Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $2,605
High-end/Boutique
$500
$1201+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Gretsch Tennessean Electric Guitar". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The Gretsch Tennessean Electric Guitar brings the heart of music history to your fingertips, a model that was introduced in 1958 as a Chet Atkins endorsed guitar. A touch less ornate than its sibling, the 6120 Country Gentleman, the Tennessean initially featured just one Filter 'Tron pickup at the bridge. The design evolved over time, notably gaining a second pickup in 1961. This semi-hollowbody guitar, with its archtop design and mahogany body, is a testament to the golden era of guitar craftsmanship. Its simulated F-holes and Bigsby tremolo tailpiece add to its vintage charm while providing a rich, resonant sound that has enchanted generations of musicians.
Key Features:
- Body Style: Archtop hollowbody, single cutaway
- Wood Composition: Mahogany body, Maple top, Rosewood fingerboard
- Design Elements: Simulated F-holes, Bigsby tremolo tailpiece, metal bar bridge, Bigsby tremolo, pearl thumbprint inlay, two Filter'Tron pickups
- Notable Gretsch Players: Brian Setzer, Eddie Cochran, Duane Eddy, George Harrison
- Years of Production: 1958 - 1980
Product specs
| Collection | Professional Collection |
| Shape | Standard U |
| Upper Bout | 11.563" (294 mm) |
| Lower Bout | 16" (406 mm) |
| Waist | 9.5" (241 mm) |
| Wood | Laminated maple |
| Top | Arched laminated maple |
| Bracing | Arc-Tone bracing |
| Material | Rosewood |
| Construction | Set-neck |
| Nut Material | Graph Tech TUSQ XL |
| Nut Width | 1.6875" (42.86 mm) |
| Fret Size | Medium jumbo |
| Number of Frets | 22 |
| Position Inlays | Pearloid Neo-Classic thumbnail |
| Side Dots | Luminlay |
| Scale Length | 24.6" (625 mm) |
| Tuning Machines | Gotoh locking |
| Bridge | Adjusto-Matic |
| Tailpiece | Bigsby B6CP String-Thru |
| Pickguard | Gold Plexi with gold Gretsch logo |
| Hardware Finish | Nickel |
| Pickup Configuration | Filter'Tron / Filter'Tron |
| Bridge Pickup | PRO-FT Filter'Tron |
| Neck Pickup | PRO-FT Filter'Tron |
| Controls | Volume 1. (neck pickup), Volume 2. (middle pickup), master volume, master tone |
| Control Knobs | G-Arrow |
| Switching | 3-position toggle |
| Case | Deluxe hardshell case |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Strings | 6 |
FAQs
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What kind of neck profile does the Gretsch Tennessean Electric Guitar have?
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The Gretsch Tennessean Electric Guitar features a Standard U-shaped neck profile, which provides a comfortable grip suitable for both rhythm and lead playing.
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What type of pickups are equipped on the Gretsch Tennessean Electric Guitar?
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The guitar is equipped with PRO-FT Filter'Tron pickups, known for their clarity and articulation, making them ideal for a range of genres from rockabilly to jazz.
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Is the Gretsch Tennessean Electric Guitar suitable for professional use?
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Yes, the Gretsch Tennessean is part of the Professional Collection, offering high-quality construction and components suitable for professional musicians.
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Does the Gretsch Tennessean come with a case?
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Yes, the Gretsch Tennessean Electric Guitar comes with a deluxe hardshell case for protection and easy transport.
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How does the Bigsby B6CP String-Thru tailpiece affect the guitar's performance?
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The Bigsby B6CP String-Thru tailpiece allows for smooth vibrato effects and stable tuning, enhancing the guitar's versatility for various playing styles.
Videos
Nick Martellaro
5 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT GEORGE HARRISON'S GRETSCH TENNESSEAN + Tone Demo [4K]
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gretsch Tennessean Electric Guitar.
