “premier” in the title of a guitar, then you’d better deliver. Thankfully, Gretsch does, with a guitar that’s chock-full of premium appointments. From the Luminlay side dot markers to the adjustable wraparound tailpiece, locking machine heads, and pre-installed strap locks, this guitar is designed to stand up to the harsh realities of playing live and at a very affordable price.
Pros
- +
Looks fantastic.
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Great feeling neck.
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Luminlay side dot markers and locking machine heads are great additions.
- +
Delivers great rock tones.
Cons
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Don't expect the ol' Gretsch chime here.
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For a guitar designed for gigging, a gigbag would complete the package.
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What is it?
Gretsch’s hollowbody behemoths cast a significantly long shadow, one that often eclipses its smaller, overlooked Jet models. Sure, the big-box Gretsches have their fair share of famous fans, but the Jet has built a cult following of its own. Legends like George Harrison and Pete Townshend have slung a Jet over their shoulder, but for me, it’s Chris Cornell, Seattle’s flannel-clad, grunge icon, whose late-'80s sparkling Duo Jet made me want one of my own.
It’s fair to say this isn’t your grandaddy’s Gretsch
Now, Cornell’s model wasn’t exactly set up for hard-hitting riffs. With its Filter’Tron pickups and Bigsby, it leaned more toward jangle than face-melting. Still, Cornell made it growl in ways the designers probably never imagined. I can’t help but wonder what he’d have done with the new Gretsch Premier Jet in his arsenal. With its modern upgrades, it might have been even better suited for his detuned, heavy riffage and stage-stomping antics.
The Electromatic Premier Jet is Gretsch’s answer to the prayers of players who want classic vibes with some 21st-century muscle. It’s fair to say this isn’t your grandaddy’s Gretsch; the Premier Jet has been dragged, willingly or not, into the modern era, complete with a spec sheet that reads like a wish list for tone chasers and gigging guitarists alike.
As you’d expect, the body of this electric guitar is chambered mahogany, but the top is carved maple, not unlike a certain Gibson single-cut. The neck is also mahogany with a bound ebony fingerboard and a complement of 22 medium jumbo frets. We also have a 10"-14” compound-radius fingerboard and Luminlay side-dot markers.
In terms of electronics, it has a pair of Sphera Twin Six humbuckers. Visually, these are considerably larger than a set of filtertrons, being full-sized buckers in construction. Each pickup features twelve adjustable pole pieces and Alnico VI magnets. The neck pickup uses a clear poly-sol-coated wire, said to lean towards clearer high end, while the bridge uses a plain enamel-coated wire to aid warmer tones. Of course, there are other variables involved too…
Gretsch promises more output, more punch, and a little extra snarl from these pickups in general, perfect for everything from jangly cleans to fuzzed-out grunge, and this versatility continues on to the control layout.
The master volume features a handy treble bleed circuit that helps you maintain clarity at any volume. Individual no-load tone controls for each pickup keep things sounding lively, and a push/pull function on the master volume control engages the custom Lumen Filter for what Gretsch says is a “tighter, snappier response that excels at both percussive hi-gain tones and crystalline clean tones.”
Hardware-wise, the Premier Jet keeps things rock solid with the Lockdown adjustable wraparound tailpiece, locking machine heads, and locking strap buttons. This model is available in a variety of colorways, from the shimmering sheen of the Vintage Pearl to the vintage charm of Robusto Burst, the deep blue Clairvoyant, and the jet-black Onyx Storm I’m reviewing today.
