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More than just a mean rockabilly machine!

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"Well, it's a stunning guitar," I hear you cautiously say, "but it's a shame I don't play rockabilly, though."

C'mon, now. That's like telling Keith Richards he shouldn't be using a Fender Telecaster with The Stones because you reckon they're only suitable for Stetson-wearing country players.

Overview

The Hot Rod is based on Brian's favourite Gretsch model, the aforementioned 6120. Launched in 1954, this iconic guitar was the signature model of Nashville guitar legend and, later, Elvis Presley producer Chet Atkins.

Brian actually has a range of signature guitars in the current Gretsch catalogue. In addition to his 6120SS flame-top models (£2,499 to £2,999), in a choice of orange and green finishes, he has just unveiled the stunning new Black Phoenix (£2,349). We gave you a sneak preview in our Summer NAMM report (TG141).

Like the name suggests, the Hot Rod series is a stripped-down version of the classic 6120. Brian wanted a usable stage guitar with modern performance, without compromising the original guitar's stunning looks and tone.

Just like a hot-rod automobile, it has 1950s looks with wheelspinning power. Yummy. Look closely at the nice pictures on this page and you will notice there's only a single control knob on the Hot Rod.

Brian had the Gretsch dudes remove the individual volume and tone controls, so all you get with this axe is a master volume. Some Gretsch guitars have slightly confusing switching options, so we like the cut of Brian's jib, here. The only other control on the Hot Rod is a standard three-way pickup selector switch.

Some of the smart modifications that Brian perfected with his original 1959 Gretsch 6120 have found their way onto his signature guitars.

Like many vintage guitars, older Gretsch instruments can be subject to tuning problems. The Hot Rod tweaks the snitch of dodgy tuning with a set of Sperzel locking machineheads.

They do the job so well that this guitar didn't lose its tuning the whole time we had it in our clutches. By the way, all that bollocks about Bigsby vibratos causing tuning problems just makes steam come out of our ears.

Brian won't play a guitar without a Bigsby, and he never has any trouble keeping his guitars in tune. And he plays 'em hard, as anyone that has seen him in concert can testify. As long as your Bigsby-equipped guitar is well set up with a correctly cut top nut, it will stay in tune. Got it?

Apart from the killer candy hot-rod finishes and the cool-as-fuck matt black primer option, Brian has come up with two more great features for his signature guitars.

The first is the pinned bridge. On Gretsch guitars, the 'floating' rosewood-based bridge is held in place by the pressure of the strings.