Description
Here we have a very good condition Gretsch 6119-62 Tennessee Rose walnut electric guitar with a pair of Filter‘Trons, built at the Japan Terada plant in Nagoya during October of 2001. The label showing the model and serial numbers is located under the neck pickup.
Based on the 1962 Chet Atkins Tennessean, the Gretsch 6119-62 Tennessee Rose 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.
Construction and Materials
This beautiful Gretsch Tennessee Rose 6119-62 is in very good condition, with vanishingly light wear. Tuners are closed gear Gretsch branded models, possibly by Gotoh. The pickup covers and rocking bar bridge are showing some light oxidation, 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 Indian Rosewood 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 Rocking Bar Bridge rests on an Ebony base.
The relatively short, 24.6 inch scale length make it easy to play. The scale combined with the compact body size make this a great fit for fingerstyle playing.
The electronics include a pair of Filter 'Trons, master volume and individual volumes, and three switches. The upper two switches are the pickup selector, tone switch, and a standby switch.
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 V-cut Gretsch branded 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.
Model History
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.
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There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here |
DETAILS:
- Instrument Model: 6119-62 Tennessee Rose
- Instrument Manufacturer: Gretsch
- Instrument year: 2001
- Instrument Finish: Walnut Stain Gloss
- Instrument Class: Thinline Archtop Electric Guitar
- Instrument serial number: 011011962-1631 Dated October 2001 at Terada Japan
- Country of Origin: Japan
- Instrument Condition: Very Good
- Playing Condition: Very Good
- Right-handed
- CITIES Documentation Required: Yes
- Instrument Weight Imperial: 7.7 lbs
- Instrument Weight Metric: 3.49 kgs
- Scale Length Imperial: 24.6 in
- Scale Length Metric: 625 mm
- Nut Width Imperial: 1.689 in
- Nut Width Metric: 42.91 mm
- Case included: Yes
- Case original: Yes
- Case Type: Hard Shell Arched Top
- Items in Case: Strap, Strings, Picks, Truss Rod Wrench
- Consignment: Yes
- Product ID: 190641
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There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here |