Mods & Rockers

The Stray Cat struts in once again with a litter of killer new signature guitars to sink your claws into. Just don’t expect them to bat like 50s throwbacks...

- Ed Mitchell

GRETSCH G6120T-BSSMK BRIAN SETZER SIGNATURE NASHVILLE ’59 ‘SMOKE’ & G6120T-HR BRIAN SETZER SIGNATURE HOT ROD

£3,199 & £2,549

CONTACT Fender Musical Instruments EMEA PHONE [phone] WEB www.gretschguitars.com

What You Need To Know

1 Mods and rockers?

The Gretsch G6120 is the ultimate 50s rocker guitar. The latest Brian Setzer signature versions come heavily modded. Hence, mods and rockers. Actually, mods like Pete Townshend of The Who and late Small Faces frontman Steve Marriott loved Gretsch gear, too.

2 Are we just talking about some new finishes here?

No. Brian and the Gretsch team have had their way with the original blueprint to produce the best-playing G6120 models we’ve ever wrapped our mitts around. You’re getting some cool finish options, but the beauty of these guitars is more than skin deep.

3 So, we get a Floyd Rose, catastrophically overwound humbuckers, a spindly compound radius neck...

These guitars are based around Brian’s ’59 G6120, which he played on all the early Stray Cats records. That said, you’re onto something with the compound radius thing.

It was almost a year ago that we caught up with undisputed king of rockabilly guitar, Brian Setzer. The occasion was the launch of the Stray Cats’ reunion record, 40, the blistering and aptly named celebration of their four decades in the rockabilly and pompadour business.

We talked gear of course, and Brian let slip he was working on some new Japanese made signature models with the team at Gretsch. To say we were intrigued is the very definition of an understatement. We turned a metaphorical lamp in Brian’s direction and began applying the thumbscrews.