I got mine new in January’67 and she’s just as beautiful now as it was when i got it! I’m hoping one of my kids carry it on for another 50 years ! 👍🙋♂️🖖🏻
Great video. George actually bought his Rickenbacker 50 miles north of my hometown in southern Illinois of all places. His sister lived there for many years. Just a fun fact...keep the great videos coming!
Well, "his" Rickenbacker was the 13th month 1963 Rickenbacker 360 12 string. Second one ever made by Rickenbacker, given to him by Mr. Hall owner of Rickenbacker in New York. The one George bought in Illinois was a student model 425. A solid body 6 string with a single pickup in Fireglo I believe, which he had painted black and a second pickup added. He used it on the British show Ready, Steady, Go!
Interesting & informative video. I have a 1963 6119 Tennessean, purchased from a church in Maryland who bought it new in 63 for members of the congregation to play, it stayed in the church until 2018 when I bought it. The guitar couldnt have been used much as its in excellent condition, although the case was obviously not its original, somebody swapped it for a badly beaten Gretsch case of the same year. I have since restored the case, top and bottom had come away, requiring lots'a patience and sectional re glueing, the interior was in good condition. I had a Country Gent some years ago. The scratch plate has the Chet Atkins name and the Tennessean Logo embossed. Thanks very much for the video well said and presented. Martini from Down Under.
Superb guitar! And what a great, detailed presentation you did. I want a Gretch. It would (will ;-) ) be my 1st electric. It's about time. Aiming toward a Country Gentleman that is available at a store very (too) close to where I live. Thank you!!!
Thanks for showing us that beautiful piece of perfection ! Wish they were still made with that level of love and pride ! Lucky guy to get to play that gem !
I have a Tenny! - with all of those features. Mine’s in the darker finish, though the lighter wood looks Very Attractive. It’s my ‘go to’ guitar, and probably my ‘desert island’ guitar if I could only have one. Thanks for the review!
I have a 1972 Baldwin era Gretsch 6119, they changed the model number to 7655 if I remember right. It's s very much the same guitar except they put real sound holes in it and the truss rod adjustment moved locations. Burgundy in color, just beautiful. Its by far the best plaing guitar I've ever played and i would never part with it of my own free will. Gretch still makes the 6119, I think they call it the Tennessee Rose now. The Japanese ones are known to be very well made. I really enjoyed your video on this beautiful guitar.
Baldwin bought Gretsch on July 31st, 1967, and kept the production in Brooklyn until the Booneville Arkansa move in 1970. They are of similar quality until '71ish, then Baldwin made the Super Chet in '72, an awesome quitar. After the 2 fires that gutted the factory in 1973 it all slid downhill after they had to retool from new wood bucks, this when all the shapes, thicknesses, and electronics changed. I guess the 77-78 Super Axe was OK but Baldwin drove them into obscurity and shut down in 1981. They held in to it until 1985 but the damage was done. When the Gretsch family and Fender got Randy Bachman to allow his collection to be used to make new templates is when Gretsch was officially back. The high quality mark begins around 2004-05 and after, with recent years being the ultimate versions of our old favorites with much better build quality and the introduction of TV Jones in custom models. The last 5 years has shown remarkable reinvention of classic Gretsch pickups and wiring with the mud switch finally being redesigned. 👍
While you had the stings off, it would have been nice to get the neck thickness at the 1st and 12th fret, also some comments on the neck profile compared to more well known guitars. But well done, thanks
Very nice example of a vintage Gretsch.😍 What was that extra piece of gray wire on the underside of the pickups?? For the life of me I just can't see how they assemble the wiring harness and install into these. I was picturing the pickup cavity to be bigger on the bridge pup. With 2 almost humbucker sized routes yah I can see it. It would be a pain but I can picture it but with that small route ( much smaller than the neck) i would find it much more difficult. I know some older Gretsch guitars have plastic clips to connect the harness but I didn't see it on this one. I also wonder if they (the factory) have specialized tools aside from the rubber tubing?? That go's for all of them Gibson, Guild, etc....
