A superb 1957 Gretsch PX 6128 Duo Jet, in excellent condition.
The Duo Jet was introduced in 1954 alongside its sister model the PX 6129 Silver Jet, this series was completed by the PX 6131 Jet Fire Bird the following year. Officially described as solidbody models, their construction actually comprises a hollowed-out mahogany body topped with a laminate top, the last layer of which is made of the same plastic that Gretsch uses in the manufacture of its drum shells. The two pickups each have an individual volume potentiometer, connected to a three-way selector, and controlled by master volume and tone potentiometers, offering a wide tonal range.
This Duo Jet is equipped with a pair of DeArmond Dynasonic pickups, single coils types comparable to Gibson’s P-90s, which Gretsch had been using since the early 1950s; the following year, they were replaced by the new Filter ‘Tron humbucking pickups. Another unique feature for 1957 are the so-called “hump block” style fingerboard inlays used only that year along with a rosewood fingerboard; by 1958, the inlay pattern was replaced by the “thumbprint” pattern, and the wood used for the fingerboard would be substituted for ebony.
This Duo Jet configuration is relatively rare with features unique to that year, and in addition the distinction of being one of the “Beatles guitars” long sought after by collectors and fans of the band. George Harrison’s first “real guitar” was indeed a Duo Jet of the very same vintage as the instrument presented here, bought second-hand in Liverpool in mid-1961. He played this model for the majority of the Beatles’ live performances and recordings until mid-1963 before switching to a more fancy Gretsch Country Gentleman, which became his main instrument at the height of Beatlemania. A model with the “Harrison specs” can therefore only be dated to 1957! The guitar is equipped with a Melita adjustable bridge as well as its Gretsch trapeze tailpiece. However, the one that Harrison owned and played had been subsequently equipped with a Bigsby vibrato and a Chet Atkins-style bridge – we are thus adding to the lot a period Bigsby vibrato and bridge, in order to reproduce exactly the appearance and operation of George Harrison’s instrument!
Fully set up and prepared in our workshop, in perfect playing condition.
In its original Gretsch hardshell case case.
