Vintage-Inspired Parlour Tone in a Budget-Friendly Package
The Gretsch G9520 Jim Dandy Flat Top Acoustic Guitar is a delightful parlour-style acoustic that pays homage to the iconic “Rex” guitars of the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s, offering a compact, vintage-inspired design with modern playability. Ideal for beginners, songwriters, and casual players across Australia, it features a basswood body with X-bracing for surprising resonance and a 24″ scale nato set neck for comfortable handling. Available in finishes like Two-Color Sunburst, Bronze Burst, Coral Burst, and Blue Burst, it’s praised for its woody vintage tone, affordability, and inspiring playability, making it the perfect “first guitar” or travel companion.
Exceptional Sound Quality
The Jim Dandy delivers a full, woody tone with surprising projection for its size:
- Body: Basswood with X-bracing for a resonant, balanced voice that’s louder than expected. The flat-top parlour shape (12th fret join) provides a vintage catalog-guitar vibe with clear mids and full-sounding bass, ideal for fingerstyle, strumming, or campfire sessions.
- Tone: Woody vintage character with full bass and crisp highs, evoking early 20th-century Sears or Montgomery Ward instruments but with modern reliability. It’s versatile for blues, folk, or rockabilly, with good sustain and overtones that inspire hours of playing.
- Neck: Nato set neck with a “C” shape and satin finish for smooth, easy playability. The walnut fingerboard has a 12″ radius, 18 vintage-style frets, and pearloid dot inlays for a classic feel.
- Bridge: Top-load walnut with a compensated synthetic bone saddle for even intonation and easy string changes.
- Tuners: 1950s-style vintage open-gear die-cast with nickel hardware for reliable tuning.
- Strings: Light-gauge for effortless play and balanced tone.
Users love its surprising quality, with a Guitar World review (March 16, 2023) stating, “The G9500 Jim Dandy is a good ol’ fashioned rootsy strummer with a small body and small price—perfect for beginners.” A Sweetwater review (2023) notes, “Outstanding quality. All of the glowing reviews I read about this guitar I found to be true.” Some mention the lack of electronics limits gigging use (consider the G9520E Gin Rickey variant), and the 24″ scale may feel short for larger hands.
Durable and Stylish Design
- Finish: Semi-gloss or satin with a single-ply aged white pickguard featuring the “G” graphic and vintage end-pin strap buttons for a retro aesthetic.
- Aesthetics: Compact parlour shape with a skinny body reminiscent of depression-era catalog guitars, evoking nostalgia while remaining lightweight (~3.5–4 lbs).
- Build Quality: Laminate basswood body, nato set neck, walnut fingerboard, and synthetic bone nut/saddle for durability and reliable intonation. The X-bracing ensures structural integrity without sacrificing tone.
Backed by a 3-year warranty, it’s built to inspire. Prices range from AUD 200–300, available at Audio Shop Australia and other retailers.
Key Performance Features
- Body: Parlour flat top, laminate basswood with X-bracing
- Neck: Nato set neck, “C” shape, satin finish
- Fingerboard: Walnut, 12″ radius, 18 vintage-style frets, pearloid dot inlays
- Bridge: Top-load walnut with compensated synthetic bone saddle
- Tuners: Vintage open-gear die-cast, nickel
- Strings: Light-gauge for easy play
- Warranty: 3 years
Notes
- No Electronics – Pure acoustic; for amplified use, consider the G9520E Gin Rickey variant.
- Setup Recommendation: Professional setup advised to optimize action and intonation.
- Care Instructions: Store in a gig bag (~$50–$100 AUD) to protect the finish; clean with a soft cloth.
- Compatibility: Pairs well with acoustic amps or PA systems; use with Rode RØDECaster Pro II for direct recording.
- Warranty: Register at gretschguitars.com for support; verify purchase from Audio Shop Australia.
Why Choose Audio Shop Australia
- 100% genuine Gretsch products with manufacturer warranty
- Fast, reliable delivery across Audio Shop Australia with secure checkout
- Free shipping on orders over $100 (under 20kg) at Audio Shop Australia
- Expert advice from our team of music professionals
- Trusted by guitarists and performers at Audio Shop Australia
Reviews
Clear filtersThere are no reviews yet.