Gretsch 7660 Chet Atkins Nashville Amber Red 1972

The Gretsch 7660 Nashville is the early 1970s continuation of the famous 6120 Chet Atkins model, originally introduced in 1955. The Nashville name was adopted during the 1960s, and in 1972 the model was renumbered 7660 under Baldwin ownership. These early 1970s examples feature several changes to construction and hardware, but retain much of the original 6120 character-

This 1972 example features the Amber Red finish, a double-cutaway laminated maple hollow body with open F-holes, and two original Filter’Tron humbucking pickups. The maple neck has a bound ebony fingerboard with Gretsch’s characteristic Neo-Classic thumbnail inlays and a 622 mm scale length.

The guitar har several distinctive features of the period, including the Gretsch-branded Bigsby vibrato, Chet Atkins Nashville pickguard, metal headstock plaque, and padded back.

This example has had a Tune-o-matic bridge added, but is otherwise all original. The guitar plays well with great acoustic volume.

Overall condition is good, with just standard minor playwear. There is some typical Gretsch binding rot, but it is relatively limited and is stable. Weight is 3600 g. Includes non-original hardshell case.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Brand: Gretsch
• Model: 7660 Chet Atkins Nashville
• Year: 1972
• Country of manufacture: USA
• Finish: Amber Red
• Body type: Hollowbody, double cutaway
• Body construction: Laminated maple
• Top: Arched laminated maple
• Back: Arched laminated maple
• Sides: Laminated maple
• Body width: Approximately 406 mm (16″)
• Body depth: Approximately 64 mm (2.5″)
• Sound holes: Two open F-holes
• Internal construction: Sound-post bracing
• Neck: Three-piece maple
• Neck joint: Set neck
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Scale length: 622 mm (24.5″)
• Frets: 22 plus zero fret
• Fingerboard inlays: Neo-Classic thumbnail inlays
• Binding: Multi-ply body binding, bound neck and headstock
• Headstock: Black face with Gretsch logo and original Chet Atkins Nashville metal plaque
• Truss rod: Adjustable, Burns gearbox mechanism with access at neck heel
• Neck pickup: Original Gretsch Filter’Tron humbucker
• Bridge pickup: Original Gretsch Filter’Tron humbucker
• Pickup configuration: HH
• Controls: Master volume, individual neck and bridge pickup volumes
• Pickup selector: Three-position toggle switch
• Tone controls: Three-position tone switch
• Additional switching: Standby switch
• Bridge: Replacement Tune-o-matic on wooden base
• Tailpiece: Original Gretsch-branded Bigsby vibrato
• Tuners: Original enclosed tuning machines, 3 per side
• Pickguard: Original Chet Atkins Nashville signature pickguard
• Hardware: Original hardware apart from bridge
• Back pad: Original black padded back
• Originality: All original except replacement bridge
• Condition: Minor playwear, limited and stable binding deterioration
• Weight: 3600 g
• Case: Non-original hardshell case