The Gretsch 6120: A Short History, featuring Jason Laughlin

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***Links for:
"The Gretsch 6120: The History of a Legendary Guitar", Edward Ball
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"50 Years of Gretsch Guitars", Tony Bacon
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"The Gretsch Book", Tony Bacon and Paul Day
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This is the short history of the Gretsch 6120, the core of the "hollow body" side of the Gretsch story. There are many other hollow body Gretsch models but none with the storied history of the 6120.
I'd like to send a SPECIAL THANKS to all the "friends of five watt". Your level of support continues to make the channel possible.
Thanks for watching. Until next time, thanks for being a part of the five watt world.
Keith
***Five watt world participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn commissions by linking to Amazon. In simpler language, this means that whenever you buy something from Amazon from a link on here, I receive a small percentage of its price.

[@tommyculver6771]

I can narrow my personal history as an artist down to two eras; before I had a 6120 and after. It was worth every dime.

[@RiffsandRides]

i dont have a 6120 (yet) but this year i got a 5410T Rat Rod. and really wish I wouldve gotten one long ago. to be honest, i would rather have the gretsch hollow body in place of an acoustic... but like you, one day ill have a 6120

[@patriciomartinotti5694]

that's the continuing myth about this lovely Gretsch. Here's an owner of his most affordable-brother: the 5120.

[@miahconnell23]

@Tommy Culver does the 6120 you love have trestle-bracing, single sound-post, or is it just ‘empty’ inside ? I LOVE 6120s: but I couldn’t believe how much the bracing style matters. The single sound-post is great for me: I think a lot of Gretsch’s special sound comes from the vibrating top. When I bought a post-Fender 6120, it was soooooo not right for me: the trestle-bracing restricted the magic.

[@skateborg]

I'm 63, been playing guitar for 50 years and just got my first Gretsch. I feel like I'm starting over.

[@RickBeato]

Ok Hypes, I always wondered why they have this numbering system. They are just like Marshall in that way. Love the KZbin award behind you. Congrats!! I love the images you use in this short history.

[@fivewattworld]

Hypes! Thanks man!

[@kodykindhart8230]

Guild star fire next 🙏🙏🙏

[@Roxanneredpanda]

Ibanez is the worst for that

[@halfistonvenus4821]

i'm so confused. why does rick comment on all of this guys videos and why do all his comments address keith as "hypes?"

[@fivewattworld]

Rick and I have been friends since 1987. Hypes is a nickname we’ve always used for each other because we’re always both rushing around. Simple as that.

[@cypressmusic731]

I can't wait for, "The Fender Mustang: A Short History"

[@jaschul]

It's especially interesting how the new Fender Mustang bass -- Mexican and US versions -- have become so popular. They're selling quite well.

[@jamiemcparland]

I’ve owned a BUNCH of mustangs. Hit me up for photos if you are looking for any.

[@jackhughes9505]

Was just going to say that

[@ryanwiseman9141]

Hey oh!!

[@b00neDawg00]

@@jaschul it’s probably because they’re short scale and easier for a guitarist to adjust to and I’d imagine a lot of guitarist are doing home recording

[@truckercowboyed2638]

How the gretsch stole Christmas, i see what you did there, Keith, now if only santa would actually gift me a 6120, now that'd be a Holly Gretschy Christmas.......

[@trashhumanperson9422]

That would be an amazing Christmas, of course I’d prefer a jet

[@dougrobinson8602]

Has Joe Walsh ever given someone a guitar that didn't rock their world? One of my fondest memories was going to see The Eagles at Soldier Field in Chicago as a birthday present for my Wife, who's a big Eagles fan. It was a pretty tame show until Joe Walsh decided it was time to rock the house. A roadie strapped him into his talkbox rig, and he blew us away with some of his best solo material. I'm sure anyone who's seen Joe play live can relate to how creative he can be.

[@glenkepic3208]

Great story ! Leslie West was another guy who gave guitars away and one was a sb Les Paul Jr given to Joe Walsh. Maybe his main slide guitar with The Eagles.

[@dreamscuba]

Love Joe!

