Gretsch is writing a thrilling new chapter in the iconic Jet saga. Fresh off a hot streak of stellar electric guitars—ranging from the feature-packed, Beatles-inspired Abbey Road RS201 Studiomatic to the ultra-affordable, minimalist Streamliner Jet-1—the brand has just announced the Gretsch Electromatic Premier Jet.
Billed as “the boldest evolution yet,” this new release takes the beloved Electromatic Jet platform and injects it with higher-spec features, modern playability, and a massive tonal palette, all while keeping the price tag comfortably under the $1,000 mark.
Here is a closer look at what makes the new Premier Jet a serious contender for your next electric guitar.
Upgraded Tonewoods and Modern Playability
At its core, the Premier Jet retains the classic single-cutaway, chambered mahogany body that players love, but adds a premium maple top for added brightness and aesthetic bite.
However, the most noticeable upgrades are in the neck. Crafted specifically with modern players in mind, Gretsch has swapped the traditional rosewood fingerboard for a sleek, fast ebony fingerboard.
Key Neck Specifications:
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Profile: C-profile Performance set mahogany neck with a gloss finish.
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Radius: 10″ to 14″ compound radius (a significant upgrade from the standard Electromatic’s 12″ radius) for effortless chording down low and easy bending up high.
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Frets & Details: 22-fret bound fingerboard, Pearloid neo-classic thumbnail inlays, and glow-in-the-dark Luminlay side dots for dark stages.
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Nut: Graph Tech NuBone nut for enhanced tuning stability.
Next-Level Hardware: Enter the Sphera Twin Six Humbuckers
Gretsch hasn’t skimped on the hardware. The Premier Jet features a robust LockDown locking bridge and die-cast sealed locking tuners, ensuring your tuning stays rock-solid even during aggressive playing.
The real stars of the show, however, are the new Sphera Twin Six nickel-finished humbuckers. A massive step up from the baseline PureVolt pickups, these humbuckers are designed to be “exceptionally expressive and addictively powerful.”
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Neck Pickup: Features Alnico VI magnets with clear poly-sol-coated wire.
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Bridge Pickup: Utilizes plain wiring with specially calibrated coil winds for a perfect blend of “brilliance and brute force.”
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Design: 12 adjustable pole pieces per pickup for unrestrained tonal flexibility, all vacuum-wax-potted to kill unwanted noise and feedback.
The Secret Weapon: The Lumen Filter
To control this tonal powerhouse, Gretsch has included a Master Volume with a Treble-Bleed circuit, ensuring you don’t lose your high-end clarity when rolling back the volume.
The secret weapon is the push/pull auxiliary switching that engages the Lumen Filter. This clever circuit cuts the low-end frequencies, providing a tighter, snappier response. Whether you need percussive high-gain tones or crystalline, single-coil-like cleans, the Lumen Filter delivers.
Pricing and Finishes
High-end specs usually come with a high-end price, but Gretsch has kept the Premier Jet highly accessible. Priced at just $799, it sits beautifully in the mid-tier market.
The guitar is available in four stunning finishes:
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Vintage Pearl (Classic white/cream)
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Robusto Burst (A rich brown burst)
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Onyx Storm (Sleek black)
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Clairvoyant (A striking purple)
Verdict
The Gretsch Electromatic Premier Jet proves that you don’t need to empty your bank account to get pro-level specs. By combining classic chambered tonewoods with modern touches like a compound radius ebony fretboard, locking hardware, and the highly versatile Sphera Twin Six humbuckers with the Lumen Filter, Gretsch has created a gig-ready workhorse. It honors the vintage Jet legacy while offering the “brilliance and brute force” demanded by today’s players.
Available at Andertons in Vintage Pearl, Robusto Burst, Onyx Storm, and Clairvoyant – £699 each
Available at Sweetwater in Vintage Pearl, Robusto Burst, Onyx Storm, and Clairvoyant – $799.99 each
Available at Thomann in Vintage Pearl, Robusto Burst, Onyx Storm, and Clairvoyant – €729 each
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does the Gretsch Electromatic Premier Jet cost?
The Premier Jet is priced at $799, making it a highly competitive option for players looking for premium specs under $1,000.
What is the Lumen Filter on the Premier Jet?
The Lumen Filter is a push/pull circuit built into the guitar’s controls. When engaged, it cuts the low-end frequencies to provide a tighter, snappier response—perfect for achieving percussive high-gain sounds or crystalline cleans with a more single-coil-like character.
What pickups come stock in the Premier Jet?
The guitar is equipped with new Sphera Twin Six nickel-finished humbuckers. The neck pickup uses Alnico VI magnets, while the bridge pickup is calibrated for higher output. Both feature 12 adjustable pole pieces and are vacuum-wax-potted.
How does the neck differ from a standard Electromatic Jet?
The Premier Jet upgrades to an ebony fingerboard (instead of rosewood) and features a modern 10″ to 14″ compound radius, compared to the standard 12″ radius. It also includes Luminlay side dots for better visibility on dark stages.
What colors are available?
You can pick up the Premier Jet in four finishes: Vintage Pearl, Robusto Burst, Onyx Storm, and Clairvoyant.
More Information
#Gretsch #Premier Jet
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