GRETSCH CHET ATKINS TENNESSEAN MODEL 6119/7655 Description
- single round cutaway hollow maple body, double-bound arched top, two open f-holes, single-bound back, maple neck, 22-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl thumbnail inlay, plain headstock with three-per-side tuners, adj. bar bridge, Bigsby vibrato tailpiece, single exposed Filter'Tron pickup, raised black pickguard with Chet Atkins' signpost signature/logo, single volume knob on upper treble bout, single three-way tone switch on upper bass bout, chrome hardware, available in Cherry, Dark Cherry Stain, Mahogany, or Walnut finish, 16 in. body width, 2-2.25 in. body depth, 24.5 in. scale, mfg. 1958-1980.
In 1959, a zero fret was introduced. In late 1959, a Gretsch/Bigsby vibrato tailpiece was introduced. In 1961, a solid maple top with painted-on f-holes, a gray pickguard with logo, a bound rosewood fingerboard, tuners with plastic buttons two Hi-Lo'Tron exposed pickup, two knobs on the lower treble bout, one knob on the upper treble bout, and two switches on the upper bass bout were introduced. In 1962, Chet Atkins signature was applied to the pickguard, a standby switch on the lower treble bout was added, and the finish appeared more red. In 1963, painted bound f-holes and a padded back were added. In 1964, a peghead nameplate became available. In 1967, a dark stain finish that was the same throughout the guitar was introduced. In 1970, open f-holes were introduced and a Dark Cherry Stain finish became available. In 1971, this model was renumbered 7655. In 1972, an adjustamatic bridge replaced the bar bridge, and the peghead nameplate was removed.