While the Les Paul, Stratocaster, Telecaster, and White Falcon are clearly in the first echelon of cultural icons, Gretsch’s Country Gentleman is ensconced at the upper end of the second echelon, due largely to the impact of Chet Atkins and George Harrison, two of its most-celebrated players.
One of the most iconic Gretsch models, the 6122 Chet Aktins Country Gentleman made its debut in 1957. Starting 1971, the model number was changed from 6122 to 7670, and its single cutaway became a double cut.
Ever since George Harrison played a ’63 Country Gent on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, this particular model has been one of the most popular Gretsch guitars ever made.
Thin 16” hollow body with F holes, Filtertron pickups, Bigsby tailpiece and gold hardware, bound ebony fingerboard with thumbprint inlays. This example has certainly been ‘on the road’, with plenty of player wear, and natural deterioration - especially in the binding which is sometimes the case with 60s & 70s Gretsch guitars. With all of this though, the guitar has perfect neck angle, excellent set-up, amazing pickups and plays beautifully. The guitar has a new Gotoh bridge installed by well-respected luthier, Dave Scotland of Turramurra Music, and it appears that all other parts are original.
Features -
- Cutaway: Double Cutaway
- Body: Mahogany
- Body Shape: Country Gentleman
- Body Binding: White Celluloid (natural aged)
- Body Top: Maple
- Neck Material: Maple
- Neck Finish: Gloss
- Neck Binding: White Celluloid
- Fingerboard: Ebony
- Number of Frets: 22 plus Zero fret
- Fret Size: Vintage
- Position Inlays: Thumbnails
- Controls: Volume 1. Neck Pickup, Volume 2. Bridge Pickup, Master Volume
- Pickup Switching: 3-Position Toggle
- Other controls: Master Tone Selector switch, Standby switch
- Bridge: Rosewood
- Tuning Machines: Grover
- Pickguard: Gold Plexi w/ Black Gretsch Script
- Control Knobs: G-Arrow
This Country Gent has a soft-C shaped maple neck with black side dots and pearl thumbnail inlays. 1 11/16” nut width with zero fret. 24.6” scale length. Bound headstock with pearl Gretsch logo and worn gold Grover tuners in perfect working condition.
The bound ebony fingerboard is in great shape and the original frets have a lot of life left. Neck is straight and truss rod works fine.
This vintage 1964 Gretsch Country Gentleman hollow-body electric has bucketloads of character, and certainly could tell a story or two if it had the chance. A true classic with undeniable vintage vibe and unique Gretsch character.
It is a charming instrument from a “great” era of US builds, which plays beautifully and sounds the business, with a wide palette of tonal options on offer. It’s very easy to dial in great tones just right for jazz, country, blues, rock and any style where a killer clean tone might be called for. It will drive pedals well, but thrives on that big, spacious, jangly tone that Gretsch does better than anyone.
Comes in its original Gretsch hardshell case in reasonable condition.
