Chet Atkins

Gretsch G6131 Jet Firebird, 1962

On September 23, 2020 /

Here’s a rarity – a Gretsch G6131 Jet Firebird in great condition and dating to 1962, its second year as a double cutaway. This model is perhaps most visually associated with the late Malcolm Young of AC/DC. The Gretsch G6131 Jet appeared in 1955, following the 1953 release of the Duo-Jet, perhaps as the Gretsch response to the Gibson Les Paul. At that point it featured a single cutaway body with an arched top – but instead of being solid, the body was chambered to reduce weight and produce a more ‘acoustic’ tone, towards Gretsch’s other arched-top models. The pattern of an archtop-style floating bridge rather than a fixed bridge like the Les Paul was still used.

Vintage

Price: $5,999.99 CAD

⚌Reduced‼ Gretsch 6120DSW Nashville Archtop Electric, Orange 2003

On September 21, 2020 /

The Gretsch 6120DSW Nashville reproduces the 1955 6120 models whose popularity was led by Chet Atkins. These are named Nashville because the license agreement with Atkins lapsed in 1980 with the end of Gretsch production. Atkins signed a new agreement with Gibson in 1981, and in 2007 Gretsch was able to renew the relationship. The Gretsch 6120DSW Nashville model, with a few changes – primarily the Chet pickguard, Gold Bigsby with vintage handle, aluminum vs brass nut and pickups by TV Jones rather than Seymour Duncan – is now called the G6120T-55 Vintage Select Edition ’55 Chet Atkins®. The core of the guitar and other hardware are the same.

Used

Price: $2,800.00 CAD

Gretsch Chet Atkins Tennessean 6119 Thinline Electric Walnut, 1966

On April 2, 2020 /

Here is a Gretsch Chet Atkins Tennessean 6119, dating to December of 1966, before the July 31 1967 sale of Gretsch to the Baldwin Piano Company. Introduced in 1958 and built until 1980, the Tennessean started as full size, hollow body and single-pickup, plainer version of the 6120. For 1961, however, Gretsch made dramatic changes to many models and the 6119 gained the new, sealed ElectroTone body and a pair of new single coil HiLo’Tron pickups.

Vintage

Price: $3,950.00 CAD

❌SOLD❌ Gretsch G6120DSW TV Jones T-Armonds, Orange 2014

On November 28, 2019 /

The Gretsch G6120DSW TV replicates the 1955 and 1956 6120 models, with a lot of typical Gretsch Western motif trim and Western Orange Stain lacquer finish. The very first Gretsch 6120 models were derived from a special order 1954 Streamliner Special, and presented to Chet Atkins as a potential signature model. This guitar featured a 16 inch single cutaway Maple laminate hollow body, and a second DeArmond DynaSonic bridge pickup as the Streamliner had only one pickup

Used

Price: $2,500.00 CAD

This instrument has sold

❌SOLD❌ Gretsch 6122 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman, 1967

On August 14, 2019 /

Here we have an almost all original Gretsch 6122 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman. Its serial number is 37714, and that’s a date coded serial – the first two or three digits are Month and Year, though there’s no digit for ‘decade’. This serial could indicate a 1959 model, but at that point, the 6122 was a single-cutaway model. The number appears again for March, 1967, which corresponds with the construction, components and features of this example. This guitar is ‘almost’ all original – when shipped from Gretsch, it would have had a Rocking Bar Bridge.

Vintage

Price: $3,500.00 CAD

This instrument has sold

❌SOLD❌ Gretsch G6120 DSW Archtop Electric Guitar Orange, 2009

On May 29, 2019 /

Based on early 1950’s models, the Gretsch G6120 DSW Chet Atkins model is probably the iconic Gretsch with its G brand in the top and ‘Western’ motif inlays. A fully hollow guitar with tone bars and a soundpost for support, the DSW designation indicates that Dyna Sonic pickups are installed, and the Western decorations are used. The Gretsch 6120 was very popular and influential after its prototypes were presented in 1954 to Chet Atkins, then a rising and very respected guitarist, session player and producer.

Used

Price: $2,999.99 CAD

This instrument has sold