Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Tiny Dancer
  • Browser DAWs
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Restring your guitar
  1. Guitars

Gretsch G5191BK Tim Armstrong Electromatic Hollowbody: First look

News
By Matthew Parker
Published 2 March 2010

The Rancid frontman's rockabilly signature

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

The guitar

The guitar

With a name like the Gretsch G5191BK Tim Armstrong Electromatic Hollowbody, this guitar is certain to catch your eye, if for no other reason than the label that can fit that title on it will likely be as large as the instrument itself.

The latest signature guitar from the Rancid frontman, it's a semi-acoustic that features Black Top Filter'tron pickups, Grover tuners and a rather nice matt black finish with gold fixtures. It's got an RRP of over £1,000, but we can't help but wonder how many Rancid fans can pull together that kind of cash. Perhaps, they'll make a budget one in the near future.

It's certainly a lovely-looking instrument, but whether it's worth a grand… Well, you'll just have to check out the review in TG201 (on sale 16 April) to find out.

View more First Look posts

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
The Body

The Body

With a name like the Gretsch G5191BK Tim Armstrong Electromatic Hollowbody, this guitar is certain to catch your eye, if for no other reason than the label that can fit that title on it will likely be as large as the instrument itself.

The latest signature guitar from the Rancid frontman, it's a semi-acoustic that features Black Top Filter'tron pickups, Grover tuners and a rather nice matt black finish with gold fixtures. It's got an RRP of over £1,000, but we can't help but wonder how many Rancid fans can pull together that kind of cash. Perhaps, they'll make a budget one in the near future.

It's certainly a lovely-looking instrument, but whether it's worth a grand… Well, you'll just have to check out the review in TG201 (on sale 16 April) to find out.

View more First Look posts

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
The Headstock

The Headstock

With a name like the Gretsch G5191BK Tim Armstrong Electromatic Hollowbody, this guitar is certain to catch your eye, if for no other reason than the label that can fit that title on it will likely be as large as the instrument itself.

The latest signature guitar from the Rancid frontman, it's a semi-acoustic that features Black Top Filter'tron pickups, Grover tuners and a rather nice matt black finish with gold fixtures. It's got an RRP of over £1,000, but we can't help but wonder how many Rancid fans can pull together that kind of cash. Perhaps, they'll make a budget one in the near future.

It's certainly a lovely-looking instrument, but whether it's worth a grand… Well, you'll just have to check out the review in TG201 (on sale 16 April) to find out.

View more First Look posts

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
The finish

The finish

With a name like the Gretsch G5191BK Tim Armstrong Electromatic Hollowbody, this guitar is certain to catch your eye, if for no other reason than the label that can fit that title on it will likely be as large as the instrument itself.

The latest signature guitar from the Rancid frontman, it's a semi-acoustic that features Black Top Filter'tron pickups, Grover tuners and a rather nice matt black finish with gold fixtures. It's got an RRP of over £1,000, but we can't help but wonder how many Rancid fans can pull together that kind of cash. Perhaps, they'll make a budget one in the near future.

It's certainly a lovely-looking instrument, but whether it's worth a grand… Well, you'll just have to check out the review in TG201 (on sale 16 April) to find out.

View more First Look posts

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
The Label

The Label

With a name like the Gretsch G5191BK Tim Armstrong Electromatic Hollowbody, this guitar is certain to catch your eye, if for no other reason than the label that can fit that title on it will likely be as large as the instrument itself.

The latest signature guitar from the Rancid frontman, it's a semi-acoustic that features Black Top Filter'tron pickups, Grover tuners and a rather nice matt black finish with gold fixtures. It's got an RRP of over £1,000, but we can't help but wonder how many Rancid fans can pull together that kind of cash. Perhaps, they'll make a budget one in the near future.

It's certainly a lovely-looking instrument, but whether it's worth a grand… Well, you'll just have to check out the review in TG201 (on sale 16 April) to find out.

View more First Look posts

Page 5 of 5
Page 5 of 5
Matthew Parker
Matthew Parker

Matt is a freelance journalist who has spent the last decade interviewing musicians for the likes of Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, MusicRadar, NME.com, DJ Mag and Electronic Sound. In 2020, he launched CreativeMoney.co.uk, which aims to share the ideas that make creative lifestyles more sustainable. He plays guitar, but should not be allowed near your delay pedals.

Latest in Guitars
Pete Townshend with a freshly smashed Rickenbacker in 1966
Artists Pete Townshend on how Stevie Wonder's producer inspired him to smash guitars
 
 
Warm Audio x Dirty Boy Junior Series
Guitars Dirty Boy teams up with Warm Audio for affordable versions of its boutique stompbox classics
 
 
Jennifer Finch of music group L7 performs onstage at The Art Of Elysium Presents WE ARE HEAR'S HEAVEN 2020 at Hollywood Palladium on January 04, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
Bands “A true original who lived entirely on her own terms”: L7 announce that bassist Jennifer Finch has died
 
 
Sammy Duet performs during a 2025 Acid Bath reunion show
Artists How cult heroes Acid Bath rose from the ashes to open stadium shows for System Of A Down
 
 
Electro-Harmonix Dual Op-Amp Big Muff Pi 2 Deluxe
Guitars “The final boss of the lost Dual Op-Amp circuit”: Electro-Harmonix unveils Deluxe Big Muff Pi 2
 
 
A still of Napalm Death performing on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert.
Artists NPR just posted its most brutal Tiny Desk Concert ever as Napalm Death bring grind chaos to the office
 
 
Latest in News
skrillex
Tech “We’ll be in a room with multi-million-dollar speakers and he'll be sitting on the floor with the worst quality headphones and his laptop doing his thing”: Rogét Chahayed on the genius behind Skrillex's production
 
 
UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 01:  Photo of CRASH TEST DUMMIES  (Photo by Mick Hutson/Redferns)
Singles And Albums The peculiar, chorus-free song that drew the attention of Clive Davis and became a '90s hit
 
 
Pete Townshend with a freshly smashed Rickenbacker in 1966
Artists Pete Townshend on how Stevie Wonder's producer inspired him to smash guitars
 
 
Howard Jones, performing at The City Hall in Newcastle, during the 2nd night of his British tour. Picture taken 21st March 1984.
Artists "He was an absolute hero”: Howard Jones on the synth legend who inspired him
 
 
Warm Audio x Dirty Boy Junior Series
Guitars Dirty Boy teams up with Warm Audio for affordable versions of its boutique stompbox classics
 
 
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 20: Andy Burnham delivers his inaugural speech as UK's new Prime Minister on July 20, 2026 in London, England.
Music Industry “He knows the challenges”: UK Music CEO sets out five tests for new PM Andy Burnham
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...