G6122T-59 Chet Atkins?

[Bounty Hunter]

So I just learned that this model has a 1 3/4" nut width which has me excited. Does anyone own (or have played) this model? I'm a bit ham handed and really struggle playing fingerstyle with my Setzer Hot Rod. I have to think this Chet Atkins model would work better for me. TIA.

 

[Synchro]

I’ve had one for about 10 years. It’s a great instrument. Basically, it’s as close to Chet Atkins’ 1959 Country Gentleman as you can get. Ironically, I also play a G6119-1959 with an added neck pickup, which makes it functionally equivalent to a Setzer Hot Rod. Both work very well.

 

[sleeperNY]

I also have this guitar and have had it for almost 20 years. First run from 2003. The neck is great and does give you a bit more room between string, but the other differencs is it is a 25.5 scale. The Setzer is only 24.6. Both great guitars but the 6122-59 is at least to me a much more refined guitar as far as sound goes. I get mine out when I want to set down and do some slow music that I love. I would be surprise if you didn't love it.

Jim

 

[BrianW]

Another positive vote for the 6122-59 here. I can honestly say it is the first guitar I played where I got lost in the music as opposed to being focussed on notes - if that makes sense. I don't think you would regret it.

cheers

 

[Bounty Hunter]

Thanks for the replies. I'm pretty much an acoustic finger picker these days and rarely play electric. When I do plug the Setzer in the sound is just amazing but I do get frustrated with the "skinny" neck. I know it's something most players can deal with but not me! I wish the Chet model were easier to find but I may just buy sight unseen since I know Gretsch pro line quality is spot on.

 

[Synchro]

Thanks for the replies. I'm pretty much an acoustic finger picker these days and rarely play electric. When I do plug the Setzer in the sound is just amazing but I do get frustrated with the "skinny" neck. I know it's something most players can deal with but not me! I wish the Chet model were easier to find but I may just buy sight unseen since I know Gretsch pro line quality is spot on.

I got to play one of these at the NAMM show, but when I bought mine, the guitar itself was sight unseen. At least in my experience, Gretsch Pro Line quality has been very consistent, and of the four Pro Line Gretsch I own, three were bought sight unseen, and no regrets.

As for the model itself, it’s a substantial feeling guitar, with higher string tension than your Setzer Hot Rod. If I compare my G6119-1959 and my G6122-1959, the sound is very similar, but the feel is quite different. The G6122 has a stiffer feel, and if you are accustomed to the acoustic world, this will probably feel good in your hands.

Just for perspective, I have all three of my 16” Gretsch strung with 10-46/10-47 strings. The feeling is loose, and these guitars play quite easily, almost like an oversized Tele. The Country Gent is strung with .050, .037, .027 on the bottom and .017, .013, and .010 up top. The feel is a lot tighter, and more like a conventional archtop.

 

[Bob Perrone]

I live on my 6122 and heartily recommend if you are a fingerstyle player, which I am. You will absolutely love that guitar.

 

[Bounty Hunter]

Good to know. And I agree with you, Synchro. Whenever I grab my Setzer the string tension feels like wet noodles compared to my acoustic instruments.

 

[Baba Joe]

I have a 2005 6122-1959. Playing it is simply a different positive experience from my other Gretsches. And I like all of them. Try it - you’ll like it.

 

[senojnad]

I bought mine sight-unseen 15 years ago. When it arrived (new from factory) it was love at first sight (and touch). After all these years I am still convinced it is the finest guitar I've ever owned.

 

[General_Lee]

I bought mine sight-unseen 15 years ago. When it arrived (new from factory) it was love at first sight (and touch). After all these years I am still convinced it is the finest guitar I've ever owned.

If Dan is giving it his seal of approval, you can rest assured that it's a damned good instrument!

Meanwhile, I picked mine up a couple of years back, again sight unseen. Mine is the G6122T-59 Vintage Select Edition and is stunningly beautiful. It sports the aged binding and position markers, which I feel simply adds to its vintage vibe. Neck wise, it's very comfortable and is especially conducive to left hand placement if you are coming from the acoustic/finger picking side of town.

