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Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT
ESP RZK-II Burnt
VS
Playability
77
Sound
75
Build
78
Value
67
Score
77
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Playability
80
Sound
78
Build
77
Value
63
Score
78
FIND IT ON:
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Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT vs ESP RZK-II Burnt

Reasons to Get
Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT over ESP RZK-II Burnt

Weight Relief
Yes vs None
Lighter Body
Decorative Top
Laminated Maple vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Release Year
2019 vs 2010
From a more recent year
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs XL Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Volume Knobs
3 vs 1
More volume control
Tone Knobs
1 vs 0
More tone control
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.83'' (21.1mm) vs 0.787'' (20mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.97'' (24.6mm) vs 0.866'' (22mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Bridge
Fixed vs Floyd Rose
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Scale Length
24.6'' (624.8mm) vs 25.5'' (647.7mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Value Score
67 vs 63
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
ESP RZK-II Burnt over Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT

Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
XL Jumbo vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Joint
Neck-Through vs Set
Stronger neck and easier access to upper frets
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.787'' (20mm) vs 0.83'' (21.1mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.866'' (22mm) vs 0.97'' (24.6mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.688'' (42.9mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Floyd Rose vs Fixed
Allows intense vibratos and techniques like Dive Bombs
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm) vs 24.6'' (624.8mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output

Other Key Differences
Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT vs ESP RZK-II Burnt

Bridge Pickup
Gretsch Broad'Tron BT-65 vs EMG 81
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Gretsch Broad'Tron BT-65 vs EMG 81
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Mahogany vs Alder
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Mahogany vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Nut Material
Ivory Tusq vs Locking
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT vs ESP RZK-II Burnt

Fretboard Wood
Rosewood
Same Fretboard Wood
Headstock
3-3
Same Headstock
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm)
Same fretboard comfortability
Neck Profile Type
U
Comfortable neck with more grip

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Strap Lock
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the ESP RZK-II Burnt is probably the better product overall with its final score of 78 compared to the Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT's 77 score, although not by a lot.

The ESP RZK-II Burnt wins when it comes to sound, playability. On the other hand, the Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT has the upper hand when it comes to build quality, value for the money.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the ESP RZK-II Burnt.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT is the better choice.

The Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT meets 5 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the ESP RZK-II Burnt meets only 4. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Short scale
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck

New Player Friendliness

ESP RZK-II Burnt
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT Overview

  • From Gretsch's 2019 Professional Collection series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 24.6"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Laminated Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Gretsch Broad'Tron BT-65 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Gretsch Broad'Tron BT-65 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 3 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Gretsch V Stoptail bridge
  • Standard U Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >

ESP RZK-II Burnt Overview

  • From ESP's 2010 Signature series
  • Richard ZK Signature
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Original bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Rosewood wood pattern used for guitar building
Rosewood

Rosewood is an almost purple-looking wood that is used mainly for fretboards since it's heavy, rare, and expensive. It's sometimes used on acoustic guitar bodies to create stronger warm tones. Find out more about Rosewood.

Woods Used in the Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT

Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

Woods Used in the ESP RZK-II Burnt

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Alder wood pattern used for guitar building
Alder

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Alder is the most popular wood that Fender uses in most of their guitars nowadays. Even though they say it's because of its balanced tone with an emphasis in the upper midrange, it probably is because it isn't too expensive, and it's also pretty lightweight—more than Mahogany. Find out more about Alder.

Winner: Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HH. Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

However, the Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT has a slight sound quality advantage when taking into account other factors like the type of pickups, magnet, position, etc.

We found the same or similar pickups to the ESP RZK-II Burnt's online:

The Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT's pickups are Passive while the ESP RZK-II Burnt's are Active.

Passive pickups are what most guitars use. These have a normal output that works well for most genres. However, Active pickups are the preferred choice of heavy metal players because they offer extra output thanks to their 9v battery, which results in a heavier, more distorted sound. Bear in mind that achieving a completely clean tone with them won't be easy. So if you want to also use clean tones, you might want to avoid Active pickups.

Winner: Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

They both share the following switching options:

Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT and ESP RZK-II Burnt pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT and ESP RZK-II Burnt's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: ESP RZK-II Burnt.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT
Pickups 90
Sustain 75
Versatility 53
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 75
ESP RZK-II Burnt
Pickups 85
Sustain 85
Versatility 57
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 78

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT compares to the ESP RZK-II Burnt.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in Japan.

Japan has a long history of high-quality guitar building. Little has changed in terms of their manufacturing and quality control over the years. Many guitars made in this country can be compared—and even beat—others made in the US.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT has a Ivory Tusq nut. Ivory used to be considered the best material for guitar nuts due to its beauty, durability, and the rich harmonics and sustain you could get from a guitar with it. However, the way to obtain it is simply unethical. Enter TUSQ ivory nuts, which are made synthetically to imitate ivory. Technically, it's better than ivory because it is consistent piece-to-piece, while natural materials can vary a lot, even if they're made from the same.

