By 1963 Gretsch were hailing the Chet Atkins Country Gent as “the most desired guitar in the world.” The Beatles were on their way to being all-conquering across the face of the planet and every aspiring player wanted the guitars and basses the band was using to deliver hit after hit after hit. As the face of Gretsch guitars, Chet Atkins was already one of the biggest names in the business, as both a solo artist and as one of the most in-demand session players in America. When George Harrison acquired his first Country Gentleman, Gretsch sales went through the roof. 53 years later, the 1963 George Harrison specifications Country Gent is one of the world’s most sought after vintage instruments.
Built for the serious player
With its big, 17” Maple thinline hollow body, twin Filter’Tron pickups and Chet’s numerous requested switching and control features, this is a guitar built for the serious player – the player chasing the tones that propelled countless singles and albums to the top of the charts throughout the sixties and seventies and beyond.
No expense spared
Originally a single cutaway model, Gretsch redesigned the Country Gentleman as a double cutaway model at the end of 1961 – at Chet’s insistence – also adding the twin string mutes, (called “mufflers” in the catalogues) and the padded back pad. The Country Gentleman was the top model in the Chet Atkins range, with no expense spared in ensuring it was a guitar that any professional musician would want to own.
24 carat gold plated
From its lovely Mahogany stained Maple body to the gold plated Country Gentleman nameplate on the headstock, (all the hardware is 24 carat gold plated), if guitars had their equivalent of exclusive men’s clubs, the Country Gent would be right in there with the velvet drapes, the smoking jackets, the deep comfy chairs and the single-malt Scotch in crystal glassware.
Near museum quality
In near museum quality, the guitar spent over twenty years, from the mid-seventies, untouched in its case, overlooked in a US music store. (The case is in matching, quite amazing condition) Possibly related to how it was stored, the bass-side binding is noticeably whiter than that on the opposite side. This is not any sort of issue, we just mention it in the interests of full disclosure. (Likewise that the original brass nut has been replaced at some time with an aluminium or possibly steel nut, plus a small knot hole, just below the pickguard, seems to have been plugged, almost invisibly, prior to the guitar leaving the factory)
Fifth week of ’63
Featuring a fabulous rounded ‘C’-profile neck; the Chet Atkins’ signature mother-of-pearl thumbnail inlays down the side of the bound Ebony fingerboard; zero fret; a near-flat 12” radius; and “fretless wonder”-style frets, our Country Gent plays as smooth and easy as the day it left the factory back in 1963. (For those keeping score at home, the pots are dated the fifth week of ’63)
Famous sound
Gretsch-stamped Bigsby; Chet’s requested metal-saddled Ebony bridge*; classy Grover Imperial tuners; separate volume controls on the lower bout, (along with standby switch); master volume control on the lower horn; pickup selector and tone control on the upper horn. It’s comprehensively a top-flight, player’s package. And note that that tone switch was a Gretsch/Chet Atkins exclusive feature, which played a big part in giving the Country Gent its famous sound – as were the painted f-holes, designed to eliminate feedback.
Endless thrills
It was an absolute thrill playing and recording our soundfile for this extraordinary guitar! You will have endless thrills from the enjoyment of owning and playing it over the coming years.
Free courier delivery
As noted above, the Country Gent comes in its original Gretsch hard shell case, in matching fantastic condition. Inside the case you will find the original hangtag, cleaning cloth & care instructions and Gretsch leather strap, (all shown in pic # 7) FREE COURIER DELIVERY is included to any address in Australia. ($100 airfreight to New Zealand, $175 to the US, Canada, UK and mainstream European countries. International freight added at checkout. International delivery time averages around 4 days)
*An all Rosewood bridge can bring subtle tonal nuances to the sound of these guitars. We will include a premium, compensated Rosewood bridge in the case for you to experiment with.
Weight: 7lb 15oz / 3.6kg
Just Guitars
