Description
This is a brand new Gretsch USA Custom Shop Chet Atkins 6120 built to 1959 Specifications. This guitar is without a doubt one of the most stunning brand new guitars we’ve had the pleasure of keeping in our store and perhaps one of the finest examples of the Gretsch model 6120 ever built. This guitar is absolutely phenomenal in every way from the precision of the handmade build to the simply astounding sustain and tone. The tone is warm and woody like a vintage Gretsch hollowbody should have with tremendous definition throughout its wide frequency range. Bass notes are deep and “thumpy” yet articulate and mid to high frequencies are very present and punchy without a hint if brittleness. The tone is remarkably even and clear providing great separation of each string. The sustain achieved by the perfectly executed trestle bracing is something to behold. You play a chord, let it ring, the power and clarity of the tone is simply awe-inspiring. The guitar yields sounds from the soft, sweet and melodious to the thunderous, raw and punchy. The 1959 6120 Chet Atkins is the most coveted of all 6120’s for a reason, it’s the hollowbody that does it all and does it all extremely well.
The guitar has a perfectly balanced feel with effortless playability that’s even across the ebony fretboard. The neck is as a fat “C” shape with a less tapered shoulder slightly flatter curve on the back then most modern Gretsch guitars. The result of this carve is a neck with a substantial and sturdy feel without seeming bulky at all. The guitar plays like a dream and has the rock solid feel of a truly high end instrument.
Perhaps the most captivating aspect of this guitar is the obsessive level of authenticity achieved by Stephen Stern and company at the Gretsch Custom shop. From the overall fit and finish to the most minute of details, the guitar gets it right. For example, the bridge base has a more dramatic sloping carve to it then modern versions and the thumbwheels are thicker with wider knurling. The neck joint is constructed just as it would have been in ‘59 with the support piece beneath the fretboard that extends over the body as a separate piece rising up at in straight line and further from the body. The finish is gently aged with a medium luster and a nice worn in feel. There is very light “relicing” throughout the guitars finish with a tiny bit of wear at the headstock and on the back. Upon very close inspection you can see nearly imperceptible finish checking throughout the guitar. The gold plating is worn in just the right way giving the guitar the look of one that’s been well loved and well played, just as we’ve seen with the many vintage Gretsch models that have come through Cream City Music.
This guitar truly captures the soul of a 1959 Chet Atkins 6120 yet should not be considered just a version of its vintage counterpart. This guitar IS an original 6120, made today by the best guitar builders in the world, the USA Gretsch Custom Shop.
This guitar will ship as shown in the photos along with a nice assortment of Gretsch Custom Shop goodies including a boutique quality guitar strap by El Dorado, an embroidered canvas utility bag, a Gretsch Custom Shop patch and sticker, reissue style documents and polishing cloth, and the certificate of authenticity signed by Stephen Stern. The guitar comes with the 50’s reissue style G6273 Western hard case by TKL. We are a long standing fully authorized Gretsch guitar dealer. Cream City Music is home to the one and only Gretschworld showroom with one of the largest displays of Gretsch guitars in the world! Please feel free to call us with any questions about our store or about this historic guitar.
Specs:
Serial Number: UC15051229
Weight: 7 lbs 9.4 oz (7.59 lbs)
Name: G6120CST - ’59 Custom Curly Maple 6120
Model: 9252002309
Color: Vintage Gretsch Orange
Aging Type: Light Relic
Tuners: Gotoh
Pickups: TV Jones FilterTrons
Neck Shape: Fat "C" Shape .840 at 1st Fret .950 at 10th Fret
Bracing: Trestle
Nut: Bone
Wiring: Tone Switch Wiring Harness
Binding: Stock 6120
Frets: Vintage
Zero: Yes
Fretboard Material: Ebony
Fretboard Inlay Material: Mother of Pearl
Fretboar Inlay Style: Neo Classic Thumbnail
Neck Wood: Highly Figured Flamed Maple w/ Mahogany Stringer
Pickguard Engraving: Chet Atkins
Knobs: Gretsch “G” Logo with Arrow
Bridge: Tru-Arc Rocking Bar
Tailpiece: Bigsby B6C
Top: Curly Maple
Back: Curly Maple
Sides: Curly Maple
Hardware: Gold
Headstock Logo: Gretsch Logo W/ Horseshoe
Case: Deluxe G6273 Western Style Hard Case
