Guitar Gear ReviewsGretsch Brian Setzer G6120T-BSSMK 59
A top-tier hollow-body model with standout tone, vintage charm, and minor hardware caveats.
★★★★☆ 3.7/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 6 min read · updated 2026-09-11 · Tested by Cal Whitaker
Shipping and duties
The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.
Scores by area
Where it shines, where it stumbles
What convinced me
- Exceptional tonal clarity and sustain from TV Jones Ray Ful-Fidelity humbucker pickups
- Vintage V-shaped maple neck is comfortable and stable, with a smooth ebony fretboard
- Outstanding tuning stability thanks to Gotoh locking tuners
- Authentic 1959 aesthetic with premium build quality and striking Smoke Orange finish
- Includes a quality hard case
What bugged me
- Bigsby tremolo arm required adjustment after a short period
- Guitar delivered with corroded strings
- High price point may not suit all budgets
Is it the right one for you?
Good pick if
Ideal for fans of vintage hollow-body tones, Gretsch enthusiasts, and stage performers seeking style and distinctive sound. Serious players who appreciate nuanced craftsmanship and an authentic 1959 vibe will find great value.Look elsewhere if
Not suited for beginners, buyers on a tight budget, or those looking for a versatile all-genre guitar. Players expecting perfect hardware out of the box might encounter minor issues.Suggested level: Professional
Specifications
- Hollowbody guitar
- Yes
- Semi hollowbody guitar
- No
- Color
- Orange
- Body
- Maple
- Top
- Maple
- Neck
- Maple
- Fretboard
- Ebony
- Frets
- 22
- Scale
- 624 mm
- Pickups
- HH
- Tremolo
- Yes
- Including case
- Yes
- Incl. bag
- No
- Artist
- BRIAN SETZER
What other players say
Customer impressions consistently highlight the guitar's high-quality build, impressive sustain and clarity, as well as its stunning vintage-inspired design. Negative remarks focus mainly on hardware quirks like a Bigsby arm requiring repair and poor string condition on arrival, but overall satisfaction remains strong.
The sound of the TV Jones pickups is incredible. The tone sustains thanks to the quality wood, is defined, and has power.
The neck feels like it was made for my not-so-large hands. The V-shape provides good grip and the fretboard plays flawlessly.
The only downside is that after two weeks the black screw holding the Bigsby arm came loose.
Up close
Watch and listen
Questions players ask
What type of pickups are installed on this model?
It features TV Jones Ray Ful-Fidelity humbucker pickups in both the bridge and neck positions, offering strong definition and a powerful, versatile tone.
Does the Gretsch G6120T-BSSMK 59 stay in tune during heavy tremolo use?
Yes, the Gotoh locking tuners provide excellent tuning stability, even during extensive use of the Bigsby tremolo arm.
Is the neck comfortable for smaller hands?
Many users find the Vintage V-shape maple neck comfortable, providing a secure grip with easy playability, especially suited for medium to smaller hand sizes.
What comes in the box?
The guitar comes with a quality hard case. A gig bag is not included, and some buyers have reported corroded strings upon delivery.
Does the orange finish reflect light?
No, the Smoke Orange lacquer has a subdued, non-reflective look, which many players find visually appealing and distinctly vintage.
Overview: Gretsch Brian Setzer G6120T-BSSMK 59
The Gretsch Brian Setzer G6120T-BSSMK 59 sits at the intersection of vintage heritage and modern build quality, perfectly aimed at players seeking quintessential hollowbody style with contemporary reliability. Priced at $3,399, this signature model takes inspiration from Setzer's legendary 1959 Gretsch and packs in most of the specs aficionados expect: full maple construction, a set-in neck, and exclusive hardware choices. Released at the end of 2019, it quickly established itself as a flagship in Gretsch's artist roster.
Build and Construction
- Body: Fully hollow body crafted in laminated maple, with a top and sides in the same material. The finish is a non-glossy "Smoke Orange," giving the guitar a distinct retro vibe without unnecessary shine.
- Neck: The maple neck is glued in, sporting a vintage V profile that's substantial but ergonomic, especially comfortable for players with slightly smaller hands. The neck's feel and support get multiple mentions in user feedback for stability and comfort during long sessions.
- Fretboard: Ebony fingerboard with a compound radius (9.5 to 12 inches) and signature thumbnail inlays. It's topped with 22 medium jumbo frets and a Delrin nut (1.69 inches wide), giving enough room for expressive bends and comfortable chord work across the register.
