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Gretsch Broad’tron BT-2s vs Blacktop Filtertrons G5400 BT G2420T 

Ever since the Streamliners came out in 2017 I have had my eye on them. They seem like a great value, and while the appointments are not traditional Gretsch, with a few small tweaks, the Streamliners can be taken into G5420T territory. If one wanted to pour into it, the G420T can be born into G6120T territory.

The Gretsch Streamliner series WOW

As I compare the specs, the Pro line 6120, and other hollow body offerings, seem to share the same specs besides pickups and hardware. Scale length, nut width, and body materials all a match. The fretboard, neck materials, and nut material are the only major structural differences I can see. The finish also differs, with the Pro line being Nitro and the Streamliner being “gloss.” Either way, I was set out go through this Streamliner and make it my go-to Hollow Body guitar. I went through and did a facelift, knobs and pickups. But the stock Broad’tron pickups were so good I figured I better make this video to compare them to the filtertrons I was putting in. I considered leaving them in, but I’m not really looking for the PAF sound from this guitar, and I enjoy modding guitars so here we are.

Broad’Trons Compared to Filtertrons

In this video I am starting with the Broadtrons, the interesting thing is its the same exact guitar, same amp settings etc, so its a pretty good comparison. I go from the bridge, to the neck, to the middle position, the same guitar lick roughly, then some noodling with delay and reverb on the filtertrons.

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Muddy Waters Blues backing track in E Minor Funky

Here is a tasty Muddy Waters-style Backing track in E minor. It uses a loose 12 bar blues structure, but use your ears cause there’s a few curveballs. This is a funky electric Delta Blues track to rip your meanest leads over. To me it also has a very Texas, ZZ Top feel to it. You can use your opened E pentatonic scale, which is a great starting place. As always leave the few lower strings out to avoid sounding like you are just running through a scale soullessly. Also make use of hammer-ons and pull-offs to all the opened strings, as they are all available in this key. Then, practice floating through every pattern (5) of the scale until you end up back in pattern 1 but up on the 12th fret, a full octave up. See if you can develop some cool patterns floating from pattern 1 up to pattern 4. A slide can also be employed for this jam. Make use of the opened notes, slide into the chord changes, and let your ears guide you.

When it comes to Muddy Waters my favorite song is “Champagne and Reefer” Give it a listen for some inspiration. Look at the original studio version by Muddy Waters, it’s in A minor, and I have the main guitar lick tabbed below. Other than that it’s loosely based on a 12 bar blues style progression, but like most songs, doesn’t stick to it 100%, but the thing to keep in mind, its still a 1 4 5 progression. Take it from there and use your ears. I wasnt able to embed the Muddy Waters version, but here’s a cool cover, nothing like the original, featuring Stevie Ray Vaughan and Buddy guy.

Main riff guitar tab Champagne and Reefer by Muddy Waters
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Custom American Cabronita Telecaster Flame Maple build

Hello Internet. I wanted to share with you a very cool custom guitar build I did over at Circuit Rider Effects. We call it “La Cabronita Exotica.” It’s a custom-built Tele-style guitar featuring a pair of Gretsch High Sensitivity Alnico Filtertrons. Every piece of wood used for this build was carefully chosen for tone and beauty. With a stunning, thick piece of figured American Flame Maple, paired to a piece of resonant, large-grained Walnut. The Walnut is chambered a good bit, making it the perfect balance of lightweight, yet resonate and rewarding to play. 

The Neck is Strikingly Beautiful

The neck is highly figured, flame/Curly Maple with an exquisite Canarywood fretboard. The fretboard’s grain looks like a piece of artwork with depth and shades that tell a story. The shape is a slightly chunky modern C shape. All woods are from, cut, and crafted in the USA 🇺🇸 The entire guitar has been slowly hand-finished with gun oil. Over 20 coats were carefully applied on the figured top. The chatoyance is stunning, pictures don’t really do it justice. Fitted with big Chrome, genuine Gretsch knobs, and a matching chrome tip toggle switch. Sounds even better than it looks. Here’s a bluesy clean demo, but it excels at overdriven tones and vintage modern country tones!