Up for sale, a 1959 Gretsch 6119 Chet Atkins Tennessean in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with a hardshell case. Finished in Western Orange (rarer than the usual Western Red), this golden-age Gretsch is the original iteration of Chet Atkins’ beloved 6119, only produced from 1958-60, featuring a fully hollow trestle-braced maple body and a solitary PAF Filter’Tron in the bridge position.

Developed at the request of Chet Atkins, the trestle bracing is designed both for maximum resonance and feedback mitigation, and this guitar has tons of natural projection and sustain on tap, providing an ideal platform for the PAF Filter’Tron. Plugged in, this PAF Filter’Tron yields quintessential Gretsch chewy cut, treble zing and punchy sparkle, with more sonic flexibility via the three-way Tone switch. Weighing 6lbs 9oz, this 6119 Chet Atkins Tennessean has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 11-49 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

-Wood: Maple (two-piece)
-Shape: Slender C, measuring .820” 1st fret, .895” 9th fret
-Fretboard: Brazilian rosewood, “neo-classic” thumbnail inlay, light finger wear behind frets 1-5
-Frets: Slender, faint wear beneath the plain strings on frets 1-5
-Scale Length: 24 3/4”
-Nut: 1 11/16”, bone, zero fret
-Tuners: Waverly open-gear

Body Specs:

-Wood: Maple
-Bracing: Trestle
-Pickups: PAF Filter’Tron
-Controls: Volume, Three-way Tone switch (bypassed in the middle)
-Hardware: Bigsby B6G vibrato, Rocking Bar bridge, “G” knurled pointer knob
-Plastics: One-ply gold plexi pickguard (replacement)
-Serialization: 33XXX on label (bass-side f hole) dates to 1959

The gloss Western Orange nitro lacquer finish exhibits some expected checking, with a small area of buckle wear central to the waist and just a few additional minor dings on the body as a whole. The nitro gloss on the neck profile shows some palm wear on the shoulders, inviting and fast-feeling.

An aftermarket black tolex hardshell case is included.