1962 Gretsch Chet Atkins Tennessean
What we have here are brothers from different mothers—two beautiful examples of one of Chet Atkins’ legacies to the guitar world, the Tennessean. Gretsch introduced the Tennessean in 1958 with a bright red stain, and revamped the line in 1962, the year this guitar was made. The burgundy stain has faded to a warm, reddish nutty color, and there’s a slight buckle rash on the back. The rosewood fretboard shows a fair number of playing hours, but it’s in terrific shape and still plays great and sounds fantastic.
1992 Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean
Gibson introduced their Tennessean guitars in 1987, and it’s arguably one of the finest playing modern guitars Gibson has ever produced. We can see by the burgundy finish what the Gretsch must have looked like new. There’s not a mark on this 1992 guitar, and it plays like buttah!
From the collection of Bill Nix and Billy Nix, Jr.