❌ SOLD ❌ Gretsch G6120RHH Reverend Horton Heat Archtop Guitar, 2005

Here’s one we don’t see very often – a Gretsch G6120RHH Reverend Horton Heat Archtop signature model! This is based on a combination of 1955 6120 construction and 1958 style electronics. It has all the 1950’s Gretsch western decoration – the G-brand on the body, the Steer-head and cactus inlay set, 50’s style Bigsby arm and of course the Gretsch orange finish. It also has a couple of very modern upgrades – a pinned bridge and locking tuners for much faster string changes.

This guitar is in all original condition and dates to November of 2005, the first year the Reverend Horton Heat signature model was available. It’s in very good condition and plays great.

The 1955 6120 model body used a combination of tone bar and sound post bracing, which is lighter than the later Trestle bracing, so this comes in at a comfortable 7.3 pounds. The pickups are styled after 1958 model Filter ‘Trons, but are in fact TV Jones Classic models, one of the best sounding pickups available (not that I’m biased). This model sports a clear pickguard and Sperzel locking tuners – in the current production the tuners are by Gotoh. Locking tuners and pinned bridge were part of the Reverend’s specifications, because of the realities of restringing during performance.

The original 1950’s style Gretsch two-tone case is included. 

 If you haven’t heard The Reverend Horton Heat,  you should definitely check him out! 

There is one subtle aspect of this model that really improves playing comfort – the shape of the Bigsby arm. The 50’s style arm is more shapely, and quite rounded on all edges. On modern Bigsby units, the arms are stamped from flat aluminum and the edges can be somewhat sharp and over time this can be a bit annoying.

It’s not a well known modification, but it’s a fairly simple matter to remove the arm, shape the edges rounder with a smooth file, and polish them back up to mirror gloss. When re-assembling, take care with adjusting the tensioning spring so the arm isn’t locked down tightly and deflects slightly before it moves the bracket. Also, use a drop of thread-locking fluid to keep the nut from working loose off the pivot. This makes using the arm surprisingly smoother and more comfortable.