I own two of them. Both made in Japan. Don't knock japanese technology - they do quality work. The newest one was purchased after Fender took over Gretsch. Both have equivalent rich tones. The first unit had to have a completely new fret job, it had loose tuning screws, and the electric harness had to be replaced. The second unit was flawless. I have tried almost every brand of Gretsch Guitars. I believe the Country Classic has the best electronic arrangment. The tone of this guitar is superb. Personally, I could tell little difference in over all tone in over 10 different Gretches I have evaluated with the filtertron pickups which to me are the best. To tweek the tones to get a mellow vs a more pronounced clear sound when using only the front pup, I found you balance between the master and pup volume to get almost any tone you want. I use a Peavey Classic II, 15 watts to practice and play at low volume and this amplifier really brings out the sweet tone. The Gretsch has a tone of its own. More deep, rich, mellow, sweeter for my type of finger style music. For R & R and Country Rock you can't beat the sound of a Strat or Tele Fender. It all depends on what style you play. However, the Gretsch can really do justice to R&R when using the brige pup or the combination of the two pups. For Chet Atkins style you can't beat the Country Classic for tone, action, and playing ease. The 25.5 length I found has a much tighter string tension than the 24.6. That's my only grip. I get really sore fingers because of the tight string tension but again I use the 0.11 to 0.49 gauge. (D'Addario LX - EXL115W.) Personally, this is the best I have found in the line of Gretsch.

I purchased my 6122 Country Classic at my local music store. This is an excellent instrument, I have an original 1962 6122 Chet signature guitar and the older 6120 and this new one is every bit the quality and sound of its seniors but now i have a daily player in this guitar the originals only come out for studio sessions. Just buy one.

By far, the best guitar I've ever played or owned. I've been finger-pickin' for about 35 years and I've always been chasing after Chet Atkins' sound. I've purchased other Gretsch guitars that were very close. Then I got the 6122-1962. It became the only guitar I would play. Needless to say, I sold the other guitars. The quality is excellent, much better than the old, original 6122. And the sound is perfect. I play it through a Super Reverb. Clean and solid. I have no idea what anyone could complain about. Buy it and have no regrets. If you're a Chet Atkins fan, this guitar will bring a smile to your face everytime you play it. It will make you sound better than YOU really are as well.

If you're 'George' in a Beatle Tribute band, this is a must have. If you can actually play guitar worth a darn.... You'll need to have it set up, intonated, and get a TV Jones wiring harness and pickups. The electronics (pickups, pots, switches, etc) are absolutely worthless! As a wall-hanger, it's great! As an instrument, consider this a project. If you're into Chet Atkins, I would recommend something else - this will disappoint you

This guitar has to be One of the best out in the field. The tone it has is killer and the workmanship is beyond words. The Gold hardware will knock your eyes when you see it in person. It's sad that everyone seemes to think that this guitar is all about George Harrison. It's really about the greatest all time picker Mr. Chet Atkins. When I play it I get inspired just thinking of all the hot fingerpicking and hot licks that came off this fingerboard from him and George. Buy it you won't beleive your ears and eyes when you see and plug this gem of a guitar in.