For guitarists seeking rich tone and comfortable playability, the landscape has shifted beyond the traditional dominance of large-bodied jumbos and dreadnoughts. While these larger acoustic guitars excel in bass response and volume, their size can be cumbersome for many players. The rise in popularity of smaller-bodied and parlor-sized guitars addresses this concern, offering a more manageable and intimate playing experience. Although smaller guitars may not possess the sheer volume of their larger counterparts, the current market boasts a wealth of compact instruments that deliver exceptional tone and quality. Among these, the Gretsch Guitar G9511 Single-0 Parlor stands out as an affordable option that blends vintage aesthetics with refined sound, proving to be a delightful instrument for various playing styles.
Gretsch G9511 Style 1 Single-0 Parlor Guitar showcasing its Appalachia Cloudburst finish and parlor body shape, highlighting its vintage-inspired design and compact size ideal for comfortable playing.
Design and Vintage-Inspired Features
The Gretsch G9511, crafted in Indonesia, immediately impresses with its high level of craftsmanship. The “Appalachia Cloudburst” finish adorning the solid Sitka spruce top imparts a warm and smoky character to the guitar’s appearance, instantly evoking a vintage charm. A thin gloss finish applied to the top and laminated mahogany back and sides enhances the guitar’s visual appeal with a subtle sheen. The mahogany neck, featuring a matte finish, provides a smooth, almost silky feel that is favored by many guitarists for its playing comfort and reduced friction. Adding to the vintage aesthetic, the guitar is equipped with butter-bean open-geared tuners, contributing to its classic look while ensuring reliable tuning stability. The inclusion of a bone nut and saddle further elevates the instrument, both in terms of tonal quality and its understated elegance. Attention to detail is evident in the fretwork, with no sharp edges, and the guitar is set up for effortless playing with a comfortable low action, free from fret buzz. Apart from a minor instance of finish overspray near the soundhole, the overall fit and finish are remarkably clean and flawless.
Playability and Comfortable Feel
The G9511 truly shines when played with a lighter touch. While the reviewer typically employs a flatpick or thumbpick, they found themselves particularly drawn to playing this Gretsch guitar with bare fingers. A gentle playing style unveils a sweet and nuanced tone, perfectly suited for jazz-influenced chords and melodies. Even for players who don’t primarily identify as jazz musicians, the lush and complex sounds of major 7th and 13th chords resonate beautifully on this Gretsch.
For blues fingerpicking, a thumbpick was employed to explore John Hurt’s “Stagolee.” The Gretsch responded with a surprisingly full sound, exhibiting a pleasing balance across the bass and treble frequencies. Experimenting further, the 6th string was tuned down to D to delve into William Moore’s “Old Country Rock.” A common concern with small-bodied guitars, especially those with light gauge strings (.012–.053), low action, and a shorter scale length (24.875 inches), is their potential lack of responsiveness in lower tunings. However, the Gretsch defied this expectation, maintaining excellent tonal quality even in drop-D tuning. The low D string retained definition and clarity, avoiding any muddiness or unwanted warble.
Venturing further into lower tunings, the guitar was tuned to open D (D A D F# A D) for a rendition of “Vestapol.” Again, the Gretsch guitar impressed with its ability to handle the lower tuning effectively. The sound exhibited an appealingly intimate and self-contained quality, characterized by warm midrange frequencies and clear, yet not overly bright or harsh, trebles.
The neck’s matte finish facilitates smooth navigation across the fretboard, and the 1.73-inch nut width, coupled with a 2-3/8-inch string spacing at the bridge, provides ample room for both flatpicking and fingerpicking techniques. Gretsch describes the neck profile as a slim “C” shape, which contributes to its comfortable feel in the hand. Returning to standard tuning, flatpicking through The Beatles’ “I Feel Fine” revealed a nice, crisp tone from the Gretsch, almost reminiscent of an electric guitar, with individual notes in single-string lines projecting clearly. The primary limitation identified was in its capacity for aggressive strumming. Big, open G-chords did not possess the same warmth and inviting character as they would on a larger guitar, and heavier strumming tended to produce a harsher tone. It’s also worth noting that the neck joins the body at the 12th fret, potentially restricting access to the higher frets for some players.
Tonal Complexity and Playability at an Unbeatable Price
In today’s market, guitarists seeking a small-bodied acoustic instrument are presented with a vast array of choices. However, at a street price of $299, it is unlikely that you will find many guitars that can rival the Gretsch guitar G9511’s combination of tonal complexity and exceptional playability. This guitar offers a remarkable value proposition for players seeking a vintage-inspired parlor guitar that performs admirably across fingerpicking styles, blues, and even lower tunings, all within a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing package.
Gretsch G9511 Style 1 Single-0 Specifications
Body: Parlor-sized body with X-braced solid-spruce top; Laminated mahogany back and sides; Aged white binding; Rosewood bridge with bone saddle; Appalachia cloudburst gloss urethane finish
Neck: 24.875″ scale mahogany neck with slim-C shape; 19-fret rosewood fingerboard with 12.6″ radius; 1.73″ wide bone nut; Vintage-style open geared tuners; Matte finish
Other: D’Addario EXP16–coated phosphor bronze, light gauge (.012-.053); Optional gig bag or hardshell case
Price: $499 list / $299 street
Made in: Indonesia
Website: gretschguitars.com
Available at: Amazon
