Best Chet Atkins 6120?

[countrygtm]

■Hello All:
■I'm choosing my first Gretsch, I got my mind set on the 6120s Chet Atkins signature models, but there are so many of them to choose from, each has a different set of pickups, and I have no idea which one is right for me.
■I play Chet's style mostly(%99 of the time).
■I really like the CGP model, but I learned that it doesn't have tone control, and it has waffel bracing and rosewood fingerboard.
■I have been thinking about this alot, and it's driving me crazy, please leave your precious advice, thanks, Mike.
■By the way, which Gretsch guitar would you choose if you were me?

[JeffS]

I have a 59 Nashville Classic (now 59 Country Gentleman), and I really like it alot - would probably never sell it. I would love to have a CGP, but would not sell/trade my NC to get one. I'll have to wait until I can afford both.

I don't think you could go wrong with either of these two models. The thing I like most about the models that are actually replicas of Chet's guitars (59 CG and 6120 CGP) is the 1-3/4" nut width. I think all of the other models (even though they are Chet Atkins models) have 1-11/16" nut widths.

[billmoit]

I have a 2010 59Gent, a 6120 Blueburst, and a 5120. I traded a Gibson Gent in on a Gretsch NC a few years ago. The Gibson Gent does not have the same taper as the Gretsch CG. The Gretsch CG is a slightly larger neck so if that is a problem go with the 6120. To answer your question as to which is best my advice is to get one of the 6120's that has a tone control and stay away from the mud switches. You will have much more control over the tone.

[captainvideo]

The CGP is really a fun guitar. I feel like calling it a trick guitar is unfair because its more then just that. Heck its the only 6120 with a 1 3/4 nut, so if that's important to you, that alone should make it a contender. The split pickup effect is really cool and about the only way I can think of to nail the Chet/Swedish Rhapsody tone.

That said as a live instrument I would never go through all the trouble to bring out 4 cords to hook up my echo pedal for just the bass strings.

Everyone here and over at the GDP keeps recommending the 6122-1959(even though you are asking for 6120s). But I too would recommend giving that guitar a strong look. I've had 3 of them and there's really nothing else out there like them. Feel, look, and sound wise.

[mattburnside]

The one I'm currently eying is the 6120-1959LTV because I prefer the chrome Bigsby and the real f-holes. Gold hardware looks fine with certain colors, but only while it's pristine; when it starts to age it either pits or rubs off, and both look awful IMO.

[Terry Tolley]

I have a 2004 Nashville Classic. My Bigsby is gold plated and some of the plating is worn thin. It still sounds great - which is my main concern. I was never so focused on looks so much as I am with sound. After all - I look awful - but some people like the way I play. Unfortunately, I will always look ugly - and will be getting worse - but if I keep practicing - I will at least play better. I figure the guitar I play has to sound good. Looking good - not so much. That is just my opinion. I just don't have any show guitars. Reason - I have no use for a guitar that is never played.

[captainvideo]

The one I'm currently eying is the 6120-1959LTV because I prefer the chrome Bigsby and the real f-holes. Gold hardware looks fine with certain colors, but only while it's pristine; when it starts to age it either pits or rubs off, and both look awful IMO.

Yup! the chrome bigsby on the 6120 LTV is a thing of beauty. But don't buy a guitar based on beauty. I have to say as beautiful as my 6120 LTV was the flamed headstock looked so wrong. So I guess what I'm trying to say is you'll always find something wrong with a guitar.