Back to navigation


A 20-fret Acoustic with Historic Gretsch Attitude





This article was


Written By





Our Product Research Team





Get to know them!





With its period-correct body shape and traditional hardware placement, Sweetwater guitarists agree that the Jim Dandy acoustic guitar is a stunningly authentic replication of Gretsch's classic mail-order model. The secret to matching this iconic tone is laminated tonewoods, which provide the warmth and sonic punch that's expected of the company's revered backyard strummers. Additional vintage features including all-nickel hardware and open-gear tuning machines further supply an unmistakable appearance, while ensuring solid performance reminiscent of the instrument's original fixtures. Porch pickin', travel jamming, you name it ? Gretsch's classic "Rex" has been through it all. Rest assured, adding a Jim Dandy to your instrumental arsenal is a one-way ticket to take on any musical scenario with antique-infused confidence.





Related Videos: Jim Dandy Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar - Rex Burst


Sturdy laminate construction and X-bracing





A laminate wood top, back, and sides ensure the Jim Dandy bears true acoustic tonal power, without the extra weight on your shoulders. Inside the soundhole lies carefully designed X-bracing, adding extra durability to your instrument while keeping vibrations stable and resonant. Because of the guitar's wood grain surface, you won't be sacrificing charming looks either. Whether you plan on playing onstage, in the studio, or by the back door, the Jim Dandy maintains a sharp, historic appearance in any musician's hands.





Traditional nato neck





The Jim Dandy's smooth nato neck combines a dovetail neck joint and a "C"-shaped profile for maximum maneuverability, not to mention a semi-gloss finish for lighting-fast movements along the instrument's walnut fingerboard. Speaking of which, onboard fretboard side markets and white dot inlays keep fretting accurate during jam sessions while maintaining a recognizable, authentic appearance.





Vintage appointments supply a classic porch-pickin’ feel





Like its iconic shape and tonewood design, the Jim Dandy’s onboard hardware and fixtures pay homage to its age-old instrumental ancestor. A genuine walnut bridge with a compensated saddle pair with a synthetic bone nut for reliable string positioning and authentic vibration transfer. Likewise, onboard nickel hardware and open gear die-cast tuning machines ensure solid intonation support and an authentic vintage look. It’s all topped off with a smooth semi-gloss finish ? ensuring a smooth feel and advanced handling that comes as close as possible to the original model.





Gretsch Jim Dandy Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Features:


6-string acoustic guitar inspired by the iconic “Rex” mail-order instrument series


Lightweight laminate tonewoods develop strong projection and clarity characteristic of old-timey flat-top models


X-style bracing pattern for enhanced vibration and resonance


Color-matched semi-gloss nato neck with smooth “C”-shape profile and dovetail joint


Easy-playing 12-inch radius walnut fingerboard with 20 vintage-style frets


Walnut bridge with compensated saddle and synthetic bone nut for reliable string positioning


Complementary nickel hardware and open-gear die-cast tuning machines