Brian Setzer's 1959 Gretsch 6120 Has Had Quite a Journey | Guitar Stories

Brian's relationship with the '59 Gretsch he bought at the age of 17 has endured from his Stray Cats days to today, as he launches his new album-The Devil Always Collects-out now!-and ahead of this fall's Rockabilly Riot! tour, which is coming to a town near you. Find all the info here: bit.ly/3Rskbbr
Listen to The Devil Always Collects: lnk.to/BrianSetzer
Find tour dates for Rockabilly Riot!: briansetzer.com/tour-dates/

[@JamesBond-pu6qf]

I could watch stories like this all day. It's my therapy.

[@Ottophil]

Therapy is my therapy

[@J.C...]

Boy I thought you were Rhett Shull at first. 👎🤣 For some reason, your avatar looked like his at first glance. Not sure how but it did 😆

[@MortonLuvz2drum]

I'm a drummer and this was way cool.

[@w1zard0f0h]

Me too.

[@AndrewCarlson-wj7fp]

This is the coolest story I’ve ever heard related on KZbin….bar none

[@guitartrav4299]

If you’ve never had the honor of seeing him live, you’re really missing out. Stray Cats, Orchestra, and the Christmas shows are truly a sight to hear 🤘

[@kg6120]

Just saw him at the Ryman Monday night. Absolutely incredible. Even talked with after. Probably near 20 times I’ve seen him.

[@fredgertie]

I did!!!!

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Saw the Stay Cats in London , saw Mr Setzer walking down Oxford St and I noticed he had more Tatoos than when I saw him play a couple of months before, " Dennis Cockel" Finchley Rd? Must have been 1981/82?

[@humanbeing2420]

I saw him with his Orchestra at the House of Blues in Chicago in 1998 or so. He was fantastic.

[@grim3107]

My older brother And his best friend we’re crazy on the stray cats we all went to Birmingham fantastic Robert Plant said after asked what was your favourite live show he said the stray cats if I’m not mistaken

[@christiannicholas177]

This was the man who inspired me to take up guitar. I was an 11-year-old kid and listening to the Stray Cats' Built For Speed record kickstarted a long 17-year love of everything guitar. At 15, I picked up a '71 Gibson Les Paul Custom which I still own (I'm 28 now). It's my equivalent to Setzer's '59 Gretsch 6120 and shares a similar story to his guitar in this video. Long story short, I finally met Setzer before the pandemic and it was one of the best moments of my life! Not everyone gets to meet their heroes and I just got lucky one day. Thank you for the wild journey Mr. Setzer and keep rockin' to those of you who took the time to read this! 🎸

[@marcreno893]

Cool story. I was about 15 and been playing some piece of junk guitar for a few years and was getting good and wanted to pursue it so I thought I’d upgrade my axe. Saved up all my money from the summer roofing went out and bought a big fat expensive Gretsch cuz I wanted to be just like Brian. Problem was I weighed about 110 lbs and was in a punk band. Guitar feedback was so bad every time I got the gain where I wanted it and it was way to big and heavy for what I wanted to do lol so I had to take it back. But it was pretty rad while I had it and it was technically my first “real” guitar. Pshh that was 25 years ago.

[@wheninroamful]

Nice dude, thanks for sharing.

[@andrefludd]

“Here’s a weird thing only guitar players will care about” okay Mr. Setzer you have my full attention

[@seancollins3106]

nice surprise to see you comment on this! your channel is excellent, btw.

[@keithplunk6611]

Brian is someone you could go on vacation with and totally enjoy yourself. He is an incredible talent and the Stray Cats were such a breath of fresh air. His continuing performing with his orchestra is badass asa well. He looks like a Rock-a-Billy Paul McCartney with a Cochren attitude. Works for me...he is really down to earth in a cool 50's way. Man, that cats something else! 😼

[@sabrinapineda6824]

WERE YOU THERE?

[@jerrymckenzie1858]

I've had the privilege of seeing the Brian Setzer Orchestra live, and I can tell you that they are a force of nature.

[@odomis07]

Brian Setzer is literally an underrated guitarist. He is a musical genius. He took Rock N Roll to it's roots and made it into something great. Check out his Orchestra band as well. Brian Setzer is on of the greatest guitarist of our time. KEEP ON ROCKIN, EVEN WITH THAT MELLOW SAXOPHONE.

[@Monkeyboy2457]

So true.

