Gibson introduced double-cutaway thinline electrics in 1958 with the ES-335 semi-hollow model, and Gretsch was not far behind. But rather than going through the expense of introducing and marketing an all-new model, in 1961 Gretsch simply began “upgrading” it’s top models from single-cutaway to double-cutaway.

By the time the Chet Atkins 6120 went to the double-cut body, it had lost most of it’s Western ornamentation. Even the rural signpost on the pickguard was gone, although the signature remained. The horseshoe on the peghead would last only until 1964 when the generic Hollow Body name was replaced with Nashville and a metal plate with the model name replaced the horseshoe.

In the meantime, the model acquired several new features, including Filter’Tron humbucking pickups (1958), a distinctive Gretsch version of the Bigsby vibrola, a foam-rubber string mute (just above the bridge), and a large, snap-on back pad.

Discontinued when Atkins left Gretsch in 1980, the Nashville would be revived in both single- and double-cutaway versions in the 1990s.