Build quality
Features and functionality
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The 1966 Tennessean should have Hilo'tron pickups, not the surface-mounted DeArmond Dynasonics found on some modified models.
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Broad'tron pickups in the G5622T are similar in output to PAFs but offer more clarity and less muddiness.
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The zero fret on the 1965 Tennessean helps maintain consistent action across all strings, enhancing playability and intonation.
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Mods and upgrades
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If Dynasonic pickups are present, they were installed post-factory and may even be improperly positioned, like a backward neck pickup.
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TV Jones' TV Classics and Ray Butts Ful-Fidelity Filtertrons are recommended for a sound closer to vintage filtertrons, offering a 1:1 tonal match.
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Swapping out the original bridge for a Tru-Arc Serpentune is a popular modification to enhance sustain and tuning stability.
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User experience
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Owners express a preference for in-person inspection of vintage guitars due to potential modifications and wear that are not always obvious online.
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Several players note that despite its age, the 1965 Tennessean's neck remains one of the most comfortable for extended playing sessions, praised for its slim profile.
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Comparisons
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While the G5622T resembles George Harrison’s Tennessean visually, the G5420 or an actual 6119T-62 are closer in design.
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Use cases and applications
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 3 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
This photo from Hilton Valentine's personal website shows him using a Gretsch Tennessean electric guitar.
His website explains: "I purchased this guitar at a guitar shop in Newcastle in early 1962 when I was still with The Wildcats. Yet another choice that George Harrison and I shared. I continued using this guitar with The Animals - including House of The Rising Sun - until I started getting all the freebies from Rickenbacker and VOX."
"It was the most expensive rehearsal I've ever been to," sighs Wakeling, who alternates between a new Fender Telecaster and his old Gretsch Tennessean, both strung with Fender 10 gauge strings and put through a Roland JC-160 Combo amp. Wakeling uses Ernie Ball picks and his only effect is a Boss DD-2 delay pedal.
In this fantastic live performance at The T.A.M.I. Show in 1964, Gerry Marsden can be seen playing his Gretsch Tennessean in high quality. A good view is at 8:50 right before playing "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying".
"A ’65, in mint condition. The thing you realize when you play a Tennessean after playing a Country Gentleman is how cheap the Tennessean is; it’s like a student guitar with single-coil pickups, and is cheaply put together. It makes you wonder why George Harrison chose a Tennessean as his go-to guitar, because he had the Country Gent before that. I use my Tennessean only when I need a particular sound; it has flatwound strings."
Ian McNabb uses a ten year old Fender Telecaster live, as he swears by its unshakeable tuning.
IAN: "It's got a good clean sound, with a lot of bite to it, and it's got a lot of grit as well. I really am a Fender man these days, as I've got a Fender Strat as well. But on the LP nearly all the good guitar bits are done on my Gretsch Tenessean; I was using Broudie's which I think is a Chet Atkins – I wouldn't put the Gretsch in a live situation as they go out of tune so easily, and there's too many combinations of knobs and pickups. When you're singing, you just want a guitar that you can click on, and away you go."
The first appearance of that guitar is in the 1986 music video for "Dios salve al conselleiro"; Soto plays it, but it belongs to Julián. He probably bought it when he started making money with the band, back in the 80s. But he didn't use it until the 90s, when he was already playing guitar in ST. The guitar can be seen in the recording of "A poco más (de metro escaso)" from Sesión Vermú on AreaMaster.
In some performances, especially the mimed performances of both Mr. Sun Mr. Moon and Out on that Road, Freddy can be seen using a Gretsch Tennessean. The Tennessean that Freddy is playing is in an Orange finish and it seems that this guitar might just be a backup guitar, as Freddy most likely only played the guitar in this mimed performance. It is unknown whether or not Freddy kept the guitar and used it in future recordings.
Album Usage
The Gretsch Tennessean Electric Guitar has been featured on the following albums:
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 Tennessean Electric Guitar, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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