[@rdub73]

I wouldnt say underrated , he is widely revered by his peers , more a case of not universally appreciated as he could be considered niche but the chap is a beast of a player 😉

[@WastedTalent-]

I'm from Long Island and Brian taught my friend's husband how to play guitar when they were in high school. Wasn't full blown lessons. Brian showed him the basics to get started. My friend's husband is a good player in his own right. He does a lot of fingerpicking, but he's also a cabinet maker by trade and all of his finger tips are mostly gone and look like mushrooms.

[@phphphbb]

Underrated? Really, no way!

[@jumpinjojo]

What’s his rating??

[@desdenova69]

Here's a cool little story: Decades ago there was a big guitar show in Columbus, Ohio. My buddy Dave wanted to go and I tagged along. He said Brian Setzer will be there among others. I always admired Brian's playing although I'm not the biggest Rockabilly fan. I had a friend that was killed a year before and I inherited all his gear including a mini Strat that he would take to shows and get autographed. I took the little guitar with me to Columbus. My buddy berated me the entire 2.5 hour car ride: "Why are you carrying that? "You'll never meet Brian Setzer and you wont get his autograph"... I returned the abuse saying, "Oh yeah, punk? Watch me!". The guitar show was HUGE! As we walked around my buddy kept harassing me -- "Find Brian yet??". We were in this big room looking at stuff on tables.. I look to my left.. Guess who is standing right next to me? Brian Setzer! I nudge my buddy .. He slaps my hand away.. "Hey Dave.. turn around".. He fought me.. "Hey d!ckhead, turn around!".. Reluctantly he turns all mad.. "What do you want??".. I point to the man standing next to me.. Dave's mouth dropped .. You see, Dave was a BIG Brian fan. I introduced myself to Brian, nudging Dave out of the conversation. Brian and I had a chat and I have to say he is one of the COOLEST MFer's I have ever met. We went on to have a tattoo competition between us.. Brian conceded that I had better ink.. I conceded he was a better guitarist! Brian was gracious to sign my late friends guitar. I thanked him for his time and he excused himself to continue on. For the rest of the show and the 2.5 hour ride back home I harassed TF out Dave.. The punk deserved it. 😁😁

[@Ian-qs3fz]

Dave’s not here

[@Ian-qs3fz]

no but fr bro you’re a damn good storyteller

[@desdenova69]

@@Ian-qs3fz My story is 100% true.

[@Ian-qs3fz]

@@desdenova69 no I believe you man I just thought it was a good story

[@kangaroofoot]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@marcreno893]

Mr. Brian is as classy as a rockstar legend as it could ever get 😎

[@wayneperry7077]

Just saw Brian Setzer's Rock-A-Billy Riot last night in Phoenix, Arizona. Finally after all these years I got to see my favorite guitar player. Him and the band all sounded amazing ! He had the audience on their feet rockin' and boppin' through the entire show ~

[@johncollins1365]

My all-time favorite guitarist. I’m so glad you’re back. I missed ya. God bless you, man!!

[@davidpepper442]

Stray Cats and MTV introduced me to Rockabilly when I was 12. Brian is about the coolest dude on the planet!

[@jandvadams]

This is proof that you can fall in love with a single instrument. That guitar is what made Brian what he is today.

[@therealpalo001]

Might be the other way around,Brian is the one that made the guitar what it is today. His fingers.

[@peterprice5896]

Brian is such a cool guy and a killer guitarist.

[@schwabit989]

He is very underrated indeed.

[@1950s_Guitar]

Now that guitar has some real mojo! Thanks Brian for that history.

[@RickMcCargar]

He brought back rockabilly during the same period Stevie Ray Vaughan revived the blues. Heck of a time to listen to the radio.

[@reverendg5937]

Brian is so cool how he changed the guitar until it was apart of himself, an extention of who he is. Awesome!!!

[@2doobsmcjubes555]

My dad bought a Japanese made g6119sp Gretsch and every time I pick it up I try to play Brain Setzer licks on it, they're fantastic sounding instruments.

[@RogueA.I.]

He was an anachronism in his own time and has been a constant in the universe ever since. Such an amazing musician.

[@theleviathan89]

I have had the pleasure of getting to play this guitar. It’s incredible. The best part was how cool he was about it.

[@stepitupandgo67]

wowzers

[@Goomer]

So, you're the one who stole it...😀

[@georgeprice4212]

@@Goomerno no…that was Pete Townshend! 😆

[@benindavisca]

you MUST relate the story man!!!

