"The Only One"

This unique one-of-a-kind Streamliner weighs just 6.90 lbs. and has a nice, fat nut width of just under 1 11/16 inches and a scale length of 24 1/2 inches. Fifteen and a half inch wide double-bound laminated maple body with a one-piece maple back. Double-bound 'f' holes. Two-piece medium-to-thick profile maple neck with ebony center strip. Brazilian rosewood fretboard with 22 frets and inlaid engraved "Steers-Head", "Cacti" and "Indian Spear" pearloid block position markers. Original aluminum nut. Single-bound headstock with inlaid white "Gretsch Synchromatic" inlay. Two layer (black on white) large truss rod cover. Grover StaTite open-back tuners with oval metal buttons and hexagonal bushings. Two DeArmond (Gretsch Dynasonic) pickups, with nicely balanced outputs of 9.10k and 8.54k. Matching "Copper-Mist" Lucite pickguard. Three volume controls (one volume control for each pickup plus master volume control), one tone control, and one (pickup) selector switch. The potentiometers are all stamped "134 539" (Centralab, September 1955). Gretsch "Plain Arrow" knobs with cross-hatch pattern on sides. Black Melita Synchro-Sonic bridge with individual saddles on ebony base and chrome cut-out "G-hole flat" tailpiece. Original Gretsch rectangular white label with the model number "6189" stamped in black, and the serial number "19235" stamped in red, inside bass "f" hole. This unique guitar is in near mint (9.25) condition. We would certainly have given this guitar a (9.50) rating - the only thing that prevented us from doing so is the fact that the 'tortoiseshell' ring under the bridge pickup had partially disintegrated (very common) and has now been professionally repaired (not replaced) by our Luthier. There is also some very fine/light finish checking on the body. Complete with the original "Telling You How" booklet for "This Ultra-Modern" Twin-Pickup Electric Spanish Guitar"; the original "Gretsch Guitar Guarantee with the model number "6189 Spec[ial] and the serial number "19235" written in blue ink; the original 'down-payment' receipt dated "Jan 21, 1957"; an original guitar cable and the original case-key. Housed in the original Gretsch two-tone gray hardshell case with purple plush lining. (9.25).

This "6189 Special" is a one-of-kind instrument that was specially ordered back in 1956. Streamliners always have a single DeArmond pickup and "Hump Block" pearloid position markers.

We sent the photographs of this unique guitar to Ed Ball (who is just about to publish the new and authoritative book Streamliner - The Chet Atkins 6120 - Evolution of the Species). He sent us the following statement:

"David, Many thanks for the support on the 6120 book!  I just took a look at my files on your 6189 with the western inlay and wanted to give you some additional information.. This guitar is from a batch of 100 1956 Streamliners.  The rest in the group have the standard appointments (hump-block inlay, 1 Dyna).  I assume you have the down payment receipt (Jan. 21, 1957)... I would love to get a pot code from this guitar as I predict you'll find it to be in the late '55 or early '56 range.  I last saw this guitar when Naoaki had it in Japan. Regards - Ed."

pps. we sent the pot codes to Ed.