August 2008 \ Reviews \ Electrics \ 1959 Gretsch Chet Atkins Tennessean 6119

1959 Gretsch Chet Atkins Tennessean 6119

Dave Rogers and Laun Braithwaite
 Premier Guitar August 2008
In 1958, the Fred Gretsch Company decided to expand the successful Chet Atkins signature guitar line introduced in 1954, which already included the Chet Atkins Hollowbody 6120 and the Chet Atkins Solidbody 6121. The new models were the high-end Country Gentleman and the low-end Tennessean.

The Chet Atkins Tennessean was a stripped down version of the 6120. It shared the same body dimensions, but had only one bridge pickup and no binding on the fingerboard or headstock. The Tennessean also had a unique red stain finish instead of the orange of the 6120. The pickguard with Chet’s signature in a signpost was black instead of the gold color seen on the 6120.

The features on this example are common to other Tennesseans produced in late ’59 and early ’60, including the zero fret, “Patent Applied For” FilterTron pickup, “V” cutout Gretsch Bigsby vibrato and a body depth of about 2 1/2”. Except for a gradually thinning body, these appointments remained until 1962, when Gretsch’s entire line was revamped.

More information on Gretsch guitars can be found in these books: The Guitars of the Fred Gretsch Company by Jay Scott; The Gretsch Book by Tony Bacon and Paul Day; and 50 Years of Gretsch Electrics by Tony Bacon.





Dave's Guitar Shop
Daves Roger’s Collection Is tended to by Laun Braithwaite & Tim Mullally
All photos credit Tim Mullally
Dave’s Collection is on display at:
Dave's Guitar Shop
1227 Third Street South
La Crosse, WI 54601
608-785-7704
davesguitar.com

     

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Comments

 (9 comments) display by
UsernameComment
John
on 05/18/2010 		To Vickielynn, I have a 169120 Gretch. Contact John (jonfre1@yahoo.com)
Vickielynn
on 05/17/2010 		I am searching for an original Chet Atkins signature Tennessean+patent # D-169120 I have not found anything so far. If anyone has any info please post. Thank you! Vickielynn
warren
on 05/28/2009 		ED ....warren here the gretschman.....keep the as is...or if you have any bare areas then use an airbrush to touch up with celulose or a fine art brush ...get colour matched up first and try on a scrap piece of maple...then build up the paint until little over flush and then cut back...this is ok for solid colours....cadillac green and sunbursts can get tricky....only was to sort binding rot is to rebind....and its not as difficult as it looks ive done plentys now...just take your time and use a good car fine line tape to mask off paint while glueing on new binding...make sure channels are clean and square and use larger binding than the channel..stewart macdonalds can help for binding...metal work can be polished with jewels rouge or a lmild detergent can do the trick sometimes...once gold has started to deteriate either polish it up with jewelers rouge back to its nickle and then replate or leave nickle...hope this is of use....but above all try keep original
warren
on 05/28/2009 		warren here...i may be able to help you with your gretsch parts...as i own a vast amount of 50s 60s 70s gretschs...ive been collecting parts and know of people who may be able to help also...gretschman68@hotmail.com
Denny Wedding
on 04/30/2009 		These comments are really questions,Ineed the parts I asked for do you know where we can find them? Denny
Jon
on 03/20/2009 		This is Jon again, looking for a bridge and and some small pieces for the string adjusters. This is for a 1959 Gretsch 6119 Chet Atkins Tennessean Ser. # 30290 This guitar was used in the group called the Blue Hornets back in the early to mid 60's. At the same time the beattles were hitting it big.
Jon
on 03/20/2009 		Looking for a bridge for a 1959 single pick-up guitar, The Gretsch Tennessean. The same Guitar as the one in this photo shot. Also need some small pieces for the string adjusters. Let me know where to find the original parts. thanks.
Denny
on 02/11/2009 		I also have the same guitar without the model number.but my serial # is 37363.I'm needing parts for mine,namely the black autographed pickguard,and the whole bridge assembly.If anyone knows where to find them,it would be appreciated.
Ed
on 01/01/2009 		I have this exact model guitar and appreciate the background on it. I find it interesting that the "6119" is hand written on the label, probably not by the factory. My guitar has a serial number but no model number on the label.

I wonder if you have any advice on caring for this old guitar. In particular, I am interested in preserving the finish and avoidihg corrossion of the metal parts.



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