I have been wanting to try one of these Gretsch Eletromatics, and it's almost near perfect for me, even though I wasn't expecting much from it before I gave it a tryout. I've found that the string spacing is a little too close together for me and I had a hard time adjusting my fingerpick style to it. I was skeptical about the tuners, but they are rock solid, and unique looking, too. I prefer the tuning keys on top, but not a deal breaker. I do like that the volume/tone knobs are on the same side, as well as the output jack away from me. The single coil pickup is fantastic! Lots of bite and no noise. I think the price is a little steep, so I got mine used for a hundo less than street price. I am very pleased with it overall.

I have read all the posted reviews here and elsewhere and decided that I would go out on a limb and buy myself the Gretsch Electromatic. I'm glad I did. It plays well and sounds great. It made its debut at a blues jam and received much positive feedback. It is carved from a lovely block of wood and finished in a glossy sunburst finish. The sustain is endless and smooth. It has a fairly long scale length. Pickup response is strong and even across the range. I like the GHS flat wound G tuning strings but I haven't bothered changing to them yet. The OE strings are at least adequate. I have one beef, and it's one I have with most, but not all guitars meant to be played lying flat (lap steel, square neck resonators). I think it makes sense to have the tuner buttons facing up. I removed the hand rest. That is just a personal issue. I like to use my right hand for damping the strings. The hand rest prevented that. I suppose that I would feel differently if I were playing C&W or Western Swing, but I'm playing Blues. I'm not sure about the fret board. I'm not certain that it is merely screened on. Upon close inspection, it appears to me to be at least routed and filled or maybe some kind of inlay. The fact is that the frets are not merely on the surface. They clearly go below the surface. I'm not sure how one would wear off the fret markings on a lap steel. The strings are nowhere near the fret board. Maybe a capo. I have no problem with the intonation. With the strings so high off the fret board and the steel having a substantial diameter, I'm not sure how you could determine whether the intonation was off. The fret markings are a rough guide. The rest is done with your ears. That said, I see no inaccuracies in my fret board. This instrument is a gas! It is so much fun to play and apparently, according to those my audience, it is also fun to listen to.

OK I'm writing another review for this. Its redeeming factor is still the paint job and design, shape what ever you call it. The scratching noise with the knobs seemed to go away with use. The pickup is clean and clear. The best sound I've got out of it is in a Fender 65 Deluxe amp. Now we are talking lap steel here. The stings are way too light that come on it. Try some GHS Open G semi flat nickels. The tuners are too coarse. Unless you like that. Myself I put Grover 18:1 Sta-Tites on everything if its worth keeping. The fret board is awful as stated by others. It just is not right for such a nice looking guitar. It will get replaced or sanded and redone correctly. For looks and sound it is well worth the money. I've played it in a PA system, acoustic amp, and a small 5 watt tube amp all of which are OK. But in the 65 Deluxe yo baby. May as well get a nice tube amp to go with it.

Iv'e owned mine for about 4 months and love it!It gets great sounds from the single coil pickup, and looks great! Let me be clear, I have no problems with tuning, intonation, the paint on the fret board, or the tuners, This guitar is a good buy and I'd get it again. It really has those classic country, Hawiian, and blues tones in it. Iv'e played 6 string electric for over 36yrs, and this is my first lap steel. I'm having a lot of fun learning thus instrument. It is a nothch or two above a "entry level" lap steel in my opinion.

I love playing this lap steel. It looks and sounds good and the geometric markings make it so much easier to play than my 1939 Epiphone lap steel. HOWEVER, past the twelfth fret the intonation is so far off that I had to remove the fretboard, shave it down and reapply it so that my notes would be true. I doubt that mine is the only one with this defect. For the price, it is not a good deal. If the intonation were correct, then it would have been a great value. Gretsch/Fender are you aware of your shoddy worksmanship? As I stated earlier:"lacks quality control".