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1989 Gibson Chet Atkins Country Gentleman

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Serial #: 80599504, white oval label

Body size at lower bout: 17". Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut Width: 1 3/4" Body depth: 1 3/4"

Materials: Maple laminate body; solid 3 piece maple neck; solid ebony fingerboard; thumbprint fingerboard inlay and thistle peghead inlay; 7 ply top binding, 5 ply back binding, bound soundholes.

Hardware: All original gold hardware includes Gibson Schaller 'Crank Winder' tuners with tulip keys; Bigsby vibrato tailpiece; Tunematic bridge with inlaid ebony foot; Gibson 492R neck and 490T bridge humbucking pickups; twin volume, master tone and master volume controls; black barrel knobs; 3 way control switch. 5 ply bound tortoise pickguard.

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 lighter 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.

This striking guitar has been maintained in outstanding condition, with 100% original gleaming cherry finish, without pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear. All original gold hardware is in place, including Gibson's exclusive Shaller 'Crank Winder' tuners, each with a small lever that folds out from the tuning key to increase turning leverage, greatly increasing the speed of re-stringing. (Also found on Les Pauls of the era, these ingenious winders have been collector's items since they were discontinued in the late 80's.) The neck has a gentle shallow D neck profile specified by Chet, and flawless action over excellent original medium jumbo frets.

This fine example hs been lovingly cared for, and apart from fogging on the plating, appears virtually unplayed. Finally, the distinctive 'thumbprint' fingerboard inlays are a signature touch of Atkin's design, echoing his classic Gretsch guitars of the late 50's. Sought after by players of all types since the model was discontinued in 2000, the Gibson Chet Atkins Country Gentleman is a versatile and eyecatching tribute to the Man With the Golden Thumb.

Setup: The frets have been precision leveled, recrowned and polished as required; 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 roundwound 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 for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.

Case: Original deluxe Gibson arched plush lined hardshell case.

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