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Gretsch Duo Jet  6128 (1957 model)

Gretsch Duo Jet 6128 (1957 model)

George Harrison later described the Gretsch Duo Jet as his "first good guitar." He bought it second-hand in 1961 for around £75 (around $2,200 in today's money), apparently after seeing an ad in a paper.

Harrison played the Duo Jet through the Hamburg days and Cavern years, tours of Europe and America in 1964 and on many Beatles recordings. The guitar, which looks almost identical to the one photographed above, was a 1957 model. It is still owned by the Harrison Estate today.

An almost identical guitar to George Harrison's Gretsch Duo Jet 6128 is available from Musician's Friend. Musician's Friend offers a 45-day full refund guarantee.

Gretsch Guitars G6128T Duo Jet Electric Guitar with Bigsby Black

Gretsch Guitars G6128T Duo Jet Electric Guitar with Bigsby Black

The Gretsch G6128T Duo Jet is a classic that traces its lineage to the earliest days of rock music. Order now from Musician's Friend.





Gretsch Chet Atkins Country Gentleman

Gretsch Chet Atkins Country Gentleman

George Harrison bought two Gretsch Chet Atkins Country Gentleman guitars in 1963. Although both guitars were very similar, one had two control-knob mutes which could be used to "damp" or "quieten" the strings, such as the one photographed above.

The Gretsch Chet Atkins Country Gentleman had been designed in collaboration with American country guitarist Chet Atkins, whom Harrison admired.

George probably acquired his first Country Gentleman, a 1962 model, in May 1963. Converted to US currency, the retail price would have been around $740 then or some $5,200 in today's money.

An almost indentical guitar to George Harrison's Chet Atkins Country Gentleman is available from Musician's Friend. Musician's Friend offers a 45-day full refund guarantee.

Gretsch Guitars G6122-1962 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman Electric Guitar Walnut Stain

Gretsch Guitars G6122-1962 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman Electric Guitar Walnut Stain

From driving rhythm to ripping leads, the classic double-cutaway G6122-1962 Country Gentleman Classic has it all! Order now from Musician's Friend.




Rickenbacker 360-12

Gretsch Jet Fire Bird

For a short while in 1963, George Harrison used a Gretsch Jet Fire Bird, similar to the one pictured above.

Harrison later said the guitar belonged to somebody else, and that he was just trying it out at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, where the Beatles performed regularly in their pre-fame days.

The guitar was probably red, although all the photographs taken of George with the Jet Fire Bird are in black and white so it's impossible to know for sure.

An similar guitar to George Harrison's Gretsch Jet Fire Bird is available from Musician's Friend. Musician's Friend offers a 45-day full refund guarantee.

Gretsch Guitars G6131T Power Jet Firebird Electric Guitar Red

Gretsch Guitars G6131T Power Jet Firebird Electric Guitar Red

Here's the classic Jet Firebird with a Bigsby and a snarl. Order now from Musician's Friend.





Gretsch Chet Atkins Tennessean


Gretsch Chet Atkins Tennessean

In 1964, the year that the Beatles started to conquer the world, George Harrison acquired a new Gretsch guitar, this time a Chet Atkins Tennessean.

The guitar was most likely manufactured in 1963 or perhaps in 1962, but no documentation exists and the guitar is no longer in possession of Harrison's family.

The retail price then would have been $350 or around $2,400 in today's money.

Harrison used this guitar on a number of recordings, including I Feel Fine and Baby's in Black. He also used it for live performances during 1964 and 65.

A similar guitar to the one Harrison used is available from Musician's Friend.
Musician's Friend offers a 45-day full refund guarantee.

Gretsch Guitars G6119-1962HT Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose Electric Guitar Burgundy Stain

Gretsch Guitars G6119-1962HT Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose Electric Guitar Burgundy Stain

Still reverberating throughout Shea Stadium, one of the most recognizable '60s pop icons returns! Order now from Musician's Friend.




Gretsch Chet Atkins 6120 (1962 model)


Gretsch Chet Atkins 6120 (1962 model)


John Lennon used this guitar briefly in the studio in 1966, and there are photographs of him playing it during the Paperback Writer sessions.

A similar guitar to the one Lennon used is available from Musician's Friend. Musician's Friend offers a 45-day full refund guarantee.

Gretsch Guitars G6120DC Chet Atkins Nashville Electric Guitar Western Maple Stain

Gretsch Guitars G6120DC Chet Atkins Nashville Electric Guitar Western Maple Stain

Built for comfort and speed! Based on the 1962 model 6120, the Chet Atkins Hollow Body Double Cutaway electric guitar features TV Jones® Classic pickups, Gretsch rocking bar bridge, Bigsby B6C vibrato tailpiece, and flip-up muffler system. Order now from Musician's Friend.




Further reading: "Beatles Gear" by Andy Babiuk