A Piece-by-piece Tribute to the Quiet Beatle’s First Gretsch
The Gretsch G6128T-GH George Harrison Signature Duo Jet guitar replicates George’s “first real decent” guitar, acquired in the early ’60s from a sailor and subsequently used on many of the band’s earlier classics. From the rocking bar bridge to the chambered mahogany body to the Gretsch-emblazoned Bigsby vibrato, this guitar perfectly captures the classic vibe of a late ‘50s Gretsch Duo Jet, with one exception — the elegant black-on-black finish, supposedly customized by Harrison to give his guitar a moodier look! Apart from its old-school style, this Gretsch’s dual Dynasonic pickups produce everything from classic early-era Beatles jangle and chime to the firm low-end thump of George’s country-inspired lead playing. It’s all finished off with a 1-piece mahogany neck, sleek rosewood fingerboard, and a “U”-shaped profile for a decidedly vintage feel in your hands. Whether you’re looking to pay tribute to the quiet Beatle or you’re simply looking for a helping of twangy Gretsch single-coil sound, the G6128T-GH is a stunning recreation of one of rock’s most iconic instruments.
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Period-correct Gretsch single-coil sound
The original 1940s Gretsch-DeArmond Fidelatone single-coil pickups set the gold standard of their era. Eventually rebranded with the “DynaSonic” name, these were the first pickups with individually adjustable pole pieces, which makes it possible to fine-tune each pickup’s string-to-string balance. It wasn’t long before pickup makers around the world adopted this design. Sweetwater’s die-hard Gretsch fanatics often describe the Dyansonic sound as very close to a P-90, only with greater definition and a more refined feel. Dynasonics have a very ’50s hi-fi vibe — not much of a surprise, considering they’re all over Chet Atkins’s early works, a fact that no doubt drove George toward Gretsch in the first place! While George would later favor the tone of Filter’Tron and Hilo’Tron pickups with his iconic Country Gentleman and Tennessean guitars, the Dynasonic set the tone for his twangy lead work on the group’s earliest albums.
Vintage-style Bigsby tailpiece for enhanced pitch expression
Nothing beats the character and vintage vibe of a real Bigsby. Based on the original design created by Paul A. Bigsby, this Bigsby tailpiece requires next to no effort to use, making it particularly easy to pull off slow, subtle, and extended bends. The Bigsby — along with the guitar’s Dynasonic pickups, Cloud inlays, and classic chambered-body design — gives the G6128T-GH a distinctive niche in the pantheon of amazing instruments that grace Sweetwater’s Guitar Gallery.
Chambered mahogany body for harmonically rich tone
For the G6128T-GH, Gretsch starts with a mahogany body and maple top combo that delivers strong, balanced midrange. Strategic body chambering provides tight, controlled attack and superb articulation while reducing weight — which you’ll definitely appreciate during marathon gigs! This chambered tonewood recipe, key to the classic Jet sound, serves as the harmonically rich tonal foundation to which Gretsch adds a pair of remarkable humbucking pickups.
Gretsch G6128T-GH George Harrison Signature Duo Jet Features:
- Modeled after George’s (in his own words) “first real decent guitar,” used all over the Beatles’ initial studio albums
- Chambered mahogany body with an arched laminated maple top produces an open, airy tone with a beautifully resonant tone
- 1-piece mahogany neck in a comfortable “U” shape
- Sleek rosewood fingerboard with 22 Vintage Small frets in a 12-inch radius for a robust vintage feel
- Dual Dynasonic pickups deliver excellent jangle and chime, with a firm bottom-end response that’s ideal for George’s early Chet Atkins-inspired lead work
- Old-school rocking bar bridge and reliable Grover Sta-Tite tuners
- Bigsby B3C vibrato offers a smooth, subtle action that captures the sound of the vintage era
- Black-on-black finish pays tribute to George’s hand-painted Duo Jet
- Truss rod cover emblazoned with George's signature
