However, a new 6120T is on the order of 3-4x the price of a new 5420.
The 5420 is good, but the 6120 is something special-it feels so good in your hands, it sounds better, and it really does make you not want to put it down. You notice it the moment you pick them up. Right now, I'm thinking more in terms of the highly subjective overall question 'Is the 612oT 'better' than the 5420T?' For me, if one asks that question qualitatively, the answer is yes, it absolutely is. Someday I'll put the exact same strings on both and do a head-to-head comparison. Tonally, the 5420 is brighter and perhaps a little 'spankier', whereas the 6120 is warmer, 'woodier', and maybe a little smoother on the high end, but in my case that's a total apples-to-oranges comparison because mine have different strings on them-the 5420 has round wound 11-49s with a plain G but my 6120 has Labella Jazz Flats 11-50 with a wound G. my name is Mike, and I'm a guitaraholic.) Confessions aside, I'm writing because I'd be interested to hear what you much more experienced Gretschsters think of these two axes. I kinda hesitate to admit this, but I am now in possession of both a G6120T Setzer Nashville BNSV, and a G5420T in the Fairlane Blue.
