The Chetboard

We recently had a discussion about the 'Pawn Stars' show, and their apparent lack of knowledge concerning guitars.

There was just a repeat of a show (originally televised in 2009 according to AT&T Uverse) in which a man brought in a Gretsch Rancher guitar (well worn) and supposedly played by Robert Duvall in the movie 'Tender Mercies'.

During Rick's examination of the guitar the man claimed there were only TEN (10) of these made, (I don't think this is correct) and that various famous guitar players had played one of these during their careers including Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash,and CHET ATKINS!

Now I don't know about Willie, and Johnny, but I don't recall of Chet ever playing a Rancher guitar in the fifty or so years that I followed him! Anybody else remember Chet ever playing a Gretsch Rancher?

Also, there is an article in this weeks Time Magazine about 'Pawn Stars'!

David

There is a video of Chet backing up Anita Carter on the song Making Believe. Story goes he traded that guitar for a one arm bandit. Sure would like to have it now.

Robbie Jones wrote:There is a video of Chet backing up Anita Carter on the song Making Believe. Story goes he traded that guitar for a one arm bandit. Sure would like to have it now.

Hi Robbie,
Yes, I've seen that video with Anita Carter. I think you might be confusing the Gretsch "Rancher" (that was brought into the Pawn Shop on the History Channel) and that I was referring to, with the Gretsch "Roundup" (which Chet was playing in the Anita Carter video), because of the similarity in names...Rancho/Roundup, etc. The Rancher, is a big ol' acoustical electric with a funny looking soundhole, (shaped kind of like a flatpick) and I don't think Gretsch ever sold a whole lot of them, and as I said, I don't recall ever seeing Chet play one.
Regards,
David

with the Gretsch "Roundup.."

Tehcnically a 6121 "Chet Atkins Solid Body"

Norm wrote:with the Gretsch "Roundup.."

Tehcnically a 6121 "Chet Atkins Solid Body"

Actually, it's a Duo-Jet with the cowboy crap on it . . .

Whatever it is I'm pretty sure it was Jimmie Webster's idea

Talking about the Rancher flattop.

I've only seen one actually in someone's hands being used. It was a pretty country singer, a Brit, who used one of those things. Perfect singer's guitar since it has a metal tone sucking bridge and is big and colorful. No danger of it being too loud to interfere with her singing.

She was pretty good, actually...

Norm wrote:I'm pretty sure it was Jimmie Webster's idea.

Perfect singer's guitar since it has a metal tone sucking bridge and is big and colorful.

I'd played one years ago. It was awkward to play as that bridge was a real torture device ! ! !

That's right, I guess I had an early senior moment. Sorry.

Robbie Jones wrote:That's right, I guess I had an early senior moment. Sorry.

Not a problem...Wait until your "senior moments" become a regular event!

David