[@theleviathan89]

It was at a Christmas party at his house in the early 90’s. He had a full band set up in his living room. I was admiring his guitar and he came over and told me about the backstory and then handed it to me. I thought that I was just going to check it out unplugged but he turned on his amp and before I know it he rallied a couple guys to jam with me. I had no idea what I was supposed to play suddenly. I’m not really a rockabilly player so I played a funky blues rock kind of thing and the band took off. We jammed for a while. After Brian was really cool and complimenting said something like I never knew it could do stuff like that I’m going to have to try some of that myself. To which I was flabbergasted. He couldn’t have been any cooler. The funny thing I remember was his wife loosing her mind worried that I would destroy his guitar all while he smiled in delight.

[@MAP448]

Thank you Brian for keeping guitar music thriving all through your life. You will never be forgotten.

[@richardhedd3080]

what a great musician, I used to see him all the time in downtown minneapolis. I always wondered if he lived there. Anywho, I love his musical style, such a mash of different elements.

[@JRAFF145]

Pretty sure he does. He used to open his Christmas show tours there.

[@mht525]

What a guitar and great guitarist. ✌️🤘🇦🇺

[@philtron1969]

One of my favorites of all time. Brian is the man!

[@jyo8914]

Amazing what his #1 has gone thru over the years and still keeps coming back to him and being the best sounding guitar in the world.

[@user-xy3we1ol9w]

Fascinating Man....I could listen to his stories every day. Loved this

[@crazywisdom2]

Brian and a cupof coffee .. priceless !!

[@martinpidhany8278]

Thanks for all the great music and great stories brian!

[@sfdoyle]

Seriously I just love this cool cat! One of my all time favorite guitarist of all time!

[@andrewpappas9311]

I had a friend that I knew from my college who was a huge rockabilly/early rock fan (and this was a 19-20 year old kid listening to guys like Eddie Cochran, Elvis, Gene Vincent, etc., we were around the same age so now he’s 24) and absolutely loves Brian and the Stray Cats and started learning guitar because of him, Setzer is definitely an absolute beast of a player and a damn great example of a modern rockabilly guitarist (since he helped re-popularize the genre in the early ‘80s alongside Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”

[@9UaYXxB]

You should listen to 'Rockpile' if you have not. (Nick Lowe, Dave Edmonds... a British group of that era).

[@nulife022]

Great story. Love this guy's playing. Thanks for posting.

[@stevegreen3]

I saw his trio (not the Stray Cats) open up for Tom Petty in Charlotte NC a couple of decades ago. Unbelievable! He is one of the best guitar players I’ve ever seen live. Him and Tommy Emmanuel. See either of them if you want to be wildly entertained while having your mind blown.

[@johndrowe5281]

“Yeah, I just got a chisel and knocked the ‘zero’ fret out and went out and played the gig “ … 😮. Only a total guitar enthusiast/man-of-extreme brilliance and Deep Relationship with one’s guitar can go on ‘feel’ like that… 🫵👍. Thank you, Mr Setzer, for your part in keeping the electric guitar fresh and front-and-centre in the most unique way God gave you. Keep Rockin’, please …😊. 🫶✌️♾️. 🎸👨🏼‍⚕️🎸. 😎💥

[@musicauthority674]

Brian Setzer is amazing, he is sort of small stature. and watching him playing those big White Falcons is a real sight to see. he's probably one of the best Rock A Billy guitarist's on the planet. I have a Gretsch G5122DC Electromatic it's an AWESOME guitar.

[@baabaabaa-yp2jh]

I've got the Jet mate...crackin guitars!!

[@garnetbezanson1404]

Big guitars can be pretty comfy if you are small and the guitar has good contours and smooth edges. You can lean into them without bending or hunching over much.

[@taradead]

Legend. That first SC album blew everybody away.

[@ActivateBeastMode1]

This man put out on of the best christmas albums of all time imo. Modern day classic that doesnt get the respect it deserves. The amount of movies those tracks have been in over the years. This man is a legend!

[@delivrance3961]

awesome stories from the most underrated guitarist in the universe!

[@dolcevitaCC]

Just can't believe, back in May 1981 in France, this man blew my mind away... still remember the feeling of this gig, I was 13 years old....

[@cosmoschtroumpf]

oui ça ne nous rajeunit pas .. !

