Gretsch · 6119 · 1958–1971 (as model 6119)
The Tennessean joined the Chet Atkins line in 1958 as the budget model, a plainer 6120 with one Filter'Tron in the bridge position, an unbound neck and headstock, and usually a cherry red finish. In 1961 Gretsch rebuilt it into the guitar most people picture, with a thinner single cutaway body, painted-on f-holes, a dark cherry walnut stain and two Hi-Lo'Tron single-coils. That's the version George Harrison played with the Beatles, and Hilton Valentine used one on the Animals' House of the Rising Sun. It stayed single cutaway when the 6120 went double, gained a headstock nameplate in 1964, got open f-holes again around 1970 and became model 7655 in 1971. Chet Atkins later took the Tennessean name to Gibson, and Gretsch's Japan-made reissues are sold as the Tennessee Rose. Vintage Guitar says the ones collectors care about were made before the late 1960s, and the two-pickup guitars from the early 1960s are the ones we'd hunt. Expect a cleaner, brighter sound than a Filter'Tron 6120.
One Filter'Tron and open f-holes mean 1958–1960, and two Hi-Lo'Trons with painted f-holes mean 1961 on. Before 1965 the serial is on the label inside the body, and from 1965 a date-coded number is on the back of the headstock.
Binding and glue on 1960s Gretsches often deteriorate, which means binding work and neck resets. The low-output Hi-Lo'Trons are part of the sound, and swapped pickups or extra holes cut the value of an original.
Buying guide
Buy an early-1960s two-pickup Tennessean, the version George Harrison played, like the 1964 from a US seller at $2,825 delivered, or the 1969 titled all original with its case at $1,794 if you just want one to play. About 19 are listed and most ask $3,675–6,025 delivered, with US sellers at $1,794–5,800 for 1964–69 guitars, most Japanese dealers at $4,152–8,789 for much the same years, and an original 1960 one-pickup guitar at $4,465. Count the pickups and check the f-holes against the year, then ask for the serial (on the label inside before 1965, on the back of the headstock after) and close-ups of the binding and neck joint. Skip the $12,599 1964–65 from Japan, about $3,800 over the next-highest one, and the $2,650 1964 from a zero-feedback seller.
$1,794.00est. delivered
Titled all original with its original hard case, and the lowest delivered Tennessean here. A 1969 is later than the years collectors chase, which is why it's cheap, and it's still a Brooklyn-built guitar; ask for the headstock serial and binding close-ups.
1969 Gretsch 6119 Chet Atkins Tennessean Walnut Bigsby All Orig +OHSC USA
$2,825.00est. delivered
A 1964, from the early-1960s two-pickup years collectors care about, at about $850 under the band. The title is bare, so ask for the label serial, photos of both Hi-Lo'Trons and close-ups of the binding.
1964 Gretsch Tennessean 6119 Guitar
$4,465.00est. delivered
Titled original and 1960, from the first run with one Filter'Tron at the bridge and open f-holes, and priced inside the band. Check the single Filter'Tron and the label serial in the photos, and confirm the returns policy before you pay.
original 1960 Gretsch Chet Atkins Tennessean 6119 Western Red
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$1,794.00est. delivered
$1,697.00 + $97.00 shipping
Buy It Now$1,697.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
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Good buy
1969, titled all original with OHSC. In the US.
Seller: goodbridgemusic
99% positive
Used$2,825.00est. delivered
$2,700.00 + $125.00 shipping
Buy It Now$2,700.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
1964, no other detail in the title. In the US.
Seller: beatles2029
100% positive
Used$4,465.00est. delivered
$4,390.00 + $75.00 shipping
Buy It Now$4,390.00
Good buy
Titled original 1960, the one-Filter'Tron version. In the US.
Seller: oliviasvintage
100% positive
Used$1,935.00est. delivered
$1,850.00 + $85.00 shipping
Buy It Now$1,850.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
1967, no other detail in the title. In the US.
Seller: jbodrie
100% positive
Used$4,910.00delivered
$4,910.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$4,910.00
Our take
Titled 1963-64, with a weight. Ships from Japan.
Seller: guitar_shop_kiss
100% positive
Used$5,268.92delivered
$5,268.92 · free shipping
Buy It Now$5,268.92
Our take
Titled 1965-1966, no single year. Ships from Japan.
Seller: eastislandcrew
100% positive
Used$2,650.00est. delivered
$2,500.00 + $150.00 shipping
Buy It Now$2,500.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Check the seller
Zero-feedback seller. Pay only through eBay checkout.
Seller: hoaner386
No feedback yet
Used$12,598.94delivered
$12,598.94 · free shipping
Buy It Now$12,598.94
Priced high
Titled clean, 1964-65, about $3,800 over the next-highest one. Ships from Japan.
Seller: dimeback-516
99.5% positive
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