NVGD : 1968 Gretsch 6119 Tennessean

[Telliot]

Welp. I didn’t need it, but I’ve wanted one for years and I found one at a good price and pounced on it.

This one came with a Bigsby B12, generic repro pickguard, and roller TOM bridge. I’ve swapped the Bigsby out for the proper B6 and will eventually put a Duane Eddy arm/Callaham 360° pedestal on it, and I’ve ordered a chambered brass Compton; I’ve also found a company who makes NOS Tennessean pickguards, but that’s a lower priority. It’s got some of the typical bind rot you see in this era, but apart from the heel, it’s not too bad.

It’s definitely Player Grade, but the wear marks tell me someone played the shit out of it in its past life, and I can see why. It sounds great and feels like a pair of worn-in shoes; just fantastic.

Gotta go get my George on!

[Steadyriot.]

Congrats! I always loved the look of the Tennesean.

How do you like the Hilotrons?

[MattK]

What a gorgeous hunk of wood! Superb patina etc. but I’d expect nothing less from your selections.

[Flurko]

Those are among the Gretsches that will always look "perfect" to me, every detail seems thought out, the color is great, etc.
Nice way to start the year !

[Fiddy]

Telliot’s gotta be the 5th beatle!

Congrats, that's a hell of a guitar right there.

[Nudger]

Very nice!

Digging choice of upgrades, big Compton fan. Tried ally and steel but brass chambered is my fave.

[zhivago]

Wow!

Very cool guitar, Todd!!! Nothing like an old Gretsch!!

[Telliot]

Thanks, all!

How do you like the Hilotrons?

This is my first guitar with Hilotrons and after I adjusted them to be closer to the strings and balanced the two pickups against each other it really came to life. I'll need to learn how to EQ this thing because it's very different from my Tele or JM, but I like that it has its own voice. I also fully expect the brass Compton to mellow it out some, so I’m waiting for that bit of the equation to get sorted before making any final judgements.

[OffYourFace]

nice one! where did you find it? there's an beat-up single anny near me that i've wanted to buy forever that has an ebony board. It would be the best poor man's 6120

[Telliot]

I found this one on Reverb from a shop in SC.

[i love sharin foo]

Awesome guitar! It’s always a relief when you find an old Gretsch that plays really well and doesn’t need a neck reset. I have a 6119 but mine is a ‘60 with the single cutaway and single bridge pickup. The back the neck has a ton of finish wear and it’s even had a refret. I figured the odds of it being a good one were high based on that (I bought mine online too). It was great and my hunch paid off. I’ve had it a decade now and love it. I had a ‘64 Double Anniversary once that looked and sounded great, but it badly needed a neck reset. Also had a ‘68 Streamliner which was really neat. Sounded nice too. I sold it to buy the Anniversary

[mediocreplayer]

Is this the first NGD of the year on OSG? This will be difficult to top! What an incredible looking guitar. Maybe it's the modern lens but George's guitar never looked that good.

Congrats! Looking forward to hearing it on new songs!

[Shadoweclipse13]

Oh my I've never been the type who believes that a guitar needs to be vintage, but damn... that wood grain/wood top *looks* worn and loved and vintage, and is absolutely gorgeous. The look of that is something I don't believe a new guitar could replicate. What a beautiful guitar Todd

[PorkyPrimeCut]

Pretty much the perfect large body Gretsch. Absolutely gorgeous!!

[BoringPostcards]

Beautiful guitar right there.