When I finish my PhD I am going to buy myself a "keeper" guitar. I'm not sure what it will be but it may very well be a nice Gretsch semi or full hollow body.
I've heard that their QC has vastly improved since moving to Japan, so that is good to know.
Leading candidates right now are Gretsch semi or full hollow body or LP Goldtop with P90s. Now that I've just given myself some incentive, time to get writing.
TG