Gretsch Custom Shop Masterbuilt G6128-CS 1957 Duo Jet NOS Oxblood With Case

The Gretsch Custom Shop is where the time-honored legacy reaches its creative apex. No instruments epitomize the extraordinary expertise and attention to detail of Gretsch’s most trusted hands like Custom Shop instruments. From modern versions of legendary Gretsch instruments to artist tribute models and specially requested one-off guitars, the Gretsch Custom Shop takes “That Great Gretsch Sound” to an entirely new plane, but also preserves and perfects it.

Truetone Music is proud to have a long and close relationship with Gretsch, especially with the Custom Shop.  Sometimes we go for vintage-styled recreations, sometimes we go for modernized tweaks.  Sometimes it's a classic color, sometimes it's a totally new color or even reclaimed wood.  And when they just cook up something magnificent, we have to have it.  That's the case here.  This G6128-CS 1957 Duo Jet is an amazing example of what the Custom Shop can do.  It's the only one ever made, and it's downright amazing.  Masterbuilder Chad Henrichsen, who has worked alongside the legendary Stephen Stern for years, created this masterpiece.  We had spec'ed the guitar out with both Stern and Henrichsen, who was entrusted to create this masterpiece.  He absolutely nailed it.

Of course, what stands out visually is the color - we chose to do this one in Oxblood.  It's a rarely seen color, especially on a Gretsch.  In fact, we believe it's the only Duo Jet in Oxblood ever made (of course, another Custom Shop build could have been done before, but we can at least say it's the only new one out there right now!).  With a finish this nice, we wanted to keep this one super clean, so we chose to have it done as an NOS (New Old Stock, with no aging or relic'ing).  We've had a lot of Gretsch Custom Shop guitars here over the years, and while all are amazing builds, not many stand out like this one. 

A recreation of the Duo Jet from the classic year of 1957, it has the classic Gretsch sound and feel, perfected by Chad Henrichsen.  Just as it was made in back then, it's semi-solid with routed channels and pockets in the interior.  The name Duo Jet was inspired by its two pickups and the advanced aircraft of the day.  What was cutting edge modern back then is an all-time classic now.  It was the first Gretsch guitar to have a truss rod accessible through the headstock, a pickup selector switch and a master volume.  It became, and has remained, one of the most iconic and sought after electric guitars.

The C shaped neck is extremely comfortable, and the body resonates beautifully.  This instrument is well-balanced and could easily be played while strapped on for hours.  The Mahogany body and laminated Maple top is a great combination, providing a deep warmth with a bit of a top end snap.  It really suits a Duo Jet well.  

When we spec'ed this out with Stephen Stern, we agreed that we should go for what best provides the legendary Gretsch sound as heard on many guitars before: TV Jones Classics.  It doesn't get any more classic sounding than this.  This is the pickup that started it all - the TV Classic captures that vintage twang and growl characteristic of the late 1950's Filter'Tron. Originally designed from an analyzed 1959 "Pat. Applied For" Filter'Tron, the TV Classic is one of the most popular and most versatile pickups out there.  It sits right between a typical Fender (bright single-coil) & Gibson (darker & thick humbucker) with a unique growl when you dig in. Clean, compressed treble and mids breath life over a tight and controlled low-end.

Other features include a rocking bar bridge, a B3C Bigsby, Gotoh vintage style tuners, and chrome hardware.  Going up the neck, the fancy look is completed by moto block inlays.  The headstock is adorned with the squared horizontal Gretsch, retaining a nice touch of 1957.

The G6128-CS Duo Jet comes complete with a custom case, high-end El Dorado strap and Certificate of Authenticity.  The full list of specs is below.  Be sure to check out all of the photos to see everything, and zoom in to see the intricate detail.  It's truly a stunning guitar, and we consider ourselves lucky to be able to present this masterpiece.  Come to Truetone Music to experience it in person, or make it yours right here.

• Serial # UC22122412
• Part # 9252003856
• Model: G6128-CS
• Masterbuilder: Chad Henrichsen
• Weight: 7.8 lbs

SPECIFICATIONS

• Base Model: Duo Jet - 1957 Style
• Color: Oxblood
• Aging Type: NOS
• Top: Arched Laminated Maple
• Back: Chambered Mahogany Body
• Sides: Chambered Mahogany Body
• Body Style: Chambered Single Cutaway
  
• Binding: Black
  
• Neck Wood: Mahogany
  
• Neck Shape: Standard Neck Shape
  
• Fretboard Wood: Ebony
• Fretboard Inlay Material: Mother Of Pearl
• Fretboard Inlay Style: Hump Block
• Frets: Vintage
• Nut: Bone
• Headstock Logo: Squared Horizontal Gretsch Logo
  
• Headstock Logo Material: Standard
• Truss Adjust: Headstock
  
• Tuners: Gotoh Vintage Style Tuners
• Neck Pickup: TV Jones Classic
• Bridge Pickup: TV Jones Classic
  
• Wiring: Master Vol, Neck Vol, Bridge Vol, P/U Selector Switch and Tone Control
  
• Pickguard Engraving: Gretsch Logo
  
• Pickguard Material: Black
• Knobs: G Arrow
• Bridge: Rocking Bar
• Tailpiece: Gretsch Bigsby B3C Vibrato Tailpiece
• Hardware: Chrome
• Case: Tweed