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PRS SE Hollowbody II
Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic
VS
Playability
70
Sound
72
Build
59
Value
72
Score
67
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Playability
75
Sound
71
Build
60
Value
74
Score
69
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PRS SE Hollowbody II vs Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic

Reasons to Get
PRS SE Hollowbody II over Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic

Country of Manufacturing
Indonesia vs China
Built with higher quality standards
Neck Profile
Wide Fat vs Classic C
Thick neck that gives you a better grip
Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs None
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Bridge
Fixed vs Bigsby Tremolo
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Scale Length
25'' (635mm) vs 24.6'' (624.8mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Fretboard Radius
10'' (254mm) vs 12'' (304.8mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings
Avg. Weight
6.075lbs (2.8kgs) vs 7.575lbs (3.4kgs)
Tends to be lighter

Reasons to Get
Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic over PRS SE Hollowbody II

Release Year
2022 vs 2020
From a more recent year
Neck Profile
Classic C vs Wide Fat
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Volume Knobs
3 vs 1
More volume control
Bridge
Bigsby Tremolo vs Fixed
Intense vibrato with a solid arm
Scale Length
24.6'' (624.8mm) vs 25'' (635mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm) vs 10'' (254mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Value Score
74 vs 72
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
PRS SE Hollowbody II vs Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic

Bridge Pickup
PRS 58/15 S vs Gretsch FT-5E Filter’Tron
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
PRS 58/15 S vs Gretsch FT-5E Filter’Tron
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Mahogany vs Maple
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Mahogany vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony vs Laurel
Different Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
PRS Propietary vs NuBone
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
PRS SE Hollowbody II vs Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic

Headstock
3-3
Same Headstock
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Hollowbody
Warm tone, lighter and acoustic sound
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Decorative Top
Beveled Maple Top with Flame Maple Veneer vs Arched Laminated Maple
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Neck Joint
Set
Neck is glued to the body
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • Top Pickup Brand

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Locking Tuners
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic is probably the better product overall with its final score of 69 compared to the PRS SE Hollowbody II's 67 score, although not by a lot.

The Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic wins when it comes to playability, build quality, value for the money. On the other hand, the PRS SE Hollowbody II has the upper hand when it comes to sound.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic is the better choice.

The Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic meets 4 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the PRS SE Hollowbody II meets only 3. 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

PRS SE Hollowbody II
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Comfortable neck
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Short scale
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • 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.

PRS SE Hollowbody II Overview

  • From PRS's 2020 SE series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25"'' scale
  • 10" Fretboard Radius
  • Beveled Maple Top with Flame Maple Veneer top
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: PRS 58/15 S (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: PRS 58/15 S (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • PRS Adjustable Stoptail bridge
  • Wide Fat Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • PRS Designed Tuners tuners
  • Weight between 6lbs (2.7kgs) and 6.15lbs (2.8kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic Overview

  • From Gretsch's 2022 Electromatic series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24.6"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Arched Laminated Maple top
  • Laminated Maple body
  • Maple neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Gretsch FT-5E Filter’Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Gretsch FT-5E Filter’Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 3 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Bigsby B60 bridge
  • Classic C Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Vintage-Style Open-Back tuners
  • Weight between 7.5lbs (3.4kgs) and 7.65lbs (3.5kgs)
  • 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 the PRS SE Hollowbody II

Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony

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.

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

Woods Used in the Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Laurel wood pattern used for guitar building
Laurel

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.

There are many types of Laurel, but East Indian is the most common for guitar building. Its color can vary from dark to light brown with black lines. Many people find its tonality similar to Rosewood, which favors the warmer frequencies. Find out more about Laurel.

Winner: PRS SE Hollowbody II.

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.

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Tie.

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.

Only the PRS SE Hollowbody II comes with some kind of pickup modification: Coil Split.

Coil Split lets you disconnect one of the pickup coils. When used with humbuckers, it turns them into single-coil with lower output and cleaner tone.

PRS SE Hollowbody II pickups switch and push knobs diagram
PRS SE Hollowbody II's switch options
Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic'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: PRS SE Hollowbody II.

Final Sound Quality Scores

PRS SE Hollowbody II
Pickups 90
Sustain 70
Versatility 59
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 72
Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic
Pickups 90
Sustain 70
Versatility 58
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 71

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 PRS SE Hollowbody II compares to the Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The PRS SE Hollowbody II is built in Indonesia while the Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic is made in China.

Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

China has a bad reputation when it comes to building quality. However, times have changed and now respectable brands use China's cheap labor to build good instruments for a lower price. Don't discount a guitar only because it was built in China, but also expect more quality from countries like Korea.

