1956 Gretsch 6120
Serial #18973, Pot codes dated 7th week of 1956. Introduced in 1954, the 6120 ushered in the Golden Era of Gretsch Electrics, and with no better spokesperson than Chet Atkins. The 6120 quickly went on to become one of Gretsch's most popular models, and remains one of the most sought after Gretsch models on today's vintage market.
This 1956 example is about as fine a 6120 as you'll find. It's completely original but for new frets and a neck reset just completed by us. Its original bejeweled Western strap is still with the guitar. The cows and cactus motif was dropped at the end of '55, and this is an early example of the second version of the 6120 -- still with the famous G brand, but with unengraved pearloid fingerboard inlays, horseshoe headstock inlay with nail engravings, and swing-arm Bigsby tailpiece. We carefully removed the fingerboard inlays prior to the refret in order to maintain their full thickenss; the damaged corners on the last inlay is a 1956 factory feature!
The guitar's finish is in excellent condition, electronics work perfectly. The original bridge accompanies the guitar, but we've got it set up with a Tone Pros Tune-o-Matic bridge and new properly fit ebony base. The guitar plays like a dream with its perfect fretwork and intonation, slim neck, upgraded bridge and great feeling Bigsby. The tone is simply heavenly, and single-coil fans will fall head over heels for the DeArmond Dynasonic pickups. In our books there aren't too many pickup / guitar combinations that sound anywhere near as good as Dynasonics on a 6120.
An exceptional example of one of Gretsch's most iconic models.
With original hardshell case
This 1956 example is about as fine a 6120 as you'll find. It's completely original but for new frets and a neck reset just completed by us. Its original bejeweled Western strap is still with the guitar. The cows and cactus motif was dropped at the end of '55, and this is an early example of the second version of the 6120 -- still with the famous G brand, but with unengraved pearloid fingerboard inlays, horseshoe headstock inlay with nail engravings, and swing-arm Bigsby tailpiece. We carefully removed the fingerboard inlays prior to the refret in order to maintain their full thickenss; the damaged corners on the last inlay is a 1956 factory feature!
The guitar's finish is in excellent condition, electronics work perfectly. The original bridge accompanies the guitar, but we've got it set up with a Tone Pros Tune-o-Matic bridge and new properly fit ebony base. The guitar plays like a dream with its perfect fretwork and intonation, slim neck, upgraded bridge and great feeling Bigsby. The tone is simply heavenly, and single-coil fans will fall head over heels for the DeArmond Dynasonic pickups. In our books there aren't too many pickup / guitar combinations that sound anywhere near as good as Dynasonics on a 6120.
An exceptional example of one of Gretsch's most iconic models.
With original hardshell case