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1967 Gretsch Chet Atkins Country Gentleman

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Serial #: 107394

Finish: mahogany finish, nitrocellulose type

Body size at lower bout: 17". Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut Width: 1 11 1/6" Body depth: 2"

Materials: Arched maple top, back, sides and neck; solid ebony fingerboard with pearl thumbprint inlays; triple bound body, bound neck; original bone nut.

Hardware: Original gold hardware includes twin Filter 'Tron pickups, Gretsch Bigsby vibrola tailpiece; Grover Imperial tuners; pearlescent green pickguard with Gretsch logo; adjustable Brazilian rosewood bridge base; string damper with lever action knob; independent volume controls for each pickup; master volume control; three-way pickup selector switch; three-way tone switch; standby switch. Vintage correct antique gold bridge saddle.

Notes: Gretsch introduced the Chet Atkins Country Gentleman model in 1957 to celebrate America's most famous guitarist. Built to Chet's detailed specs, this striking instrument boasts premium features including the large 17" Byrdland style body, all-gold hardware with Grover Imperial tuners, and the most comprehensive array of features yet seen on an electric guitar. This double cutaway version debuted in 1961, and remained popular until the model was discontinued two decades later.

Introduced the same year as the Country Gent, Gretsch's Filter 'Tron pickups are a hum-cancelling design, built with larger magnets and polepieces than Gibson's PAFs, for a thicker, more powerful tone. The twin bobbins are more closely spaced and wound with less wire as well, to avoid the loss of high frequency response.

This feature-packed guitar came equipped with a Gretsch style Bigsby vibrola, twin volume controls and a master, three-way tone and standby switches, and Gretsch's innovative string damper assembly. Positioned under the strings next to the bridge, the damper pad (freshly renovated with high density foam) is moved in and out of contact with a lever-action knob near the tailpiece. The 15 fret neck joint allows superior access to the highest frets, and the painted faux soundholes reduces feedback over conventional archtop bodies. Finally, the detachable back pad prevents buckle wear, and covers an access panel which makes maintenance a snap, literally.

This example is in exceptionally fine condition, without cracks, pick, thumb, buckle or fingerboard wear, and showing all-original finish and plating. Original binding is in excellent condition, and all tight to the body. Apart from a few nicks near the control switches, the instrument shows few signs of play: even the all-original mahogany nitro finish is remarkably free of checking. The bound ebony fingerboard has the classic thumbprint inlays, bone nut with zero fret, and a gentle D neck profile. Gretsch-logo hardware includes arrow control knobs, vibrola tailpiece and signature pickguard, and rare Grover Imperial tuners with kidney-shaped keys.

The tonal range is exceptionally versatile, from rockabilly to bop, and the action is smooth and low over fine original frets. Even the original sharkskin case is in exceptional condition. The original Chet Atkins Country Gentleman has achieved an iconic status among players and collectors alike. This gleaming example is an exceptional find: call now.

Setup: The frets have been precision leveled, recrowned and polished; 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 radius inspected and recurved as necessary; bridge wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished.

Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel strings (.012-.054). The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 5/64" to 6/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.

Case: Original Gretsch logo arched plush lined sharkskin hardshell case.

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