[@amoramanzano]

Hi Keith, loved this video. When I was 15 living in Guayaquil, Ecuador (South America) I had a big Beatles poster hanging over my bed and George Harrison’s Gretsch was like an unattainable dream. A few months later a teacher from my high school told me that a friend of his was selling a Gretsch so my father took me to a very shabby part of town where a salsa bandleader had a very badly beaten hollow body Country Club hanging from a wall with a clothes hanger wrapped around the neck. My father saw the destroyed guitar but also saw that I wanted it very badly so he bought it for me for what is now the equivalent of 25 dollars. In my teenage ingenuity y cleaned it and took it apart and kept every nut and bolt in a bag, almost ten years later I took it to a proper luthier to be rebuilt. I’m 45 now and I play that guitar every single day. I haven’t really restored it in full (apart from a big dent that it had in the wood near the jack) because for me every scratch and old knob represents a life of sounds and vitality that this particular Gretsch Country Club from 1977 has brought to me. It’s my treasure. Thank you for this.

[@fivewattworld]

That’s a great story! Love it!

[@miahconnell23]

Was the top cracked or dropped ? I think if these hollowybodies fall on their face, they wind up hurt so drastically they require a luthier and a rebuild (as you said). Reason I ask: I found a 6120 on Reverb that has my preferred bracing style, but it appears sooooo beat up…

[@amoramanzano]

@@miahconnell23 hi, the top wasn't cracked, and the dent near the jack was fixed with a plate that helped keep the jack in place. the neck lost some of the gloss but i like it like that

[@miahconnell23]

@@amoramanzano Happy that guitar found you, bro !! 🙌

[@michaelstern864]

I remember playing a Country Gentleman waaaay back in the mid '70's, and not being impressed. I really thought of Gretsch as a drum company, and that their guitars were an afterthought. But last year, I picked up a brand new Gretsch Streamliner 2420, and I couldn't believe how great it played and sounded. Holy crap. I bought it immediately. I cannot believe this is their "mid-priced" guitar. I paid just over $500 for it; first new guitar I've ever bought. It came out of the box almost perfectly set up. A great guitar and an even greater value. Count me in as a Gretsch believer.

[@didds8869]

I'm the opposite. I've always thought of Gretsch as a primarily Guitar focused company and the drums being an afterthought. But then again, I am purely a guitarist with next to no clue about drums

[@druidworks]

I appreciate the mention of Poison Ivey of the Cramps! 👍

[@vaclav_fejt]

Whenever I am in a guitar shop...Fenders are nice, Gibsons are expensive, then there are other brands full of jagged edges for the hard stuff...but I always slip among the Gretsches. Classic shape and all the colours you can imagine and not that big that you would hide behind them...oohh. And then there's the sound.

[@Mark_Ocain]

I love the Japanese Gretsches, so well constructed.

[@capefearcapt4679]

I've been pretty impressed with my Korean made 5420T.

[@SteveSAW666]

@@capefearcapt4679 totally agree man! Have an 5120 made in korea and it‘s a great guitar! Also have a 6120 which is my main guitar. Both modified a little to fit my taste. But still, the korean made gretsch guitars are amazing even if you don‘t change a thing!

[@stanbrown915]

I have a Rancher acoustic made in Indonesia, the thing stays in tune for weeks at a time. Love it

[@didds8869]

They're amazing. I reckon the Japanese stuff is right on par with the Fender Custom Shop and the Korean stuff with the American line. I'd like to say that the Chinese Gretsches are like Fender Mexico so we could have a perfect symmetry between the two brands but I've never played a Chinese Gretsch that was particularly good, and the Fender Mexico stuff is just as good the U.S line in my opinion.

[@XLBiker13]

@@didds8869 While I agree that the Japanese Gretsches are exceptional and I find them (surprisingly) right on par with my Fender and Gibson custom shop guitars I haven't had the best experience with their Korean guitars and consider my "standard" American made guitars to be superior. And I've played quite a few wanting it to work out. That said, they are still a lot of guitar for the money.

[@bigfluffypancake]

So happy you mentioned Poison Ivy of the Cramps! Have seen her play live many times with her Gretsch! Sadly the band is no more.

[@karltraunmuller7048]

I only have two recent Electromatics, but they’re incredibly well made, good looking and great sounding. Go, Gretsch!

[@autistichead8137]

People expect the Electromatics to be affordable imitations of the classic Gretsch tone, But Gretsch are smart, they made them completely different instruments, they are onto them selves and I am head over heels over mine.

[@jkf9167]

I love my Electromatic. They still have that snarl, and they're nicely made.

[@JasonLoughlinMusic]

Great video Keith! Thanks so much for having me be a part of it. I love my 6120. Now if I can get my 56 Gretsch Firebird fully restored I might have a contender.

[@Walks-With-Pride]

Hold on to your hat, cowboy! The 6120 is in the house....

