Built between 1954 in 1966 for its first run, the original 6120 Chet Atkins was all cowboy in terms of styling. From the famous "G" brand to the cactus etchings and cows heads, this guitar was the country-western players dream come true. Add in the choice between Sunset Orange and Amber Red finishes and you had a great looking instrument. But the 6120 wasn't all about looks. It carried a great sound and pretty easy action for the day.

The first 6120 Chet Atkins models featured two DeArmond single-coil pickups controlled by three volume knobs, a tone knob, and a pickup selector switch. The controls and circuitry were by no means fancy, but with some creative amp setups a good guitarist could do extraordinary things with it. Both the body and neck were laminated maple while the fret board, complete with thumb print inlays, featured a rosewood fretboard. The single cutaway body was finished off with a Bigsby Vibrato and over-sized Chet Atkins's signature pickguard.

The 6120 Chet Atkins underwent several changes before it became the Nashville in 1966. At that time Mr. Atkins pulled his endorsement because Baldwin, Gretsch's new owner, had let quality slip drastically. The Gretsch family regained control of the company in 1989, and the use of the Chet Atkins name in 2007. Today, the Chet Atkins hollowbody is an instrument Gretsch can once again be proud of.