I will say that the one thing I've never been big on, are the smaller vintage frets that this instrument is furnished with. I upgraded to medium jumbos, and it made a significant improvement to the general ease of playing this guitar. Something to consider. Overall, Chet's guitar is an incredible piece of art and mechanics and instills a true sense of pride of ownership. Tonally, it has no peer. This one is a lifer...

 

[G5422T]

I had a first year -59 for a while.

Stunning instrument in every way. Mine had the medium jumbo frets, and was a fine player. I did like the wider nut.

That said, the depth of the neck, from back to fretboard, was thin compared to my other Gretsches. (Also had a -58 at the time.)

I found my fretting hand cramping rather quickly while playing.

As hard as I tried to bond with the -59, I sold it and kept the -58, which I still have.

 

[Baba Joe]

Unlike General Lee’s guitar, mine came with the larger frets which I also like. My guess (and strictly a guess) is that the fret size change came when the Vintage Select Edition came out. Hopefully this will help guide you to Vintage Select or other based upon your fret preference.

 

[General_Lee]

Unlike General Lee’s guitar, mine came with the larger frets which I also like. My guess (and strictly a guess) is that the fret size change came when the Vintage Select Edition came out. Hopefully this will help guide you to Vintage Select or other based upon your fret preference.

Indeed. I feel that a guitar company's need to slavishly assign vintage specs to fret size is one area that Gretsch in particular need not adhere to. It is mostly counterproductive to the player and really doesn't do the vendor much good either. Even Chet preferred larger frets on his instruments and tended to upgrade this "feature". In any case, it was an Achilles heel for me, and I'll be double circumspect in future to avoid buying anything with small wire...

 

[Synchro]

Unlike General Lee’s guitar, mine came with the larger frets which I also like. My guess (and strictly a guess) is that the fret size change came when the Vintage Select Edition came out. Hopefully this will help guide you to Vintage Select or other based upon your fret preference.

The current listing, on their web page, says Vintage Small. The frets on my 2012 model are the same size as the frets on my G6119-62T, my G6119-1959 and my G6120-1962 (6120 DC). They are the size of Jumbo frets, but they aren’t tiny, either.

Indeed. I feel that a guitar company's need to slavishly assign vintage specs to fret size is one area that Gretsch in particular need not adhere to. It is mostly counterproductive to the player and really doesn't do the vendor much good either. Even Chet preferred larger frets on his instruments and tended to upgrade this "feature". In any case, it was an Achilles heel for me, and I'll be double circumspect in future to avoid buying anything with small wire...

I agree. Personally, I’m good with larger frets.

 

[senojnad]

My '59 was manufactured in Dec., 2007. Quite honestly I have never paid any attention to fret sizes. I have large hands (size XL gloves) so maybe I'm less likely to have issues....??

The specs on the Gretsch website for that year/model (I printed and saved a copy) did not indicate fret data, other than the guitar does indeed have frets.....

 

[bluenote23]

If you're looking for 1 3/4 inches at the nut, I once had a 2005 G6119T (Tennessee Rose with real f-holes) with a wider neck like that. This had a JF serial number. I think being made at the Fuji gen Gakki plant was the reason for the wider neck.

I have had 7 other proline Gretschs, all made at Terada and all of these had more standard 1 11/16 inch at the nut necks.

 

[manunk]

Got a new 59 8 years ago, sold it a year later. Ordered it from Japan through a guitar shop. The string tension, overall feel, and even the neck were not what I expected. I could not really get that "Chet" tone. Otherwise the guitar was a work of art. Same thing with my current 5420T. Can't wait to try out a Setzer at a store.

I'm fine playing acoustic guitars, and shin solid body electrics. Semi-hollowbodies feel odd to me, the exception being an Eastman..which I traded only because it had lower end pickups.