[@jordandangelo180]

Bachman, Turner, Overdrive: their guitarist Randy talked came up studying jazz and under the tutelage of the great master and one of my all time favorite players, Lenny Breau. They were both from Canada. He’s the documentary that Lenny’s daughter produced. Chet Atkins, another Gretsch legend is featured as Lenny’s surrogate father figure and recorded several of his albums in Nashville.

[@truckercowboyed2638]

To me, Gretsch is that more classy, cool older gentleman that's just cool to have and be around, While Gibson is that youthful, full of spunk and attitude adolescent who tries to be cool but tries to show off.....like say a Les Paul......

[@giuseppebaja]

You know your day gets better when 5 Watt uploads :)

[@randalclarke5487]

Indeed

[@baggyhockeypants]

Five Watt history of one of my favorite guitars!?!? Another Festivus miracle!! Awesome Keith!

[@jltrem]

That first chord heard oozed Gretsch.

[@johndiloreto3738]

Yes! Thank you for shouting out Poison Ivy, the Cramps rule

[@manguydude905]

Great video! To your end statement, I'm actually glad they didn't blow up like Fender. It's always a treat to see someone pull out a Gretsch instead of the standard and ever so common Fender or Gibson.

[@bigsnacks913]

Gretsches taught me to love the middle pickup/combined humbucker sound.

[@jaschul]

Back when I knew little about guitars I just assumed that "Won't Get Fooled Again" and other songs on _Who's Next_ were recorded with the Gibson SG-through-a-Hiwatt rig that Pete Townshend used live in the late '60s. (A smaller Hiwatt.) Little did I know...

[@walterlane99]

I'm so glad you mentioned Joe Maphis. An amazing guitar player who should not be forgotten.

[@dylanderoos4048]

I once tried a Brian Setzer G6120T "Smoke" model w/ a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV at my local Long and McQuade, and the sound was just UNREAL.

[@LIGHTintheHALLS]

I have one electric guitar, been playing 43 years and my guitar is a 6120. It's everything I have looked for in a guitar. Thanks for doing this video. They are magical mojo guitars.

[@jts3339]

Thank you for the obvious hard work on this video, Keith your “if only” comment said it all. Gretsch guitars have a well-deserved reputation for producing some of the most unique and beautiful tones ever heard. THAT GREAT GRETSCH SOUND is a real thing.

[@scottmarshall5284]

Despite having played a bunch of big body Gretschs through the years, my fondest Gretsch memory is my high school buddy's Corvette - exactly like the one Johnny Pedulla is playing in that photo - a great guitar.

[@paulsimmons5726]

A 6120 is as cool as it gets! Don't believe me? Ask Brian Setzer!

[@williamrobertson1563]

My wife got me the best Christmas gift ever! A five watt world t- shirts. I will never take it off. Best Christmas ever!!!!!!. Keep up the great work!!!

[@fivewattworld]

Best comment of the day! Thanks William...and Mrs William.

[@marcschonbrun585]

Do you ever make a bad video? Nope. You’re an engaging and thoughtful guitar historian.

[@randalclarke5487]

Right...? I love every video

[@birbbander]

I've always thought the Gretsch stuff was cool. But after getting the five watt treatment a few times now I really love them. Rich history. I'll have to try one of these 6120s out next time I'm at the local shop! Thanks Keith! You rock.

[@Wermode]

Jason Loughlin is the best. Nice job, Keith.

[@AndrewKonkey]

Yes Keith! Been waiting for this one! Great video!

[@austinjosef41]

Yesssss more history! Merry Christmas!

[@erickwalsh9258]

Every video you've done is epic. Thanks so much for taking time to make them.

[@unclefoiley819]

I'm a huge Cramps fan & saw them many times. Poison Ivy will always be my favorite female guitarist.

[@aidanklobuchar1798]

Too young to have really seen them live. :(

[@XLBiker13]

While I'm a Gibson ES-335 fanatic, the first "expensive guitar" I ever owned was a Gretsch 6120 (thank you Mr. Setzer). And while Filtertrons always get pigeonholed with a certain sound and genre I am a firm believer that they are a superior pickup to Gibson's humbucker with greater sonic range. And there is video evidence of Chet playing a Ray Butts humbucking pickup as early as 1954. Butts created it first but Gibson filed the patent first so history will tell you that Seth Lover invented the humbucking pickup. And I'm suspect of any New Yorker who refers to the Williamsburg Bridge as the Delancey Street Bridge. Sorry Mr. Padula :) Thanks for another great video. Love this series.

