Why you should trust this review
I purchased the Gretsch G2622 Streamliner Center Block in Walnut Stain at retail in late December 2025 specifically to evaluate as a budget hollowbody for cleaner-styled gigging. Gretsch did not provide a sample. The unit lived on a stand for 4 months and saw roughly 45 minutes of daily play, plus one band rehearsal at full volume through a Marshall DSL40CR.
This review reflects Gretsch’s published specifications, Amazon’s aggregate of 1,280 owner reviews (averaging 4.7 of 5), and 4 months of direct play.
How we tested the Gretsch G2622 Streamliner Center Block
See /methodology for the standardized electric guitar evaluation protocol.
- Out-of-box setup: Action, neck relief, intonation, bridge height, pickup heights.
- Tone evaluation: Recorded clean, edge-of-breakup, and medium-gain passages through a Marshall DSL40CR.
- Feedback test: Played at progressively higher gain settings to find the squeal threshold.
- Live test: One band rehearsal at full stage volume with drums and bass.
- Long-term play: Daily play for 4 months with one string change to .011s.
Who should buy the Gretsch G2622 Streamliner Center Block?
Buy this if:
- You play rockabilly, surf, indie, country, or 60s rock and want hollowbody chime.
- You play live and need a hollowbody-style guitar that does not feed back at stage volume.
- You like the visual presence of a hollowbody but cannot stretch to a $1000+ Electromatic.
- You want a Gretsch sound and feel without the Gretsch markup.
Skip this if:
- You play metal or very high gain. The center block helps but cannot save you above gain 8.
- You demand absolute Gretsch authenticity. Save for the Electromatic G5622 instead.
- You are a beginner. The slightly different scale length and 12 in radius are not the easiest learning ergonomics.
Tone: Filtertron chime through humbucker bones
The Broad’Tron BT-2S pickups are the personality of the Streamliner. Through a clean Marshall channel they have the bright clucky midrange that defines Filtertrons, with a slightly higher output that makes them push the front end of an amp earlier. Edge-of-breakup tones are vivid, with a clear attack and a slightly compressed sustain.
A/B compared against an Epiphone ES-339 in the same rig, the Gretsch is brighter and more articulate, the ES-339 is warmer and rounder. They are different jobs. For modern rockabilly, surf, country, and indie work the Streamliner is the more interesting voice. For blues and classic rock the ES-339 is more idiomatic.
Playability: shorter scale, slim neck, friendly radius
The 24.6 in scale length is shorter than both Fender (25.5 in) and Gibson (24.75 in) standards. String tension is lighter, which makes bends easier and the guitar feel slightly more relaxed. The trade is that standard .010 sets feel under-tensioned. Moving to .011s solves it.
The slim U neck profile is a comfortable middle between the chunky 50s LP and a flat shred neck. The 12 in fingerboard radius is the modern call versus the 9 in vintage Gretsch radii, which is the right choice for bending tolerance.
Hardware and feedback control
The spruce center block under the laminated maple top is the entire reason this guitar exists at this price. It kills the runaway feedback that ruins cheap hollowbodies above bedroom volume. At rehearsal volume through a Marshall DSL with the gain at 6, the Streamliner is controllable. There is some squeal that a stage-position adjustment fixes, but no howling.
The anchored Adjusto-Matic bridge is the conservative choice over a wobbly student-grade Space Control. The V-stoptail is correct for a fixed-tailpiece player and saves the cost of a Bigsby that often disappoints at this price.
Build, long-term, and value
After 4 months including one rehearsal and a half-dozen recording sessions, the Streamliner shows no body or neck movement. The Indonesian QC on this unit is good, with one quibble: pickup heights were set conservatively from the factory. Raising the bridge pickup roughly 1 mm closer to the strings added noticeable presence.
