❌SOLD❌ Gretsch Tennessee Rose G6119FT Thin Body Archtop Walnut, 2006

Based on the 1962 Chet Atkins Tennessean, the Gretsch Tennessee Rose G6119 was introduced in 1995, but wasn’t a ‘Chet Atkins’ model until 2007 when Gretsch re-acquired rights to the Atkins name. Consequently, the pickguard on this example has only the words ‘Tennessee Rose’ and the Gretsch logo.

The 6119 Tennessean appeared in 1958 as a full size, single pickup archtop. In 1962, it was drastically revised with a new, thin body using the sealed ‘ElectroTone’ concept for feedback resistance. This design has faux F-holes, either painted or decals. It bore a pair of either Filter ‘Tron or HiLo ‘Tron pickups and the model was discontinued in 1980. Gretsch, then owned by Baldwin, folded in 1983 with Baldwin’s bankruptcy. Rights were sold to the Baldwin’s ex-CEO in 1984 and in 1985 Fred W. Gretsch became President of the company and production restarted in 1988. In 2002, Gretsch entered into an agreement with Fender Musical Instruments (FMIC) for production, marketing and distribution. Quality has gone up and these models are at least as good as any of the originals.

The Tennessean was very successful, due in no small part to its occasional use by the lead guitarist in an English group enjoying some popularity and hits at the time under the name ‘The Beatles’.

In 1995, the revived Gretsch company put the Tennessean back into production, but because they no longer had the rights to either the ‘Chet Atkins’ or ‘Tennessean’ names, it was renamed “Tennessee Rose”. In 2007, Gretsch under the Fender umbrella re-acquired the trademarks and the ‘Chet Atkins’ name went back onto the pick guard, but kept the “Tennessee Rose” name.

Here, we have a Gretsch Tennessee Rose G6119FT model with a pair of Filter ‘Trons – that’s the F in the model name- built at the Japan Terada plant in Nagoya during February of 2006. It’s in good condition, with light wear and one small ding in the top rear edge of the headstock. Tuners are open-gear Grover Sta-Tite models. The pickup covers and rocking bar bridge are showing some light oxidization, which make the guitar look vintage. It’s built with the laminate maple, arched top, sealed ElectroTone body. The neck is maple with a bound Ebony fingerboard, which has the NeoClassic ‘Thumbnail’ position markers. Like the 1962 model, it has a zero fret, which makes the action very even and consistent. This is a very nice guitar to play.

The relatively short, 24.6 inch scale length make it easy to play. It is currently strung with an 11-52 set, providing a good feel for fingerstyle playing. As with all the modern Gretsch models out of Japan, the build, fit and finish quality is high. The thin body is light and very comfortable, and the pickups sound great.  The combination of Bigsby and rocking bar bridge works very well, and intonation is not much of an issue.

The original Gretsch branded arched top hard shell case is included, and contains the truss rod adjustment tool.