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Average Price: $2,200

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$500

$1201+

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Description

Explore the harmonious blend of tradition and innovation with the Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean Electric Guitar. This semi-hollowbody guitar, cherished by musicians for its exceptional versatility and rich tonal palette, pays homage to the legendary guitarist Chet Atkins. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, it features a laminated maple body that delivers a warm, resonant sound, perfect for a variety of genres from jazz to rockabilly.

The dual humbucking pickups are a standout feature, providing a broad range of tones from smooth, mellow sounds to bright, punchy leads. A classic Bigsby vibrato tailpiece enhances the guitar's playability, offering expressive pitch bends with ease. The mahogany neck with a rosewood fingerboard ensures comfortable playability, allowing both amateurs and seasoned professionals to enjoy its seamless, fluid action.

This guitar is more than just a nod to the past; it embodies the spirit of musical exploration with a modern twist. Whether you're a seasoned performer or an aspiring artist, the Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean Electric Guitar will inspire your next musical masterpiece.

Key Features:

  • Semi-hollowbody design for enhanced resonance and tone
  • Laminated maple body with a mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fingerboard for smooth playability
  • Dual humbucking pickups for a versatile tonal range
  • Classic Bigsby vibrato tailpiece for expressive playing
  • Vintage-inspired aesthetics combined with modern performance

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model Chet Atkins Tennessean
Finish Brown, Sunrise Orange, Wine Red
Year 1990 - 2005
Made In United States
Categories Hollow Body Guitars
Artist Chet Atkins
Body Material Maple
Body Shape Single Cutaway
Body Type Semi-Hollow Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Brown, Orange, Red
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Ebony
Model Family Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Series Gibson Artist Collection

FAQs

What type of music is the Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean best suited for?

The Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean is ideal for country, jazz, and rockabilly styles, thanks to its warm, resonant tones typical of semi-hollow body guitars.

What is the neck profile of the Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean like?

The Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean features a comfortable mahogany neck with a set-neck construction, providing smooth playability and easy access to higher frets.

Are the pickups on the Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean suitable for versatile tones?

Yes, the Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean is equipped with dual humbucker pickups, offering a range of tones from warm and mellow to bright and punchy, suitable for various genres.

Is the Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean a good choice for live performances?

Yes, with its semi-hollow body design and reliable stop-bar tailpiece, the Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean delivers excellent sustain and resonance, making it a great option for live settings.

What is the body material of the Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean, and how does it affect the sound?

The body of the Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean is made from maple, contributing to a bright and articulate sound with a pronounced midrange and excellent sustain.

The Trogly's Guitar Show

The Trogly's Guitar Show

An 80s Single-Cut ES-335 Prototype?!? | Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean Prototype Review

Video thumbnail for An 80s Single-Cut ES-335 Prototype?!? | Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean Prototype Review by The Trogly's Guitar Show

An 80s Single-Cut ES-335 Prototype?!? | Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean Prototype Review

The Trogly's Guitar Show

The Trogly's Guitar Show

Video thumbnail for Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean Guitar by Dave's World of Fun Stuff

Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean Guitar

Dave's World of Fun Stuff

Dave's World of Fun Stuff

Video thumbnail for 2003 Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean, Part1 by GregsGuitars

2003 Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean, Part1

GregsGuitars

GregsGuitars

Video thumbnail for Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean at The Fellowship of Acoustics by The Fellowship of Acoustics

Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean at The Fellowship of Acoustics

The Fellowship of Acoustics

The Fellowship of Acoustics

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional playability, praised as the best playing guitar ever by a tech

  • Easy Vibramate Bigsby kit installation due to unique grounding

  • Longer 25.5" scale and wider neck, ideal for fingerstyle

  • Unique control layout with one master volume and one tone knob for versatility

  • Gorgeous orange stain and wood grain, visually stunning

  • Signature white pickguard and ebony fretboard add to aesthetic appeal

  • Similar shape and size to an ES-335, but with distinct features

CONS

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean Electric Guitar.