Specs
- Launch price: $799 | £649 | €699
- Made: China
- Type: Six-string electric guitar
- Body: Mahogany
- Neck: Mahogany, Performance 'C'
- Fingerboard: Bound Ebony
- Scale length: 24.88" (632 mm)
- Nut/width: Graph Tech NuBone, 1.6875" (42.86 mm)
- Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo
- Hardware: LockDown locking bridge, die-cast sealed locking tuners, knurled plain top metal knobs, and strap locks
- Electrics: 2 X Sphera Twin Six Humbuckers, Master Volume with Treble-Bleed, Tone 1. No-Load Tone Control (Neck Pickup), Tone 2. No-Load Tone Control (Bridge Pickup)
- Weight: 7.9Ibs/ 3.6 kg
- Left-handed options: No
- Finishes: Vintage Pearl, Clairvoyant, Onyx Storm (as reviewed), Robusto Burst
- Cases: No
- Contact: Gretsch Guitars
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Build quality
Build quality rating: ★★★★★
Lifting this single-cut out of the box, I’m met with what is, by all accounts, a very handsome guitar. That subtle Onyx Storm finish is stunning, indeed. The light flecks of glitter against the black are seriously classy and a finish I like a lot, which is a good thing as it wraps every inch of the guitar.
Straight off the bat, it’s obvious that this is a model made for performers, as it comes loaded with gig-ready features you typically find on much more expensive instruments
It has also been applied very neatly throughout, and this carries over to the entire guitar. I genuinely can’t find a single thing out of place on this model. There are no finish blemishes, no marks, and the ebony used on the fingerboard is as dark as it gets, pretty impressive stuff, considering the price point.
Moving on, the pearloid Neo-Classic Thumbnail inlays have been perfectly installed, as are the medium jumbo frets. You’ll not find any rogue frets here; everything has been installed flush and has been well polished too, meaning you don’t get any of that “straight-out-the-box scratchiness." Lastly, the Graph Tech NuBone nut has been expertly cut and filed, rounding out what is a superbly made and well-put-together guitar.
Straight off the bat, it’s obvious that this is a model made for performers, as it comes loaded with gig-ready features you typically find on much more expensive instruments. The inclusion of Luminlay side markers is another thoughtful touch, making it easy to see your way around on dark stages, and the addition of pre-installed straplocks and locking tuners is the icing on the cake for me.
It’s these little upgrades that make the Premier Jet feel every bit as roadworthy as guitars costing twice as much, and show that this model is built for live players, not just collectors or home players.
Playability
Playability rating: ★★★★½
This isn’t a model for vintage Gretsch lovers; it’s a contemporary take on the Jet that feels fresh and sleek
Okay, so now on to playability, because a guitar can look as good as it wants, but if it doesn’t feel great in hand, none of that matters.
The best way I can describe the Premier Jet is with one word: modern. This isn’t a model for vintage Gretsch lovers; it’s a contemporary take on the Jet that feels fresh and sleek. The “performance-C” style neck, with its rounded profile and tapered shoulders, fits my hand well. Compared to my own Players Edition Falcon, it feels slimmer overall, but shares the exact same string spacing and a nut width of 42.86 mm, so it still feels familiar. There’s even a whiff of Gibson’s SlimTaper profile in this Gretsch, so fans of the Nashville guitar giant will feel right at home.
The action measures a very playable height, at 1.35 mm clearance from the low E. It’s low enough to feel slinky, but not so low that it chokes out when I go for full-tone bends high up the fingerboard.
Speaking of the fingerboard, the Premier Jet features a compound radius that morphs from 10" to 14". It’s a subtle change, but it’s definitely noticeable as you play. Starting a run on the 3rd fret E-string and aiming for the 15th, I can feel my hand naturally shifting into more comfortable positions as I move up the neck. That flatter radius higher up is ideal for big bends, fast runs, and complex chord voicings, giving you room to stretch out without fighting the instrument.
All these small design choices add up to an instrument that feels thoughtfully engineered for today’s players.
Sounds
Sounds rating: ★★★★½
Kick on a Tube Screamer, and the Jet really shows off its hard rock capabilities
Next up is sound, and the tonal center of this Jet is a pair of Sphera Twin Six humbuckers. Sonically, this model feels more at home in the Les Paul camp than the classic Jet camp, and that’s thanks to these full-sized humbuckers.
