The Chetboard

Hi, fellow finger-pickers...
Just wanted to share my joy, I suppose. Ever since I got back into Chet-style/fingerstyle guitar a few years ago after many years away from it playing bass in various bands, I've longed for a 6122-59 but, even with the generous trade-in offer I received from a local Gretsch dealer on a new one for my '72 C.G., I just couldn't make up the difference and had pretty much accepted that I probably never would have one. I have a Taylor 414ce which I really like and I thought "oh, well, this will be fine."
Well, recently a friend of a friend (both fantastic players by the way) put me in touch with an acquaintence of his who lives about 90 miles from me that had a 2006 N.C. for sale, mint condition. I contacted him (a super nice gentleman) and as he could appreciate how badly I wanted one, he offered to hold it for awhile in order to give me time to try and sell my C.G. I put it on Craigslist and it sold within a week for $1400 and all I had to come up with was another $400. So, I went to this gentleman's home this past Sunday and for $1800 I got an absolute mint 6122-59 as he had only played it for a few hours since 2006 (he's a collector of sorts and his wife was after him to "thin the herd")
Do I sound excited? You bet I am. I had to work a long day yesterday and didn't have a chance to play it and it was killing me! My 60th birthday is in about a week and what a present this is.
All that being said, there is no reference to string-guage in the paperwork he gave me so, what do you all recommend as to string brand, type & guage? Any other tips and advice relating to this guitar would be appreciated. Thanks, Tom W.

Tom,

I have a 2004 Nashville Classic and I've been using D'Addario EXL110W strings (I like the wound 3rd, but I've also used the EXL110 which has the plain 3rd, and they work well too. The guages are .010, .013, .018, .026, .036, and .046 on what I use, but I've had up to .052 on the bass with .012 on treble at times. I've been with the EXL110W for more than 3 years now, and I haven't had anything to complain about, other than I don't play as well as I wish I could. I could not blame that on the strings.....or can I? Enjoy that guitar! I know I have mine.

EXL115W, Al

I'm another one reccomending D'Addario

Here are two quotes from my Paul Yandell arcive:

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Chet, in an interview with Guitar Player in Oct '79, said at one time he was using Gretsch "Chet Atkins Country Style Strings". (#672) He gave the gauges as .010, .012, .020 wound, .028, .038, .048 or .050.

Chet used his Gretsch strings for years and when he passed away he still had a few sets in his cabinet where he kept his strings. But we both used 10-12-16-28-38-48 gauge strings when I worked with him...

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Personally I prefer the wound third. I use D'adddario. I think they're the same set Al uses.

Just don't use flatwounds

Well, I'll chime in here too. I agree with the others. Here's the string links:

http://store.daddario.com/category/145786/EXL110W_Regular_Light_Wound_3rd_10-46

http://store.daddario.com/category/145801/EXL115W_BluesJazz_Rock_Wound_3rd_11-49

http://www.gretschguitarsusa.com/store/enter.php?product=9220150006&department=gretsch_guitarampaccessories

http://www.gretschguitarsusa.com/store/enter.php?product=9220150008&department=gretsch_guitarampaccessories

The Gretsch Chet Atkins strings are made by D'Addario also. The difference in them is, they are wound with pure nickel instead of nickel plated steel. Easier on the frets, a little mellower tone and a little better feel. I've been using them for sometime now and I really like them.
Chet said in a interview once that he used .010's on a 25.5" scale and .011's on a 24.5" scale. That gives a similar feel on both guitars.

Congrats Tom!!! Happy for you buddy!

I've been using Elixir strings on mine, and I them pretty well. I don't like to change strings very often, and they do the trick for me. I think they are Nanoweb and they are the 11s on the high E string. I've also used the D'Adarrios that the others have mentioned, but I used the set that has the plain 3rd. They were fine strings, but they have to be replaced more often than the Elixirs.

Bill B.

Mine was set up for 11's according to what gauge you use you might have to set your neck for that perticular gauge.

Thanks, guys, for all your input. One more question; Do any of you recommend putting a humidifier in the case with this guitar during the dry winter months. I do of course with my Taylor acoustic but, didn't know if it was necessary with this type of guitar. Thanks, Tom W.

I'd be inclined to say no.

It's a plywood guitar after all. (ok...ok..."veneer") It's not like you're dealing with a solid spruce top or anything like that.

Having said that, humidifiers aren't all that expensive