1956 Gretsch Electromatic Streamliner 6189 Vintage Guitar DeArmond 100% Original & Complete w/ ohsc

Up for sale, a 1956 Gretsch Electromatic Streamliner model 6189 in excellent, 100% original condition and in perfect working order. A short lived (1955-57) precursor to the Anniversary model, the Streamliner sets itself apart from many later Gretsch single pickup models by sporting the highest quality bridge and upscale inlays that Gretsch offered in the era, as well as a rare and collectible Bamboo Yellow finish on the top, with Copper Mist back and sides! In fact, the body construction is identical to the famous Chet Atkins 6120, making the Streamliner a great way to get into a single pickup version of 6120, with a unique cosmetic look never offered on Gretsch's upscale 6120 model.
Fully hollow and acoustically powerful, this Streamliner has a tone that is thick and resonant, with plenty of warmth to increase the girth and low end heft of the DeArmond DynaSonic pickup. The DeArmond is mounted in a harmonic sweet spot, with a very complex and chiming sound. Whether you need percussive cut and twang or more meaty, warm Jazz tones, it's amazing the versatility of this single pickup Gretsch. Professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar, this Streamliner is strung with fresh roundwound 11-50 strings.
The neck has a medium C profile that borders on the chunkier side of things, with very generous shoulders and a profile depth that increases noticeably as you move into the higher registers of the fretboard. The Brazilian rosewood fretboard has original slender fretwire, which shows only faint wear to the tops of the fret crowns in the first position, and almost no wear up the neck. The guitar frets easily in all positions and the action is low and comfortable, as the neck has been professionally reset. The aged creme binding on the neck is original and goes over the ends of the frets for a very clean and professional look. The original small red side dot inlays are present as well, along with the prominent pearloid hump block inlays on the fretboard. On the headstock, the original Electromatic logo is still present, and this text would be eliminated by '57. The original open back Waverly tuning machines are present as well, turn smoothly, and hold pitch well.
The simple electronics work as they should, with original chrome arrow knobs, "tortoise" riser on the Dynasonic pickup. The original chrome Melita bridge is in fantastic shape, with ebony feet that adhere perfectly to the arch on the top of the guitar. This bridge is extremely well made, intonates perfectly, and is an elegant piece of hardware seen on precious few Gretsch guitars. The original chrome "G" tailpiece and Copper Mist Gretsch pickguard are present as well. Visible through the bass side F hole, the original Gretsch label is clean and intact, noting the 6189 model name, and the serial number which is the most conclusive way to date the instrument (along with the features).
As with any vintage Gretsch guitar, one of the most important factors to note is the condition of the binding. On this Streamliner, we're happy to report that the binding is in overall exceptional condition, with very little of the deterioration that plagues many Gretschs from this era. The body binding is completely original and flawless. The neck binding has one reglued original piece on the bass side of the first fret, and a small amount of deterioration only on the treble side of the 3rd fret. The binding is completely stable and the guitar plays well without any issues in this regard.
Cosmetically, this is a clean and well cared for instrument. There are a couple finish chips along the neck pocket from when the neck was reset, and these chips have been filled and smoothed out so that while it's visibly worth noting, your palm wont feel it as you move up the board. There are a couple hairline cracks adjacent to the input jack which have been repaired and are 100% stable. No need to be gentle when plugging this baby in! The Bamboo Yellow nitro lacquer on the top is rich and unfaded, with light finish checking on the extremes of the lower bout. The back and sides are particularly clean as well, with only a few faint finish scratches and nicks, along with some finish checking in the higher registers of the neck profile.
This is a rare, well maintained and complete vintage Gretsch Streamliner, with the same construction as a Chet Atkins 6120!
The original hardshell case is included and also in excellent condition with working latches, original handle, and blue speckled exterior. The Gretsch banner is present on the interior lid of the case as well.