[@duanetrivett750]

I remember watching a show on ABC on fridays and the show was called Friday Nights, " it was like Saturday night live " but cooler ! One night they introduce The Stray Cats and said it was the first time being seen in America ! I was 17 or 18 , I am 61 now. I was blown away ! Three piece Band and a killer sound . I believe they said they were already a big hit in England but I got to see them first time in the US . I think Friday night was Live also. Thanks for the video and the Memories.

[@scottcurry4116]

I’ve had my Brian Setzer 6120SSLVO since 2006. It still sounds and plays great. I wish I could play like Brian though!

[@ROCKINGMAN]

The Gretsch 6120 is one of my favourite guitars too. Love the varaitions on it. The 1957 issue was great with dynasonics fewer additions, reissued as the Duane Eddy model, just brilliant. Sounds fantastic.

[@goodnews559]

THEEE Most underrated guitarist on the planet. Fact.

[@jumpinjojo]

@@djavidianmx1832Exactly!!!

[@localcrew]

Glad he got his guitar back. He seems like a cool bro.

[@williamweiss6128]

Absolutely love his style. Played in a rockabilly band, early 80's, he's an idol of mine. He could play a 2x4. Plus his amps are vintage.

[@danrod2422]

I remember when I was a kid and Brian and his friends would come into a restaurant that I worked in and they’d hang out in Long Island I enjoy listening to his stories 😊

[@frankjennings8647]

So very interesting! I knew some of the backstory about this guitar and how Brian came to acquire it. The rest of the story is even more interesting!

[@Ratguitar58]

Amazing guitar player, singer, songwriter and performer ❤

[@ronnie5129]

Brian is one of the Most Underrated Guitar players ever, He Needs More Due, Cousin Figel

[@SickOfItAll-do1cf]

There's always special relationships like this with top players and their guitars, like Van Halen and his franken strat, unique pieces for unique people, Brian is amazing

[@maxmaximus8323]

I love the Stray Cats music. I follow Brian, Lee, and Slim Jim to see what their doing these days, I play the drums and have a cocktail kit I like to play on when I'm playing the rockabilly stuff. I love to hear the stories these guys tell.

[@rockcatinc.4814]

I could keep this on repeat and watch all night. Much love from Massapequa!

[@bathroomjon1]

Great video - saw him with stray cats in London England a couple of years backs- fab gig

[@ejbgunny1]

Wow. Brian is not only an awesome guitar player, but he is an awesome story teller also!

[@WastedTalent-]

I've always had a love for hollow bodies, especially Gretsch guitars. I was 5 years old in 1981 when I started playing guitar and my best friend (and still my best friend), across the street, her father had an old maroon Gretsch sitting in the corner of the living room. He used to let me play it all the time. He told me I could play it any time I wanted and didn't have to ask permission. He didn't play it much anymore and he actually restrung it and fixed it up so I could play it. It felt special that he let this little girl play that guitar. For 20 years, I'd pick that thing up every time I went over there and just sit on the couch and play while everyone was hanging out. Unfortunately, the kids (there were 8 of them) beat the hell out of it. They broke the neck on it several times and he just glued it back together. One day, I'll have one of my own. I have a feeling that it'll be mine when he dies.

[@stephan384]

Thanks for the story. This guitar would be my ultimate rock and roll hall of fame relic. This Is The guitar that made me want to play guitar.

[@OtherMike5000]

ABSOLUTE *LEGEND!!*

[@charlie-obrien]

Great stories. Odd that his guitar would become broken in Japan, because they have a concept called Kintsugi, which means that when something is broken and then is repaired, it becomes the most unique and beautiful version of itsef. I also love that for his dice knobs he chose to show the "Square Pair" (double fours).

[@acb9896]

He used to play Thorton Winery in SoCal and one show I saw him throw one of those in to the air and he missed catching it. The crunch and clang thru the PA was like hearing someone's spine break. Everybody just went silent. The band stopped. He's just standing the looking at it on the stage. Then he kinda nudged it to the side and picked up another one saying "Well, that takes care of our money tonite, boys. Stray Cat Strut! 1,2,3.."

[@5150show]

Incredible guitar. Incredible man

[@HughJengine]

Gretsch guitars are just so good looking in all those colours 🖤

[@twitchgrass3849]

Great stories. That is a magic guitar

[@mike1967sam]

I used to listen to the Stray Cats in the 80's and had no idea Brian Setzer was such a great guitar player.

[@jerryvahnknight218]

Setzer is the greatest! Would school 99% of any musicians!

[@MarkGuadiana-ju4ui]

One of Eddie Van Halen's favorite 'sparring partners'. Dave Mustaine became friends with him so Brian would give him guitar lessons!

