This is a very, very rare and wonderful instrument – a 1997 Gretsch Nashville G6120 6-12 Doubleneck.
The Gretsch Nashville G6120 6-12 Doubleneck was introduced in 1997, as a new model and built in very small numbers. There isn’t a lot of demand for doublenecks in the first place. However, they are impressive on stage, and if you need one, there is no substitute!
This G6120 doubleneck was a new design for 1997 – it was not a reproduction of a vintage instrument.
The Gretsch Nashville G6120 6-12 Doubleneck remained listed until late 2002, when Fred Gretsch III reached an agreement with Fender Musical Instrument Corporation (FMIC). Some models were dropped from the catalog, including the doubleneck.
Based on the vererable 6120 design, the Gretsch Nashville G6120 6-12 Doubleneck was built in Japan at the FujiGen Terada plant, as are current Pro-line Gretsch models. It features all gold hardware – G-Arrow gold Gotoh tuning gears, gold Filter ‘Tron pickups with gold surrounds, gold plated G-Arrow knobs and switch tips, a gold 12-string G-cutout tailpiece and a gold Bigsby. The electronics are somewhat simplified, with a master volume, tone controls, a pickup selector and a neck selector switch by the Bigsby.
There is some variation in the hardware used. Some examples were shipped with a single-roller Gretsch-branded B6G Bigsby, and others as seen here, with a double-roller B7G Bigsby; this is screwed to the top and has riser supports to reduce the string break angle from the saddle to the foward roller.
The body is based on, though obviously different from, the 6120 design and the ElectroTone concept. It’s 17 inches wide and 2.75 inches deep. The scale is 25.5 inches, and the two necks are maple with ebony fingerboards, finished with flame maple headplates and mother of pearl ‘neo-classic’ position markers. The ElectroTone body is an attempt at feedback reduction – Gretsch was resistant to solid center blocks, so instead the F-holes were sealed (and are paint or decals). On this version, there is also no rear access plate, so all the electronics are mounted via the pickup cavities.
The classic Gretsch orange finish is in excellent condition with very little wear.
Overall, this highly unusual guitar is in very good condition with only minor wear, and in good playing condition. The original shaped, Gretsch-branded case is included.
REFERENCE:
The Gretsch 6120, The History of a Legendary Guitar, by Edward Ball, 2010.
Serial Number: N/A. Introduced in 1997, a few were made, and discontinued by Fender in late 2002. Built at the FujiGen Terada plant in Nagoya, Japan, as with current Pro-Line Gretsch models.
Pricing: $3,199.99 Canadian with the original Gretsch-branded, oxblood colour shaped case included. SOLD
Status: SOLD
