The Chetboard

Hi,
I'd like to know the difference between the nashville classic and the 1622-59 country gent.
Didn't Paul design both?

Thanks

The G6122-1959 Nashville Classic and the G6122-1959 Country Gentleman are the same guitar, only a different nameplate. It was called "Nashville Classic" until Gretsch secured the Atkins family endosement again. Then they were able to use Chet's name and "Country Gentleman" again. The very first batch of Nashville Classic's body shape was incorrect. They had a more squared off upper bout. That was corrected in the second batch. Actually the guitar was really designed by Chet and Gretsch starting in 1959 with Chet tweaking it through the years. Paul Yandell did us a really great service by going to Gretsch with the idea to re-issue a guitar that was as close as possible to Chet's favorite Gretsch, his 1959 Country Gentleman. Paul worked closely with Gretsch to get everything right. He went to the Country Music Hall of Fame and took measurements of Chet's guitar and researched every detail. He worked with TV Jones to make sure the pickups were just like the pickups on 59 CG. They have the wider 1 3/4" neck at the nut like Chet's. The guitars also have a 25 1/2" scale.
Both guitars are the same except for the name, unless you end up with one from the very first batch, which the body shape is slightly different.

Here's a composite superimposed photo showing the slight difference in body shape of the early 59NC's -



Thanks,
Bill

Bill, that´s very well done. My Nashville Classic is an early one, made in July, 2003. Comparing it with your picture it clearly has the rounded shoulder, not the more squared off one.

I forget who originally posted that photo here years ago (chuck, norm?), but I saved it because I thought it was a unique display of how they changed the body shape. The cutaway appears to join the body at a different fret location also - early ones joined at the 17th, later design joined at the 18th.

Wasn't me

Someone good w/photoshop did that

"My" first Nashville Classic was one of the very first ones made, and had the larger body with squared shoulders and slightly different shaped cutaway. It was on indefinite loan from my dear friend and mentor Clyde Kendrick. I used it extensively in AGW and on a couple of tunes on my Fingerpickin' on the Beatles CD. It was quite heavy and the neck was very slightly wider than others I've played. I had a Schaller roller bridge on it. It had a great sound.

I've had my 6122-1959 Country Gentleman since late 2007. I got it through Joe Carducci at Gretsch. It has the correct body shape and the butterbean tuners, and is a little lighter than the NC. I have it outfitted with a brass Tru-Arc bridge, and a special neck pickup that Paul made for me. I also have a "mini-fret" under the 3rd string, just in front of the zero fret, another trick that Paul showed me. It allows me to be in tune with a plain .016 3rd string and the bar bridge. I just have it glued down with a drop of Crazy Glue. I've done a few other little tweaks to the guitar, but those are the main things.

The '59 CG is hands down the best electric guitar I've ever had, and one of the best I've ever played.

Craig

by bill park » Fri Jan 06, 2012 3:42 pm

I forget who originally posted that photo here years ago (chuck, norm?), but I saved it because I thought it was a unique display of how they changed the body shape.

I honestly don't remember if I did that photo superimposing or not, I may have. I had one of the very first NC's built in late 2002. I had to have the correct body shape, so I sold it and bought a 2003 model. (I also had a 2004). Then I went to the CGP for a few years. I sold my CGP and ordered a new flame maple '59 HOF CG. I agree with Craig, I think the new '59 CG's are one of the best guitars available.

You are sure right Craig, it really has a bottom to it. I've been pondering for a spell about getting one of those Tru-arc bridges. Al

Al, the Tru-Arcs are great. Not only do they match the radius a little better, but they have more mass. My CG has more "ring" and sustain with the brass Tru-Arc, and it feels really good to your palm when you're muting.

There's a page on my website where I compare the various bridges. You'll need to listen with high quality headphones to really hear the difference on the mp3's.

http://www.craigdobbins.com/tru-arc.html

I went with the brass on my CG. I think Paul had a copper one on his CGP at one point. We tried them all.

Craig