Gretsch Chet Atkins Country Rock 1978

The Gretsch Chet Atkins Country Rock belongs to the later 1970s Baldwin-era Gretsch line, where the company was moving beyond its classic hollowbody designs and offering more solidbody and rock-oriented models. It kept several recognisable Gretsch details, including the branded pickguard, headstock shape, gold hardware and Chet Atkins association, but with a more compact single-cut body, dual humbuckers and a practical control layout aimed at the heavier stage and studio use of the period.

This 1978 example has a very striking dark stained finish that shows the figuring and grain through the top, giving it a very distinctive and classy look compared with many more standard 1970s solidbodies. Frts are low-ish but it plays really great, with a strong acoustic voice as well. The guitar is in fantastic condition for a nearly 50-year-old instrument, with only minor playwear.

The gold plating on the hardware is in excellent condition, though the gold plating finish on the pickups and tuners may have been polished back at some point. Two pots have been changed, with the originals included in the case. Weight is 4200g. Comes with a non-original case.

SPECIFICATIONS

Model: Gretsch Chet Atkins Country Rock
Year: 1978
Country of manufacture: USA
Era: Baldwin-era Gretsch production
Body style: single-cut solidbody
Body construction: chambered/solidbody-style construction typical of the model
Finish: dark stained natural finish
Binding: multi-ply body binding
Neck: set neck
Neck material: maple
Fingerboard: ebony
Fingerboard inlays: pearloid block inlays
Scale length: 625 mm
Nut width: approx. 43 mm
Frets: lowish original-style frets
Headstock: bound Gretsch headstock with model plaque
Pickups: two Gretsch humbucking pickups
Controls: individual pickup volume controls, master volume, master tone
Switching: 3-way pickup selector
Bridge: adjustable Gretsch bridge
Tailpiece: Gretsch fixed tailpiece/string-through bridge assembly
Tuners: sealed-back tuners
Pickguard: gold Gretsch Chet Atkins pickguard
Weight: 4200g
Case: non-original case included