[@howabouthetruth2157]

This was wonderfully done Keith. Thank you!!!

[@monstrok]

I really enjoy this series and all of the work that you and your cohorts put into creating each video. There is something so unique in the sound and look for these Gretsch guitars.

[@sethknarr4879]

Hell yeah! Awesome work, yet again.

[@prayl2850]

Thanks for the video!!

[@duoslinger4325]

The day that I've been waiting for!!! Finally!

[@Paul_Lenard_Ewing]

Thanx again these shows make my day. The world of electric guitars owes you a huge thanx for saving the history of the electric guitar in a video format!!!

[@thunderclad]

Opens Keith's video... Presses like as soon as video starts. Ha. And I don't even own a Gretsch :P

[@dreamscuba]

I hit Like immediately too....although, I do own a Duo Jet.

[@DavidHBurkart]

Thanks for doing this Keith. Props for the history. It brings even greater perspective for the present!

[@paullarnce2167]

Excellent video- keep them coming!

[@natehine8541]

Christmas came early ! thanks for another great vid

[@jeremydoolan538]

I don’t normally leave comments. I own a white falcon and a tennessean. I have bought and sold many guitars, but these two have always remained. Great video!!

[@kaoe145]

Great documentary thanks for the video

[@saxMD2008]

Thank you soooo much!!

[@paulfrantizek102]

Eddie Cochran's guitar of choice. Can't play proper rockabilly without one.

[@HarryWebb46]

Absolutely! Chet atkins and Eddie Cochran were the guitar masters that made the 6120 legendary!

[@RichAtNaxos]

I love these short history videos. It answers all the questions that have been rummaging around in the back of my brain for so many decades.

[@Flyingwithoutmings]

Been waiting for this for about a year 😁

[@cassius2703]

Another outstanding mouth watering video, thank you!!!!

[@kevindrapp]

Another great video. Many Thanks, Keith

[@pumkinbreath]

Great watch! Thanks five watt

[@steffanmaymusic4196]

Really enjoyed this video! I hope to have my own Gretch some day, and learning more about the history makes me appreciate it even more.

[@_-_Michael_-_]

Wonderful. Thank you very much. Have a nice Christmas.

[@jjdillon2007]

Keith, wonderful job, as usual. Your video on the ES-390 always has me keeping my eyes out for one of those.

[@richardreyes9604]

As always very informative and mature presentation of another classic product us older guys love.

[@user-mh5pi7vn4e]

Loved the story! So heart-warming for a long-time Gretsch player like myself) Thank you for a job so well done!

[@cherrypickerguitars]

Yea! I’ve waited for this! The two guitars I take to every gig/(hosted) jam, are my 2011 White Falcon ‘55 reissue and one of my five teles! Thanks for this one! Anything Gretsch is soooo appreciated! Peace

[@Louis_Velliotes]

Love your short histories Mr. 5 Watt. Learn so much from these, thanks for making these, obviously a labor of love. I remember in the early 90's having some catalogue with a Gretsch Roundup Western Orange and just loved it, and would look at the pictures of it often, it was just the coolest thing to me, and I'm no cowboy.

[@tomireunanen8033]

I just got a gold finished 6120 yesterday, so this was a treat! There's just something about a great Gretsch that you just can't top. Great stuff once again!

[@gman2380]

I've been patiently waiting for this one and Keith mate, you have delivered a brilliant short history on this Gretsch ! So much in it , over half an hour of facts and minutia that fill in all the gaps in my knowledge. A friend of mines father played Gretsch hollowbody guitars, for years, around the pubs and clubs of Northern England. He was a wonderful player. It may well of been the 6120 model but I can't be sure. I would sit and listen to the gorgeous tones he conjured out of it and back then could only dream of playing that well. Twenty five years on and I'm only half way there. You nailed this Mr Williams 🔥🔥🔥

[@peterfarrell66]

Great history lesson! Nice to see the picture of the brilliant Poison Ivy, but in the punk days of the 70s she was playing obscure Lewis guitars. She didn’t get her 6120 until 1985.

[@andym5195]

great vid !! really enjoyed this vid thanks keith as allways you never dissapoint !

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks Andy!

[@longotown]

Keith - thanks so much for posting these history videos! I know that a lot of work into the learning and delivering such great information. You make it very easy for us all to sit back and learn about the things we have always wanted to know about amazing instruments. As we get more experienced "never older" it seems the appetite for this information is of much more interest. So again, thank you for the hard work that you put in to help us all become more knowledgeable about what we love so much! great job!

