The Gretsch just has that magic chime and jangle that isn't like that from any other guitar. It's so unique and is really infectious. Once you hear it, you gotta have it.

Gretch tends to be less expensive compared to other name brands. It's just as iconic and maybe more versatile. Gretch wins in my book.

“That great Gretsch sound!”

Loved the sound of the gretch! For me, the les paul sounded muffled; like a person talking with their hand over their mouth. The gretch sounded brilliant and wide open.

Malcolm and Angus knew a Gibson paired with Gretsch would sound awesome too! Haha.

Boy these guitars complement each other phenomenally.

Someone I know plays with Duo Jet and there's something about the frequencies it pushes out that really makes it cut through live while other guitars get lost in the mud. Sometimes a guitar isn't about how nice it sounds while noodling on the sofa but what it does in context.

“Two of the most iconic single-cut guitar” .. Telecaster is standing in the corner sipping tea

The LP sounded muffled in comparison, you can get a Gretsch to sound like an LP but not the other way around. The harmonic richness of Gretsch is unparalleled.

I'm a modern metal guy but the duo jets have always screamed like monsters, not to mention, the pickups are great for rythym and it's where it really shines, hell just listen to any ACDC song,

As a bassist that dabbles on guitar. I seriously think Gretsch is one of the most underrated brands out there. It's not about country and rockabilly. They have that great mid ground tone thats between a single coil and a humbucker without the hum of a P-90.

Gretch for me. Love that tone. And the look is so old fashion I love it.

The Gretch sounds so much more versatile. I felt the distortion was a tad better on the Les Paul but in every other setting the Gretch knocks it out of the park (for me). The clean chords are so beautiful and full of all the feels. When the LP was chording it was almost embarassing next to the Gretch. Also, on some of your single clean lines, the gretch was almost single-coil chimey. Maybe it's just the comparison. Anyhow thanks for the great vid.

I'm as big a Gibson guy as anyone, but the LP was just trying to keep up with the Gretsch the whole time.

I have both. Every gig I have played I have picked the Gretsch. They are both good... the Gretsch is just move versatile.

I guess it's a matter of personal taste, but to me, the Gretsch dominated in every category. Such a lively tone. Almost single coil like.

Yoir soloing makes me want to grow my hair out, take off my shirt, and let the wind rustle my hair while I watch the sunset. Great vid as always Darrell

I keep replaying the first 30 seconds of this. Amazing how well they complement each other.

Gretsch just oozes quality! and that pure black fret board is beautiful.

I'm a Gretsch player (Streamliner), and my bands other guitarist plays a Les Paul. They compliment each other so well!

Happy Monday everyone!! After listening to the comparison, are you a fan of the "chunk" or the "chime?" Guitar Links: GIBSON: imp.i114863.net/Yeq2B GRETSCH: imp.i114863.net/dB9X7

Good review. I have both guitars. The only thing criticism I have is at 3:55 when you turned up the gain ONLY for the bridge pickups. I think you should have continued with clean tones as was done for the neck and both (neck and bridge) pickups, just to complete the clean comparison (I know that you essentially did that a little later at 7:22). But at 4:54 it surprised me when you said it surprised you about the high gain comparo on the bridge pickup. If the pickups from both guitars have approximately the same output power (which these do), then lots of gain will just max out both guitar's output waveforms into almost identical squarewaves which WILL sound the same and become more of a charcteristic of the amp rather than the guitars.

Never thought I'd like a Gretsch so much... Great video, man!

I played once a Les Paul and fell in love with it. But now I have to try the Gretsch. The more opened sound is fantastic!

the gretsch sounded better in the first round; 2nd round was a tie; 3 round goes to gretsch; 4th round a tie; 5th round to gretsch; i think the gretsch wins overall!!

Gretsch is so great, I've played probably 20 different guitars from them and I've loved them all. Can't afford to buy one, but it will be my next purchase once I save up

The Gretsch put Gibson in place. I can't believe the huge differences between the two. Nice tones on the Gretsch!!!

Gretsch Wins! is a sound for i search... versatile, blues and jazz sounds in especial rock.

Pretty sure the Gretsch sustained for longer

I'm a Les Paul guy from way back, but I bought my first Gretsch (5420T) a couple of years ago and fell instantly in love with it. I've tried a few others since then, and definitely have a Power Jet in my future...just beautiful sounding/feeling guitars!

Aside from the fact both guitars have amazing qualities all their own, you really are able to bring out everything. You really can squeeze out every bit of juice from those guitars. Nice, nice work.