Hi, beautiful, I have one made in Japan, what strings did you fit, from the video I can't see are they Flatwound like the ones Harrison used? Thank you
That is a beautiful guitar! I've been mooning over one of the new cheaper Gretsch guitars and that rerelease of the Epiphone Casino for a while. This thing is amazing. Those pickups are interesting. I'm going to have to look into the construction of those. Thank for the video. It's definitely one of my favorite guitars you have featured.
A couple of lovely guitars you’re deciding between, and both steeped in Beatles heritage. Have fun deciding, and please let us know which way you go. Exciting time for you!
I have a 64 6119 in Burgandy similar condition. Always wondered why the binding and neck joint was so intact. I think you answered it! That guitar was probably gently used and not stored in the case. The celluloid they used back in the day made things worse when it was trapped in a case and unable to off gas. Since it only had one owner, any chance they have some insight into my theory. Im afraid to store it in the case or hang it due to its age. Maybe overthinking it. I feel they are undervalued and underrated. Compared to a strat or lp of that era, only a fraction of the value SMH. Thanks for the post
I have a left handed Japanese high-end factory version in Burgundy. It's a wonderful instrument, but the pickups they installed at the factory are made with ceramic pole pieces, which deliver a rather brittle and sterile sound, unlike the warmer original stock versions. I am dropping a pair of TV Jones TV-HT pickups. Have no illusions; these upgraded pickups live up the the originals and surpass them! Hilton Valentine recorded "House of the Rising Sun" on this one, and Gerry Marsden used one, "Hanky Many" was recorded on a Tennessean. This model was made famous by George Harrison, but it has been a well-loved if not unique Gretsch, for iytsthinnerbody, single-coils, and simplicity.
George played a 1963, the 62, which I own, does not have the stand by switch. Also, the body on the ‘62 is wider. His guitar was lost and presumed stolen.
Nice guitar but not the same as George's. George bought his walnut 1962 6122 at Sound City in London in 1963. When he later took it in for repair, they gave him a '63 model, which he preferred and kept, and that was the guitar he played on She Loves You, the With The Beatles album, the Ed Sullivan Show, the Royal Command Performance and at Shea Stadium. He kept the '62 as a backup. It was the '62 that fell off the luggage rack on their car and was smashed to bits on the way to Scotland on 2 December 1965. He owned and kept the '63 until he died.
The Country Gents were all painted. Chet didn't like feedback so he had them deleted. It's similar when Chet went to Gibson, BB King loved the idea as well. Their styles don't lend well to the open airyness of the hollowbody. I have a tendency to wedge foam into the f-holes when I need clean in both Gretsch and Gibsons I have, unless I'm isolated from my amp... which I hate.
I know this is a year old, but please don't get into the habit of removing all the strings for more than it takes to condition the neck and restring. True hollowbodies, like very nice acoustic guitars, rely on the string tension to keep things together and in proper alignment. Being that old, there's a real chance of the top rebounding in ways that will scare the living hell out of you. Then there's the fact that the old Gretsch's had so many pieces they would separate without proper temperature control and humidity control. Beautiful guitar though. It doesn't look like the owner ever sweated on the pickups as many Gretsches I've opened up look absolutely cruddy with gunk and dead skin goopies. 🤢 Skin acid tears the hell out of working guitars and hollowbodies are extra prone to this unless you have a guitar tech that's a Gretsch/Gibson/Silvertone fanatic. Thanks for this video, the general public hardly ever sees inside these anymore.
![5 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT GEORGE HARRISON'S GRETSCH TENNESSEAN + Tone Demo [4K]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/gw_9sXph6dM/mqdefault.jpg)
I got mine new in January’67 and she’s just as beautiful now as it was when i got it! I’m hoping one of my kids carry it on for another 50 years ! 👍🙋♂️🖖🏻
George Harrison's Tennessean had white outline on the painted f - holes. But yes, a beautiful instrument and great video.
Great video. George actually bought his Rickenbacker 50 miles north of my hometown in southern Illinois of all places. His sister lived there for many years. Just a fun fact...keep the great videos coming!
Very interesting! Didn’t know that!😃
Well, "his" Rickenbacker was the 13th month 1963 Rickenbacker 360 12 string. Second one ever made by Rickenbacker, given to him by Mr. Hall owner of Rickenbacker in New York. The one George bought in Illinois was a student model 425. A solid body 6 string with a single pickup in Fireglo I believe, which he had painted black and a second pickup added. He used it on the British show Ready, Steady, Go!