[@fivewattworld]

You're welcome man. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. Happy Holidays!

[@BazziFugazi]

I can't stop watching these. Informative and to the point. I will be watching all of these model history videos. Really good stuff. Highly underrated channel.

[@suggo3326]

I love these 'history of' videos, appreciate the amount of research and work that goes into them Keith. Great channel.

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks Suggo!

[@HowardOwensIII]

My dream guitar for 40 years. Thanks for doing this video.

[@stephanematis]

Lovely story, great editing, excellent playing. Wonderful way to unwind after the workweek.

[@revevsetcandwhatnot8484]

Love your videos, Keith.

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks Evan!

[@edkutschke814]

Thanks Keith, another great history. Always look forward to your show.

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks Ed

[@w4447]

A Great Video. Finally Gretch getting the notoriety they deserve. I have loved the looks and sounds of their guitars for years.

[@geoffcowan2384]

Another excellent video, thank you Keith!

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks Geoff

[@l1feson]

Oh, I forgot to say have a fantastic Christmas! I’m looking forward to see what you share with us in 2021.

[@baronoflivonia.3512]

Another fantastic video, Thanks Keith.

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks Baron!

[@mister-LA]

With every Short History you kick it up a notch. This is another excellent video. You really packed in a lot of info and I'm appreciative. Also impressive is the KZbin plaque in the background. Thanks Keith.

[@fivewattworld]

Thank you for watching!

[@michaelfratino3738]

All I can say is thank you! I thoroughly enjoy your videos. How anyone can give them a thumbs down is beyond comprehension! Keep up the good work! Cheers!!!

[@G5Hohn]

The quality of these videos is something to aspire to. The script writing and editing is especially impressive and obviously shows a LOT of work.

[@alasdairmunro1953]

Another great one Keith, educating me slowly but surely! Merry Christmas to you and yours, stay safe.

[@fivewattworld]

Merry Christmas to you Alasdair!

[@flahoo2807]

Once again very thorough work. I yearn for one of these instruments, but I only have a strat and an Aria Acoustic. Much appreciated Keith.

[@mittenguitars]

Great review Keith... as always!

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks Keith!

[@TheNielCodex]

Great video, thank you for this. I have my grandfather's 1964 Chet Atkins 6120 and it's such an amazing guitar. Plays and sounds beautiful.

[@PhotographyWithinfocus]

this is really too much to ask for. thank you for this! happy Chanukah

[@fivewattworld]

Happy Chanukah to you Conner!

[@paulcoleman3081]

Thanks Keith. Merry Christmas!

[@fivewattworld]

Merry Christmas Paul!

[@banjobones4190]

Like you Keith, I have admired these guitars from afar... never even played one which is kind of unforgivable... but I do love my chet and setzer, so maybe I should put it in the bucket list. Great start to my weekend! Love the short history series!

[@horacerider5559]

I bought a 6185 in 1954. Played the heck out of it. Bought a complete Gibson Humbucking kit, two pickups, controls, switch already assembled, and an exacto saw and did my own install. Tried two different luthiers asking if they could make it a cutaway. Both turned me down so I bought a '68 Telecaster and left the Gretsch as is. Love 'em both.

[@JazzRockswithAdam]

Beautiful! My favorite to date. Maybe I have a soft spot in my heart due to the fact that Chet Atkins was my first guitar hero starting when I was probably 9 or 10. 🙌

[@MrTraewilliams]

Brother Keith has brought us Christmas early this year with a new Short History. And to Mr. Williams I want to wish you and yours a Happy Holidays thank you for the great videos.

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks Trae! Happy Christmas to you and yours.

[@CraigHollabaugh]

Learned a lot, thanks Keith.

[@williamkerr3350]

Concise,well researched and beautifully presented,thanks Keith.

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks William!

[@SeanKerns]

Love me a new Short History. And the 6120 is a favorite guitar of mine.

[@tidepoolbay]

Keith I am always impressed!

[@rayrayokmusic]

Excellent. My 5120 is jealous. Your work is exceptional. I always wait to watch your new shows when I have time to really listen.

[@michaelhowardrosskrh74]

Very cool. Keep em coming

[@E29music]

Keith, every video just keeps getting better!. Love the footage too. Well done my friend!

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks man!

[@JeffMcErlain]

Excellent as usual my man!

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks Jeff! Had to make due with Jason playing on this one...thanks to you for making that killer referral man.