Use cases and applications

  • The Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean is noted for its versatility, with one owner highlighting its similarity to an ES335 but with a single cutaway design.

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  • The Chet Atkins Tennessean is noted for being suitable for fingerpicking due to its wider string spacing compared to typical electrics.

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Comparisons

  • Owners compare the tonal character of the Chet Atkins Tennessean to that of a 335, suggesting it's suitable for various styles, including jazz and country influences.

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  • The Tennessean's appeal is compared to rock guitars, with younger users appreciating its timeless design despite its vintage roots.

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  • Owners compare the neck feel of the Chet Atkins Tennessean to classical guitars, suggesting it offers more comfort for fingerpicking than typical electric guitars.

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Mods and upgrades

  • For a jazz tone, users recommend using flatwound strings, such as Tomastik Jazz Swing flats, to enhance the guitar's jazz capabilities.

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User experience

  • The Chet Atkins Tennessean is regarded as a high-quality alternative to more expensive models, praised for its adaptability in different musical contexts.

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  • Young players are drawn to the Tennessean's unique color and handling, despite it traditionally appealing to older generations.

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  • Some users highlight the Tennessean's ability to evoke an acoustic-like feel when fingerpicked, particularly when paired with a clean amp setup.

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Features and functionality

  • The Chet Atkins Tennessean provides a balance between hollow and solid body guitar tones, offering sustain typical of a 335 with a unique, flexible sound profile.

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  • The Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean has a neck described as wide and almost classical-feeling, making it suitable for fingerpicking styles.

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Build quality

  • The orange finish of the Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean is noted to be distinctive but polarizing, with some considering it unique while others find it old-fashioned.

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Value and pricing

  • In well-used condition with minor plastic part cracks, the Tennessean is valued between $1,040 and $1,300, depending on whether it includes a case.

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Matt Corby uses Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean Electric Guitar

Matt Corby

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

"Oh, well I have a Strat and a Tele, but I do have this beautiful Gibson Tennessean Chet Atkins which is about 25-years-old and it’s so nice." - Matt Corby from this February 6, 2013 Acoustic magazine article.

See how Ian Thornley uses Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean Electric Guitar

Ian Thornley

Singer, Guitarist

Big Wreck

...
Verified via YouTube

In the video Ian can be seen playing this guitar and throughout conserts trough the late 90's and early 2000's

See how Xan McCurdy uses Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean Electric Guitar

Xan McCurdy

Guitarist

Cake

...
Verified via Guitar

"The guitar is a Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean. It’s a guitar that I first liked the look of because it looks like your favorite British band’s first guitar – the big shitty mid-60’s hollowbody things."

See how Jonathan Wilson uses Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean Electric Guitar

Jonathan Wilson

Guitarist

Eisley

...
Verified via Vintage Guitar® magazine

In an article by Kathleen Johnson for Vintage Guitar® magazine, Jonathan Wilson confirms his use of the Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean Electric Guitar, stating, "This ’62 Gretsch Chet Atkins Tennessean was the first vintage guitar Wilson bought – he was 13 at the time. 'It’s stock, untouched, and I still use it.'"

See how Hershel Yatovitz uses Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean Electric Guitar

Hershel Yatovitz

Guitarist

...
Verified via Guitar

According to Guitar Geek's rig diagram, Yatovitz uses the Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean electric guitar.

See how A.C. Newman uses Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean Electric Guitar

A.C. Newman

Singer, Guitarist

The New Pornographers

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo, one can see Newman playing Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean.

See how Mark Bryan uses Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean Electric Guitar

Mark Bryan

Singer, Guitarist

Hootie & the Blowfish

...
Verified via YouTube
Color/Finish: Red

In the official music video for "Hold My Hand" by Hootie & The Blowfish, Mark Bryan can be seen playing a Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean Electric Guitar at the 0:32 mark.

Genre Usage

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

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean Electric Guitar, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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