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Average Price: $1,700

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$1201+

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Description

The Gretsch 6120 is not just an electric guitar; it’s an emblem of the rockabilly revolution and a tribute to Chet Atkins, whose legacy reverberates through its strings. Perfectly poised between vintage allure and modern performance, this semi-hollowbody guitar delivers a tonal palette as rich as its history. The arched laminated flame maple top, coupled with the laminated maple back and sides, offers a resonant warmth that’s both commanding and inviting.

Its High Sensitive Filter'Tron pickups are engineered to capture every nuance of your style, providing a versatile soundscape from clean twang to gritty crunch. The guitar’s 3-piece maple neck and ebony fingerboard, adorned with neo-classic thumbnail inlays, promise smooth playability and aesthetic finesse. Whether you're diving into a solo or laying down rhythm, the Bigsby B6 Vibrato tailpiece offers that iconic Gretsch shimmer and sustain, making it a favorite for those who crave authenticity in their sound.

A gold-plated hardware finish ensures that the Gretsch 6120 looks as striking as it sounds, while the included G6241 Deluxe Hardshell Case provides stylish protection for your prized possession. Designed for the discerning guitarist, this instrument is a harmonious blend of history and innovation.

Key Features:

  • Single cutaway semi-hollowbody design
  • Arched laminated flame maple top
  • High Sensitive Filter'Tron pickups
  • 24.6" scale length with a 3-piece maple neck
  • Ebony fingerboard with neo-classic thumbnail inlays
  • Bigsby B6 Vibrato tailpiece for classic twang
  • Gold-plated hardware and Grover 102-18g Rotomatic tuners
  • Includes G6241 Deluxe Hardshell Case

Product specs

Brand Gretsch
Model Chet Atkins G6120
Finish Black, Blue Burst, Cadillac Green, Orange Stain, Tiger Maple Amber Stain, Tiger Maple Orange
Year 2007 - 2016
Made In Japan
Categories Hollow Body Guitars
Artist Chet Atkins
Body Material Maple
Body Shape Single Cutaway
Body Type Hollow Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Tremolo Tailpiece
Color Family Black, Blue, Green, Orange, Tan
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Gretsch Nashville
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Series Gretsch Artist Signature
Top Material Maple

FAQs

What genres of music is the Gretsch 6120 best suited for?

The Gretsch 6120 is renowned for its versatility in rockabilly, jazz, and country music, thanks to its hollow body design and warm, resonant tones.

What kind of pickups does the Gretsch 6120 have, and how do they affect the sound?

The Gretsch 6120 features dual humbucking pickups, which provide a rich, full-bodied sound with reduced hum, ideal for clean and overdriven tones.

Is the Gretsch 6120 suitable for beginners?

While the Gretsch 6120 is a high-quality instrument appreciated by experienced players, its playability and tonal range can also benefit dedicated beginners who are serious about investing in a versatile guitar.

What is the neck profile of the Gretsch 6120 like?

The Gretsch 6120 has a comfortable, medium-sized neck profile that offers smooth playability, making it suitable for both rhythm and lead guitarists.

How does the tremolo tailpiece on the Gretsch 6120 enhance its performance?

The tremolo tailpiece allows for subtle pitch variations and vibrato effects, adding expressive capabilities to your playing style while maintaining tuning stability.

five watt world

five watt world

The Gretsch 6120: A Short History, featuring Jason Laughlin

Video thumbnail for The Gretsch 6120: A Short History, featuring Jason Laughlin by five watt world

The Gretsch 6120: A Short History, featuring Jason Laughlin

five watt world

five watt world

Video thumbnail for Gretsch G6120 Chet Atkins Hollowbody Demo by Reverb

Gretsch G6120 Chet Atkins Hollowbody Demo

Reverb

Reverb

Video thumbnail for 1960 Gretsch 6120 "Mr. Sandman" by Phils Vintage Guitars

1960 Gretsch 6120 "Mr. Sandman"

Phils Vintage Guitars

Phils Vintage Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1958 Gretsch Chet Atkins 6120 played by JD Simo by Carter Vintage Guitars

1958 Gretsch Chet Atkins 6120 played by JD Simo

Carter Vintage Guitars

Carter Vintage Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1958 Gretsch 6120 played by J Mascis by Carter Vintage Guitars

1958 Gretsch 6120 played by J Mascis

Carter Vintage Guitars

Carter Vintage Guitars

Video thumbnail for Gretsch 6120 Chet Atkins from 1959 presented by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg and Tobias Hoffmann. by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Gretsch 6120 Chet Atkins from 1959 presented by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg and Tobias Hoffmann.

Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Reviews

PROS

  • Versatile sound covering Rockabilly to British Invasion and beyond

  • Lightweight and sleek design enhances playability

  • TV Jones and HS Filtertrons pickups provide exceptional tone clarity

  • Bigsby vibrato offers smooth and easy operation

  • Vintage cool hardware with a stylish aesthetic

  • Tone post design minimizes feedback, maintains open sound

  • Compton brass bridge adds outstanding sustain and tone

  • Mud-switch offers a wide range of tonal variations

  • String-through Bigsby and locking tuners simplify string changes

  • Suitable for various musical genres, from clean to overdriven tones

CONS

  • Stock knurled strap pins may pose a risk of stage mishaps

  • Requires fine-tuning of Bigsby arm and nut for optimal performance

  • Original "mud-switch" design may not suit all preferences

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gretsch 6120.

Value and pricing

  • Buying used Japanese-made Gretsch 6120s in Japan offers excellent value, especially with favorable exchange rates.

    Source
  • Used, upgraded 5420s with TV Jones pickups often sell for under $700, offering substantial savings over a new 6120.

    Source
  • Despite being newer, MIJ Gretsch models from the 90s onward are praised for consistently high quality compared to many vintage versions.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Filtertron pickups are highly regarded for their tone, enticing even solid-body enthusiasts to explore semi-hollow options.

    Source
  • Some modern Gretsch 6120 models include locking Sperzel tuners, enhancing tuning stability compared to older models.

    Source

Comparisons

  • A Gretsch 6120 can be a compelling alternative to a Japanese Casino, offering unique tonal qualities and playability.

    Source
  • The Gretsch 5420 is noted to feel similar to the 6120, with affordable pickup upgrades bringing the sound even closer.

    Source
  • The Rat Rod 5410 is a thinner alternative to the 6120, offering a different playability experience due to its reduced body depth.

    Source
  • Modern Gretsch models, including the Brian Setzer 6120, are often regarded as superior to vintage models in playability and sound quality, even by professionals.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners report a growing appreciation for unique finishes, such as the blue burst, after initial skepticism.

    Source
  • Owners note that Gretsch guitars are versatile, reducing the need to frequently switch instruments for different tones.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • TV Jones pickups, particularly the Classic and Classic Plus, are popular upgrades for both the 5120 and 5420 models.

    Source
  • An aftermarket string-through Bigsby shaft from Callaham is recommended for smoother performance and increased comfort through arm modifications.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Gretsch guitars, especially those with Bigsby tremolos, may require careful setup to prevent tuning issues common with trem-equipped guitars.

    Source

Critic Reviews

The Gretsch G6120: the story of a rock ’n’ roll icon | Guitar World

guitarworld.com
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4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 11 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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1 star
paulsmithiii

A World of Tone

One of my very favorite guitars - she conjures up tone from Buffalo Springfield to Tom Petty. The playability is amazing and the design is gorgeous! This guitar has introduced me to some Rock-a-Billy playing which is great fun and not as easy as it sounds.

From Gear Setup
K

My favorite guitar

The beautiful ring of that Great Gretsch Sound from my 6120 with my 59 Bassman Reissue I feel makes me play better. The guitar is big and heavy but it will play any genre of music I play whether Rock, Blues, Country, Jazz. Clean she is a lady, but driven she's a beast.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how David Gilmour uses Gretsch 6120

David Gilmour

Guitarist

Pink Floyd

...
Verified via Pink-floyd

Mentioned by guitar tech Phil Taylor in this September 1994 Guitar World interview (one of a trio from the same issue).

GW: How many guitars does he use during the course of a performance?

PT: About seven. In addition to his Strats, he uses a Telecaster tuned to a drop-D for "Run Like Hell," two mid-Eighties Gibson J-200 acoustics -- one tuned to standard pitch and the other tuned to D,A,D,G,A,D for "Poles Apart" -- a Chet Atkins electric-acoustic and two lap steels.

In 2019, Gilmour's 6120 was auctioned off for $100,000 as part of Christie's The David Gilmour Guitar Collection auction with the following item description:

THE FRED GRETSCH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, BROOKLYN, 1960/61 A HOLLOW-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, CHET ATKINS 6120 Inlaid at the headstock Gretsch and labeled internally THE FRED. / GRETSCH / MFG.Co. / 60 Broadway / Brooklyn (11), N.Y. / Model no. 6120, Serial No. 39884 / MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MAKERS SINCE 1883, Gretsch and applied at the pickguard, along with Chet Atkins, with original hardshell case bearing a label inscribed GRETSCH 6120 #39884 and SERIAL NO. DG1066; accompanied by a facsimile copy of the sales invoice from California Guitar to Mr. Dave Gilmour, dated 15th December 1979 Length of back 20 5/8 in. (52.5 cm.)

David Gilmour purchased this 6120 from Frank Lucido’s California Guitar, Ventura, California, in December 1979, during a brief interlude between completing final recording and mixing sessions for the 1979 Pink Floyd album The Wall at Producer's Workshop in Los Angeles in November 1979 and beginning rehearsals for the upcoming The Wall Tour in January 1980. Gilmour kept this guitar for studio use.