There’s some real power in these pickups. Plugging into a Fender Blues Jr, it doesn’t take much to drive the amp into a nice breakup. The tone is rich, warm, and full of character, but it lacks the sharp brightness of a Filter’Tron. That’s not to say the tone isn’t great, it’s just different from what some players might expect from a brand like Gretsch.
Kick on a Tube Screamer, and the Jet really shows off its hard rock capabilities. That lack of top-end sparkle actually works in its favor here, creating a tight, focused, and well-balanced sound that cuts through a band mix without sounding harsh.
Remove the drive and leave the Gretsch naked, with just a touch of reverb, and the higher-output pickups reveal their drawback. The guitar loses some of the classic Gretsch chime when played clean. I find myself wishing for a little more sizzle and a touch less midrange from the Sphera Twin Six pickups. Still, the treble bleed circuit is a thoughtful inclusion that does help preserve what top-end there is when rolling down the volume.
There’s also a push/pull function on the master volume control. It’s not a coil-split, as you might expect, but instead engages a Lumen Filter. To my ears, this produces a honky, more nasal tone, with the low end shelved off. Does it sound like a single-coil? Not exactly, but it’s a very usable tone that will certainly get you in the right ballpark for playing live.
Overall, the Premier Jet’s sound is unique, balancing power and warmth with just enough versatility to cover a lot of ground. While it may not deliver the vintage Gretsch sparkle some purists crave, it more than makes up for it with its punchy, modern voice. It proves again that Gretsch can surprise us as it continues to evolve and expand.
Verdict
Whether you’re gigging every weekend or just want a reliable, stylish workhorse for your collection, the Premier Jet proves that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a professional instrument
If you’re searching for a guitar that effortlessly bridges the gap between vintage soul and modern muscle, the Gretsch Premier Jet might just be your perfect match. Gretsch has taken the Jet and given it a contemporary overhaul, crafting an instrument that wears its "premier" name well.
I think that a big part of the appeal here is the build quality, which truly stands out at this price point. Every detail, from the flawless finish to the expertly dressed frets, speaks to an attention to detail that Gretsch has brought to a model well under the $1,000 mark.
The Premier Jet’s compound-radius neck and dark ebony fingerboard make for a playing experience that feels fast, smooth, and inviting. Add to that the gig-ready features like locking tuners, the Lockdown wraparound tailpiece, Luminlay side markers, and secure strap buttons, and you’re looking at a package that’s ready for the stage.
Sonically, the Sphera Twin Six humbuckers bring a new flavor to the Jet formula. There’s plenty of punch and warmth for rock and blues. It’s a voice that feels fresh and perfectly at home in modern music, even if it doesn’t chase the classic Gretsch chime.
For me, the Premier Jet is a really smart buy. Whether you’re gigging every weekend or just want a reliable, stylish workhorse for your collection, the Premier Jet proves that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a professional instrument.
Guitar World verdict: If you’re going to put “premier” in the title of a guitar, then you’d better deliver. Thankfully, Gretsch does, with a guitar that’s chock-full of premium appointments. From the Luminlay side dot markers to the adjustable wraparound tailpiece, locking machine heads, and pre-installed strap locks, this guitar is designed to stand up to the harsh realities of playing live and at a very affordable price.
Test | Results | Score |
|---|---|---|
Build quality | From its flawless finish to its gig-ready hardware, the Premier Jet’s build quality rivals guitars at twice the price. | ★★★★★ |
Playability | Effortless to play, the Premier Jet’s compound-radius neck, thoughtful ergonomics, and comfortable profile make it a joy for both rhythm and lead work. | ★★★★½ |
Sounds | With powerful Sphera Twin Six humbuckers and clever electronics, the Premier Jet delivers a punchy, versatile sound that confidently covers modern rock tones, but does lack high-end sparkle. | ★★★★½ |
Overall | A stylish, stage-ready workhorse, the Premier Jet proves you don’t need to break the bank to own a pro-level guitar. | ★★★★½ |
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