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2003 Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean

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Serial #: 02333749, orange oval label

Body size at lower bout: 16". Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut Width: 1 3/4" Body depth: 1 3/4" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .83/.95

Materials: Flamed maple laminate body with solid center block; solid maple neck; solid ebony fingerboard; dot fingerboard inlay, signature peghead; bound body.

Hardware: All original chrome hardware includes Gibson 492R neck and 490T bridge humbucking pickups; Kluson Deluxe tuners with tulip keys; stop tailpiece and Tuneomatic bridge; twin volume, master tone and master volume controls; black barrel knobs; 3 way control switch; polished black signature pickguard, with matching armrest.

Notes: Some three decades after Nashville superstar Chet Atkins debuted his original Country Gentleman model from the Gretsch company, he approached Gibson with some design refinements for a new version of the legendary model. The new instrument would be shallower in depth to make it easier to hold, have wider spaced pickups to facilitate fingerstyle play, and have a light weight body block to add sustain and curb feedback.

A handily placed master volume knob, classic Bigsby, and generous 1 3/4" neck all ensured that the player had everything right at the fingertips. The result was the Gibson Chet Atkins Country Gentleman, introduced in 1986.

By 1990, demand for a version priced for the working player produced this handsome model, the Chet Atkins Tennessean. With the same body, neck and electronics as the Gentleman, the Tennessean offered comparable performance, minus the bling. The 492R and 490T pickups, as specified by Chet, were unique to these models as well. Measuring 5.30K and 7.70K respectively, these pickups offer a crisper, more detailed tone than more overwound Gibson PAFs.

The stop tailpiece produces greater sustain than the Bigbsy equipped models, and the neck has a gentle shallow D neck profile specified by Chet, with flawless action on a fresh high precision setup, over excellent original medium jumbo frets. The distinctive 'thumbprint' fingerboard inlays, a signature touch of Atkin's Gretsch guitars of the late 50's, are echoed in the placement of the dot inlays on the fingerboard. Also unique on Gibson models, the armrest is a shout out to Merle Travis' legendary Bigsby guitars, as well.

This fine example has been carefully cared for, and remains in virtually showroom condition, with original Gibson logo case and paperwork. Sought after by pickers far and wide since the model was discontinued in 2005, the Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean is a versatile and eyecatching tribute to the Man With the Golden Thumb. One only: call now.

Setup: Trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation set; string slots at nut and bridge inspected and recut as necessary; bridge foot contour inspected and fit to top as necessary; bridge wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished.

This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel flatwound strings. The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.

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