I love the Gretsch but it sounds great playing with a les Paul they complement each other very well. My preference is for the Gretsch.

That's a very polite way to describe Gibson QC problems!

les paul my love, i really love his smooth sound. But my god the gretsch is such an underrated and beautiful guitar.

It's good to remember that a Grestch loaded with FilterTrons that measure at 4 will sound significantly different than the LP. which is why a swapped my PowerTrons for standard FilterTrons.

Great video. Excellent comparison. Surprisingly I'd award the overall victory to the Gretsch. Other than the high gain, distorted lead which favored the Les Paul I felt the Gretsch was decidedly better in all other tests - especially the country/rockabilly and arpeggiated chords comparisons. Again, well done.

Give Me the Gretsch any day of the week! Rock solid, tone for so many applications & beautifully built.

Great comparison, both sounded really cool. I liked the Gretsch more than I thought I would, the clean Brian Setzer type stuff just sizzles with a Gretsch. The darker, heavier tones from the LP are great also... Both brands have various price points depending on your wallet. While I've always been a LP lover, that Gretsch was a fantastic sounding guitar. I'll take one of each, problem solved!

The Gretsch looks like a piece of art. The black hole black shiny top with the mahogany sides and back is really something!!!

They both sound great. I have to say I think there's much more going on with the LP, richer, deeper. Not always what you want, but when you do, it's heaven.

I reallllllllly enjoyed that comparison. A lot of fun. Thanks so much!

Excellent road tests of two nice guitars. A tough choice but for me the versatility of the Gretsch makes it the one to go for.

Thanks for the great comparison of these two iconic guitars! I *was* in the process of choosing. Now I’m completely sold on the Duo.

nothing beats a overdriven filtertron, especially a TV JONES filtertron.

My choice of which I'd rather play would depend on what kind of music I'd be playing on it, but in general I'll always prefer that warmth the Les Paul has over "bright" every time.

I've played many Les Pauls and currently own the Gretsch. The Gretsch has more character. One of my favorite things which I prefer about the Gretsch is the clarity & resonance. You don't lose the sound of the individual strings to a fuzzy grind nearly as quickly as you do on the Les Paul. I do a lot of arpeggios and fingerpicking, so this is very good for that style. They also have much more character in mid-gain and clean playing. It's amazing how easily you can dial up the Chet Atkins/Brian Setzer sound and then go right into the Pete Townshend/Billy Duffy roar.......Just my $0.02.

The Gretsch matched with your guitar playing sounded beautiful. Nice work Darrell!

This might be my favorite of your videos. If I had to choose between the two guitars I honestly don't know which one i'd pick. They're both KILLER!

Tough to choose between the both of them, you make both of them sound really good! I have wanted a Gretsch for a while, already have a les. The dual guitar thing you did at the end sounded great. The Gretsch def has more of a jangley sound, I will have to try one out soon. Cheers from Maine!

The first Gretsch Jet ("Tone Pot" circuit, DeArmond single coil pickups) was intoduced in 1953, 1 Year after the Les Paul.

Really good overview of two guitars that I would never have thought to compare. I have a Gretsch 5236 chambered mahogony w/ maple cap ... I sold my Les Paul after I got this Gretsch. I play mostly southern style Americana, clean blues in a Marshall dsl40 with just enough gain to fatten it up. Outstanding instrument

I’m really liking the Gretsch! I thought it was just a rockabilly guitar, which it exceeds at, but it clearly does so much more! Now when it comes to sustain, I’d really like to hear my Hagstrom Swede in the mix!

Wow, great comparison! I’ve gotta admit, the Gretcsh sounds amazing...those pickups are so versatile! if I had to pick between these two for my main guitar, it would be the Gretcsh since I believe they are both around the same price point. 🎸✌🏻

Very impressed w/Gretsch. It certainly has a brighter tone, but then can go deep in the mids/lows. To me, it's like having a child of a Strat/Les Paul...reminds me of a nice mix of both.

I feel spicing the two videos together really helps you hear the difference between the guitars. Good idea!

Those three power chords on the Gretsch at 3:33 are incredible 😍

That Gretsch is just wonderful to look at, it sounds good too.

Must have both!! Great comparison as usual. Love your riffage and I think the Gretsch really shines on the lower gain stuff and the rockabilly as I had expected. Both offer something different and very usable in most situations. And they both look and sound amazing! God Bless!

