Gretsch 6122-59 Nashville Classic

This thing should be called the Paul Yandell model. Paul was Chet Atkins' right hand guitarist and measured the specs of an "original" now in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

This is one great instrument. Even with the painted on F holes.

Made in Japan by Terada, which could teach everyone else something about quality control. And Fender, now responsible for manufacturing and marketing, has brought some sense to this goofy gear.

TV Jones pickups. Okay. Nothing that special, but just fine.

It has a "permenant" Bigsby arm that (at least on mine) can be folded down.

The neck is a little wider than standard, which suits fingerpicking just fine.

Fit and finish were flawless.

I play elevator music, country, light jazz. Perfect for what I do.

I don't use effects. I play it through a Standel Imperial, which Standel says was made in either 1964 or 1965, a 1X15 with a non working vibrato.

Full, bright, quiet, clean. Not terribly versatile. But it suits me fine.

The action was perfect, the pickups were perfect. I don't pay attention to stuff like "book matching" which doesn't affect the sound.

Frets were fine, hardware is fine. Controls are confusing as with any Gretch of any year, no matter whether original, Baldwin, Fred's New Guitar Works or Fender.

I shudder at the thought of having to replace strings on the Bigsby, but I knew that going into the sale.

I don't intend to experiment with live playing. I don't take it out. I have other Terada guitars for that. One says "Epiphone Elite" on the headstock, the other says "Barrington."

I suspect the finish will hold up, as will the hardware and the plating. But I don't intend to turn this thing into a lab rat.

I had some questions about the instrument and Fender answered them right away. I couldn't get them to promise me a new pick guard if they reach an agreement with the Atkins estate, as is rumored, and change the name back to "Chet Atkins Country Gentleman."

I've never had to have it fixed.

The warranty is a year, I think.

Been playing more than 50 years. Own the two other Teradas mentioned above, a fist full of pre war Oscar Schmidt Stellas, Galianos, etc. Martin D15, '82 Gibson Les Paul, assorted ancient 12 string guitars.

Nothing I asked before buying the guitar, sight unseen, except "what's taking so long getting this thing in stock?"

If I lost it, I would buy another in a heartbeat.

Wish the pickups were a bit more widely spaced. There isn't a great deal of difference between the neck pickup and the neck and bridge combined.

In all the years I've been playing, amateur, pro and (now) occasional semi pro I've come to learn it ain't the axe, it ain't the amp, the effects, the strings, even the hands. It's what's in your head.

That said I recommend this thing without reservation.

MODEL NAME G6122-1959, '59 Nashville Classic
SERIES Professional Collection
COLORS (892) Walnut Stain
CATEGORY Hollow Body Guitars
BODY STYLE Single Cutaway
SCALE LENGTH 25.5" (648mm)
TOP Arched Laminated Maple
BACK AND SIDES Laminated Maple Body, 17" Wide, 2.25" Deep
NECK 3-Piece Maple
PICKUPS 1 TV Jones ? Plus HT (Bridge),
1 TV Jones Super-TronTM Classic (Neck)
PICKUP SWITCHING 3-Position Toggle:
Position 1. Bridge Pickup
Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups
Position 3. Neck Pickup
CONTROLS Volume (Bridge Pickup),
Master Tone,
Master Volume
WIDTH AT NUT 1-3/4" (44.5mm)
FRETBOARD Ebony, 12" Radius (305mm)
BRIDGE Ebony-Based Gold "Rocking" Bar Bridge
TAILPIECE Gretsch Bigsby? B6GWST Vibrato Tailpiece with Fixed Wire Handle
HARDWARE Gold-Plated
FINISH Gloss Urethane
CASE Includes G6242L Deluxe Hardshell Case, US MSRP $220.00
NO. OF FRETS 21 (Plus Zero Fret)
MACHINE HEADS Grover? ImperialTM Gold-Plated Die-cast Tuners
UNIQUE FEATURES Neo Classic "Thumbnail" Inlay Position Markers,
Zero Fret,
Simulated F-Holes,
Bound Fingerboard and Headstock,
Multiple Body Bindings,
Gold-Plated Name Plate on Headstock,
Gold Plexi Pickguard,
Knurled Strap Retainer Knobs,
Adjustable Truss Rod

I play melodies and rock - no specifics - I play MUSIC. The guitar played so well the sales fella I worked with immediately noticed the sound quality as he was walking by. ....It grabbed the guitar store guy - can you believe it? I had been trying out several Gretschs and this was the one that just had the magic. It wasn't my playing either - it was pure sound!
The sound palette is multifunctional - lots of tone colors with pickup and tone selection variance. But - it also kicks - you could rock and roll till the cows come home...it's also very sweet. Just cool!

Real nice setup straight away - pickups were perfect, bridge was just right! The top is gorgeous and very well crafted.
No flaws - my wife mentioned it looks like a fine piece of furniture, which it does. It also just flat out commands respect when you pick it up..like getting into a fine, shiny Lincoln Town Car.

Everything is solid as gold - hardware is beautiful and ornate. Strap buttons are good but I've never liked Gretsch's design for strap buttons. Finish is very well done and the wood itself appears rippled or striped. Certainly could use it without a backup but I use many guitars so always have others.

It's Fender essentially so I don't really have much experience with them - even though I have many Fender guitars. I guess that says something about durability at the outset. Heven't had the need to contact them.

Playing 30 years I own 25 guitars of various types mostly electric - PRS, Gibson, Fender, Danelectro, Schecter, Guild, Turser, Carvin, Takamine, Rodriguez and of course, Gretsch. I love everything guitar! Period... Lots of effects, amps and stuff, stuff, stuff. I love this guitar because it is essentially a Chet Atkins tribute piece, designed with the help of Chet's longtime rhythm guitarist, Paul Yandell, to depict Atkin's original revision preferences for the Country Gentleman - which is exactly what this guitar is. It is truly a masterpiece and is very different than the Classic 6122-1962 model. I'd try to get another if lost or stolen, but these guitars are unfortunately quite expensive for the average yahoo such as myself.