Winner: PRS SE Hollowbody II

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 PRS SE Hollowbody II has a PRS Propietary nut. It's similar to TUSQ nuts, but they're not as hard, and the tone is not as bright. However, the material is self-lubricating, and it's usually well cut, so they have good tuning stability.

On the other hand, the Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic comes with a NuBone nut. It's made by the same company that makes TUSQ nuts. It's slightly softer but hard enough to give you a brighter sound when playing open strings. It's also self-lubricating, so it's good for tuning 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 PRS SE Hollowbody II'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 Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic's is a Bigsby Tremolo. Bigsby tremolos are built differently than regular tremolos. They have a stiffer arm, which is something a lot of people like because the arm won't wiggle around a lot. On the other hand, this type of tremolo is more complicated to restring and it might not be as newbie-friendly as other simpler tremolos.

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: Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. The PRS SE Hollowbody II's are PRS Designed Tuners while the Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic's are Vintage-Style Open-Back

Winner: Tie.

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.

Both have 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.

Winner: Tie.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
PRS SE Hollowbody II
  • Expensive Wood
  • PRS Propietary Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic
  • NuBone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

PRS SE Hollowbody II
Quality of materials 48
Features 60
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 59
Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic
Quality of materials 60
Features 60
Quality Control 60
Build Quality 60

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

PRS SE Hollowbody II Nut Width
Both Guitars Have The Same Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, both have a nut width of 42.9mm (1.688'').

This is within the most common range of nut widths for a 6-string guitar. It offers a good balance of string separation at the nut. It's the size that most guitarists prefer as it gives them just enough space to play open chords without muting the strings, but without spreading the strings too wide and making bar chords difficult to perform.

Scale Length

PRS SE Hollowbody II's Scale Length
PRS SE Hollowbody II's Scale Length
Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic's Scale Length
Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic'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 PRS SE Hollowbody II has the longest scale: 25". The Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic is only 24.6" long. This is a 0.4'' (10.2mm) 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

PRS SE Hollowbody II Neck Profile
PRS SE Hollowbody II's neck profile
Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic Neck Profile
Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic'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.

In this case, both have different neck shapes:

The PRS SE Hollowbody II has a Vintage type of neck. This means that it's thicker than most modern necks, and makes it a better fit for playing chords and slow solos. Some people prefer this type of neck because it gives them a better grip thanks to the extra mass. Still, the vast majority prefer a thinner, faster, and more ''modern'' neck.

The Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic, on the other hand, has a C neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

Fretboard Radius

PRS SE Hollowbody II Fingerboard Radius
PRS SE Hollowbody II's Fingerboard radius
Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic Fingerboard Radius
Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic's Fingerboard 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.

In this case, the PRS SE Hollowbody II's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic.

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 PRS SE Hollowbody II favors large hands more than the Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic.

PRS SE Hollowbody II:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

PRS SE Hollowbody II and Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic Frets Size
Both have a similar Medium Jumbo fret size

Both have a Medium Jumbo fret size. These are slightly shorter than full Jumbo frets, so you'll still feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings. However, they interfere less with your fretting hand than medium-size frets. This is a good size if you like easy-to-press frets, but would still like to feel a bit of the fretboard when playing.

Final Playability Scores

PRS SE Hollowbody II
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 80
Solo Playability 55
Playability 70
Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 70
Playability 75

Specs Side-by-Side

PRS SE Hollowbody II vs Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic
General PRS SE Hollowbody II Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Classic
Brand: PRS Gretsch
Year: 2020 2022
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia China
Series: SE Electromatic
Colors: Black Burst, Tri-Color Sunburst Blue, Brown, Orange, Gray
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Hollowbody Hollowbody
Body Material: Mahogany Laminated Maple
Bridge: PRS Adjustable Stoptail Bigsby B60
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Set
Tuners: PRS Designed Tuners Vintage-Style Open-Back
Fretboard: Ebony Laurel
Neck Material: Mahogany Maple
Decoration: Birds Pearloid Neo-Classic Thumbnail
Scale Size: 25" 24.6"
Shape: Wide Fat Classic C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.86'' (21.8mm) - 12th Fret: 0.96'' (24.4mm) 1st Fret: - 12th Fret:
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 10" 12"
Nut: PRS Propietary NuBone
Nut Width: 42.9mm (1.688'') 42.9mm (1.688'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: PRS 58/15 S (Humbucker / Passive) Gretsch FT-5E Filter’Tron (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: PRS 58/15 S (Humbucker / Passive) Gretsch FT-5E Filter’Tron (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Speed Speed
Pickup Mods: Coil Split None
Volume Controls: 1 3
Tone Controls: 1 1