Just beautiful. And it sounded great as well. Thanks for the video.
Interesting & informative video. I have a 1963 6119 Tennessean, purchased from a church in Maryland who bought it new in 63 for members of the congregation to play, it stayed in the church until 2018 when I bought it. The guitar couldnt have been used much as its in excellent condition, although the case was obviously not its original, somebody swapped it for a badly beaten Gretsch case of the same year. I have since restored the case, top and bottom had come away, requiring lots'a patience and sectional re glueing, the interior was in good condition. I had a Country Gent some years ago. The scratch plate has the Chet Atkins name and the Tennessean Logo embossed. Thanks very much for the video well said and presented. Martini from Down Under.
I've always been interested in Gretsch guitars and even more so in Les Pauls. Gorgeous guitars! Keep up the good work!
Just beautiful!
Superb guitar! And what a great, detailed presentation you did. I want a Gretch. It would (will ;-) ) be my 1st electric. It's about time. Aiming toward a Country Gentleman that is available at a store very (too) close to where I live.
Thank you!!!
Thanks for showing us that beautiful piece of perfection ! Wish they were still made with that level of love and pride ! Lucky guy to get to play that gem !
I have a Tenny! - with all of those features. Mine’s in the darker finish, though the lighter wood looks Very Attractive. It’s my ‘go to’ guitar, and probably my ‘desert island’ guitar if I could only have one. Thanks for the review!
I have a 1972 Baldwin era Gretsch 6119, they changed the model number to 7655 if I remember right.
It's s very much the same guitar except they put real sound holes in it and the truss rod adjustment moved locations. Burgundy in color, just beautiful.
Its by far the best plaing guitar I've ever played and i would never part with it of my own free will.
Gretch still makes the 6119, I think they call it the Tennessee Rose now. The Japanese ones are known to be very well made.
I really enjoyed your video on this beautiful guitar.
I’ve read that the Arkansas factory didn’t begin production until 1970. That would make a 1967 Brooklyn made.
Baldwin bought Gretsch on July 31st, 1967, and kept the production in Brooklyn until the Booneville Arkansa move in 1970. They are of similar quality until '71ish, then Baldwin made the Super Chet in '72, an awesome quitar. After the 2 fires that gutted the factory in 1973 it all slid downhill after they had to retool from new wood bucks, this when all the shapes, thicknesses, and electronics changed. I guess the 77-78 Super Axe was OK but Baldwin drove them into obscurity and shut down in 1981. They held in to it until 1985 but the damage was done. When the Gretsch family and Fender got Randy Bachman to allow his collection to be used to make new templates is when Gretsch was officially back. The high quality mark begins around 2004-05 and after, with recent years being the ultimate versions of our old favorites with much better build quality and the introduction of TV Jones in custom models. The last 5 years has shown remarkable reinvention of classic Gretsch pickups and wiring with the mud switch finally being redesigned. 👍
In the right hands these are amazing specimens….in the wrong hands…myeh…. Love these videos!
While you had the stings off, it would have been nice to get the neck thickness at the 1st and 12th fret, also some comments on the neck profile compared to more well known guitars. But well done, thanks
Very nice example of a vintage Gretsch.😍
What was that extra piece of gray wire on the underside of the pickups??
For the life of me I just can't see how they assemble the wiring harness and install into these. I was picturing the pickup cavity to be bigger on the bridge pup. With 2 almost humbucker sized routes yah I can see it. It would be a pain but I can picture it but with that small route ( much smaller than the neck) i would find it much more difficult. I know some older Gretsch guitars have plastic clips to connect the harness but I didn't see it on this one. I also wonder if they (the factory) have specialized tools aside from the rubber tubing?? That go's for all of them Gibson, Guild, etc....
Fantastic condition. Nice find.
Hi, beautiful, I have one made in Japan, what strings did you fit, from the video I can't see are they Flatwound like the ones Harrison used? Thank you
The Tennessean that Ringo sold (which was given to him by Olivia and Dhani) was not George's Tennessean - George's original was stolen.