[@jerryvahnknight218]

@@MarkGuadiana-ju4ui I knew about Eddie. Had not heard that about Mustaine before. That’s cool though!

[@hamiltonburger4574]

I love REAL stories like this!!!

[@ritchiemolesso2884]

I could watch this clip all day long and deep into the night. Love the 59 6120, the most beautiful 6120 Gretsch on the planet 🌎 Love Setzer he’s my idol and hero !!!!!

[@finbah5706]

LOVE this video. REVERB should do this exact type of video with as many famous prolific electric and bass guitarists as they can. I absolutely am fascinated with these guitarists and their story about their first guitar, or most loved history guitars and still have them. I often watch old Rock music videos and wonder if the guitar in the video still exits and where is itnow? and any story behind it. Fascinating as hell!! How about Jim Heath next! Dave Navarro,Billy Corgan, Tom Morello, Kim Thail, Zak Wyld, Warren Di Martini..

[@danv8717]

He's a cool cat!

[@vicesquadpunk]

Brilliant, great player, interesting and funny character 🔥

[@tymanngruter1808]

It sounds amazing, sum guitars are magic!

[@ilikezappa3268]

"Decal from Ed`s lawn mower repair shop " One of a million reasons to love the United States .

[@maestroone1237]

A true icon and legend

[@treme3511]

Guitar wizard, cant stop him watching.... Great technique, specific style, good spirit, great performer.....

[@jmflyer55]

Great story Brian!!! Keep em coming, love to hear it. 🙂. 👍👍👍

[@TheMetalMag]

A great guitarist, cool guitar

[@dalgguitars]

he's just so cool.

[@randall4411]

The Rockabilly Master .

[@joelewis7072]

This dude is an American treasure...

[@joaquinybarra8184]

Thank You Brian for your Strumming, You we’re a breathe of fresh air in the 80’s & I’ll always be grateful to you for signing my Fender La Bamba Guitar…in ,Califas back in the 90’s God Bless U Sir !!!

[@dustdevilz4771]

Consistently great. The real thing. Good luck getting tickets to his Xmas show.

[@xavsmash]

I cours hear thatcstory again And again And again❤

[@marcopoulin1897]

Never heard story like that its F….cool long life to you brian🤘

[@jefftracy5528]

Awesome...I was listening to one of my Setzer play lists, decided to give a listen to Brian & Hotei play Run Johnny (Tokyo 2007) on KZbin. This popped up...segments are on Twitter but this is more complete. Pleasant surprise!

[@TropicalLatitude]

Leave this video up forever. It's going to be a viral classic.

[@petemccarry2326]

My 1960 6117 Double Anniversary also has the trestle bracing.

[@thefilmandmusic]

Fantastic interview

[@JTB--]

Most remember Brian Setzer from The Stray Cats... but he is so much more of an accomplished Guitar player than that

[@AGFio]

The coolest.

[@kangaroofoot]

What a great storyteller

[@brianwarner308]

awesome interview I could have listened longer

[@jeffshaw4039]

Great story about a great guitar that sounds fabulous!!

[@xj31]

Just saw him at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, Illinois last night. Amazing show, so glad I got to go. His bass player, Chris D'Rozario is an absolute animal!!!

[@tomblake3780]

Thanks for sharing this story Brian

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Great story, I could picture it all like a Film in the Cinema in my head. I think the extra hole next to the selector switch lets the voodoo frequencies escape from the inside of the body. Brian finding and saving it (again and again) was "Destiny" , The Stray Cats sound is Bass Drum, Double bass and that "Magic" Guitar played by Mr Setzer. Almost as cool as Eddie..almost the same Guitar "G" .

[@sdingeswho]

Great story of a great guitar (and player) 😁! I think Brian just equaled the tale of Peter Frampton’s “Phoenix” Les Paul Custom! It’s always a joy to hear these from-the-ground-up virtuosi talk about how “well, this seemed like a good idea at the time” modifications that became their trademarks. I especially liked Brian’s conjecture about a guitar builder looking out the window at a bridge-truss 🙂 - same principle!

[@ryandeanlindgren9054]

Great Story Of This Guitar. 💕 😎 👍

[@danorkin2926]

awesome video. Nerdy guitar stories FTW!

[@mackalaan]

perfect sound ........wonderfull

[@ijonny25251]

such a talent!

[@tomwatson283]

Brilliant interview.