I am not a bass player and I cannot really judge the sound and the pickups, but nothing here I would or could criticise.
The short neck makes it more like a guitar, which helps me playing some of those Geddy Lee riffs.
What I can judge is the build quality, everything feels great, the knobs, and the tuning stays in place, the neck is solid and does not give in.
The Gretsch is comfortable to play, really nothing to complain about.
I like the design. Beautiful.