The Gretsch 6120 – From 1954 to Modern Day
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The Gretsch 6120 was born in 1954 when Chet Atkins said goodbye to his D'Angelico and committed to promoting the Gretsch brand. Originally priced at $385 became an instant hit and 3 decades later it was still lauded by guitar players worldwide for its desirable qualities.
It's color was Western Orange except in 1957 when they strangely became bright red! Over the years following it's release the Gretsch 6120 gradually lost it's western vibe with the inlays and hardware becoming plainer and less cowboy-like. In 1957, the arrow inlay on the knobs was replaced with the 'G' logo and the rather crass 'G' brand on the upper right of the guitar body was removed (thank goodness for that!).
(By the way this guitar is available at Amazon, they usually have the best price)
A 1959 catalog advertisement described the 6120 as
"Still the most popular Chet Atkins guitar made. Slim 16" cutaway body. Bigsby tremolo and Tailpiece. Gretsch FilterTron twin electronic heads. Adjustable rod - Actionflo neck. Curly maple body and neck beautifully finished in amber red, highly polished. Satin ebony Neo-Classic fingerboard. Carved saddle leather shoulder strap. Gold-plated metal parts."
In 1958 the innovations of the Gretsch company accelerated. They introduced the Project-o-Sonic Sterso wiring and added humbucking FilterTron (to filter out electronic hum) pickups. They also introduced the mahogany Country Gentleman making it the most expensive and exclusive guitar in the range.
By 1962 the model change dramatically as Gretsch introduced the double cutaway hollowbody with fake f-holes. The fake f-holes were Chet Atkins idea and were there to presumably retain the tone whilst reducing any feedback problems.
By introducing the double cutaway Electrontone hollowboy, Gretsch were positioning themselves after a decade of innovation, quite rightly up there with the Gibsons of the industry. They were going head-to head with Gibson to grab the lion's share of the double cutaway market, invented by Gibson in 1958.
The Chet Atkin's Nashville Model was debuted in 1967 and was a Gretsch 6120 model that bore a gold plated headstock and black Gretsch lettering on the pickguard.
These days of course the Gretsch 6120 is produced by the Gretsch company in a variety of different flavor including Brian Setzer and Reverend Horton Heat signature models and remakes of the original Chet Atkins Hollowbody.
Of course the modern versions of the Grestch 6120 have high level fittings and electronics. The quality is high and you'll be buying a premium piece of guitar real estate if you go for a 6120.
Thw new reissue of the Gretsch 6120 Chet Atkins Hollow Body guitar includes a 16"-wide, ebony fingerboard with Neo-Classic™ "thumbnail" inlays, 2.5"-deep full hollow body, dual High Sensitive Filter'Tron™ pickups, rock maple neck, Grover® Rotomatic® machine heads, Adjusto-Matic™ bridge, and Bigsby® B6G vibrato tailpiece. Available in Blue Burst, Deep Orange Stain and Black.
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Best Overall Gretsch 6120:Gretsch Guitars G6120 1959 Chet Atkins Hollow Body Electric Guitar Average User Rating:  With its eye-opening tiger flame maple top, sides and back, the G6120TM is a real stunner. Features include a 16"-wide, 2.5"-deep full hollow body, rock maple neck, ebony fingerboard with Neo-Classic thumbnail inlays, dual High Sensitive Filter'Tron™ pickups, Grover® Rotomatic® machine heads, Adjusto-Matic™ bridge, and Bigsby® B6G vibrato tailpiece. Get it today from Amazon >> |
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Best Customized Gretsch 6120: The Brian Setzer Hot Rod Average User Rating:  G6120SH Brian Setzer Hot Rod. Rock this town! The updated Gretsch Brian Setzer Hot Rod models have been striped down and rebuilt to Brians rockin and exacting specifications. The G6120SHTV comes stock with TV Jones Classic pickups, 1959 trestle bracing, Sperzel locking tuners, pinned Adjusto-matic bridge, Bigsby B6C Vibrato tailpiece, and your choice of Flat Black, Candy Apple Red, Regal Blue, Tangerine, Purple, or New Lime Gold Hot Rod finishes. Includes free Gretsch G6241 Deluxe hardshell case - a $220 value.You can get this guitar on sale at Amazon |
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Best Double Cutaway Gretsch 6120 - Chet Atkins Nashville Western Maple Stain Average User Rating:
Built for comfort and speed! Based on the 1962 model 6120, the Chet Atkins Hollow Body Double Cutaway features TV Jones Classic pickups, Gretsch "rocking" bar bridge, Bigsby B6C vibrato tailpiece, and flip-up muffler system. Complete with simulated f-holes and snap-on back pad. Finished in high-gloss Orange Stain. |
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TWANGIEST! Gretsch 6120 - Chet Atkins G6120DSV Average User Rating:
Rebel Rouser! The G6120DSV represents an especially twangin' take on Gretsch's original Chet Atkins model. Reminiscent of the rare 1957 6120, features include twin Gretsch DynaSonic single-coil pickups, Bigsby vibrato tailpiece with 1956 handle, chrome "rocking" bar bridge and vintage "hump block" inlays. Finished in Deep Maple Stain. |