Gretsch Model 6119 Chet Atkins Tennessean Model Arch Top Hollow Body Electric Guitar, c. 1961, made in Brooklyn, NY, red/orange lacquer finish, laminated maple body and neck.

A very late example of the first version of the Chet Atkins Model 6119 Tennessean, made shortly before the model specs changed to a closed-body two-pickup guitar with Hi-lo'tron pickup's. The 6119 was the least expensive guitar in the Atkins line but still a fairly pricey instrument in 1961 at $325.00. This is a full hollowbody guitar with soundpost bracing, a single patent no. Filtertron in the rear position and a Gretsch Bigsby tailpiece, but the body at 2 1/4" is somewhat thinner than the 1950's versions. This 6119 has a triple bound body, unbound neck and F-holes with a still-vibrant "he-man Western Orange" finish. Very simple wiring rig with a master volume on the cutaway bout and tone switch on the upper bout.

This is essentially a single-pickup 6120, with the same feeling and sound, just without the neck pickup. We like to think of these as the "Chet Atkins' Esquire' and find them to be a great sounding Gretsch-far more useful with the single pickup at the bridge than the more common fingerboard placement- as well as something of a rarity, at least compared to later 1960's Tennesseans.
 
Overall length is 42 3/8 in. (107.6 cm.), 15 1/2 in. (39.4 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.). Quite clean overall; finish has only minor dings and playwear. All original finish and hardware; original signpost pickguard has a repaired crack through the center. Recent pro neckset (very clean job) with a great break angle over the bridge. This is one of the nicest playing period Gretsch guitars we have ever had and a fabulous twang machine. Excellent Condition.