Been a strat player since I learned guitar as a kid, ripping my dads custom partscaster he gave me that he built in the 80's from scratch. Now since my late teens up until now I've really stepped up to take my playing serious, exploring all genres from classic rock to rockabilly to jazz to blues, and in 2015 bought my second guitar which was a GRETSCH g5420. Love this guitar with all my heart, and does exactly what I want it to. Now I always thought I was a single coil guy, and for all solid body rock tunes I would just rock my strat (which I do), and the only humbuckers I would use would be filters for the clean rockabilly pickin. but when I got into the studio a month or so ago, one of the engineers handed me his epi traditional pro LP for the song I was recording on. Man was I floored by the insane tone I got on this hard rock blues song. After that, I began questioning why I always wrote off solid body humbucker guitars and in about a week or so I had my own used epi traditional pro LP. I think I may be more of a les Paul guy now, and so of course the only sensible thing to do (hah) would be to get the real deal Gibson. However, I've seen the duo jets and since my hollow body kicks so much ass for its niche, I wondered if the jet could hold its own for what I now would use the Gibson LP for. Stumbled on this video during research, and you've officially made me a Gretsch man for all walks of life. Thanks for the great comparison

I've had, and played both Gretsches and Les Pauls/SGs. If you want an early Clapton overdriven/distorted tone or Jazzy round tone, the humbuckers on Gibsons will not disappoint. I find that Gretsches with filtertron pickups have more clarity, and especially shine for Brian Setzer for Cliff Gallup tones. This, somewhat less, overdriven sound, matched with slapback delay, is one that you didn't explore in your comparison. Of course, the Gibson model Chat Atkins never matched the sounds of his guitars designed for Gretsch. There is just more twang available in those instruments. If you can afford it, have at least one of each, plus a Fender single-coil Strat or Tele, and you'll have your bases covered for electric guitars. I believe that Japanese-made Gretsch guitars are the best-ever for construction.

I get a lot of ideas from the solos. Masterfully done! Thanks! Rock on! Rip it up!

I was surprised at how well I enjoyed the sound of the Gretsch over the Les Paul. The Gibson looks better to me though, as the cherry burst has always been my favorite. They did compliment each other nicely though.

Well done review/comparison of two great sounding guitars. I have a Korean made Gretsch semi hollow body (my first Gretsch) that puts to shame the fit, finish and build of any American made Gibson. The Gretsch is flawless in fit and finish, plays like a dream. And it cost under $1000. $850 To be exact. I replaced the stock bridge pickup with a TV Jones Powertron Plus Bridge humbucker, the hottest filtertron TV Jones makes. Designed at the request of Billy Gibbons who wanted a hotter bridge pickup. And man, Billy sure got one. It's a thunder screaming beast. I've had Gibsons.

I think the Gretsch fits right in between an SG and a PRS guitar. My first time seeing the Duojet used in a live performance was here in the Sacramento area with a popular local band called Apple Z. That guitar is in one word POWERFUL.

Both have great sounds. In some cases the LP comes up short, but in others, it just sings and steps out in front.

Both! Gretsch for the highs and Gibson for the richness. Two different guitars for two different sounds and styles of music even though both can play similar styles of music. Thanks for the post, very enjoyable as usual! 👍 for Darrell everyone!

Your comparison videos are very smartly done. You never disappoint. I love all your vids. Keep doing what you do!

Thank you so much for going over how the gretsch knobs work I have been so confused for a long time

First and foremost, excellent and tastefull guitar playing. My take is Gretsch. Thanks.

Well, I have little experience with a Les Paul and none at all with a Gretsch but if I had to pick one I'd have the Duo Jet. It just seems the more versatile sounding of the two. Plus, I have a soft spot for Japanese-made guitars (I own three of them). As usual, a well done video comparison, Darrell.

I’m glad for your channel. Such good content and insight. You helped me make up my mind. I’m getting the gretsch.

I liked the clean tone of the bridge pickup on the Gretsch. It had a shimmer (or something) that I wasn't expecting.

I don't know if they invited you to Guitcon, but they should. You have an incredible ear, very good taste, and I absolutely appreciate your professional presentations. I wish I could be more involved, but I can't. Therefore, it should be guys like you, Pete Thorn, & Tim Pierce. You 3 are top notch guitarists. There is a young lady in Canada, Ayla Guitar is her channel who I believe SHOULD be involved as well. You guys are heavy hitters, and incredibly, she is as well. Canadians, I don't know what to say... blessed guitarists.

Two beautiful guitars. I think the Gretsch is more versatile, whereas the LP does one thing and does it flawlessly.

