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1959 Gretsch 6128 Duo-Jet

The early 1950s saw the popularization of the solid-body electric guitar with the release of the Fender's Telecaster (née Broadcaster) in 1950, and the Gibson's Les Paul Model in 1952. Seeing the success of these new electric models, Gretsch responded by unveiling the 6128 Duo Jet in mid 1953. While the Duo Jet presents as a single-cutaway solid body guitar much like Gibson's Les Paul Model, the Gretsch featured a chambered mahogany body with an arched plywood top. It’s a much lighter guitar than a Les Paul, with a semi-hollow response and sustain.

Gretsch's black Duo Jet has become one of the most iconic electric guitar designs birthed in the 1950s. It’s found its way into the hands of countless guitarists in just about every genre imaginable. An excellent example of a Duo Jet from early in the Filter'tron period, this 1959 model features late 1958 specs including a standard nut rather than the zero fret that was introduced for 1959. The guitar remains in largely original condition. It has a fresh set of frets installed by our repair shop and reproduction Waverly tuners which replaced non-original Schallers that were previously installed on the headstock. The electronics, tailpiece, bridge, pickguard and finish are all original.

Sporting a pair of original Patent Applied For Filter'Trons (3.93K in the neck and 3.96k in the bridge) this guitar sounds absolutely spectacular, offering a sweet midrange and note clarity that give the suggestion of a single coil, while delivering the power and rich dynamics of a humbucker. Refretted with 0.080"/0.040" wire, the guitar plays effortlessly. The neck has a rounded, fast and comfortable carve that measures 0.802" deep at the first fret and 0.938". The nut width measures 1-11/16”.

Added up, this guitar's flaws are few and fairly insignificant. Small screwholes from non-original tuners have been plugged but are visible. There is a section of separated binding at the bass-side waist that’s too tight to glue back flush, and there is a repaired chip in the headstock face behind the nut.

It’s a great sounding, playing, and looking vintage Gretsch.

With modern Gretsch hardshell case.
1959 Gretsch 6128 Duo-Jet

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