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Gretsch G6120T-55GE Vintage Select 1955 Chet Atkins - Western Orange Stain, Bigsby

Hollowbody Electric Guitar with Maple Body, Maple Neck, Rosewood Fingerboard, 2 Single-coil Pickups, and Bigsby Tailpiece - Western Orange Stain
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Gretsch G6120T-55GE Vintage Select 1955 Chet Atkins - Western Orange Stain, Bigsby
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Period-correct Chet Atkins Hollowbody

The Gretsch G6120T-55GE Vintage Select 1955 Chet Atkins hollowbody electric guitar possesses an irresistibly crisp snap that, when combined with its vintage-voiced TV Jones T'Armond single-coil pickups, rings with that unmistakable Gretsch sound. Co-designed with Chet Atkins himself, this sumptuous guitar's comfortable Standard U-shaped maple neck is topped with a highly playable rosewood fingerboard. A pinned aluminum compensated bridge and Bigsby vibrato tailpiece maintain stable tuning, while delivering a signature snappy "twang." The Gretsch G6120T-55GE Vintage Select 1955 Chet Atkins was built to period-correct specs, so owning this tantalizing hollowbody electric guitar is almost like owning Chet's vintage Gretsch!

Arched maple body provides your tone with excellent definition

Maple has to be one of the most lively, bright, and colorful tonewoods out there, which is exactly why Gretsch decided to make their G6120T-55GE Vintage Select 1955 Chet Atkins almost entirely out of this wonderful wood. At Sweetwater, we've found that this hollowbody's arched body yields a wonderfully snappy, open tone that, when combined with the multi-dimensional sound of its TV Jones T'Armond pickups, cuts through a dense mix and sounds great in any situation.

Sweet vintage tone from TV Jones T'Armond pickups

When you want that classic '50s-era Gretsch tone, you need real TV Jones single-coil pickups. That's why Gretsch gave their G6120T-55GE Vintage Select 1955 Chet Atkins a pair of TV T'Armond pickups. Designed to sound just like the pickups found in '50s and '60s Gretsch guitars, these pickups give your guitar a multi-dimensional tone with plenty of articulate detail. It's the perfect sound for rock, rockabilly, blues, country, and more.

Two volume controls + one tone control = exceptional sonic flexibility

It's easy to stereotype the Gretsch G6120T-55GE Vintage Select 1955 Chet Atkins until you play it, and then you realize you can pull of a lot of tonal tricks with it. With a volume control for each pickup, you can create your perfect balance between warmth, bite, and brilliance when both pickups are engaged. The master tone control lets you fine-tune your sound once you've got the pickups dialed in. And thanks to the master volume control, you can take your tube amp from clean to growling without changing the balance between your pickups. Of course, you'll get sweet tone from the neck and bridge pickups individually, but there's a lot of territory to cover when you combine them.

Bigsby tailpiece yields smooth vibrato action

Nothing beats the character and vintage vibe that a real Bigsby-style tail piece adds to the Gretsch G6120T-55GE Vintage Select 1955 Chet Atkins. Based on the original design created by Paul A. Bigsby, this Bigsby Licensed tailpiece requires next to no effort to use, making it particularly easy to pull off slow, subtle, and extended bends.

Gretsch G6120T-55GE Hollowbody Electric Guitar Features:

  • Period-correct version of Chet Atkins's hollowbody electric guitar
  • Arched maple body delivers a deliciously snappy, open tone
  • TV Jones T'Armond pickups yield sweet vintage character
  • Highly playable Standard U-shaped maple neck with rosewood fingerboard
  • 2 volume controls and 1 tone control create exceptional sonic flexibility
  • Bigsby tailpiece provides smooth vibrato action

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Tech Specs

  • General
  • Number of Strings 6
  • Left-/Right-handed Right-handed
  • Body
  • Body Type Hollowbody
  • Body Shape 1955 Chet Atkins
  • Body Material Laminated Maple
  • Top Material Laminated Flame Maple
  • Body Finish Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
  • Color Western Orange Stain
  • Neck
  • Neck Material Maple
  • Neck Shape Standard U
  • Neck Joint Set Neck
  • Radius 12"
  • Fingerboard Material Rosewood
  • Fingerboard Inlay Aged Pearloid Blocks with Western Motif
  • Number of Frets 22, Medium Jumbo
  • Scale Length 24.6"
  • Nut Width 1.6875"
  • Nut Material Polished Aluminum
  • Hardware
  • Bridge/Tailpiece Aluminum Compensated with Pinned Rosewood Base, Bisgby B6GBVF Vibrato Tailpiece
  • Tuners Grover Sta-Tite Open Gear
  • Electronics
  • Neck Pickup TV Jones T'Armond Single-coil
  • Bridge Pickup TV Jones T'Armond Single-coil
  • Controls 2 x volume, 1 x master tone
  • Switching 3-way toggle pickup switch
  • Miscellaneous
  • Strings Nickel Plated Steel, .011-.049
  • Case/Gig Bag Hardshell Case
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 2401357822

