SOLD - Gretsch 6120 Chet Atkins 1960 Orange

SOLD!

Who buys vintage guitars?  We do! 

Call 530-570-1525 or email sales@maharsvintageguitars.com to sell your vintage guitar, bass, amplifier, etc - one piece or a collection!  We are always ready to buy instruments, amps and effects from Fender, Gibson, Martin, Epiphone, Rickenbacker, Gretsch, Marshall, Vox and just about anything else related to musical instruments.

No sales tax for customers outside California.

Here we have a rare specimen from a batch of 100 guitars made by the company in 1960 that serious Gretsch collectors seek, in part for the flamed maple present on many from the run.  Much of the info you see here was found in Ed Ball's book: "Gretsch 6120".  Ed is the foremost authority on Gretsch history. 

The 6120 is one of the most iconic guitars of the era, thanks in large part to Brian Setzer, who of course owns quite a few of them.  As is the case with other celebrity owned guitars, there is an importance to collectors - and thus higher values - placed on the year and looks of guitars that match the famous owner's own guitar.  This is where research helps.  

Over time, the information available on certain guitars, manufacturers, and celebrity guitars has expanded.  In the past, it was thought that most of Setzer's guitars were 1959 models, based on features of his most famous pieces.  As it turns out, one of his most iconic pieces is a 1960 model that Gretsch began building in late 1959, but finished in 1960, so it has some features of guitars from both years.  Additionally, the Bigsby on Setzer's guitar was replaced with one from a '59 that is different from the one on our guitar - a part that is very much a 1960 feature.  

First, the serial number.  This guitar's serial number starts with 337xx.  Online searches show that this is a 1959 serial number.  The fact is that the 1959 serial number was applied to the guitar when it began construction in 1959, but with 1960 features as it was intended for completion in 1960.

The batch of guitars that this 6120 is from happens to include several Setzer-owned pieces, one being the ultra famous "Steve Miller" model with the serial number 33767 - just a few serial digits away from this gorgeous specimen.  

The 1960 features present here are the "V Bigsby" with "Gretsch by Bigsby" cast into the tailpiece, a three-piece neck, 2.5" deep body, and bracing that allowed the use of a thinner top that reportedly delivers a livelier sound.  The first batch from 1960 also included this Bigsby, but they were made with the previous 2.75" body depth.

The guitar is completely original and includes the original case - it is a gorgeous and rare find.  

The neck set is good, something that can go awry with Gretsch guitars from the period.  There will come a day when the neck needs a reset - it is just reality.  Currently, the truss rod is fully loose, so any added neck relief would have to come from the use of higher gauge strings.  We just set it up with a 11-49 set.  Despite this necessary disclosure, the guitar plays great and is not in need of work to enjoy playing this fabulous beauty.

Shipping policy:

Two-day-air shipments will be the default for anyone in the Continental US who is more than a two-day ground shipment from us here in Chico, CA.  International shipping will only be offered through DHL.   Due to this and the cost of insurance on this high value piece, shipping will be expensive. Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions.  If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to sales@maharsvintageguitars.com.  Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.   

• Color: Orange Stain
• Weight: 7lbs 6.5ozs
• Top: Flamed Maple
• Body: Flamed Maple
• Neck: 3 piece maple
• Fretboard: Ebony
• Inlays: Thumbnails 
• Frets: Original
• Fret count: 22
• Nut material: Zero Fret
• Nut width: 1 11/16"
• Scale: 24.6"
• Radius: 12"
• Neck thickness at 1st fret: 0.81"
• Neck thickness at 10th fret: 0.91"
• Action 1st String at 12th Fret: 1.125mm
• Action 6th String at 12th Fret: 1.5mm
• Total length: 41 5/16"
• Lower bout: 15 3/4"
• Waist:  9 9/16"
• Upper bout: 11 5/8"
• Body depth/thickness: 2 1/2"
• String gauge: .010-.046"
• Hardware Color: Nickel
• Bridge Pickup Brand: Original Patent Applied For Filtertron
• Bridge Pickup Reading: 4.66k
• Pickup Original?: Yes
• Neck Pickup Brand: Original Patent Applied For Filtertron
• Neck Pickup Reading: 4.33k
• Pickup Original?: Yes
• Bridge: Original
• Tuners: Original
• Switch: Original
• Pots/Codes: Original
• Case: OHSC