You're killing me with the Gretch videos, I can barely play the three guitars I have. Man, it sure does sound good. Tapping on a Gretch, you don't see that well....ever. Awesome stuff!

GREAT, GREAT, GREAT comparison clip ! PLEASE . . . more Gretsch videos !!!!!!!!!!!

I own a couple of Gibson Les Pauls, and my friend owns a Gretsch Duo Jet. I have had the opportunity to play my LP Standard and his Duo Jet through my Vox AC4-BL (although, not back to back), and they are both wonderful guitars that sounded fantastic. My friend and I are both blessed with several very nice guitars, so for us it comes down to personal taste. I grew up on classic rock, he grew up in Muhlenberg County (home of the guys Chet Atkins learned from). Honestly, you can't go wrong with either one.

Darrell, I'm really enjoying to hear you playing any guitars. I guess any kind of piece of wood with strings will sound great in your hands ;)

I'm glad you did this comparison. I've been considering this issue for quite awhile now, and it came out about as I expected it would.....though I will say that the performance of the Gretsch bridge did surprise me a little. Great video! Thanks

Great comparison. Bought my first guitar new in 2000, Gibson SG, thought about the Les Paul standard because they look and sound sooooo good. Picked up a Gretsch semi Hallow body Streamliner....now I'm all in with the Jet! this video sure helped make my mind up. I'll buy the Gibson Les Paul one day.

That's why your videos are so good I'm always learning something cool and new about something I love.Guitars.thanks darrell🤘

Great video! This is actually the second or third time I've watched it. Now, I may be just GASsing for the Gretsch, but... My opinion is that the LP is best if you tend to play more hard-rock stuff with heavy distortion and you rarely play clean. Les Pauls do clean, but it's a jazzy clean. But if you play a more wide variety of rock, do clean tones that are not jazzy, like jangly chords or folk or country, and/or love "vintage" sounds, i.e. Beatles, 60s rock, garage, then the Gretsch MURDERS those styles. The unique powertron pickups, descendants of the filtertron pickups which probably predate Seth Lover's Gibson humbucker design, also provide a peculiar honky-ness exclusive to its design. No other pickup sounds like these guys, and these combined with Gretsch's odd 24.6 inch scale length, provide a unique feel. Every time I've picked up a Gretsch at a shop, I start playing more intricate stuff, tending towards clean tones, and less chunky power chords, etc., and this is just a feature, not a flaw, of *"That Great Gretsch Sound."*

Yeah so great demo! Just picked up a new Duo Jet Players Edition and I was so glad to hear how much more versatile it was than the LP! I own both now, and if it plays for me like it played for you, I will LOVE the Jet! Thanks man!

Darrell, thank you so much for doing this comparison and confirming that I do need a Duo Jet! Or one of the new Jet BT. I would love to see you compare the Duo Jet and Les Paul with a Hagstrom Super Swede some time.

reference Gilmour playing a duo jet for comfortably numb on the meltdown dvd. a solo tone that is epic!

I bet the Duo jet stays in tune better than the avg LP.

Now THIS is how a comparison video should be done! Very helpful. Thanks.

What a treat. Am a huge fan of the Gretsch, but this showed the strengths in both guitars for sure. Great share. Thank you.

Can't go wrong either way! Both Classic and both can Rock!!!

wow ! thoroughly impressed by the Gretsch

LOVED IT!!! Finely someone played the same thing on both! I've seen "Walk" played on one and "Thunder Struck" on the other. Drives me crazier.

Great article. Need to be aware that the TV Jones pickups used in this comparison are Powertrons that are higher output than normal Filtertrons / PAF voiced and as I understand, not normally found in Duo Jets with exception of the Powerjet model. A duo Jet with regular Filtertrons or Dearmonds would sound less "gainy" than the one demonstrated.

I play clean most of the time so I like the Gretsch. The Gibson sounds a little distorted with those PAF picckups as to the TV Jones on the retsch.

I do believe that the Japanese made duo jets surpass the Gibson USA guitars, but not Gibson Custom.

Great video! Thanks for the demo. I've been looking at both of these and have had trouble deciding. Your video has definitely been the most helpful. Thanks!

Couldn't make my mind up until the end .....Les Paul , didn't like the floating bridge or the position markers on the gretsch , what a great alternative though. Your playing is soooo accurate!!

That Gretsch sounded AMAZING!

Brilliant editing and playing , l liked that tune you played. Thanks Darrell

Ordered a LP today, just can't wait to get it. Your videos really helped a lot in choosing, Thank you!

Gretsch all day! Such a great guitar.