GRETSCH VINTAGE 6119 Chet Atkins Tennessean '63

Founded in 1883, Gretsch has supplied a wide range of musical instruments over the years. In the 1950s, they began developing electric guitars, and continue to produce attractive guitars to this day.

The '6119 Tennessean' was released in 1958 as part of the Chet Atkins signature series, alongside the Country Gentleman. Initially, it featured an orange color and a single pickup, but in the 1960s, it underwent a minor change to a dark cherry color with simulated (dummy) f-holes and a two-pickup configuration. This particular model is from 1963 and is a very catchy and globally popular example from the golden age of guitar making.

【body】
The total weight is approximately 3.15 kg. The body is made of hollow maple. The dark cherry color has faded to a lovely brown over time. The simulated f-holes on the hollow maple body top have a white border. The silver "GRETSCH" logo Bigsby B-6 unit is very cool. The bolts for reinforcing the joint are located on the back of the body, in the positioning typical of guitars made in late 1962 or later. There are signs of use such as weather checking, deterioration of the body binding due to age, cracks in the pickup rings, minor scratches, and tarnishing of the metal parts, but it can be said to be in relatively good condition. The strap pins have been replaced.

【neck】
The neck is made of maple, and the fingerboard is made of beautiful rosewood. The headstock logo is positioned low and does not have a metal plate. There are signs of use such as weather checking, age-related deterioration of the neck binding and heel tip, minor scratches, and wear on the metal parts, but like the body, it is in relatively good condition. The tuners are Waverly open-type tuners; there is some bending and inconsistency in the tightness of the 2nd and 4th string knobs, but they function properly. The frets have been replaced once and have good height, resulting in good playability. The nut width is 42.8mm. It features a relatively solid neck shape.

[Electrical System]
The controls are the familiar ones from the Chet Atkins series: (from left to right) pickup selector switch, tone switch, master volume, individual pickup volume controls, and standby switch. It is equipped with two of the familiar HiLo'Tron pickups. The control components have been kept in excellent condition, just as they were at the time.

The HiLo'Tron pickup, characteristic of Gretsch's low output and open tone, combined with a hollow maple body, produces a fast attack and airy, light harmonics. Its appeal lies in its clean sound, which is both focused and clear, reminiscent of early 1960s rockabilly, country, and even British sounds like those represented by "B". The front pickup provides a warm, rounded tone, while the rear pickup delivers a dry, snare-like sound. Combined with the unique filtering provided by the tone switch, it has a sound character that evokes the atmosphere of the era and is very compatible with the recording equipment and amplifiers of that time.

Accessories: Gretsch Deluxe Hard Case

Weight: 3.15kg
Body Material (Top/Side&Back): Maple 1 piece/Maple 1 piece w/1 ply Binding Hollow, 406.4mm (16inch)
Neck Material/Scale Length: Maple 2 piece/622mm (24-1/2inch)
Bridge/Tailpiece: Straight Bar Bridge wide, silver/Gretsch-Bigsby B-6, silver
Fingerboard/Fret Marker/Radius: Rosewood/Pearloid thumbprint/12inch (304.8mm)
Nut Width/Fret Size (Width): 42.8mm/2.0mm (replaced)
Neck Thickness (1F/7F/10F): 21.5mm/23.0mm/23.0mm
Pickup (Neck/Bridge): Gretsch HiLo 'Tron pickup (3.1kΩ/3.2kΩ)
*The DC resistance value of the pickup is measured through the control section.

Heartman Vintage Guitars is a specialty store for vintage guitars and basses operated by Ikebe Musical Instruments.