It was actually the guitar that was destroyed on the F-5 Motorway in 1965
That is a beautiful guitar! I've been mooning over one of the new cheaper Gretsch guitars and that rerelease of the Epiphone Casino for a while. This thing is amazing. Those pickups are interesting. I'm going to have to look into the construction of those. Thank for the video. It's definitely one of my favorite guitars you have featured.
A couple of lovely guitars you’re deciding between, and both steeped in Beatles heritage. Have fun deciding, and please let us know which way you go. Exciting time for you!
Great guitar! I think George’s was darker, almost burgundy?
Beautiful guitar
Did the Harrison estate buy back George's Tennessean ?
How did George's Tennessean leave his possession in the first place?
what is the color? i’ve seen variations of this color but don’t remember what they called it. Work of art and sound. 🎧
I have a 64 6119 in Burgandy similar condition. Always wondered why the binding and neck joint was so intact. I think you answered it! That guitar was probably gently used and not stored in the case. The celluloid they used back in the day made things worse when it was trapped in a case and unable to off gas. Since it only had one owner, any chance they have some insight into my theory. Im afraid to store it in the case or hang it due to its age. Maybe overthinking it. I feel they are undervalued and underrated. Compared to a strat or lp of that era, only a fraction of the value SMH. Thanks for the post
I have a left handed Japanese high-end factory version in Burgundy. It's a wonderful instrument, but the pickups they installed at the factory are made with ceramic pole pieces, which deliver a rather brittle and sterile sound, unlike the warmer original stock versions. I am dropping a pair of TV Jones TV-HT pickups. Have no illusions; these upgraded pickups live up the the originals and surpass them! Hilton Valentine recorded "House of the Rising Sun" on this one, and Gerry Marsden used one, "Hanky Many" was recorded on a Tennessean. This model was made famous by George Harrison, but it has been a well-loved if not unique Gretsch, for iytsthinnerbody, single-coils, and simplicity.
Sounds good, dude! 👍
George played a 1963, the 62, which I own, does not have the stand by switch. Also, the body on the ‘62 is wider. His guitar was lost and presumed stolen.
Nice guitar but not the same as George's. George bought his walnut 1962 6122 at Sound City in London in 1963. When he later took it in for repair, they gave him a '63 model, which he preferred and kept, and that was the guitar he played on She Loves You, the With The Beatles album, the Ed Sullivan Show, the Royal Command Performance and at Shea Stadium. He kept the '62 as a backup. It was the '62 that fell off the luggage rack on their car and was smashed to bits on the way to Scotland on 2 December 1965. He owned and kept the '63 until he died.
Happy thanksgiving 🦃
I want to win the guitar!
I think it is a 1961 based on the serial #.
I appreciate it, thanks for watching!
Never knew those f holes were painted, lol
The Country Gents were all painted. Chet didn't like feedback so he had them deleted. It's similar when Chet went to Gibson, BB King loved the idea as well. Their styles don't lend well to the open airyness of the hollowbody. I have a tendency to wedge foam into the f-holes when I need clean in both Gretsch and Gibsons I have, unless I'm isolated from my amp... which I hate.
I know this is a year old, but please don't get into the habit of removing all the strings for more than it takes to condition the neck and restring. True hollowbodies, like very nice acoustic guitars, rely on the string tension to keep things together and in proper alignment. Being that old, there's a real chance of the top rebounding in ways that will scare the living hell out of you. Then there's the fact that the old Gretsch's had so many pieces they would separate without proper temperature control and humidity control. Beautiful guitar though. It doesn't look like the owner ever sweated on the pickups as many Gretsches I've opened up look absolutely cruddy with gunk and dead skin goopies. 🤢 Skin acid tears the hell out of working guitars and hollowbodies are extra prone to this unless you have a guitar tech that's a Gretsch/Gibson/Silvertone fanatic. Thanks for this video, the general public hardly ever sees inside these anymore.
Harrison's was a 1963 model.
Like everything but the painted F-holes.
chet atkins played gretsches way before george. early 50's
This camera angle is just so disconcerting.
Looks nice but...sorry..that guitar sounded like elevator musak.