Description
Up for sale is this brand new 1955 Spec 6130 Roundup model, straight from the USA Gretsch Custom Shop. This "Knotty Pine Roundup" is an amazing piece, and it has a special place in the history of the electric guitar. With their earliest lines of electric solid body and hollow body guitars, Gretsch set out to capture the country-western market, adorning several models with as much cowboy flair as they could. The Chet Atkins model 6120 and 6121 featured a few western appointments, but the 6130 Roundup model started it all. From the tooled leather banding inlaid into the perimeter to the cast brass belt buckle welded right to the top of the tailpiece, Gretsch spared no expense to woo the would-be string pluckin' cattlemen. Perhaps the most unique feature of the 6130 Roundup model was the pine top, specifically chosen for its figured knot patterns, forever giving it the nickname of the "Knotty Pine Roundup." It's estimated that about 400 Roundups were made from 1953 to 1957, making them one of the rarest Gretsch models of the 1950s.
Every detail from the original Roundup has been painstakingly recreated with this remarkable reissue. The slightly wider leather banding, the custom-made plain top knobs with knurling to match '50s spec, the 3-ply black-white-black pickup risers, and carefully engraved and beveled pickguard all look immaculate. The body carve and neck profile are spot-on, yielding a well-balanced and lightweight instrument that's very faithful to the 1955 version. At 2", the body is slightly thicker than the '57s and later models.
As a master-built USA Custom Gretsch, this beauty offers exceptional quality from top to bottom, with an astounding level of precision and attention to detail. It plays extremely well, sporting a slightly chunky "C" shaped neck, and the action is low and even across the entire Brazilian rosewood fretboard. The Seymour Duncan DynaSonic pickups are dead-on recreations of the original DeArmond pickups, and they've got a clean, chiming tone with big tubby lows and shimmering highs. With some gain, they've got a snarl like no other, characterized by punchy, biting mids that never sound too harsh. They're phenomenal pickups, and they truly capture the vibe of the vintage DeArmonds.
This guitar will ship as shown in the photos, along with an assortment of Gretsch Custom Shop goodies, including a boutique guitar strap, an embroidered canvas utility bag, a Gretsch Custom Shop patch and sticker, reissue style documents and polishing cloth, and the certificate of authenticity signed by Gonzalo Madrigal. It also comes with the '50s reissue "Western" style hard case by TKL. Please feel free to reach out with any questions about our store or this outstanding guitar. This is an absolutely stunning, one-of-a-kind USA Custom Gretsch that would easily take crown jewel status of any guitar collection!
Weight: 7 lbs. 8 oz.
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: 0.88"
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: 0.97"
Specs
Top Color: Gretsch Orange
Back, Neck, and Sides Color: Roundup Tobacco
Binding Color: Lt Tint
Headcap Color: Walnut Stain
Aging Type: Closet Classic
Neck Wood: Mahogany
Fretboard Wood: Brazilian Rosewood
Fretboard Inlay Material: Nos Nitro
Fretboard Inlay Style: Western Motif
Headstock Perimeter: 55 Duo Jet
Headstock Logo: Sq "G" with Steerhead
Headstock Logo Material: Nos Nitro
Headcap Material: Curly Maple
Zero Fret: No
Frets: Vintage
Neck Binding: White Nitro
Side Dots: Red
Neck Shape: Stock "C"
Nut: Bone
Body Style: 55 Round Up
Top: Maple Ply W/knotty Pine
Back: Mahogany
Sides: Mahogany
Body Binding: Stock Roundup
Wiring: Tone Pot with Treble Bleed
Hardware: Gold
Tuners: Gotoh
Neck Pickup: Duncan Dyna-sonic
Bridge Pickup: Duncan Dyna-sonic
Knobs: Plain Top
Bridge: Synchro-sonic
Tailpiece: Belt Buckle
Pickguard Color: Relic Tortoise Shell W/steerhead
Pickguard Engraving: Black Engraving
SKU: 9252004133