- Binding: Aged white binding edges every contour, adding vintage visual elegance and tactile definition along the fretboard and body.
- Hardware: Nickel-plated components, Gotoh locking tuners, and the standout B6CGH Bigsby vibrato with an Adjusto-Matic bridge on a rosewood base. A gold-plexiglass pickguard etched with Brian Setzer's signature and the Gretsch logo completes the look.
Electronics and Controls
- Pickups: The heart of the sound comes from a bridge position TV Jones Ray Ful-Fidelity humbucking pickup paired with a TV Jones Ray Butts Ful-Fidelity neck humbucker. These pickups bring clarity, definition, and plenty of punch, handling Setzer-style rockabilly as well as cleaner jazz voicings.
- Controls: Three dedicated volume knobs (for each pickup and a master), plus a three-way selector for the pickups and a separate three-way tone toggle. This layout gives quick fine-tuning options, fast access to pickup combinations, and the ability to roll off highs or fatten up tones on the fly.
Playability and Experience
User impressions repeatedly praise the instrument's overall feel as "new yet vintage," referencing its ability to channel the spirit of a late-1950s hollowbody with modern precision. The neck stands out as a highlight, its V profile providing an easy, assured grip, especially appreciated by those wary of bulkier "baseball bat" necks. The fretboard's smooth ebony surface enables fast, fluid playing, while the compound radius lays flat up top for easy bends and narrows toward the nut for clean, buzz-free open chords.
Bigsby vibrato units can sometimes be a mixed blessing, and field feedback did flag a minor flaw: the mounting screw for the vibrato arm loosened after a brief period, causing squeaks and eventually some instability. This was attributed to the mounting nut contacting the spring, which worked itself loose under tension. Despite this, tuning stability remained excellent thanks to the Gotoh locking machines, and swapping in a different Bigsby arm resolved the issue for the reviewer.
Out of the box, the instrument was delivered with corroded strings, a rare but valid strike against quality control in shipping, though this did not reflect the base build quality once fresh strings were installed.
Sound
Tone is where this model excels. The TV Jones pickups produce a strong, sustaining sound. The clarity and output are consistently noted, the instrument remains articulate and defined, even when pushed through high-gain or slapback echo settings favored in rockabilly and classic rock. The natural resonance of the all-maple hollow body, combined with the responsive pickups, gives stand-out projection and a harmonic richness that rewards dynamic playing. Even unplugged, the guitar vibrates with authority, indicative of quality wood construction and tight assembly.
The three-way tone switch is useful for rapid shifts between bright, mid-focused, and darker voicings, especially in a live or recording setting. The master volume and tone provide hands-on control for tailoring your core sound without needing to adjust amp settings repeatedly.
Fit and Finish
Visually, the guitar commands attention. The subtle "Smoke Orange" lacquer avoids any plastic-looking gloss, instead presenting a softly aged character. The gold plexiglass pickguard, vintage-style thumbnail inlays, and aged binding complete the classic aesthetic. Fretwork and finish are consistently smooth, making daily use a pleasure rather than a chore.
Case and Extras
For the price, a robust case is included, ensuring safe transport and storage. No gig bag is provided. All appointments and features land in a professional territory, making this instrument suitable for both stage and studio work.
Conclusion
The Gretsch Brian Setzer G6120T-BSSMK 59 is a meticulously crafted artist model that honors its namesake's heritage without getting weighed down by nostalgia. Its resonance, clarity, and ergonomics make it a compelling choice for professional players who seek classic looks, powerful sound, and reliability. Only minor issues, like the Bigsby arm mounting or factory string corrosion, slightly tarnish an otherwise first-rate instrument. For serious hollowbody enthusiasts or Brian Setzer fans, it stands as a high-water mark in Gretsch's current lineup.
The last word from the bench
The Gretsch Brian Setzer G6120T-BSSMK 59 delivers vintage charisma with modern stability and remarkable tonal fidelity. While some minor hardware issues like the Bigsby arm and string corrosion were noted, its playability, finish, and feel set a high bar. This model excels in tone and sustain, especially for those seeking the feel of a classic '59 Gretsch. Overall, it's a compelling choice for serious players willing to invest in quality.
Hanging next to it
Before you decide
Gretsch Brian Setzer G6120T-BSSMK 59
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