Gretsch Introduces 6120 Duane Eddy Electric Guitar

July 11, 1997 -- Forty years after Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Duane Eddy purchased his first Gretsch guitar in Phoenix, the Gretsch Duane Eddy 6120 electric guitars are being introduced by Fred Gretsch Enterprises. Two Duane Eddy models are faithful reproductions of Duane's classic 1957 6120.

"My '57 red Gretsch has been part of the Duane Eddy sound since the day I got it," explained Duane. "I still have that guitar and it's still my #1 instrument. We have worked hard to make sure that these new guitars are as close as we can get to that old classic."

The Gretsch Duane Eddy 6120 incorporates many of the design features of the early Gretsch 6120 models. Single coil DynaSonic^TM pickups provide a sharp, clear tone and are identical to the guitar's original DeArmond pickups. Even the Bigsby tailpiece is authentic to the era, bringing back a Bigsby handle not available since the 1950's.

"We are delighted to have a Gretsch guitar with Duane's name and stamp of approval on it. It has been a long time coming and we are thrilled," stated Fred Gretsch, president of Fred Gretsch Enterprises. "We are very selective with the artists we work with at Gretsch. An artist must have a longtime visibility with a brand for an artist instrument to be viable. With Duane, forty years of playing Gretsch makes the Duane Eddy model a natural."

Two distinctive finishes will be available for this guitar. A new Gretsch finish, Ebony Burst, has a gray to black tone which highlights the guitar's mix of gold and silver hardware. Of course, it will also be available in Gretsch Orange, just as Duane purchased 40 years ago.

The Duane Eddy 6120 also has an ebony fingerboard with humped-block inlay, headstock with the Gretsch horseshoe logo, and brass nut. Electronics include two DynaSonic^TM pickups, pickup selector switch, master volume and tone controls, individual pickup volume controls. The guitar's body is 16" wide and 3" deep. The Gretsch Duane Eddy models G6120-DE (ebony burst) and G6120-DEO (orange finish) will be available September, 1997 with a suggested retail price of $3500.

Specifications

Body: Wood: Laminated maple top and back, bound with white/black purfling and f-holes. Sides: Laminated (7 ply) maple. Finishes: Gretsch Orange and Ebony Burst, urethane. Hardware: Gold-plated brass knobs, switches, strap knobs. Pickups: Two gold-plated DynaSonic^TM pickups. Electronics: Master volume; two pickup volume; master tone; pickup selection switch. Bridge: Space control bridge. Tailpiece: Bigsby vibrato with flat bar. Size: 16" wide, 3" deep. Single cutaway.

Neck Scale: 24 1/2".
Joint: Set in body. Joins body at 14th fret.
Wood: Rock maple.
Fingerboard: Bound ebony with humped block markers.
Frets: 22 Nickel silver.
Nut: Brass.
Tuners: Gold-plated enclosed high gear ratio.
Headstock: Horseshoe, engraved truss rod cover.
Other: Adjustable truss rod. Gold name plate with serial number.

Models: G6120-DE (ebony burst) and G6120-DEO (Gretsch orange).

For more information, visit their web site at www.gretsch.com.