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PRS Special Semi-Hollow
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone
VS
Playability
68
Sound
76
Build
75
Value
58
Score
73
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Playability
70
Sound
71
Build
57
Value
71
Score
66
FIND IT ON:
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PRS Special Semi-Hollow vs Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone

Reasons to Get
PRS Special Semi-Hollow over Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone

Country of Manufacturing
United States vs China
Built with higher quality standards
Decorative Top
Carved Figured Maple vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Neck Profile
Pattern vs Thin U
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Pickup Mods
Coil Tap vs None
Lowers output of humbucker coil to create a single coil sound
Body Type
Semi-Hollow vs Solid Body
Lighter and allows more gain than a hollowbody
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Pickups
HSH vs HH
High output, round sound with a single-coil for cleans
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm) vs 1.685'' (42.8mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Bridge
Tremolo vs Bigsby Tremolo
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance
Scale Length
25'' (635mm) vs 29.75'' (755.7mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone
Fretboard Radius
10'' (254mm) vs 12'' (304.8mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings

Reasons to Get
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone over PRS Special Semi-Hollow

Release Year
2022 vs 2021
From a more recent year
Neck Profile
Thin U vs Pattern
Comfortable neck with more grip
Neck Joint
Bolt-On vs Set
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Body Type
Solid Body vs Semi-Hollow
Feedback free
Pickups
HH vs HSH
High output without hum
Nut Width
1.685'' (42.8mm) vs 1.688'' (42.9mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Bigsby Tremolo vs Tremolo
Intense vibrato with a solid arm
Scale Length
29.75'' (755.7mm) vs 25'' (635mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm) vs 10'' (254mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Value Score
71 vs 58
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
PRS Special Semi-Hollow vs Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone

Bridge Pickup
PRS 58/15 LT vs Gretsch Mini Humbucking
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
PRS 58/15 vs Gretsch Mini Humbucking
Different Neck Pickup
Neck Wood
Mahogany vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Rosewood vs Laurel
Different Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
PRS Propietary vs Synthetic Bone
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
PRS Special Semi-Hollow vs Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone

Body Wood
Mahogany
Same Body Wood
Headstock
3-3
Same Headstock
Strings
6
Same playing style
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • 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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Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the PRS Special Semi-Hollow is probably the better product overall with its final score of 73 compared to the Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone's 66 score, although not by a lot.

The PRS Special Semi-Hollow wins when it comes to sound, build quality. On the other hand, the Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone has the upper hand when it comes to playability, value for the money.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel that the Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone is easier to play.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the PRS Special Semi-Hollow is the better choice.

The PRS Special Semi-Hollow meets 5 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone 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

PRS Special Semi-Hollow
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone
  • 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.

PRS Special Semi-Hollow Overview

  • From PRS's 2021 Core series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25"'' scale
  • 10" Fretboard Radius
  • Carved Figured Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: PRS 58/15 LT (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: PRS Narrowfield (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: PRS 58/15 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • PRS Patented Tremolo, Gen III bridge
  • Pattern Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • PRS Phase III Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone Overview

  • From Gretsch's 2022 Electromatic series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 29.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Maple neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Gretsch Mini Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Gretsch Mini Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Bigsby bridge
  • Thin U Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Die-Cast tuners
  • Weight between 8.8lbs (4kgs) and 9.1lbs (4.1kgs)
  • 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

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 PRS Special Semi-Hollow

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 G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone

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 Special Semi-Hollow.

Pickup Configuration

The PRS Special Semi-Hollow has an HSH configuration while the Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone has HH pickups.

HSH is a versatile pickup configuration that will give you the high output, full tone, and quiet sound of humbucker pickups, but with the possibility of using a single coil for cleaner tones. The disadvantage is that the middle single-coil pickup will have a noticeable lower volume, so you might want to adjust the height of the pickups. Another problem is that if you set the middle pickup too high, it might interfere with your picking hand.

On the other hand, 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

The PRS Special Semi-Hollow gives you 5 switch options while the Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone gives you 3. This means that the PRS Special Semi-Hollow gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

Only the PRS Special Semi-Hollow comes with some kind of pickup modification: Coil Tap.

Coil Tap is similar to Coil Split but it works a bit differently. Instead of completely cancelling one of the coils of the humbucker, it only cuts part of the output once activated. Some people believe this gives the split pickups a more real single-coil sound.

PRS Special Semi-Hollow pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
PRS Special Semi-Hollow's switch options
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone'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 Special Semi-Hollow.