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

AAA (Amazing Instrument, Amazing Salesman, Amazing Service)

I absolutely cannot say enough great things about this purchase so I'll keep it short. I got the best price from Sweetwater. My salesman Mike Blair was over the top to deal with and oh yeah, this 55 Chet Atkins 6120 guitar is absolutely positively beautiful and plays like a dream. I will take it to my guy for a setup tweek but the factory setup is very, very good.
Thank you Mike, Sweetwater, Gretsch, Japan and FMIC.
Music background: Playing Guitar since I was 16 (I’m now 71)
Rated 5/5

Wow! Twang, 'Tude & a World of Old-School Goodness

I just acquired this jewel! The single-coil pick-ups give superb note definition and classic country twang; It's a different sort of sonic vibe than say a '50's of early '60's Telecaster; The 2.75 inch body depth brings a warm resonance & evenness to the table that the Telecaster lacks; Teles are fabulous guitars. (I play them. We're simply talking the distinctiveness of each guitar's character here.)
The T. V. Jones T-Armonds of the Gretsch 1955 Chet Atkins hearkens to a "wide-open spaces" kind of sound; Perfect for writing & delivering Americana music. (For the record, I run these thru either a '65 Fender Twin Reverb, a Supro Black MagicRT or a Vox AC-15.)

I was late to the "Gretsch party," but revered them from afar; Mike Nesmith of the Monkees played a Gretsch Country Gent, and I was enamored by that guitar's presence in the "made-for TV" band's sound. As a writer, my "take" on guitars tends to be more about what they inspire when it comes to songs.
Early on, I was always able to get the job done with just a J-45 & and a Telecaster. I was able to purchase a Vintage Select Country Gentleman from Sweetwater about 5 years ago;
There was no turning back.
A year later I went for the '59 Chet; Superb. A big fan of the classic "V" necks on those; Both guitars have been the foundation for many albums now;
The play-ability of the guitars is astounding; They're beautiful, well-made & exhibit massive character & myriad tone qualities.
Fast forward to the present: I'd been hearing about the twang, the clarity & note-definition of '55 from guitarists at the Gretsch Guitar Players Facebook page for years; So I took the plunge. Wow! I am incredibly pleased with this wonderful instrument.

I haven't played any of the Gretsch Electro-matics, or theor Players Edition models, but I CAN unequivocally say:
The Vintage Select series of Gretsch guitars exude that fabulous tradition of the '50's & '60's in terms of their aesthetics, ring loud & long with superb tone, and their incredible play-ability make them hard to put down! Grab one, if you're able to. I don't think you will be disappointed;

Massive Thanks to Sales engineer Aaron Regenold for his input on this and other Gretsch guitars.
For many years now, I've found Sweetwater's sales, technical & customer service staff to be extremely kind & knowledgeable. They continue to set the cross-bar for integrity & helpfulness.
Music background: Professional songwriter & recording artist for 30 years
Rated 5/5

6120 Gretch

This is guitar sounds and plays like a dream! It is very high quality and the craftsmanship is Impeccable. I liked the the special financing as well . Alex Campos always does a great job as well as the Sweetwater team. I highly recommend this guitar.
Rated 5/5

Chet Atkins 6120

This guitar is well made. It sounds and plays like a dream. I highly recommend this guitar. After you play one you will agree I"m sure. Alex Campos and the sweet water team did a great job as always!
Rated 5/5

Worth every penny

I believe this to be the best of the current offerings from Gretsch (2018).

The T"Armond pickups are so good that I bought another pair from from TV Jones directly so that I can put them in my other Gretsch. Switching between pickup positions on this guitar, you get a wide range of tone and best of all, it"s crystal clear!
I will never play another humbucker.
It will get you rockabilly, country, jazz, rock, and anything else. It"s not a one trick pony at all!

This G6120T-55 plays and sounds fantastic, it really is the best guitar, all around, that I"ve ever played.

A word of advice on strings, this guitar is MADE for 11s. I tried to put 10s on it and they just did not sound right. I was getting some annoying fret buzzing also. I switched to D"Addario NYXL 11s and it went away.

The orange lacquer finish is way better in person and the gold hardware goes with it nicely. The flamed maple on my guitar is subtle and not over the top, which I prefer.

I did not get a setup from Sweetwater and it came very playable but, I will take it to my local tech to have it dialed in perfect.

I"m very happy with this guitar and I"m very glad I decided to buy it.
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