Gretsch Model 6120 Chet Atkins Hollow Body Arch Top Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1956)
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Item #13219
Gretsch Model 6120 Chet Atkins Hollow Body Model Arch Top Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1956), made in Brooklyn, NY, serial # 18288, Western Orange lacquer finish, laminated maple body, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, original grey/blue hard shell case.
The 1950s Gretsch Chet Atkins hollowbody model 6120 is one of the most iconic of the decade's American guitars, identifiable to even most casual guitar fans. Over the course of less than five years, the 6120 model's features transitioned from the full-out western kitsch appeal of the first 1955 model to the sleeker '60s stylings while always retaining the distinctive "Western Orange" body finish. This particular guitar is an early transitional model made in late 1955 for the '56 model year. The neck heel is stamped internally "October 20 1955" indicating production was well underway before the start of 1956.
While the iconic "G" branded into the top is the most immediately eye-catching, this 6120 has a number of features that are specific to 1955-6 models. The most interesting is the exceptionally rare "break away arm" Bigsby, a fitting so seldom seen as to be almost mythical. The first Bigsby unit fitted to the 6120 was a fixed-arm model, which many players found inconvenient. This was replaced fairly early in 1956 with the variant on this guitar, with a cast handle that could be pivoted to the rear nicknamed the "Break-Away" arm. Unfortunately this fitting interfered with the uppermost volume control, and most of the few guitars that came with this piece of hardware had it swapped out for the next "swing arm" Bigsby variant that is far more familiar.
This Bigsby on this guitar presents an historical conundrum; is it original to the guitar or added early on in 1956? This unit was only VERY briefly available, usually spotted solely on 6120s from serial number batches 189xx and 200xx. This 182xx series guitar would normally be expected to have the original fixed arm unit, but as with everything Gretsch absolutes are elusive! The bridge is the era-correct rocker-base unit that would have come from Bigsby in 1956 while Gretsch typically fitted this same aluminum saddle to a wooden base. The upper volume knob on the guitar has been replaced with a smaller period Valco knob as the Bigsby otherwise interferes with its operation. Our best guess would be the original owner had the guitar reworked to get rid of the fixed-arm Bigsby when it was practically new, but in any case all this hardware has been there a LONG time!
Other features typical of early 1956 include the deep red/orange finish on the laminated maple body and neck, dual DeArmond Dynasonic pickups, old-style "arrow" (non-G-logo) knobs, the distinctive pearloid fingerboard inlay engraved with western motifs and a matching Steer's head inlay in the headstock with the then-new larger truss rod cover. The tuners are the typical openback Waverly machines, with all hardware except the Bigsby pieces gold plated.
The 182xx serial number batch is considered the first set of 6120s dating to 1956; by the middle of the year the original "yee haw" features were already starting to disappear. We are always thrilled to feature a "Full-western" Chet Atkins hollow body in our showroom, and find this one's super-rare Bigsby an especially interesting feature. Although apparently considered a failure in action at the time it works fine on this guitar, at least when mated to the smaller volume knob! With vibe to spare this is one of the coolest Gretsch guitars we have had in a while, resting again its original home of Brooklyn!
Overall length is 41 1/2 in. (105.4 cm.), 15 3/4 in. (40 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 3/4 in. (7 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 1/2 in. (622 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
This guitar appears in played but largely original condition, showing some general wear with most the original hardware intact. The all-original finish retains excellent unfaded deep-orange color showing some light scuffing and random dings and dents; the only major wear is a couple of large spots of belt buckle wear into the back. The back of the neck is relatively clean with a few small dinks and the engraved fingerboard inlays remain crisp and dark.
The guitar has had a clean neck reset; as part of that process the piece of binding along the treble side of the heel and the heelcap were replaced. There is no further binding deterioration; several of the seams have been resealed on the headstock wings as is very common with this period's Gretsch instruments. There are no other cracks or visible repairs.
The tortoise celluloid riser rings under the pickups have been replaced; the bridge pickup ring in particular had offgassed quite a bit heavily discoloring the plating on the pickup cover directly above it but thankfully not damaging the coil. The pickguard shows some staining on the lower end from this as well. As noted the upper volume control knob is period but not original; an original Gretsch knob is too large to function alongside the Bigsby.
Also as noted that exceptionally rare period Bigsby may be an early re-fit, along with the matching Bigsby bridge. Still these 1956 parts are intact; early 6120s today often feature later period replacements. With an excellent neck angle and good original frets this is a fine-playing and sounding example of this rare 6120 variant with the expected classic tone and feel. It includes the original case; not the special "cowboy" case that was priced higher but the typical standard Gretsch two-tone piece. Overall Very Good + Condition.