Final Sound Quality Scores

PRS Special Semi-Hollow
Pickups 90
Sustain 65
Versatility 75
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 76
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone
Pickups 90
Sustain 70
Versatility 59
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 Special Semi-Hollow compares to the Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The PRS Special Semi-Hollow is built in United States while the Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone is made in China.

The United States is considered one of the best electric guitar manufacturers in the world. A guitar made in this country is supposed to have world-class quality control. Nowadays, guitars made in other countries can beat some of the ones made in the US, but most of the time, this country offers the best you can get. Of course, that comes at a price.

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 Special Semi-Hollow

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 Special Semi-Hollow 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 G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone comes with a Synthetic Bone nut. Bone is the best natural material for guitar nuts. However, its tonal properties can be inconsistent. That's the problem that synthetic bone fixes. This is much better than using a plastic nut because the nut is more slippery—which helps with tuning stability—, and it gives your open strings rich harmonics.

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 Special Semi-Hollow's brige is a Tremolo. Tremolo bridges give you more versatility than fixed bridges. They let you perform the intense vibrato effects that would be impossible with a fixed bridge. However, since the bridge floats and there's less contact with the body, the strings lose sustain slightly faster. They can also be a bit harder to restring and set up correctly than fixed bridges.

On the other hand, the Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone'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 G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone.

Tuners

The PRS Special Semi-Hollow 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.

Winner: PRS Special Semi-Hollow.

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 PRS Special Semi-Hollow 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 Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone comes with Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

Winner: Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
PRS Special Semi-Hollow
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • PRS Propietary Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Tap Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone
  • Expensive Wood
  • Synthetic Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

PRS Special Semi-Hollow
Quality of materials 50
Features 75
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 75
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone
Quality of materials 56
Features 55
Quality Control 60
Build Quality 57

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 Special Semi-Hollow Nut Width
PRS Special Semi-Hollow Nut Width
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone Nut Width
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the PRS Special Semi-Hollow has the wider nut with 42.9mm (1.688'') vs 42.8mm (1.685''). This is a 0.1mm (0.0029999999999999'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the PRS Special Semi-Hollow, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

PRS Special Semi-Hollow's Scale Length
PRS Special Semi-Hollow's Scale Length
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone's Scale Length
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone'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 Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone has the longest scale: 29.75". The PRS Special Semi-Hollow is only 25" long. This is a 4.75'' (120.7mm) 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 Special Semi-Hollow Neck Profile
PRS Special Semi-Hollow's neck profile
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone Neck Profile
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone'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 Special Semi-Hollow has a C type of 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.

The Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone, on the other hand, has a U 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

PRS Special Semi-Hollow Fingerboard Radius
PRS Special Semi-Hollow's Fingerboard radius
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone Fingerboard Radius
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone'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 Special Semi-Hollow's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone'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 G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone.

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 Special Semi-Hollow favors large hands more than the Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone.

PRS Special Semi-Hollow:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

PRS Special Semi-Hollow and Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone 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 Special Semi-Hollow
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 65
Playability 68
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 80
Solo Playability 60
Playability 70

Specs Side-by-Side

PRS Special Semi-Hollow vs Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone
General PRS Special Semi-Hollow Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone
Brand: PRS Gretsch
Year: 2021 2022
Configuration: HSH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: United States China
Series: Core Electromatic
Colors: Gold, White, Black, Blue, Green, Black Burst, Orange, Purple, Yellow, Red Burst, Gold Burst, Dark Cherry Sunburst, McCarty Sunburst, McCarty Tobacco Sunburst Black, Blue, Gray
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Semi-Hollow Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany Mahogany
Bridge: PRS Patented Tremolo, Gen III Bigsby
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Bolt-On
Tuners: PRS Phase III Locking Die-Cast
Fretboard: Rosewood Laurel
Neck Material: Mahogany Maple
Decoration: Birds Pearloid Neo-Classic Thumbnail
Scale Size: 25" 29.75"
Shape: Pattern Thin U
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.88'' (22.4mm) - 12th Fret: 0.95'' (24.1mm) 1st Fret: - 12th Fret:
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 10" 12"
Nut: PRS Propietary Synthetic Bone
Nut Width: 42.9mm (1.688'') 42.8mm (1.685'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: PRS 58/15 LT (Humbucker / Passive) Gretsch Mini Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup: PRS Narrowfield (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: PRS 58/15 (Humbucker / Passive) Gretsch Mini Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Speed Dome
Pickup Mods: Coil Tap None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1