At $499 this is the cheapest center-block hollowbody I would put in the hands of a player who wants Gretsch chime without howling feedback. The Ibanez Artcore AS73 at $449 is competitive but not a Gretsch voice. The Electromatic G5622 at $999 is the natural upgrade and worth it for working players. For everyone else, the Streamliner is enough.
Gretsch G2622 Streamliner Center Block vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | Construction | Pickups | Origin | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gretsch G2622 Streamliner CB | ★★★★★ 4.5 | Center block | Broad'Tron BT-2S | Indonesia | $499 | Best Sub-$500 Hollowbody |
| Epiphone ES-339 | ★★★★★ 4.5 | Semi-hollow | Alnico Classic Pro | Indonesia | $549 | Top Pick Semi |
| Gretsch G5622 Electromatic | ★★★★★ 4.7 | Center block | FT-5E Filtertron | Korea | $999 | Best Premium Gretsch |
| Ibanez Artcore AS73 | ★★★★☆ 4.3 | Semi-hollow | Classic Elite | Indonesia | $449 | Runner-up |
Full specifications
| Body | Laminated maple with spruce center block |
| Neck | Nato, slim U profile |
| Fingerboard | Laurel, 22 frets |
| Scale length | 24.6 in (625 mm) |
| Radius | 12 in (305 mm) |
| Pickups | Broad'Tron BT-2S humbuckers |
| Bridge | Anchored Adjusto-Matic |
| Tailpiece | Chromatic V-stoptail |
| Tuners | Mini diecast |
| Nut width | 1.6875 in (42.86 mm) |
| Country of origin | Indonesia |
| Weight | 9.0 lb (4.1 kg) typical |
Should you buy the Gretsch G2622 Streamliner Center Block?
The Gretsch G2622 Streamliner Center Block is the rare hollowbody at this price that you can actually play through a high-gain amp without immediately feeding back. The spruce center block under the maple top kills the worst of the runaway resonance, the Broad'Tron BT-2S humbuckers have real Filtertron-style cluck, and the V-stoptail is the right call versus a wobbly Bigsby at this price. It is not a true Gretsch in feel, but it is a fine instrument.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Gretsch G2622 Streamliner worth $499 in 2026?+
If you specifically want a hollowbody-style sound that does not feed back at gig volume, yes. The center-block construction and Broad'Tron pickups together deliver about 80% of the Gretsch experience at a fraction of the price. If you mostly want a clean rockabilly chime tone, this is the cheapest credible Gretsch on the market.
Streamliner vs Electromatic: how big is the gap?+
Real. The Electromatic has true FT-5E Filtertron pickups, Korean QC, and tighter overall build. The Streamliner's Broad'Trons are inspired by Filtertrons but use higher-output coils. The Electromatic is twice the price and feels like a working professional's instrument. The Streamliner is enough Gretsch for non-pro players.
Will the G2622 feed back at high gain?+
Less than you would expect from a hollowbody. The spruce center block under the top kills the body resonance that makes a true hollowbody howl. At rehearsal volume through a Marshall DSL with the gain past 6, there is some controllable squeal that a slight stage-position adjustment fixes. For metal-level gain, this is not the right guitar.
Are Broad'Tron pickups really like Filtertrons?+
Closer in character than a standard humbucker but not identical. They have the bright clucky midrange that defines Filtertrons, with slightly more output. Cleans are unmistakably Gretsch. Edge-of-breakup tones are vivid and articulate. Very high gain pushes them into harder humbucker territory than a real Filtertron.
Is the 24.6 in scale length a problem?+
It is shorter than a Strat (25.5 in) and slightly shorter than a Les Paul (24.75 in). String tension is correspondingly lighter, which makes bends easier but means standard .010 sets feel a bit floppy. .011 sets bring the tension back to Les Paul territory and suit the guitar.
📅 Update log
- May 9, 2026Added 4-month rehearsal notes and string upgrade comparison.
- Feb 15, 2026Re-strung with .011-.049 set, updated tension and tone notes.
- Dec 22, 2025Initial review published.
