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Average Price: $199

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$200

$1001+

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Description

The Epiphone Chet Atkins SST is a remarkable fusion of tradition and innovation, offering a solid-body acoustic/electric guitar experience like no other. Inspired by the pioneering collaboration between Chet Atkins and Gibson, this guitar sports a computer-designed body that optimizes acoustic properties while maintaining a sleek, solid-body design. This unique construction allows for enhanced resonance and sustain, delivering a rich, dynamic sound that feels both classic and contemporary.

Whether you're strumming in a cozy café or electrifying a larger venue, the Chet Atkins SST adapts effortlessly. Its piezo pickup system coupled with advanced active electronics ensures a balanced string-to-string response, projecting your sound with clarity and precision. The single cutaway design not only adds to its aesthetic appeal but also facilitates comfortable access to higher frets, making it a versatile choice for both rhythm and lead guitarists.

Crafted with a maple top and mahogany back and sides, the SST exudes warmth and depth in every note. The mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard provide a smooth and responsive playing experience, ideal for musicians seeking both comfort and control. With 24 frets and a reverse belly bridge, this guitar promises both playability and style, making it a cherished addition to any guitarist's collection.

Key Features:

  • Body Type: Single Cutaway
  • Top Wood: Maple
  • Back & Side Wood: Mahogany
  • Neck Wood: Mahogany
  • Fingerboard: Rosewood
  • Scale Length: 24-3/4"
  • No. of Frets: 24
  • Bridge: Reverse belly
  • Electronics: Piezo pickup with tone and volume controls

Product specs

Brand Epiphone
Model Chet Atkins SST
Finish Natural
Year 2010s
Active Preamp No
Back Material Mahogany
Color Family Natural, Tan
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Number of Frets 20
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Internal Piezo Pickup
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Sides Material Mahogany
String Type Steel
Top Material Maple

FAQs

What type of music is the Epiphone Chet Atkins SST best suited for?

The Epiphone Chet Atkins SST is ideal for genres that benefit from its acoustic-like tonal qualities, such as country, folk, and singer-songwriter styles, thanks to its internal piezo pickup and unique solid body design.

How does the internal piezo pickup of the Epiphone Chet Atkins SST affect its sound?

The internal piezo pickup provides a clean, acoustic-like tone with great clarity, making it suitable for both live performances and studio recordings where an acoustic sound is desired without feedback issues.

Is the Epiphone Chet Atkins SST suitable for beginners?

While the Epiphone Chet Atkins SST offers professional features, its playability and acoustic-like tone make it accessible to beginners who are interested in exploring electric-acoustic sounds.

What is the neck profile of the Epiphone Chet Atkins SST like?

The Epiphone Chet Atkins SST features a comfortable neck profile that is easy to play, making it suitable for a wide range of playing styles and skill levels.

Does the Epiphone Chet Atkins SST require a battery for the pickup?

No, the Epiphone Chet Atkins SST does not require a battery for its internal piezo pickup, as it does not have an active preamp system.

Dave's World of Fun Stuff

Dave's World of Fun Stuff

Epiphone Chet Atkins Electric Classical Guitar

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Chet Atkins Electric Classical Guitar by Dave's World of Fun Stuff

Epiphone Chet Atkins Electric Classical Guitar

Dave's World of Fun Stuff

Dave's World of Fun Stuff

Video thumbnail for Gibson Chet Atkins SST vs Epiphone SST by Ventsislav Dosev

Gibson Chet Atkins SST vs Epiphone SST

Ventsislav Dosev

Ventsislav Dosev

Reviews

PROS

  • Unique blend of acoustic and electric feel

  • Lightweight compared to darker model variant

  • Comfortable for electric guitar players

  • Comparable sound to full-bodied acoustic/electric when plugged into a preamp

  • Economically sensible compared to Gibson counterpart

  • Great for songwriting sessions

CONS

  • Issues with tone knob and loud hum

  • Quality control concerns with input jack and mounting plate

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Epiphone Chet Atkins SST Studio.

Comparisons

  • The Alvarez FCF7103 Fusion and Godin A6 Ultra are suggested as similar alternatives to the Epiphone SST for their chambered bodies and acoustic-like feel.

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  • The Fender Acoustasonic Telecaster is suggested as an alternative, but noted for needing amplification for optimal sound, similar to the SST.

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  • The Taylor T5 is recommended as an upscale option with a similar electric-like acoustic sound, albeit at a higher price point.

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  • Ovation super shallow bowl guitars are mentioned as a compromise for players wanting a thinner body with a reasonable unplugged sound.

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Setup and maintenance

  • The Johnson JG-50-NA may require a fret-level, fret-dress, and potentially a new UST out of the box for optimal performance.

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Use cases and applications

  • The SST is favored for low-volume practice due to its solid body design, offering an acoustic feel without the bulk of a collapsible body.

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  • The SST is often compared to the Gibson Chet Atkins model, which ceased production in 2006, highlighting its desirability among enthusiasts.

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User experience

  • Owners appreciate the SST's ability to maintain decent tone and feel in a compact, electric-style format ideal for office practice.

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Value and pricing

  • A used Gibson Chet Atkins SST is valued around $600-700, while the Epiphone version is priced at approximately $350, indicating a budget-friendly alternative.

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Features and functionality

  • The Epiphone SST lacks the original pickup type found in the Gibson Chet Atkins model, affecting tonal expectations.

    Source

4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Mat Brooke uses Epiphone Chet Atkins SST Studio

Mat Brooke

Guitarist

Band of Horses

...
Verified via Flickr

Mat Brooke has been using the Epiphone Chet Atkins SST guitar since at least 2003, performing with bands such as Carissa's Wierd, Band of Horses, and Grand Archives. A distinguishing feature of his guitar is a deer sticker on its lower body. This information is supported by a photograph taken by JLeon1 on Flickr, captioned "Carissas Wierd II."

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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