See how Johnny Marr uses Gretsch 6120

Johnny Marr

Singer, Guitarist

Modest Mouse

...
Verified via Photo

In this picture Johnny Marr can be seen playing this guitar.

"The Gretsch 6120 that I used to write and record "Stretch Out And Wait". You can hear it on "Is It Really So Strange?" too. I got it from The Who and It's one of the best old 1960's Gretsch's that I've played. I got introduced to a guy called Alan Rogan who used to work for Townshend, Clapton and Keith Richards. I ended up getting a load of guitars off him. That's where the Gretsch 6120 came in. It's the one Townshend played on loads of Who stuff. I don't know why he sold it to a geek like me."

Johnny used this 6120 on 5 out of 6 documented dates of the Smith's final 1986 tour, for Meat Is Murder only. It was tuned to Open G, the same tuning used on "Stretch Out And Wait" and "The Headmaster Ritual".

Source: http://www.smithsonguitar.com/2008/12/johnny-marrs-gear.html

See how John Lennon uses Gretsch 6120

John Lennon

Singer, Guitarist

The Beatles

...
Verified via Thecanteen

Little is known about where this guitar came from; it was used on the "Paperback Writer" session and then apparently stuck away at Lennon's home. Two years later Lennon gave this guitar to his cousin David Birch, who in '63 had also received a Hamburg-vintage Fender Vibroluxe amp from his cousin. "Upstairs in John's house in Weybridge, he had his den and music room. It was full of tape decks, keyboards, guitars, etc. The two guitars I remember were the blue Fender Stratocaster and the Gretsch 6120. It may have been cheeky, but I asked him did he have any spare guitars, as I was trying to get a group together while staying with Mimi in Bournemouth. I really fancied the Fender, but that was a no-no, but he said I could have the Gretsch. I was over the moon, as you would expect." Birch loaned this guitar to The Beatles Story in Liverpool for display in 2010, and he remains the enviable owner of a genuine Beatle guitar, not to mention amp (below)! As of June 2012, this guitar is on loan to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

See how Neil Young uses Gretsch 6120

Neil Young

Singer, Guitarist

Crazy Horse

...
Verified via Photo

Used a lot during the early days of Buffalo Springfield.

See how Pete Townshend uses Gretsch 6120

Pete Townshend

Singer, Guitarist

The Who

...
Verified via Photo

Music Radar talks about this guitar in this article saying "Townshend used the hollow-body on many of his post-Tommy Who recordings - Who’s Next and Quadrophenia are two stunning examples - and, after the instrument was repaired (only the neck was broken), he continued to employ it on both band and solo albums."

See how Joe Walsh uses Gretsch 6120

Joe Walsh

Singer, Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Guitarworld

He had this one until he gave it to Pete Townshend, who made significant progress on "Who's Next" with this guitar.

Excerpt from Guitar World interview: "It was also Walsh who laid on Pete Townshend the 1959 Gretsch 6120 and 1959 Fender Bandmaster amp that Pete used to create the unforgettable guitar sound on Who’s Next."

See how Chuck Berry uses Gretsch 6120

Chuck Berry

Singer, Guitarist

Chuck Berry & His Combo

...
Verified via Photo

In this TV appearance, Chuck plays a Gretsch 6120.

See how David Byrne uses Gretsch 6120

David Byrne

Singer, Guitarist

Talking Heads

...
Verified via YouTube

Byrne plays Gretsch in Live Union Chapel

See how Peter Buck uses Gretsch 6120

Peter Buck

Guitarist

R.E.M.

...
Verified via Photo

Buck can be seen playing the guitar live with Joseph Arthur, as confirmed on Premier Guitar’s website. He has also used the guitar with R.E.M.

R.E.M.’s Peter Buck, shown here playing a Gretsch 6120

See how Brian Setzer uses Gretsch 6120

Brian Setzer

Singer, Guitarist

The Brian Setzer Orchestra

...
Verified via YouTube

Brian Setzer’s guitar tech, Tyler Sweet discusses the 1959 Gretsch 6120 at 0:25 in this Rig Rundown from Premier Guitar saying, “This is Brian’s original guitar that he played in the Stray Cats. It was basically in all the videos and he’s had it for a long time. He bought it when he was just a young kid and he’s broken it back out again in the last year. It’s sounding great and he’s totally digging it.“

See how Stuart Pot (2D) uses Gretsch 6120

Stuart Pot (2D)

Singer, Keyboardist

Gorillaz

...
Verified via Photo

Stuart Pot (2D) uses a double cutaway Gretsch 6120, identifiable by its three switches, in black with gold hardware, as demonstrated in a promotional image from 2018's The Now Now.

See how Greg Lake uses Gretsch 6120

Greg Lake

Singer, Guitarist

King Crimson

...
Verified via Photo

Lake states in this interview that he uses a 1959 Gretsch 6120.

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 Gretsch 6120, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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Gear IQ 188

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