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Gretsch Custom Shop Masterbuilt Stephen Stern G6128CS 1954 Duo Jet Relic with Bigsby Black

SKU 00GCS000
by Gretsch
Sold out
Original price $ 6,400.00 - Original price $ 6,400.00
Original price
$ 6,400.00
$ 6,400.00 - $ 6,400.00
Current price $ 6,400.00
Gretsch Custom Shop Masterbuilt Stephen Stern G6128CS 1954 Duo Jet Relic
 
IMPECCABLE CRAFTSMANSHIP
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.  Every year, we make a pilgrimage there to sit down with Masterbuilder Stephen Stern and his team to cook up a batch of Custom Shop guitars.  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.  Either way, they always knock it out of the park!

This G6128CS 1954 Duo Jet is a result of this partnership.  A slightly altered recreation of the Duo Jet, which originally debuted in 1953, it has the classic Gretsch sound and feel, perfected by Stephen Stern.  Just as it was made in 1954, it's semi-solid with routed channels and pockets in the interior.  The name Duo Jet was inspired by its a 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 chambered mahogany body reduces the weight, making it quite comfortable to play for hours - this one comes in at 7.7 lbs, quite light for a Duo Jet.  We chose the Relic finish package, to give it a well worn look and broken in feel.  With its authentic nitrocellulose lacquer finish, this guitar has a pure vintage vibe.  The neck is a very easy to play "C" neck shape (standard on Duo Jets).  The mahogany neck is topped with a beautiful dark rosewood fretboard, completed by moto block inlays.  The headstock is adorned with the old school Gretsch script logo, keeping this looking like it's straight out of 1954.

At Stern's suggestion, we went with the Seymour Duncan Dynasonic pickups.  Wound a slightly different way to add more high-end sparkle and output, these pickups sound absolutely amazing.  They are great for single note playing, whether with your fingers or a pick, and react very well to your level of attack.  At the same time, they are great for rhythm playing and chords.  This a very versatile set of pickups, and with the controls on this guitar, a variety of tones can be dialed in.

For those that know, a Gretsch Masterbuilt instrument by Stephen Stern cannot be beat.  This one in particular is a standout winner.  Come to Truetone Music to experience it in person, or make it yours right here.

  • PART # 9252003957
  • SERIAL # UC22032264
  • WEIGHT: 7.7 lbs
  • BASE MODEL:  Duo Jet - 1954 Style
  • COLOR:  Black
  • AGING TYPE:  Relic
  • TUNERS:  Gold Gotoh Vintage Style Tuners
  • NECK PICKUP:   Duncan® DynaSonic DeArmond
  • BRIDGE PICKUP:  Duncan® DynaSonic DeArmond
  • NECK SHAPE:  Standard C
  • 1ST FRET DEPTH:  .883"
  • 12TH FRET DEPTH:  1.000"
  • NUT:  Bone
  • WIRING:  Master Vol, Neck Vol, Bridge Vol, P/U Selector Switch and Tone Control
  • BINDING:  Stock
  • FRETS:  Vintage
  • FRETBOARD WOOD:  Rosewood
  • FRETBOARD INLAY MATERIAL:  Moto
  • FRETBOARD INLAY STYLE:  Wide block inlay (no 1st fret)
  • NECK WOOD:  Mahogany
  • TRUSS ADJUST:  Headstock
  • PICKGUARD ENGRAVING:  Gretsch Logo on Colored Pickguard
  • PICKGUARD MATERIAL:  Plain White Pickguard
  • KNOBS:  Arrow
  • BRIDGE:  Sychro-Sonic
  • TAILPIECE:  Trapeze G Cutout
  • TOP:  Arched Laminated Maple
  • BACK:  Chambered Mahogony Body
  • SIDES:  Chambered Mahogony Body
  • HARDWARE:  Chrome
  • HEADSTOCK LOGO:  54 Duo Jet Script Logo
  • BODY STYLE:  Chambered Single Cutaway
  • ADDITIONAL NOTES:  Small 54 style bullet shaped truss cover; Triangular control cavity cover on back