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The 1950s Gretsch Chet Atkins hollowbody model 6120 is one of the most iconic of the decade's American guitars, identifiable to even most casual guitar fans. Over the course of less than five years, the 6120 model's features transitioned from the full-out western kitsch appeal of the first 1955 model to the sleeker '60s stylings while always retaining the distinctive "Western Orange" body finish. This particular guitar is an early transitional model made in late 1955 for the '56 model year. The neck heel is stamped internally "October 20 1955" indicating production was well underway before the start of 1956.
While the iconic "G" branded into the top is the most immediately eye-catching, this 6120 has a number of features that are specific to 1955-6 models. The most interesting is the exceptionally rare "break away arm" Bigsby, a fitting so seldom seen as to be almost mythical. The first Bigsby unit fitted to the 6120 was a fixed-arm model, which many players found inconvenient. This was replaced fairly early in 1956 with the variant on this guitar, with a cast handle that could be pivoted to the rear nicknamed the "Break-Away" arm. Unfortunately this fitting interfered with the uppermost volume control, and most of the few guitars that came with this piece of hardware had it swapped out for the next "swing arm" Bigsby variant that is far more familiar.
This Bigsby on this guitar presents an historical conundrum; is it original to the guitar or added early on in 1956? This unit was only VERY briefly available, usually spotted solely on 6120s from serial number batches 189xx and 200xx. This 182xx series guitar would normally be expected to have the original fixed arm unit, but as with everything Gretsch absolutes are elusive! The bridge is the era-correct rocker-base unit that would have come from Bigsby in 1956 while Gretsch typically fitted this same aluminum saddle to a wooden base. The upper volume knob on the guitar has been replaced with a smaller period Valco knob as the Bigsby otherwise interferes with its operation. Our best guess would be the original owner had the guitar reworked to get rid of the fixed-arm Bigsby when it was practically new, but in any case all this hardware has been there a LONG time!
Other features typical of early 1956 include the deep red/orange finish on the laminated maple body and neck, dual DeArmond Dynasonic pickups, old-style "arrow" (non-G-logo) knobs, the distinctive pearloid fingerboard inlay engraved with western motifs and a matching Steer's head inlay in the headstock with the then-new larger truss rod cover. The tuners are the typical openback Waverly machines, with all hardware except the Bigsby pieces gold plated.
The 182xx serial number batch is considered the first set of 6120s dating to 1956; by the middle of the year the original "yee haw" features were already starting to disappear. We are always thrilled to feature a "Full-western" Chet Atkins hollow body in our showroom, and find this one's super-rare Bigsby an especially interesting feature. Although apparently considered a failure in action at the time it works fine on this guitar, at least when mated to the smaller volume knob! With vibe to spare this is one of the coolest Gretsch guitars we have had in a while, resting again its original home of Brooklyn!
Overall length is 41 1/2 in. (105.4 cm.), 15 3/4 in. (40 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 3/4 in. (7 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 1/2 in. (622 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
This guitar appears in played but largely original condition, showing some general wear with most the original hardware intact. The all-original finish retains excellent unfaded deep-orange color showing some light scuffing and random dings and dents; the only major wear is a couple of large spots of belt buckle wear into the back. The back of the neck is relatively clean with a few small dinks and the engraved fingerboard inlays remain crisp and dark.
The guitar has had a clean neck reset; as part of that process the piece of binding along the treble side of the heel and the heelcap were replaced. There is no further binding deterioration; several of the seams have been resealed on the headstock wings as is very common with this period's Gretsch instruments. There are no other cracks or visible repairs.
The tortoise celluloid riser rings under the pickups have been replaced; the bridge pickup ring in particular had offgassed quite a bit heavily discoloring the plating on the pickup cover directly above it but thankfully not damaging the coil. The pickguard shows some staining on the lower end from this as well. As noted the upper volume control knob is period but not original; an original Gretsch knob is too large to function alongside the Bigsby.
Also as noted that exceptionally rare period Bigsby may be an early re-fit, along with the matching Bigsby bridge. Still these 1956 parts are intact; early 6120s today often feature later period replacements. With an excellent neck angle and good original frets this is a fine-playing and sounding example of this rare 6120 variant with the expected classic tone and feel. It includes the original case; not the special "cowboy" case that was priced higher but the typical standard Gretsch two-tone piece. Overall Very Good + Condition.
