Gretsch Guitars

THIS LISTING IS
FOR:

a 1958 Gretsch 6120 Chet Atkins Model
w/Orig.? Gretsch Hard Case

ELECTRIC GUITAR

SETUP & RESTORED & READY TO GO!

HEAR IT!

Click here
for
raw MP3 audio clip!
(non-EQed, unedited)
Note -- after 3:20 or so, clip repeats but with amp simulation.

WHAT IS IT?

This is a 1958 model Gretsch 6120
guitar, fully functional, ready to play, and ready to roll. This is
simply put a sweet axe, and definitely a one-of-a-kinder!

If you're a Gretsch nut, you know by now just how much has changed and
also stayed the same on this guitar. At some point it was sprayed-over
in black, the pickups were swapped out for later early/mid 60s models
(FilterTron w/patent mark on bridge, SuperTron with patent mark at
neck), the body binding on both top and back edges was replaced with
natural/red wood binding, the headstock logo/horseshoe ceased to exist
(or never did) at some point, and the tuners were swapped out for
rotomatics.

Beyond that!! It's original -- including the sweet Bigsby, bridge, one
original pickup ring, pickguard, knobs, wiring, pots, etc.

I'm also darn near sure that the rosewood fretboard with mini
horseshoes (they're like the headstock horseshoe on these models but
scaled down) is also original, due to my investigative work when I
reglued the fretboard extension down. Google
up these keywords: antebellum 1958 gretsch 6120

...if you do, you'll find my
blog post that goes into the details of dating this guitar, its
features, modfications, etc. Regarding the fretboard, though, if
original that's certainly a weird one -- this could be a unique
transitional guitar between the old rosewood/humpblock boards and the
"new" ebony/thumbprint boards.

I have a feeling that at some point this guitar went back to the
factory for some work because of the pickups and also a 1961+ style
"back pad" that's installed on the rear of the guitar.

My work on the guitar included regluing the lifted fretboard extension
(neck set is good), a fret dress, setup, cleaning, and resoldering
pickup leads, as well as replacing a few hardware screws. This thing
plays awesome, sounds awesome, and is totally rewarding. I -so- wish I
could keep it for myself! It's also a Gretsch that looks like no other
6120 and has all that lovely warm wear & tear that makes it a honey
to play. The Bigsby feels sooooo good, too!

This guitar would make an incredible gigging workhorse as it's sturdy,
feels wonderful, and isn't a mint condition 6120 that one might feel
safer leaving at home. Electronics all work just dandy with only a
little scratchiness as you flip the tone switches on the upper bout.

FEATURES/CONTRUCTION

Build: 3-piece neck with mid-stripe
& 1958-style "dowel" in the heel, rosewood board and bridge base,
"trestle" bracing inside with twin tonebars on both front and back
(hence an early-in-the-year '58) which gives this guitar some weight.

Fittings:
original Bigsby, original pickguard, one original pickup ring,
replacement early/mid '60s pickups, original switches/knobs/pots/mostly
orig. wiring, original brass nut. Newer (late 70s/early 80s?) Grover
tuners, newer strap buttons (old Gretsch-style ones missing).

Decorations:
holy cow -- the coolest horseshoe inlay ever as fret markers, also
bound (original binding) fretboard and headstock, bound top &
bottom of body, bound f-holes (f-holes have orig binding too). Fun
refinish to black (which looks cool with the golden-ish toned + red
binding) with some chipout near the heel that lets you glimpse the old
reddish-orange beneath.

Sound:
classic Gretsch... super cool.

Strings: DR round-core nickel-plated steel, 46w-10 I think.

Extras: HUGE MOJO!!! This is a great chance to get a guitar that would
cost in the $4-6000 range for much less, and equally nice.

ANY
ISSUES?

Refinished, some replacement parts (see
above), general use-wear, etc. There is evidence of some seam reglues
on the back near the end block but everything is sturdy and ready to go.

Pickup jack was moved to a plate (by me) because of a "banged into the
wall" crack around the pickup jack mounting hole. This is plenty secure
and no problem.

Fretboard extension also dips just sliiiiightly down, but poses no
problems for playability.

Also, case may be original and may not. It's definitely a 6120 case,
and Gretsch-tagged.

This instrument was also DEFINITELY in a smoker's house. The inside of
the guitar is covered in residual soot that, while I tried to clean
out, it's hanging on in there. It must've been hanging around in a
living room of a smoking house, or on a wall of a bar, just soaking the
stuff in for a long time. The guitar itself doesn't smell too bad,
really -- just a warm sort of old tobacco smell -- but the case and
back pad smell stronger.

MEASUREMENTS

Length: 42"
Width: 15 5/8"
Depth: 2 3/4" at side
Scale: 24 3/4"
Nut: 1 11/16"
Action @ 12th
fret: 1/8" (hair under, good tall frets, very fast)

This board looks original to me as the fret nibs go out over stock
Gretsch-style binding.

Above: note that this is a c.1959/60+ pickup ring at the neck.

Above: and here at the bridge is one of the original '58 rings.

Above: remains of the label inside the bass f-hole.

Above: trestle bracing
system.

Above: sweet-as-heck
original Bigsby! I've added new felt pads to its base.

Above: note the filled-in
old screw holes/old tuner lines.

Above: note the tell-tale
original finish underneath and also the '58 dowel in the heel.

SHIPPING?

 
FREE

I now ship by USPS
Priority or Parcel, depending on rates, to the 48 states. UPS is
offered if absolutely necessary, but will be more epxensive as we have
rural pickup expenses. Hawaii,
Alaska, please ask for quote. International purchases are allowed, but
please ask regarding shipping beforehand as I am not able to ship to
some countries due to the extreme cost.

WHO AM
I?

I'm Jake
from Antebellum Instruments
and I
restore vintage
and antique musical instruments (mostly turn of the century to 1940s
banjos, guitars, ukes, and mandolins) as my day job up here at our
brick & mortar shop in Vermont,
and I assure you that you will receive what I have described and shown
in this listing. Please ask any and all questions before bidding. Sales
are final unless damage occurs in shipping or the instrument arrives
differently from how I've described it and the pictures show it. Please
keep in mind that colors may differ slightly depending on how the light
was outside when I took the photos.

Please check my feedback & feel free to pop Antebellum Instruments
in Google to view my blog!