Brand: Gibson
Instrument Categories: Archtop, Electric, Guitars, REDUCED, SOLD, Thinline
The late, great Chet Atkins was closely associated with Gretsch guitars, but after Gretsch closed Gibson sought his endorsement and a number of Gibson Chet Atkins models appeared, including the Chet Tennessean, built from 1990 to 2005 in Nashville.
The Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean is a single cutaway, thinline archtop electric, with a solid center block to deter feedback. This was a feature that Chet had long sought from Gretsch, and the closest they would come to that was the late 1950’s Trestle bracing. In structure, this model has many similarities to Gibson ES thinline semi-hollows.
This Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean dates by its serial number to June 01, 1996. It is largely original, except for the tuning machines which have been replaced with a set of Kluson Revolution locking models.
The original arm rest is in place. It plays well, and is quite solid. The woods used are maple laminates for the body with a maple center block, and a maple neck with ebony fingerboard. The position markers are offset dots, suggesting the classic Gretsch ‘Neo-Classic’ or ‘thumbnail’ markers. Wiring is straightforward, and though it uses Gibson humbuckers, the control layout is like a Gretsch with one master volume, individual volumes, a master tone control and a pickup selector. A standard stop tailpiece and tune-o-matic bridge are used – no Bigsby! The tuners are the original Gibson Deluxe models with plastic keystone buttons. And of course, there’s a Chet Atkins logo on the truss rod cover below the mother of pearl Gibson logo.
This example is in good condition with less-than-expected wear to the finish and frets. It plays well, and the relatively wide fingerboard makes it easy to form complex shapes.
The original brown Gibson branded hard-shell case is included.
- Model: Chet Atkins Tennessean
- Year: 1996
- Finish Wine Red Gloss
- Class: Used
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Good
- Date Posted: 12/07/2022
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Including original Hard case
- Instrument Weight: 7.964lbs 3.62kg
- Scale Length: 24.75in 628.6mm
- Nut Width: 1.769in 44.93mm
