PricePaid: Not disclosed
Purchased From: N/A
Model Year: 2004Features: [10]
This is the Country Classic Special hence the "SP" on the 6122SP.
It's much more of a George Harrison Beatles spec than the other, previous 6122's. This means it even has the dual flip up mutes. It's also has the Grover Imperial step nuners. A lovely touch is that it comes equiped with the TV Jones Classic pickups. These are alnico rather than the ceramic PUPs that Gretsch are using on many models.
Other specs include:
Gold plated hardware
Name plate on headstock
Snap-on back pad
Bar bridge
Laminated Maple 17" wide body which is 2" deep
Master volume, individual volumes, 3-way tone switch, stand-by switch and 3-way PUP selector.
I also upgraded the standard case to a grey speckle case. It was a bit more cash but definately adds to the vintage vibe.
It's got everything that you'd expect from this famous model.
Sounds: [10]
Perfect for Beatles, Chet Atkins, Rockabilly, Setzer, tone. You can even get quyite nice jazz tones and played really clean you can get a good jangly pop sound too. There's plenty of variation available between PUPs and each sounds great clean or overdriven.
I have another Gretsch (a 6120) equiped with the standard ceramic FilterTrons. There's nothing wrong with them really it's just the TV Jones are just that much better and really duplicate that vintage tone.
I used to own an original 6122 Country Gent and this certainly stands up to that and is probably better as she's new and not abused.
This is the Gretsch Sound!
I play through a small valve amp (Peavey Classic 30) and a Flextone III modelling amp (for appartment playing without upseting the neighbours). You definately need the old valve sound and Beatles fans will definately be putting this through an AC30 for optimum George! Action, Fit & Finish: [9]
The action was suprisingly low with no fret buzz and a lovely straight neck. All my friends that have played her comment on how easy she is to play. One's even been converted to a semi-acoustic fan now!
I do suffer a little buzz from the mutes. The plastic seems to rattle when certain frequencies resonate the body (and them). I'm sure having a look inside (via the handy snap on pad which covers the back plate) will reveal a way of holding them down a little better. I just haven't got around to it yet. What I have found is that you can twist them a little which locks them together. I can understand now why so many originals have them missing if this is what happened with the originally too.
It's got a great finish and is a very dark stain very much like George's. TBH I prefer cellulose finishes rather than the newer, but tougher, poly that this is finished with. However, I'm probably a little old school and like my guitars to age with me. This finish will probably look as shiny and bright many years from now - which is what many people like. Reliability & Durability: [9]
I can't see any problems with this guitar. It's a semi so it won't stand up to as much abuse as a solid. I baby all my guitars anyway so that's not really an issue and comes with the territory of owning a semi - i.e. being a little more careful.
My Gretsch 6120 (pre Fender) suffers from a little switch noise and occasional PUP cut out when using the PUP selector. Apparently this happened a little too often before Fender but there are no such problems with this beauty. Overall Rating: [9]
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to any of my friends. Like I've said, all that have played it have fallen in love with it. It definately exceeded my expectations. I wanted to get a replacement for my original Country Gent that I sold many years ago and the time was just right when they released this 6122SP.
We owe Fender for this version. Since they have been looking after the Gretsch line there's been more and more improvements to the line. Out of all the 6122s available this is the one to have in my opinion. The vintage sound and vibe has been nailed.
I only wish they could have still used the Country Gent name instead of using the Country Classic version - especially as this is placed on the name plate. I think this is because Chet took the name over with him to Gibson. It's only a small point but the only thing that has taken away from this being a complete reissue.
Well done fender for a great job of looking after the Gretsch line. This is my 3rd Gretsch that I currently own and there are more on my shopping list so they are definately doing something right! | 
6122SP Country Classic
