1967 Gretsch Country Gentleman Walnut with Original Gretsch Case

Summary: Here we have the excellent double cutaway Country Gentleman, Chet Atkins, featuring gold hardware, Gretsch Filtertron pickups, and “simulated” black painted F-holes. The Country Gentleman is probably best known as the guitar used by George Harrison, first seen being strummed during the Beatles first American television appearance in 1963. In fact this model became so popular thanks to Ol’ George that Gretsch could not keep up with demand and the guitar became difficult to procure for a good period of time in the mid-1960s! This particular Gretsch is in great condition besides a bit of binding rot on the body, but it plays wonderfully because the neck binding has been replaced as well as the frets, nut and bridge. Ships in its original Gretsch case with original bridge and vintage strap.

Body: The body is semi hollow mahogany with a maple top, burgundy finish, b/w/b/w binding, painted on f holes and original black leather back cover.

Neck: It has a 3 piece maple neck with an ebony finger board, Grover tuning machines, 22 frets, half-round inlays, zero nut, replacement white binding and replacement nut. It measures 1 11/16th” at the nut and has the standard Chet Atkins 24 ½” scale.

Pickups/Hardware: The pickups are the original Filtertron humbucking pickups with gold covers and all gold hardware. The first switch on the top cutaway is a 3 way pickup selector, next to it is a 3 way tone option toggle. On bottom we have a master tone for both pickups, followed by 2 individual volume knobs, a 3 way standby switch and finally a lever to engage the mute which is functioning great. Also, the Bigsby works flawlessly and stays in tune just fine. The bridge is a replacement but works great and the original is in the case.

Cosmetics: These old Gretsch guitars are known for the rotting binding, this guitar has a bit of this going on around the body and neck heel but the neck itself has been expertly rebound which feels great playing up and down the neck. The ebony fretboard is dark and beautiful but has a small blemish around the zero nut. It has new frets which feel phenomenal and have no wear on them. There are some gaps around the inlays on the fretboard, minor cracks in the pickguard around the screw, some beautiful finish checking and a small ding on the neck which isn’t very noticeable.

Playability: This guitar has been inspected, set up and restrung with 10’s by our in house guitar tech and it plays great. Since the binding on the neck has been replaced and it has new frets, it plays like a dream. The action is low, the neck is straight and the notes ring clear and pure.

Modifications: It has new frets, new neck binding, nut and a replacement bridge (the original bridge and frets are in the case).

Weight: 8 lbs, 7 oz.

Case: The case is the original, made in Brooklyn Chicago, grey Gretsch case with dark red velvet interior. The case shows a bit of wear around the edges but has all its latches, handle and is perfectly functional. The original bridge, frets, USA made leather vintage guitar strap and an old picture of our beloved Gretsch playing Beatle, Mr. George Harrison are included inside the case.