On the other hand, the ESP RZK-II Burnt comes with a Locking nut. Instead of a regular nut, this guitar has a locking system that will lock down the strings at the nut, preventing it from getting out of tune. It removes one of the disadvantages of tremolo bridges, tune stability.

Winner: Tie.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

The Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT's brige is a Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

On the other hand, the ESP RZK-II Burnt's is a Floyd Rose. This is a double-locking bridge system that allows you to perform techniques like dive bombs and pinch harmonics. The locking nut allows your guitar to stay in tune even after the most intense tremolo usage. The disadvantage is that it takes more work to change the strings and set up everything correctly.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: ESP RZK-II Burnt.

Tuners

The Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT has the best tuners of the two because they are locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

Nevertheless, the ESP RZK-II Burnt has a locking nut, so it should have even better tune stability and doesn't need locking tuners.

Winner: Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

The Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT has a Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.

On the other hand, the ESP RZK-II Burnt comes with Neck-Through neck joint. This neck is a lot more resistant and lets builders give the neck joint a more comfortable shape for soloing at the upper frets. The disadvantage is that they're more expensive and that if you damage your neck, you can't simply replace it like with bolt-on necks.

Winner: ESP RZK-II Burnt.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Weight Relief
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP RZK-II Burnt
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

Final Build Quality Scores

Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT
Quality of materials 70
Features 70
Quality Control 95
Build Quality 78
ESP RZK-II Burnt
Quality of materials 51
Features 80
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 77

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT Nut Width
Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT Nut Width
ESP RZK-II Burnt Nut Width
ESP RZK-II Burnt Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT has the wider nut with 42.9mm (1.688'') vs 42mm (1.654''). This is a 0.9mm (0.034'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT's Scale Length
Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT's Scale Length
ESP RZK-II Burnt's Scale Length
ESP RZK-II Burnt's Scale Length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

The ESP RZK-II Burnt has the longest scale: 25.5". The Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT is only 24.6" long. This is a 0.9'' (22.9mm) scale length difference.

This longer scale means that the strings need more tension to get in tune. This is good if you want to avoid fret buzz, which can happen when the strings are too loose and touch the frets while vibrating. This is especially important when playing in lower tunings. This will also let you reduce the gap between fretboard and strings (low action) to make them easier to press down. However, this higher tension will also make it harder to perform bends and vibratos as the strings will feel stiffer.

This also means that the frets have a longer separation between each other, so this will make it harder for people with smaller hands when playing some chord positions.

Another characteristic of a longer scale is that it makes the guitar sound 'snappier' or brighter. This is due to the extra separation between harmonics and overtones produced by the tension. This influences tone more than any other factor (except the pickups).

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT Neck Profile
Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT's neck profile
ESP RZK-II Burnt Neck Profile
ESP RZK-II Burnt's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

Both the Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT and the ESP RZK-II Burnt have a U-shaped neck. This is also referred to as ''baseball neck'' because of its shape. It's usually thick, which is why some people with big hands like it. However, they can also be thin, similar to a C shape, but with more shoulders for a better grip.

Fretboard Radius

Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT Fingerboard Radius
Both Guitars Have The Same Fretboard Radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

Both the Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT and the ESP RZK-II Burnt have the same fretboard radius of 12". This is the radius used in most Gibson guitars. It gives you a good balance for playing chords without muting, but also good comfortability for playing single notes and bending.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT favors large hands more than the ESP RZK-II Burnt.

Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT:
Big Hands
Small Hands
ESP RZK-II Burnt:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT Frets Size
Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT's Frets Size
ESP RZK-II Burnt Frets Size
ESP RZK-II Burnt's Frets Size

The ESP RZK-II Burnt has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT's Medium Jumbo frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT
Bending & Vibrato Ease 90
Chord Playability 80
Solo Playability 60
Playability 77
ESP RZK-II Burnt
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 90
Playability 80

Specs Side-by-Side

Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT vs ESP RZK-II Burnt
General Gretsch G6228 Players Edition Jet BT ESP RZK-II Burnt
Brand: Gretsch ESP
Year: 2019 2010
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Japan Japan
Series: Professional Collection Signature
Colors: Black, Green, Red Natural Patterns
Left-Handed Version: Yes No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany Alder
Bridge: Gretsch V Stoptail Floyd Rose Original
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Neck-Through
Tuners: Gotoh Locking Gotoh
Fretboard: Rosewood Rosewood
Neck Material: Mahogany 3pc Maple
Decoration: Pearloid Big Block Rammstein Logos
Scale Size: 24.6" 25.5"
Shape: Standard U Thin U
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.83'' (21.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.97'' (24.6mm) 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm)
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver 24 XL Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" 12"
Nut: Ivory Tusq Locking
Nut Width: 42.9mm (1.688'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Gretsch Broad'Tron BT-65 (Humbucker / Passive) EMG 81 (Humbucker / Active)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Gretsch Broad'Tron BT-65 (Humbucker / Passive) EMG 81 (Humbucker / Active)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 3 1
Tone Controls: 1 0