Natural finish done right: Gretsch Streamliner in Village Amber

Gretsch once again nails it.

As I've said before, I'm not a fan of natural finish electric guitars. The reason for this is because most guitar makers produce natural with the "coffee table" look. Examples of this are easy to find. Take the Fender American Professional Stratocaster in Natural. Yes, natural finish, but it looks like something you'd put a doily on, set a flower pot on top of that and call it a day. Not a good look.

For the Gretsch above however, different story. This is natural done correct.

Above is the Gretsch G2655 Streamliner Centerblock Jr. Doublecut in Village Amber. Not a high-cost model and well under $600.

What Gretsch did here is take an acoustic guitar appearance and apply it to an electric, and it works wonderfully well.

Yes, there is grain there. It's subtle, but it's everywhere on the guitar in just the right amount.

The use of black knobs, black switch tip and black pickup rings go well with the amber.

And did you notice? Full binding. Body, neck and headstock.

Gretsch just has a knack for taking a colorway that's ordinarily bland and makes it pop without overdoing it. This Streamliner Jr. is a great example of that. Well done.

Published 2020 Mar 5