1955 Gretsch 6120 Chet Atkins

Second-year 6120 retaining the full western motif package — steer skulls, cactus, and DynaSonic pickups. Still firmly in the Brooklyn factory's earliest production run.

Current Market Value

Excellent
$28,000$55,000
Very Good
$18,000$28,000
Good
$11,000$18,000
Fair
$5,500$11,000

* Prices are estimates based on recent market data. Actual value depends on originality, condition, and provenance. Pricing methodology

Specifications

Body WoodMaple (hollow body)
Neck WoodMaple
FingerboardEbony
Scale Length25.500"
Frets21
Pickup ConfigHH
BridgeBar bridge, Bigsby B6
TunersGrover Imperial
Finish OptionsWestern Orange
Est. Production300

Pickups & Electronics

Two DeArmond DynaSonic single-coil pickups. Bright, clean tone with excellent note definition.

What Changed in 1955

Second year of the 6120. Steer skull inlays and cactus motifs still present on most examples. DynaSonic pickups. The western theme was fully intact — Chet Atkins was at the peak of his endorsement involvement.

Collector's Notes

1955 examples should still have western motifs. DynaSonic pickups are the correct specification. Bigsby B6 tailpiece should be original. These are among the rarest 6120 year-runs.