Description
Rare as all get out Gretsch Chet Atkins, Country Gentleman. How many did they make? I have no idea, and neither do they I imagine after a fire ripped through their plant in Arkansas, destroying production records...but lets just say, lefty ones of these are almost in the 'find another' category. Replete with the Gretsch Bigsby..with regular arm on it. Most of the examples of this model I have seen are right handed with a wire arm Bigs...but it stands to reason that it was easier to get a flat arm for a left hander, rather than have to tool a wire arm. Quality on these Baldwin era Gretsches did not drop in my opinion...perhaps in this era Gretsch were more prone to attempt new 'non traditional' models which may be where the perception is that the quality dropped, but to my ears and eyes, this guitar is up with the build of at least Gretsch's 60s output. This guitar still has the 3 aluminium control knobs, original switches and original internal white wiring that looks like it was stolen out of the walls in your home in the 1970s...if you have seen it you'll know what I mean. The guitar has had a refret at some point..and there is still plenty of life left in what it is running currently. All in all, has oodles and oodles of that Great Gretsch Sound in it...just as long as you are a southpaw. Made in the USA. 5-7145 Weight: 3.60kgs