Overview

The Gretsch G6120T-59 Vintage Select Edition '59 Chet Atkins is a premium hollow-body electric guitar that faithfully recreates one of the most revered instruments in Gretsch's illustrious history. Built in Japan with meticulous attention to period-correct detail, the three-ply maple laminate body produces the signature Gretsch hollow-body sound " bright, twangy, and full of chimey overtone complexity with a lively acoustic resonance that breathes life into every note. The TV Jones Classic Filter'Tron pickups are the tonal heart of this guitar, delivering fat, articulate tones with a unique midrange character that sits between a humbucker's warmth and a single-coil's clarity, making them extraordinarily versatile across rockabilly, country, jazz, blues, and classic rock. The vintage-spec trestle block bracing controls feedback while maintaining the body's acoustic liveliness. The Bigsby B6GP vibrato tailpiece adds expressive shimmer and wobble to chords and melodies, and the rocking bar bridge with pinned base ensures stable intonation. Classic Gretsch appointments include thumbnail fingerboard inlays, gold-plated hardware, western orange stain finish, and the iconic G-brand on the body. This guitar is built for professional and advanced players who want an authentic vintage Gretsch experience with modern reliability. The large hollow body and Bigsby tailpiece require adjustment from players accustomed to smaller solid-body instruments.

Electric Guitars

A premium Japanese-made hollow-body recreating the revered 1959 Chet Atkins with TV Jones Classic Filter'Trons and Bigsby vibrato, delivering extraordinary tonal versatility across rockabilly, jazz, and blues.

Instrument Details

$3,299 Professional
Brand Gretsch
Type Electric Guitar
Made In Japan
Year 2017
4.9 1 vote

AI Reviews

4.9 /5

The G6120T-59 is a masterclass in period-correct recreation, emerging from the Terada factory with a level of precision that often surpasses its vintage ancestors. The standout feature here is the 1959 trestle bracing; it provides a structural rigidity that significantly tames feedback compared to earlier parallel-braced models, while adding a piano-like sustain often missing from fully hollow instruments.

Sonically, the TV Jones Classic Filter'Trons are the heart of the beast. They deliver that quintessential 'snap' and 'growl'"clean enough for intricate Chet Atkins-style fingerpicking but capable of a snarling, harmonic-rich overdrive when pushed. The bridge remains articulate under gain, while the neck position offers a warm, woody resonance that never turns to mud.

Ergonomically, the vintage 'V' neck profile is a dream for thumb-over players, providing a substantial yet comfortable grip. The Bigsby B6GWVT, paired with the pinned Space Control bridge, offers surprisingly stable tuning for moderate vibrato use. While the price tag is a serious investment, the nitrocellulose finish and flawless fretwork justify the cost for professionals. The only real trade-off is the inherent physical bulk of a deep hollow body in high-gain stage environments, but for rockabilly, country, or sophisticated jazz-fusion, this is the definitive benchmark. It's not just a tribute; it's a high-performance tool that captures the soul of 1959.

Category Ratings

Electric Guitars
4.9
Feb 15, 2026
AI-Generated Review Generated via Google API. This is an automated evaluation, not a consumer review. Learn more