Advice on Gretsch

[Randy Finney]

I am considering becoming a "real" Chet Fan and buying a Gretsch.

Apart from the cosmetics (I can decide this for myself), I would appreciate any comments on your experiences with the differences I have listed below between these two models:

Thank you,

Randy

[guitarchuck]

Randy,
Have you considered the Gretsch G6122-1959 Country Gentleman or the G6120-CGP?

Out of the 2 you listed I would go with the G6120-1959LTV because it has the better sounding TV Jones pickups and it comes with a Tru-Arc bridge.

Myself, I ordered a G6122-1959HOF Country Gentleman recently.

[RandeDager]

Randy, if you and could have worked things out to get together while you were in Michigan, I would have enjoyed discussing this with you. For me it is no question that the 6122-1959 is perfect for my hands. The slightly wider
neck and longer scale are what I need for the most control. I'm not sure about the size of your hands or how you play, other than for the short Youtube clip you posted a while back. There's no other Gretsch that even interests me.

[Randy Finney]

Hmmm...

The Gretsch Website shows all these Chet Models as having the same nut width (1.6875" 43 mm).

G6122-1958 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman
G6122-1959 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman
G6122-1962 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman
G6122II Chet Atkins Country Gentleman
G6120 Chet Atkins Hollow Body Flame
G6120DSW Chet Atkins Hollow Body
G6120 Chet Atkins Hollow Body
G6120-1959LTV Chet Atkins Hollow Body
G6120DC Chet Atkins Double Cutaway Hollow Body
G6119 Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose
G6119-1959 Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose
G6119-1962FT Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose
G6119-1962HT Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose
G6121-1955 Chet Atkins Solid Body w/ Leather Trim
G6121-1959 Chet Atkins Solid Body


The only one that shows with a wider nut (1.75" 44.45 mm) is:

G6120-CGP Chet Atkins Stereo Guitar- Limited Production

Maybe incorrect on their site. Is there a better source of info on the net?

Randy

[guitarchuck]

Randy,
You would think Gretsch could have their specs right on their website. The G6122-1959 Country Gentleman has the wider neck like the G6120-CGP. The 59 CG has the longer scale though. As far as I know that's the only 2 models available with the wider neck. They do mention the slightly wider neck in the 59CG overview:

Designed in cooperation with Chet Atkins’ longtime rhythm guitarist and close friend, Paul Yandell, the G6122-1959 Country Gentleman® precisely replicates the world’s most famous ’59 6122 model—one of Atkins' personal favorite guitars. Features include handmade TV Jones® custom pickups, a slightly wider neck, Bigsby® B6GWST vibrato tailpiece with stationary arm and optional swivel arm.

[George Beasley]

I've got both a 6122-1959, and a 6120-CGP. Both are great guitars, and both have a great sound. The wiring of the 6122-1959 is a little more practical, but to me, the 6120-CGP is the better playing guitar. I also like the size of the 6120 more than the larger 6122.

Then again, there are many others here who will prefer the 6122. My advice: get one of each!

[Randy Finney]

Thanks Chuck, I was most curious about the pickups and bridge.

Thanks for drawing my attention to the nut width, Rande. My main guitar has a 1 3/4 nut width and I find I really like this when playing the lounge style I play most often. I find when working on the more thumb-driven Chet tunes I have been learning that I actually the prefer the 1 11/16 of the Maton (Tommy Model) guitar I have been using.

Truth is, it seems to depend on something I am unaware of when it comes to which nut width I actually prefer. I have a 1 11/16 Telecaster which I most like when I play it, a 1 7/8 Stratocaster which I occasionally like but mostly do not, and a replica of the guitar Tom Holmes built for Lenny Breau with a 2" nut width which feels good for a while but I seem to tire of it rather quickly. (Lenny's actually had a 2 1/8 nut width.) Maybe I am just flaky when it comes to this.

Great advice, George. Now if I can only find a way to not have to pay for my mortgage, automobiles, taxes, kids' hockey, school, food, .....

Randy

[albertgen]

Out of those 2 I would pick the 6120 laquer finish 59. I think laquer resonates better than poly, although poly is a tougher finish. Of course the TV Jones pick-ups and tru-arc bridge don't hurt either, Al

[alexjones]

Randy,
Not sure if you have a special Maton EBG808 but mine is 1 3/4" nut width and that goes for most of the Maton acoustics. Out of all the guitars I have - that is one of the best feeling necks I have played on. I also really liked the Gibson CG neck. The Gretsch is a nice feel but I prefer the two I listed above. As for which guitar - 6122-1959 CG is an excellent guitar - as well as the Stereo CGP. I also vote for owning both - but it sure does take a sacrifice of some sort. Take care!
Alex

[Randy Finney]

Out of those 2 I would pick the 6120 laquer finish 59. I think laquer resonates better than poly

Interesting. I also think it looks nicer.

Not sure if you have a special Maton EBG808 but mine is 1 3/4" nut width and that goes for most of the Maton acoustics.

Yes Alex, I guess it is a little closer to 1 3/4 than to 1 11/16, about 2/3 of the way closer.

1 11/16 = 43mm
1 3/4 = 44.45 mm
Matons are 44.1mm

There is probably an acceptable tolerance in the manufacturing process. For fun, I put the calipers on mine and got a measurement of 43.856 - which is still closer to 1 3/4 than to 1 11/16.

Randy